Bathers splash into record books (From Western Telegraph)

Bathers splash into record books

TENBYS brave Boxing Day bathers splashed their way into the record books watched by one of the largest crowds in the 31-year history of the festive event.

Thousands of spectators packed the North Beach to enjoy the sight of 377 swimmers charging for the calm water at the crack of a coastguard maroon.

While some dippers were out of the chilly sea and back to claim their medal in a moment, other hardy souls frolicked in the water, with some even swimming out to RNLI reserve fleet lifeboat, The Famous Grouse, moored some 50 metres offshore.

Bathers from as far afield as India, Russia and Australia joined the stampede to the sea and their chosen attire ranged from bikinis to full fancy dress, which included a bride and groom, a skeleton, a sheep, a Peter Pan tableau and a line of Minnie Mouses!

The entry was the biggest ever, and hopes are high that the swim will be another charity bonanza. Last year, over £8,000 was raised and this years swim has already resulted in £3,000 being collected for the Paul Sartori Foundation by the family and friends of the late Sharron Griffiths, of Tenby.

The events headline charities this year are the Ty Hafan Childrens Hospice, Tenby Gateway Club, Tenby Scout and Guide Hall rebuilding fund and Tenby Rowing Club.

The response to the swim has delighted its organisers, the Tenby Sea Swimming Association. Said chairman Chris Osborne: It was a superb turn-out, appropriately matched by the superb weather.

The fancy-dress theme of magic inspired some imaginative costumes. Adult winners Jane Hewitt - taking the plunge for Spittal Church - and Isobel Bowen, raising money for Ward 10, Withybush Hospital, were the Wacky Wizards and won a bar meal at the Buccaneer Inn, Tenby.

The adult group prize of four bottles of champagne was gleefully claimed by Tenby Tangents The Magic of Disney.

In the childrens section, Sam and Annie Davies and Cassie Lowe as Lord of the Ring and his Diamonds, won fancy ice-creams at Feccis, with Sam also taking home the individual child prize of a £10 Thorntons voucher from Temptations of Tenby.