The countdown is on to Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim, which will be splashing out from the North Beach for the 47th time next Tuesday.

Ranked amongst the festive highlights of Wales, the charity event has also been named as one of Britain’s top 10 barmiest winter dips.

The swim is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association (TSSA) which also stages the summertime Caldey Swim.

These two events have enabled TSSA to raise nearly £270,000 for local, national and international charities and good causes over the years.

The 2016 Tenby Boxing Day Swim saw a record-breaking entry of over 700 dippers who took the plunge in the sunshine.

Said swim chairman Chris Osborne: “Whatever the weather, there’s always a very special atmosphere on the North Beach on Boxing Day - anticipation, camaraderie, festive cheer and with a lot of old friendships making their annual renewal.”

IT’S TIME TO TAKE TO THE WATER!

Fun on the beach starts at 11 am with festive music from DJ Steve Briers. There’s a canoe race, crazy raft race and fancy dress parade, with the costume theme of Comic Characters.

The stampede for the sea is signalled at 11.30 am, and swimmers can look forward to the warmth of the beach bonfire, hot soup served by Tenby Lions and a commemoratrive medal on their return to dry land.

DON’T GET WET FOR NOTHING!

Swimmers can collect for their own good causes, or the charities nominated by TSSA, which this year are Pembrokeshire foodbank charity PATCH and the Harriet Davis Trust, which has four holiday homes for disabled children and their families in south Pembrokeshire.

For a sponsor form and more information, visit www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk or Tenby Boxing Day Swim on Facebook.

PRIZES FOR CRAZY COSTUMES

Create your finest fancy dress on the theme of Comic Characters and win a prize!

The best adult group wins 10 passes to Heatherton and the best children’s group wins 10 climbing wall sessions at The Overhang.

There’s a Clarice Toys voucher for the best individual child and a meal for two at the Buccaneer, Tenby, for the best solo adult.

SWIM SPONSORS

The 2017 Tenby Boxing Day Swim is sponsored by FBM Holidays, Princes Gate Water, the Fourcroft Hotel and Harbour Wealth Management.