The skies may have been grey, and threatening rain but it failed to deter a record breaking turn out of Tenby's 32nd annual Boxing Day swim.
One of Wales' top festive highlights, Thursday's swim saw thousands of spectators thronging every vantage point around Tenby's North Beach to see over 400 men,women and children - and even a few pet pooches - brave the briny.
Fun started with the the launch of Tenby's all weather lifeboat, the RFA Sir Galahad which was followed by the ever popular canoe race, with David Mears eventually coming in first out of a field of 21, while the largest turnout yet of rafts in the round Goscar race saw Pembroke Canoe Club's No Hopers take pole position over Team Griff (Haydn, Tom, Max and Ky) in second, HMS Fourcroft in third and Cool Runnings in fourth.
There was also sailing races in the bay and the Seniors versus Juniors long boat race saw the Juniors sweep to victory in Oarsome after the Seniors, in Blisters II, broke an oar.
At 11.30 the traditional maroon signaled the traditional dash to the splash - although this year, with the tide at its highest for a number of years, it was more like a hop, skip and a jump - with Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown at the head of a record breaking number of entries, not only from Tenby but from other parts of Pembrokeshire, Wales, the UK and even the world.
While the swim attracted the usual crowd of faithful swimmers, for whom Christmas would not be complete without a dip in the sea on December 26, this year there were also a fantastic number of team entries including a large contingent from Tenby Swifts; one almost as large from Carew Methodist Youth Club, a gang from Total Fina Elf raising funds for Noah's Ark; Tenby Round Table, Tavernspite After School Club, Tenby Ladies Circle and Tenby Tangent among others.
While many opted for traditional swimming costumes, there were plenty of entries in the fancy dress, with the theme, Tenby's History' giving the dotty dippers plenty of scope. - and a headache for the Mayor when it came down to picking the winners!
The prize radio, donated by Dales, of Tenby for the winning child was shared between three-year-old Robyn Bowen, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest and her six-year-old sister Loren who joined with mum Isobel and Jane Hewitt in dressing up as Beatrix Potters much loved characters Peter Rabbit, the White Cat, Mrs. Ticklemouse and Mrs. Tiggywinkle.
Best children's group, and fancy ice creams at Feccis went to Tom and Annie Davies; Cassie Lowe and Charlie Ratcliffe as Tenby Town Walls, while someone who would know a lot about the town walls, William De Valence, earned Mike Thorne a meal for two at the Buccaneer as the best individual adult entry.
For the second year in succession the ladies of Tenby Tangent were the toast of the town - and they had four bottles of bubbly courtesy of the Fourcroft Hotel as a result - as they scooped the best group prize as Tenby Arts Festival Morris Dancers.
While for some it was a case of 30 seconds in the water and then off to warm up by the roaring bonfire built by Roy Broxham of Tenby Sea Cadets with help from Matt Broadhurst, and a hearty cup of soup provided by Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions, others chose to spend a little longer in the briny including swim veteran Tom Peake, who maintained his record of only missing two swims in the 32 year history of the event.
He declared the water to be 'very cold' but with no wind chill, he was having a splendidly splashing time.
Jayne Osborne, of Tenby Ladies Circle, taking part in her sixth swim, felt it was a 'little wetter' than she was expecting due to the heavy swells, while Tenby Round Table chairman, Carl Evans, who along with Christine Page - who was taking part to raise funds for HOPE in memory of her cousin - was amongst the last to leave the water, felt it had been the warmest for a few years.
One person who would be more used to warmer waters this time of year is Tenby United's Australian lock forward Ben Armstrong, who took part in the swim for the first time.
"It certainly clears the head for the day," he smiled.
However, it was more of a walk in the park for his playing partner, fellow lock Gene Hocking, of New Zealand.
"It's my first time in Tenby, but I did a similar swim in Ireland two years ago, and it was a lot colder then," he smiled.
The Mayor, Clr, Mrs. Brown, felt the morning had been brilliant.
"It was cold, but good fun," she said. "The event was brilliantly organised and there was a superb turn out, particularly in light of the weather earlier this morning when it was raining. There is only a small band of committee members, but they all should be congratulated, as should everyone who turned up today."
Safety cover on the day was provided by HM Coastguard, Tenby Surf Life Saving Association and St., John Ambulance.
Although many swimmers were raising money for their own charitable causes, the main beneficiaries of this year's event will be Tenby Friends of Tenovus, the South Pembrokeshire Stroke Club, Pembrokeshire Counselling Service and Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless and Tenby Sea Swimming Association chairman, Chris Osborne, was hoping that a record breaking swim would reap record breaking results.
"We've given out well over 400 medals, which is the best ever, and the organisers are extremely pleased with the support, particularly to see such large groups entering," he said.
"It was a great spectacle, and all the event went well. Although the high tide cut down on some of the activities on the beach, it actually suited the swimmers very well and many said it was quite comfortable out in the water."
Last year the swim raised its best ever total of over £15,000 for charity.
"Let's hope that was the start of a trend," smiled Mr. Osborne.
The beach bucket collection has already raised £1192, for the coffers and all swimmers are urged to hand in their sponsorship money as soon as possible so that the final total can be calculated.