Tenby’s Boxing Day Swim this year will have a special ‘superhero’ fancy dress theme for fundraisers - to pay respects to the RNLI’s voluntary lifeboat crew members.

The seaside town’s famous Boxing Day Swim splashed out into its second half-century with a record-breaking Disney-themed dip back on December 26, with over a thousand dippers once again taking to the choppy seas at North Beach for the annual charity event.

Between online entry fees and the bucket collection, more than £3,900 had been raised for the Tenby Sea Swimming Association (TSSA) funds, and earlier this year, swim organisers were able to give donations to three organisations who have helped the event’s success and safety over the years, with a presentation of £1,000 cheques to Tenby RNLI, Tenby Surflink and St John Ambulance Cymru.

There were also some outstanding individual fundraising efforts, such as even-year-old Teddy Gomez who raised £892 for the Shooting Star Children’s Hospital; while St Clears RFC Under 14s raised £1,500 for Glangwili Hospital Chemo Unit.

This took the swim’s fundraising total to nearly £6,500, meaning that over its lifetime, the swim has raised a total of £301,500 for charities and good causes!

Boxing Day Swim 2023
The seaside town’s famous Boxing Day Swim splashed out into its second half-century with a record-breaking Disney-themed dip last year (Pic: Gareth Davies Photography) (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)

The event is organised by Tenby Sea Swimming Association, whose new chairman is Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, after Chris Osborne whose family have been associated with the swim since its inception, announced earlier in the year that he would be stepping down from the role.

Chris had previously said that his time as chairman had been ‘huge fun and extremely rewarding’ - and will now become life president of TSSA, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Gly Osborne, and late uncle, Idris Morgan.

Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall said: “What the volunteers of the RNLI do is incredible and in their honour we have chosen Superheroes as the theme for the fancy dress.”

Swimmers and spectators are encouraged to assemble on the North Beach at 11am on Thursday, December 26.

Tenby RNLI Boxing Day swim
Tenby RNLI's all-weather lifeboat crew on duty at one of the seaside town's famous Boxing Day Swim events (Photo by Gareth Davies Photography) (Pic: Gareth Davies Photography)

Festive music from DJ Steve Briers will add to the atmosphere ahead of the 11.15am fancy dress parade and the 11.30am signal to stampede for the sea.

On their return from the briny, swimmers can look forward to hot soup and a commemorative medal, as well as the happy atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie on the beach.

The Tenby Boxing Day Swim are delighted to reveal the brand new designed medals that swimmers will receive.

The Tenby Boxing Day Swim are delighted to reveal the brand new designed medals that swimmers will receive.
The Tenby Boxing Day Swim are delighted to reveal the brand new designed medals that swimmers will receive. (Pic supplied)

Designed, produced and sponsored by Lowri’s Shop, the medal is two-sided and features original artwork.

Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said: “We are excited to have a new style medal that will be a great memento.”

Mark and Lowri of Lowri’s Shop said: “We're excited and proud to be the medals sponsor as well as designing and making them.

“The medals can be kept as they are or turned into keyrings - rings will be available for a 50p donation, with all proceeds going to Tenby RNLI. “

Sponsors of the swim are as follows: Harbour Wealth; ND Toy Insurance; Qube Group; Harbwr Brewery Tap & Kitchen; Tenby & District Lions; Lowri’s Shop.

Entry to the swim is a minimum £10 (plus £1. 55 fee) via Eventbrite.

To find out more, and how to sign up to take part and donate, head over to www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk

Mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan pictured at last year's swim with John Morgan, Sergeant at Arms (now retired); and stand in Mace Bearer Erin Morgan.
Mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan pictured at last year's swim with John Morgan, Sergeant at Arms (now retired); and stand in Mace Bearer Erin Morgan. (Pic supplied)

Message from Tenby’s Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan:

“Tenby Boxing Day swim is a highlight of the festive period in the town. The atmosphere is fantastic with so many people on the beach and hopefully many more swimmers.

“To appear with the mayoral party is a personal pleasure and as always a big thank you to the organisers TSSA and the band of merry volunteers. A fun day with lots of money raised for many charities. Good luck all.”

Tenby Mayor
Tenby Sea Swimming Association chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said:“The great thing is that we can blow away the Christmas cobwebs, have fun and raise some money for Tenby RNLI. And, who knows, you might get the bug and start swimming in the sea every morning, like me and lots of other people in Tenby!” (Pic: Gareth Davies Photography) (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)

Message from Tenby Sea Swimming Association chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall:

“On behalf of Tenby Sea Swim Association I would like to thank all the sponsors, Tenby Harbour Master, volunteers and committee members who are making the Boxing Day Swim possible.

“This is my first year as Chairman of TSSA and I want to record my thanks to Mr Chris Osbourne, whose family have run the Boxing Day Swim since it started.

“Chris’s advice has been really helpful. I doubt there is anyone I the country who has organised more Boxing Day swims than Chris.

“I hope that everybody has a fabulous time with friends and family at the Boxing Day Swim.

“The great thing is that we can blow away the Christmas cobwebs, have fun and raise some money for Tenby RNLI. And, who knows, you might get the bug and start swimming in the sea every morning, like me and lots of other people in Tenby!”