By Laura Goldsbury Noy
MORE than 300 people braved
the cold and braced the shores of Sidmouth for the annual Boxing Day swim... ARE THEY MAD?!
The
Boxing Day swim and fancy dress competition was much more popular than last
year, perhaps due to the kinder weather, and there was a huge increase in
entries taking part in the competition.
Young people came out in full force, armed with a few festive drinks to brave the cold and by god did the people of Sidmouth go wacky!!!
Many joined in
wearing fancy dress costumes. Some dressed in festive outfits, from elves and
presents to Santas and wise men with others opting for more general fancy dress
attire from condiments and animals to cops and robbers.
Perhaps it was the young girls dressed as shepards riding bouncy hoppers that really got me?! But none the less, what a laugh!
Alongside those who
regularly swim on Boxing Day were many watching from the sidelines, who enjoyed
the festivities and fun while helping to raise money for charity, with some
swimmers being sponsored to brave the cold on Sidmouth’s Esplanade.
Those swimming for
charity included staff from Tesco, who dressed festively and dipped to raise
money for this year’s charity The Alzheimer’s Society.
The swim was said
to be a major success with hundreds gathering to watch the many swimmers join
in the Boxing Day celebrations and the Esplanade outside Port Royal bursting
with onlookers as the fancy dress winners were announced and some well earned drinks were
handed out.
Sidmouth’s Regatta
Committee, alongside branch members of RNLI, would like to thank everyone who
took part in this year’s swim and thank all those for their support with their
huge turn out on the day.
