Christmas & Boxing Day Swims in Dorset
We’re fast approaching that time of year when people take leave of their senses, abandoning comfy chairs by glowing firesides, throwing down hats and scarves and tossing away woolly jumpers to plunge headlong into the icy seas for a traditional festive splash.
But hold on, as crazy as this might sound to some, for others it’s the highlight of the seasonal calendar, a feelgood winter pilgrimage laden with laughter and endorphins.
If you’ve booked a stay in one of Toad Hall’s Dorset holiday cottages and feel a hankering to join one of the county’s annual winter dunks, this could be the gentle nudge you needed.
Boscombe Pier Charity Dip
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Now in its 14th year, many believe the Boscombe Christmas day dip to be the largest gathering of its kind in the UK.
More than 1,000 brave Boscombe bathers are expected to disrobe for a seabound stroll of shivering proportions, all helping to raise money for the charity Macmillan Caring Locally and its Brick-by-Brick appeal.
Overseen by RNLI lifeguards, swimmers must sign in between 9.45am and 10am, the swim is anticipated to start at 10.30am.
This is a fancy dress event, so prepare to be thoroughly entertained.
Weymouth Harbour Christmas Day Swim
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A popular Christmas morning dip attracting thousands to Weymouth’s historic harbourside to watch the annual gathering of hardy souls as they prepare to take the leap.
Organised by the local Lions Club, swimmers are split into groups of fifty for staggered starts from the Cove on Trinity Road, finishing up at the Harbour Master’s office at Custom House Quay.
This much-celebrated landmark event is marshalled by sea canoeists from the RNLI, with safety boats also on patrol to offer a helping hand should any swimmers get into difficulty.
Legend has it that the swim began as a bet between a local landlord and a taxi driver during a boozy Christmas Eve night at the Duke of Cornwall Inn. Word spread like wildfire and townsfolk turned up to the harbour in their droves on Christmas Day 1948 to see if brave Reggie Bugler would be true to his word and take to Weymouth Bay in his nothing but his swimming trunks.
The event is expected to last for approximately one hour and all plucky plungers must purchase a ticket beforehand. The course itself is 70-metres in length, all swimming styles welcome. Aprés dippers can expect a warm and cosy welcome at the local pubs.
West Bay Wallow
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Celebrating its 18th anniversary, the West Bay Wallow can take its place among the best of them, a jolly Boxing Day dunk run by the Bridport Round Table.
This charity event is free to enter but donations are gratefully received. The swim takes place at midday, entrants asked to register from 10.45am at the slipway to the outer harbour.
Founded by John and Marlyn McHugh as a tribute to their late grandson, “The Wallow” continues to raise hundreds of pounds for worthy local causes.
Swanage Beach Boxing Day Swim
Organised chaos is once again expected along the sandy shores of Swanage Beach, a magnificent setting for one of the town’s most anticipated calendar events.
Expect to see the usual array of soggy Santa hats and drenched elf ears at this year’s salty shindig, all in aid of the #Willdoes charity working to promote wellbeing among young people.
Last year’s sea temperature was a toasty 11 degrees Celsius, not exactly the Caribbean but relatively mild for the climes of Swanage Bay.
A free event but donations are welcome, prizes will be given to the best fancy dress costumes and hot teas, coffees and mince pies will be served to all this year’s crop of brave but barmy plungers.
Swimmers to meet for a debrief and registration at the Mowlem Theatre and the swim is expected to take place at 11am.
For more information on Wild Swimming visit The Outdoor Swimming Society and for the latest safest advice on swimming in the sea, visit the RNLI.
Have a wonderful time, stay safe, & always respect the water!