Boxing Day Dip
The Boxing Day Dip is a charity event where people in fancy dress swim in the sea on Boxing Day. There are several such dips held around Europe, but the largest is organised by the Lions Club of Sunderland, England. Participants are expected to wear fancy dress and jump into the North Sea.The oldest is Tenby Boxing Day Swim in Pembrokeshire, Wales, started in 1970
Tenby's Boxing Day Swim
Tenby Boxing Day Swim in Pembrokeshire, Wales, sponsored by FBM Holidays started in 1970 and has snowballed into Tenby's main Christmas attraction. With around 600 swimmers and thousands of onlookers each year, this fantastic spectacle is not to be missed. With everyone swimming for charity, and the majority in fancy dress, Boxing Day in Tenby is a surefire way to carry on the fun at Christmas. A roaring bonfire greets the emerging swimmers and everyone of them receives a medal for their bravery. Started by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association, (TSSA), the Osborne family has been associated with the spectacle from the beginning and Chris Osborne, chairman of TSSA has seen the event take place in every weather condition, from brilliant sunshine to freezing wind-chill. And he said that each year, the organisers never fail to be amazed by its growing success and popularity. As the swim goes from strength to strength each year, the event grows with canoes, raft racing and much more before the great immersion at 11.30am . Come and meet your friends on the North Beach this Boxing Day, give generously to the local charities and enjoy all the fun of the beach
Sunderland's Boxing Day Dip
It is held at Seaburn beach in Sunderland and it attracts one thousand dippers every year. Up to five thousand spectators turn out to witness the dip, including the City’s Mayor and Mayoress.
Originating in 1974 the dip is one of the oldest events in the country.
The dip of 2004 raised nearly £60,000 for charity, with several teams taking part. Some of the major donators are Ashbourn Guest House, Alexandra Plumbing and Heating, the New Clipper, CR Builders, TWR Window Frames, Ttonic, MTL Scaffolders, Print Centre, Jolly Potters, Jacksons.
Also it is much older than the BOXING DAY DIP in Hartlepool.
North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards' Boxing Day Swim at Whitley Bay
A swim or dip in the sea over the festive period (be it Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year) is a traditional event for many lifeguard clubs across the UK. With sea temperatures ranging anywhere from 4 °C to 10 °C, the main challenge is simply to brave the cold.
North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards (NSVL) has held a Boxing Day swim every year since the club's formation in 1998, jumping in the North Sea from their base at Whitley Bay on the north-east coast of England. The event started off and continues to be one of the year's biggest social gatherings of the club, with members travelling from far distances.
Norfolk Coat Dips Overstrand started their own yearly dip started by the reverend Michael Langan, the tradition still continues today.
External links
- Sunderland Lions Club
- North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards
- BBC Wear - Boxing Day Dip 2008 and pictures of previous dips
- Hartlepool Round Table Boxing Day Dip