One hundred intrepid sea swimmers are planning to strike out on Sunday morning for the annual Caldey Swim.

The iconic challenge, in aid of the RNLI, is now firmly established on the UK open water swimming calendar

As well as a large local contingent, swimmers are coming from all over the country to make the 2.5 mile crossing from the monastic island to Tenby.

START TIME 10.45am

Weather permitting, swimmers will leave Caldey at 10.45 am, with the first due back on Tenby’s North Beach, near the end of the harbour wall, within 45 minutes.

Led by Tenby Surflink, they will have a kayak escort from Pembrokeshire Paddlers and the Gwendraeth Paddlers, while Tenby Sailing Club will set the course and providing some safety ribs.

CIVIC WELCOME

Swimmers will be greeted by town Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall and the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Tony Brinsden, who will be presenting them with medals sponsored by Richard Graham, of Big Brum’s, Pembroke Dock.

WATCH FROM THE WATER

Swimmers will be ferried across to Caldey by local boatmen, and one of the craft will return to take family and friends to watch the action from the sea. To book a place on the boat (£10, adults; £5, children), contact Val Coates Rees on 01834 843951.

MARINE TRADITION

Swimming between Caldey and the mainland has been a long-standing tradition in Tenby for individuals and small groups.

However, 2013 was the first time for the distance to be swum under the umbrella of the Tenby Sea Swimming Association, which has organised the town’s famous Boxing Day Swim for over 40 years.

Said TSSA chairman Chris Osborne: “We are, once again, very grateful to the Port of Milford Haven, Princes Gate Water and Big Brum’s for their sponsorship, and to our full house of 100 swimmers whose efforts will result in us being able to make a generous donation to Tenby RNLI.”

There will also be a bucket collection for the RNLI on Castle Hill and Tenby Harbour that day.

For more information, see Tenby-Caldey-Swim.co.uk