Try cold water swimming at a festive swim in Wales

13/12/2024

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Try cold water swimming at a festive swim in Wales

Thinking about trying cold water swimming at a festive swim in Wales? If you’re ready to brave the icy Welsh waters, you can choose from swims on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Thousands of people from across the nation have been dipping into icy Welsh waters in this unusual festive tradition for many years. Some don their best fancy dress and raise money for charity. But for others, cold water swimming is for life – not just for the festive season.

Mental Health Swims have 11 groups across Wales that embrace the cold water all year round! And not only for the benefits it can have on recovery, reducing inflammation and muscle soreness. They do it to give their mental health a boost and for the strong sense of community it brings.

Sarah Groves, Community Engagement Manager at Mental Health Swims said: “Cold water dips act as a reset on a busy mind, which can really help when you’re struggling with your mental health. The positive buzz afterwards is really uplifting”

The recent Wales Activity Tracker from Sport Wales shows that just as many people exercise to benefit their mental health as they do to improve their physical health.

Because of this, more and more people are joining cold water swimming groups. To meet the growing demand, Mental Health Swims were awarded £4,350 in National Lottery funding from Sport Wales earlier this year to help them buy outdoor swimming equipment so those who can’t afford it can join in the cold water fun.

So, is there a better time to take the plunge into cold water than with an excited crowd at one of Wales’ festive swims? Unlock the benefits of cold water therapy and make it more than a once-a-year tradition.

Here is a list of festive swims in Wales you can try.

Where can I go for a festive swim in Wales?

Porthcawl Christmas Day Swim

When? 25th December. Event starts at 10:30am and the swim begins at 11:45am.
Where? Coney Beach, Porthcawl

The Porthcawl Christmas Swim has been taking place since 1965 and shows no signs of slowing up. More than a thousand people stampede towards the shore at Coney Beach every year.

Find out more about the Porthcawl Christmas Day Swim here.

Tenby Boxing Day Swim

When? 26th December. Event starts at 11am and the swim begins at 11:30am.
Where? North Beach, Tenby

Another festive swim steeped in tradition – the people of Pembrokeshire have been making waves at North Beach on Boxing Day for more than 50 years.

Find out more about Tenby Boxing Day Swim.

Credit: Gareth Davies Photography Tenby

Llandudno Lions Club Boxing Day Dip

When? 26th December. Check in from 10am and the dip starts at 11.30am.
Where? North Shore Beach, Llandudno

The Boxing Day dip at Llandudno is quite possibly the coldest festive swim in Wales with sea temperatures at a nippy 9°C. Hot soup at St George’s Hotel will be ready to warm you up after braving the Irish Sea.

Find out more about Llandudno Lions Club Boxing Day Dip.

Pembrey Country Park Walrus Dip

When? 26th December. 10:30am arrival for 10:45am dip
Where? Cefn Sidan Beach, Pembrey Country Park

You may see some famous sporting faces at the Walrus Dip! It’s a family tradition for Wales rugby player, Ffion Lewis and her brother, 7 times Mr Olympia, Flex Lewis to brave the waves at Cefn Sidan. Make sure you get there in plenty of time as it’s a bit of walk from the car park to the shore! This year the Walrus Dip is celebrating it’s 37th edition!

Find out more about Pembrey Country Park Walrus Dip

Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim

When? 1st January, 12.30pm
Where? Saundersfoot Beach

One of the most popular festive swims in Wales, thousands pile onto the sands at Saundersfoot to start the New Year with a cold water swim. There’s one rule though – you must fully submerge yourself. Prepare for brain freeze!

Find out more about Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim.

Credit: Gareth Davies Photography Tenby

Abersoch RNLI New Year’s Day Swim

When? 1st January, meet at 11:30am
Where? Main Beach, Abersoch

The festive tradition of splashing and dashing in the sea at Abersoch is a more recent one than many of the others on this list. Established in 2008, the local RNLI bring the community together to begin the New Year.

Find out more about the Abersoch RNLI New Year’s Day Swim here.

Whitesands New Year’s Day Swim

When? 1st January, register at 11am and swim at midday
Where? Whitesands Bay, St. Davids.

Welcome in the New Year with some West Wales waves at Whitesands. Usually a surfing hotspot on the Pembrokeshire coast, you can leave your wetsuits at home and the post-dip cawl can warm you up after.

Find out more about Whitesands New Year’s Day Swim.

RNLI Porthdinllaen New Year's Day Dip

When? 1st January, register from 9:45am, entry to the sea from midday
Where? Traeth Porthdinllaen

Find out more about RNLI Porthdinllaen New Year’s Day Dip here.

The Mayor's New Year's Day Dip, Parrog

When? 1st January, meet at the boat club at 11:45, entry to the water at midday
Where? Parrog, Newport, Pembrokeshire

What better way to start the New Year than by following your local mayor into the chilly water of the Nevern Estuary? Newport Boat Club will ensure you’re warmed up after you’ve splashed and dashed.

Mental Health Swims

When? Different dates throughout December and the New Year.
Where? There are 11 swim groups across Wales.

Welcome in the Winter Solstice in the sea at Barry or dip your toes in the lakes of Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog.

Sarah Groves, Community Engagement Manager at Mental Health Swims said: “Some people can find the festive period challenging and taking the time to go swimming can provide people with a break and an opportunity to relax and reset their minds.”

Their groups across Wales will be seeking that cold water buzz throughout December and beyond. You can join in as much as you feel comfortable with. It’s all about dips, not distance and community, not competition. Stick in a toe or paddle away with a community group at a festive swim near you:

Llyn Padarn, Llanberis - 23rd December
Jackson's Bay, Barry - Winter Solstice Dip, 21st December
Keepers Pond, Blaenavon - Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

Find out more about Mental Health Swims here.

The Dawnstakers swim all year round.

Dawnstalkers Penarth

When? Everyday. Meet just before sunrise.
Where? Penarth Seafront

It’s a daily tradition of the Dawnstalkers to take a sunrise dip. That means they’ll be taking their usual cold water sea dips on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and all the days in-between. Join them in Penarth across the festive period to give it a go.

Find out more about Dawnstalkers Penarth here.

The Bluetits Chill Swimmers

When? Everyday
Where? Various locations across Wales and the UK

Born in Pembrokeshire, the Bluetits Chill Swimmers have built up a community of more than 100,000 participants across the globe.

23 of the 150 Bluetits groups (or flocks, as they like to call themselves) are based here in Wales who, like the Dawnstalkers, make it a daily habit to immerse themselves in cold water. If you don’t live near the coast, fear not as there a few inland flocks who take advantage of some of Wales’ rivers, lakes and ponds to experience their cold water therapy.

Find a Bluetits flock near you here.

Cold Water Therapy

Cold water swimming is for life – not just for the festive season. Just ask the Dawnstalkers and the Bluetits, just two of many cold water swimming groups in Wales who embrace icy waters every single day!

Top tips for going for a cold water swim

While there are benefits to cold water swimming, don’t forget that you need to ensure you are taking part safely. Risks include cold water shock and hypothermia while riptides and currents in open water can also present dangers. Take your time, be sensible and you’ll enjoy being part of the cold water community.

Here are some top tips to help you get started:

Try a cold shower first.
Read the RNLI’s advice on how to be safe in the water.
Swim in a group.
Enter the water slowly.
Limit your time in the water.
Listen to your body.
Stay close to the shore or the water’s edge
Put on warm clothes after.
Have a warm drink.

So, give cold water swimming a go with a festive swim, or find a local group near you, and discover the wonders of cold water therapy.

For more information on Open Water Swimming, visit Swim Wales.