Splish Splash Splosh, Record Turnout for Xmas Day Swim

By Tim Keogh
3 weeks ago
Hunstanton
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Over 220 people took part in this year's annual Hunstanton Christmas Swim, believed to be a record turnout.

With a mid tide and a temperature nearing double figures, the conditions were kind to this year's swimmers, although the icy North Sea did make it somewhat challenging.

The event, organised by Hunstanton & District Round Table 615, first took place in the 1950s and proved to be a huge success for the thousands of onlookers who flocked to Hunstanton's promenade for the spectacle. See and Peter Brooke led off the swimmers along the promenade in their vintage automobile before the swimmers descended onto the beach and into the sea.

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See and Peter Brooke

Photo: Tony Brooke

With participants adorned in all kinds of fancy dress outfits, some outrageously bonkers, one of the busiest Yuletide events in Norfolk did not fail to disappoint. Whilst most swimmers were local, some people travelled from far and wide to take the plunge, with one participant from Bury and many from Essex and Hertfordshire. It is certainly a good way to strike up an appetite for Christmas lunch if nothing else!

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Round Table and RNLI Credit Chris Bishop/RNLI

Lifeboat operations manager Mike Gould said: "The Hunstanton crew assembled this morning for their annual wash, in a nod to our history we dressed for all weathers.

"Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting the Hunstanton Round Table and offering us so much warmth and encouragement this morning."

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Photo: Ian Burt

Glen Perkins (pictured right holding the RT banner), from the Hunstanton Round Table, marshalled the swimmers as they had to duck under the banner to complete the swim. He was delighted with the record turnout, saying, “that’s the busiest swim I have experienced and thank you to all the kind donations from everyone which will be divided between the Round Table and our two chosen charities for this year, Prostate Cancer UK and the 8:56 Foundation. Merry Christmas to one and all”.

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