10 Fun Christmas & New Year Swim Events in the UK

After delivering all those presents, Father Christmas likes to take a refreshing dip in the North Pool (see what we did there?!), and you can enjoy a festive swim too at any of these 10 fun Christmas and New Year swim events in the UK:

On Christmas Day 25th December:

1. Hunstanton and District Roundtable Charity Swim

For more than 50 years, hundreds of swimmers have embraced the true spirit of Christmas by donning their silliest outfits and wading into the North Sea at Hunstanton Promenade for a FUNdraising swim!

Entry is free but donation of sponsorship funds to the annual Roundtable appeal are required. Bestdressed swimmer will win £25 but if you make an occasion of it with friends and family you could win £100! Simply register online.

2. Lowestoft North Sea Swim, Suffolk

This annual dash into the North Sea on the Lowestoft coast attracts hundreds of locals who have the nerve to brave the chilly waters and the heart to do it in the name of a good cause.

Several local charities benefit from funds raised during the event. In 2014 they generated over £8000 and this year they are attempting to beat it - can you help them this Christmas?

3. The 51st Annual Porthcawl Christmas Swim, Wales

Over a 1000 swimmers take part in this annual event to have festive fun in wacky costumes, enjoy a very bracing swim in the Bristol Channel and raise funds for the RNLI and other local charities.

4. The 26th Annual Galway Christmas Swim, Ireland

Taking place at Black Rock in Galway, the COPE Annual Christmas Swim encourages as many people as possible to take part in the event. Just dash into the water, see how long you can last and wear a Santa hat if you can; after 26 years it’s become quite a tradition! All funds raised go towards supporting elderly or vulnerable people dealing with homelessness or domestic violence.

On Boxing Day 26th December:

5. North Norfolk Beach Run and Swim, Cromer

If you’d like to thoroughly warm up before getting in the sea then join the North Norfolk Beach Runners in Cromer this Boxing Day. Each year a charitable cause benefits from the participation of hundreds of swimmers and runners and this year, the Community Heartbeat Trust will be using funds raised to install a defibrillator for public use.

6. “Dip Wi’ a Nip” Prestwick, Scotland

What better way to start working off all those mince pies than with a “Dip wi’ a nip” in Prestwick! Now in its 10th year, this annual swim organised by Clic Sargent aims to raise money to support children and young people with cancer. Entry is free but they ask that you raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship to help them continue their vital work.

7. Tenby Swim, Wales

Now in its 45th year, the Tenby Swim is a one of Britain’s longest running seasonal swims and is so popular that it’s one of the main attractions in the region drawing hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators nationwide. Will you be one of them this year?!

8. Rotary Club Boxing Day Dip, Redcar

If you want to do a festive charity dip and raise funds for cause that’s close to your own heart then pop along to Redcar this Boxing Day. Organised by the local Rotary Club, this swim is open to everyone; pre-register online or just turn up on the day, entry costs £10.

9. North Sea Swim, Sunderland

This chilly swim is a real spectacle! As many as a thousand swimmers in fancy dress make a mad dash along Seaburn Beach into the sea, cheered on by thousands of onlookers in one of the biggest seasonal swims in the UK! The event is organised by Sunderland Lions Club and is free to enter, simply register online.

10. The Stoats Looney Dook, South Queensferry, Edinburgh

Scotland is the place for Hogmanay, there’s nowhere like it for New Year celebrations so why not join countless other loonies dashing into the freezing River Forth in the annual Stoats Looney Dook swim! For more than 30 years this event has helped swimmers make a memorable start to a new year and raise money for charity. Not to be missed!

Wherever you decide to swim, whatever wacky costume you decide to wear or charity you choose to raise money for…

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all from the team at Zoggs!