This New Year’s Day will see the 32nd Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Charity Swim take place, with everyone urged to join in the fun and make it the best yet. 

This will be a special year, as Visit Wales will be launching their 2016 Year of Adventure at the swim.

In keeping with the Adventure theme, Pembrokeshire born Tori James will be starting the event and taking part! In 2005, Tori completed the Polar Challenge, a gruelling 360-mile race to the Magnetic North Pole.

In  2007, she became the youngest British woman and the first Welsh woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest and in 2010 she cycled the length of New Zealand, a total of 2400km, unsupported. However, she acknowledges that NYDS 2016 will be her toughest challenge to date!

The popular mascot race is back again. Charlie Shivers, the swim’s own mascot, will once again come face to face with his local rivals!  Already signed up for the competition are Freddie The Fox from Heatherton Country Sports Park, ‘Cochyn’ from Scarlets Rugby, Cloudy from Princes Gate, Popty from CK Supermarkets and Patch from Sunnyvale Holiday Park.

Last year, the swim attracted over 1,500 swimmers and generated over £40,000. Fifty charitable and worthwhile causes benefited. Over the years, the swim has raised over £500,000. 

Sponsor forms are still available from Elements of Pembrokeshire, The Strand, Saundersfoot, alternatively, you can visit the swim’s website at www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk and download your own form. Also keep up to date with the build-up by following Charlie Shivers on Facebook and Twitter @CharlieShivers.

The swim’s rugby shirts are also available at Elements or NYDS hoodies from Tees R Us.

The swim starts at 12.30 pm and the swimmers will be sent on their way to the waves with a firework launch, courtesy of Westcoast Fireworks, while DJ Benny Bond will be on hand to give the event his usual seasonal commentary. 

In order to keep the swimmers warm during the build-up, they will again be put through the traditional dance routine to ‘Rockin All Over The World’! The event will be photographed by Gareth Davies, so make sure you are smiling!   

Martyn Williams, chairman of Saundersfoot Festivities, said: “The swim has become an integral part of the festive season for this area.

“I would also like to encourage all swimmers to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity or worthy cause. We will ensure that every penny raised will go to that charity. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank once again the swim’s sponsors for their generous support. We are also extremely excited and privileged that Visit Wales are launching their Year of Adventure at the swim.”

If you are holidaying in the Saundersfoot area over the New Year, why not join in the swim. It attracts thousands of spectators, who flock to the village to revel in the celebrations and cheer the thousand or so brave swimmers who don fancy dress outfits to take the plunge and raise money for worthwhile causes.

All swimmers and spectators are advised to get to the event early to avoid congestion. Organisers have been liaising with a number of organisations and businesses to ensure all available car parking areas in the village are open. If you know family or friends within the village, it may be advisable to use their driveways.

Each swimmer will be presented with a medal and there will be a prize for best fancy dress individual and group entries, kindly donated by Stephen Cole.

Charlie Shivers’ safety tips for swimmers

• If you suffer from any medical condition, please consult a doctor beforehand.

• No entering the water under the influence of alcohol.

• Keep warm before the swim, especially your feet.

• Enter the water sensibly and be considerate to other swimmers.

• Do not stay in the water too long. Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

• Stay within one’s depth whilst in the water.

• If you feel unwell whilst in the water, please contact a lifeguard or a member of the emergency services, or if in the water, raise your arm in the air.

• Once out of the water, please dry yourself immediately and put on warm clothes.

• Children to be under the control of parents or designated adult.

• Please adhere to the guidance and instructions of the lifeguards, stewards and emergency services.

• Please seek assistance if you are feeling unwell. There will be medical assistance available.

• Once out of the water, please dry yourself immediately and put on warm clothes. Experienced swimmers suggest having a ‘towel buddy’ nearby on the beach.

We hope that everyone will heed the above advice, but please note that all swimmers enter the sea at their own risk.

Any further information regarding the swim can be found on the website www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk, including safety advice for those swimming.

Children’s disco

There will be a free children’s disco at the Regency Hall between 1 and 5 pm on New Year’s Day.

The swim’s organisers are proud to announce that the main sponsors for NYDS 2016 will be Powells Cottage Holidays, N.D. Toy & Partners Independent Financial Advisors & Mortgage Brokers, Scaffold 2000, Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Tees R Us, Tojaz of Saundersfoot, Princes Gate Spring Water, Elston Construction, Folly Farm, Silcox Coaches, Sue’s Pantry, Saundersfoot Pleasure Boats, 1 Formula Fitness, Tenby Glass, Neil Finlay Cars and Lewis, Lewis & Co Ltd.