Christmas Swims In Cornwall – Crazy, Chilly Swims In The Sea!
It has become a bit of a tradition to have a swim in the sea over Christmas in Cornwall. If you are brave, hardy and want to join in with an invigorating, communal dip, come along and join in the crazy fun!
At most Christmas swims and dips WETSUITS ARE NOT ALLOWED! Yikes! Fortunately, the one that I go to – the St Ives Boxing Day Dip on Porthminster Beach does allow wetsuits. Thank goodness for that.
Lots of the organised swims are also raising money for charity. Bring along some money for the bucket and help raise money for some excellent causes.
A Few Tips If You Are Taking Part In One Of The Christmas Swims Across Cornwall This Year:
- Take lots of warm clothes
- Take a big towel or robe to dry off under
- Take a thermos with something very warming in
- Take something sweet to eat afterwards
- Don’t except to actually swim much. It is much more of a token dip, especially is you are sans wetsuit. The water and air temperatures are so cold, so please do take care.
- Check with the organiser before you go – most of them will be posting updates on facebook. Rain won’t postpone the swims, but high seas might.
Christmas Eve Swims In Cornwall
Penzance Prom Christmas Eve Swim
Date: 24th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Battery Rocks
Organiser: N/A This is an informal event
Wetsuits Allowed: YES! Although most don’t wear one as this attracts wild swimmers! Fancy dress is encouraged. As is cake!
Christmas Day Swims In Cornwall
What better way to start Christmas Day with a bracing swim in the sea!
Hayle Beach Christmas Day Dip
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 10am
Location: Towan Beach, Hayle
Organiser: Hayle Surf Life Saving Club
Wetsuits Allowed: I’m not sure…
Meet at 10am on Towan Beach. Join in with the Hayle Surf Life Saving Club for a fabulous Christmas Day dip in the sea. Check the Hayle Surf Life Saving Club facebook page for more details closer to the big day.
Gwithian Christmas Day Dip
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 7am to 11:45am
Location: Gwithian Beach, Hayle
Wetsuits Allowed: YES!
Starting anytime from 7am to 11.45 am you can join hundreds of likeminded folk either in for a dip, swim or surf on Christmas day!
Sennen Cove Christmas Day Dip
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Sennen Cove Main Car Park
Organiser: Sennen Surf School
Wetsuits Allowed: I’m not sure…
Meet at 11am opposite the Sennen Surf School. This event can get really busy – the car park gets very full, so come early! Check the Sennen Surf School facebook page from more details.
St Agnes Christmas Day Swim
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Trevaunance Cove
Organiser: The Driftwood Spars
Charity:
Wetsuits Allowed: NO!
Followed by a good old get-together in the Driftwood Spars Inn and plenty of hot mulled cider!
Coverack Christmas Day Swim
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Coverack Harbour
Organiser: Coverack Village Community
Charity: Cancer Research UK
Wetsuits Allowed: Yes. Fancy Dress is also good too!
If you are brave enough…This Christmas help beat cancer sooner by taking part in the Coverack Christmas swim, Coverack Harbour at 12.30 on Christmas Day.
The water is cold but the atmosphere is fantastic and warm…if you’re lucky you might spot a celebrity or two!
Everyone is welcome to take part but please note that this is a fund raising event. We really would like to raise a large amount this year to celebrate 50 years!
FANCY DRESS Swimmers can raise funds via Just Giving under ST.KEVERNE and COVERACK BRANCH of Cancer Research UK.
Gylly Beach Falmouth Christmas Day Swim
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 10am
Location: Gylly Beach, Falmouth
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Watergate Bay, Newquay
Date: 25th December 2018
Time:
Location: Watergate Bay
Head down to the beach just in front of the Extreme Academy.
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Polzeath Christmas Day Dip
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Hayle Bay (North of Padstow)
Organiser: Poldhu Beach Cafe
Wetsuits Allowed: NO!
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Bude Christmas Day Swim
Date: 25th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Crooklets Beach
Organiser: Bude Life Saving Club
Charity: Bude Life Saving Club
Wetsuits Allowed:
Boxing Day Swims In Cornwall
St Ives Boxing Day Swim
Date: 26th December 2018
Time: 12noon
Location: Porthminster Beach, St Ives
Organiser: The St Ives Mermaid
Charity: Mind
Wetsuits Allowed: YES!
The St Ives Boxing Day swim starts are a very civillised 12noon! Come early though as it is a really sociable event. Last year 2017 it was POURING with rain and still the turn out was amazing. I guess if you are going to get wet going in, a bit of rain doesn’t matter.
Meet at 11:30 for the 12noon dash on Porthminster Beach, St Ives.
Poldhu Beach (Near Helston)
Date: 26th December 2018
Time: TBA
Location: Poldhu Beach Cafe
Organiser: Poldhu Beach Cafe
Wetsuits Allowed: YES!
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Portreath Boxing Day Swim
Date: 26th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Portreath Beach
Wetsuits Allowed: NO!!
Charlestown Boxing Day Swim
Date: 26th December 2018
Time: 11am
Location: Charlestown Harbour
Organiser: Charlestown Rowing Club
Charity: The League of Friends of St Austell Community Hospital
Wetsuits Allowed: NO!
Join us for a bracing Boxing Day Swim!
Sponsorship shared with this year’s chosen charity –
The League of Friends of St Austell Community Hospital
Participants must be 11 years & over and raise a minimum of £10 sponsorship -under 16s must be accompanied by a participating adult. Fancy dress costumes encouraged………but no wetsuits allowed!
New Years Day Swims In Cornwall
Gylly Beach, Falmouth
Date: 1st January 2019
Time: 12noon
Location: Gylly Beach
Wetsuits Allowed:
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Harbour Beach, Newquay
Date: 1st January 2019
Time: 1:30pm
Location: The Harbour Beach in Newquay
Wetsuits Allowed: YES! Fancy dress is good too!
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Looe New Years Day Swim
Date: 1st January 2019
Time: 11am
Location: Looe Beach
Wetsuits Allowed: I think so – Fancy Dress is encouraged though!
Harlyn Bay Beach
Date: 1st January 2019
Time: 10:30am
Location: Harlyn Bay Beach
Organiser:
Charity:
Wetsuits Allowed:
Sorry, I’ve not got all the information on this yet…
Readymoney Fowey
Date: 1st January 2019
Time: 12pm
Location: Readymoney Cove, Fowey
Organiser:
Charity:
Wetsuits Allowed: NO!
This charity swim is £10 to enter, starts at 12pm and offer hot refreshments after.
If any of the details are incorrect, or I have missed off a Christmas swim, please do let me know. I am happy to update or amend things. See you on Porthminster Beach on Boxing Day!