Ideal weather conditions greeted the shoal of swimmers who took part in Sunday’s Caldey Swim in aid of Tenby RNLI.

The crossing from the monastic island to the mainland was contested by 94 entrants, with a large local contingent joined by swimmers from all over the UK who were keen to take part in this iconic open water challenge.

A calm sea and a gentle 4mph wind made the conditions “fantastic”, said Andrew Wallace from Pembroke, who swam nearly 2.8 miles to be the first to arrive back on Tenby’s North Beach in a time of 56 minutes.

The 45-year-old software consultant represented Wales in pool events as a youngster, but has only latterly started open water swimming.

“It was a beautiful swim, with lovely clear water,” he said.

He was closely followed home by 38-year-old Sarah Hempenstall, a member of the sporting White family of Saundersfoot.

“Although I grew up here, I’ve never swum from Caldey so my mum persuaded me to enter, and I thought ‘why not?’” said mum-of-three Sarah, a sergeant in the Surrey police, who will shortly be competing in the European Open Water championships in Croatia as a member of the UK police team.

Third place was claimed by Peter Hopson, aged 46, from Cardiff, who has a caravan in Penally and so is a regular visitor to Pembrokeshire.

He said afterwards: “It was a great event, very well organised. I really enjoyed the swim, and will be signing up next year for sure.”

Tenby’s Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall, and Pembrokeshire County Council chairman, Clr. Tony Brinsden, were on the beach to greet swimmers and present them with medals sponsored by Big Brum’s.

The swim was also sponsored by Princes Gate Water, who provided bottled water for entrants, and the Port of Milford Haven, with bananas donated by Four Seasons.

Said Clr. Blackhall: “This was an absolutely fantastic event, and a big thank you must go to the organisers for all their hard work.

“It’s yet another event which puts Tenby on the map as a great sporting venue.”

The swim is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association (TSSA), which has run the town’s famous Boxing Day Swim for over 40 years.

Said TSSA chairman Chris Osborne: “The event went superbly and there was a great atmosphere amongst the spectators and swimmers, who were all very appreciative of our efforts, and who, most importantly, all completed the challenge.”