Hundreds splash out in Tenby's famous Boxing Day Swim (From Western Telegraph)

Hundreds splash out in Tenby's famous Boxing Day Swim

6:04pm Friday 26th December 2008

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Hundreds of swimmers have braved the cold in Tenby to join round-the-world adventurer Rosie Swale Pope in the town's famous Boxing Day Swim.

They emerged from their own adventure in the briny shivering but smiling at their acheivement of conquering the chilly water to raise money for charity and be presented with a commemorative medal.

And there was no-one more delighted with the event than 62-year-old Rosie, who returned to her home town of Tenby to a heroine's welcome in August after her five-year trans-globe trek.

“This is the best Boxing Day Swim ever - better than the one I did in Siberia,” she said, after emerging dripping from the water. "Three cheers for Tenby! It’s a wonderful experience and worth running around the world for.”

Town mayor Sue Lane and her deputy Tish Rossiter paid their own tribute to Rosie by dressing as her look-a-likes, while the fancy dress theme of ‘around the world’ brought out characters from all corners of the continents, including Borat, Baywatch and bikini-clad babes.

Around 570 bathers joined in the event, which was watched by huge crowds under blue skies. Thousands of pounds are expected to be raised for charities and good causes, including the headline charities chosen by swim organisers, the Tenby Sea Swimming Association - Barnardo’s Cymru, Plant Dewi, The British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, Sandy Bear and Friends and The Tinker’s Hill Trust.

Swim chairman Chris Osborne described the atmosphere on the busy beach as ‘fantastic’.

“There were lots of smiley faces, and some great festive spirit and bonhomie,” he said. “The crowds, the weather and everyone’s enthusiasm combined to make the swim specially good this year.”

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