Sea swimmers brave the cold for mass festive dips

Beaches across Sussex and Kent will be welcoming sea swimmers for their mass annual dips during the festive period.

Swimmers wishing to shake off any festive fatigue will take to the cold water in the South East, with seasonal swims having long been a tradition in the region.

Events are planned for Boxing Day and New Year's Day for those wanting to brave the icy chill of the sea after the excesses of Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Beachgoers have, however, been advised to take extra care when walking on the beach and swimming, due to the cold conditions.

Following the tradition of the Brighton seafront swim on Christmas day, a host of events will be held in Sussex on 26 December.

In Eastbourne, swimmers will gather for an "annual festive reset" at the Lifeguard beach near the Wishtower from 12:15 GMT.

Fancy dress has been welcomed for the event, as long as event-goers can swim in it.

The event will also be overseen by Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards.

A similar event is being organised in Selsey, where swimmers will meet at the RNLI Centre, near East Beach, from 09:00.

The event is organised by the South Coast Sea Gods, a community interest company (CIC) set up to support men's health and wellbeing.

In Kent, Boxing Day swims will be taking place all along the county's beaches.

Folkestone & Hythe Lions Club will once again be putting on its annual Boxing Day dip, taking place at Sunny Sands from 09:30.

The event, costing £10, also involves a fancy dress contest for individual and group costumes and raises money for local charities, according to organisers.

Whitstable RNLI will be organising its own event from 14:30, meeting at the front of the boat house in Harbour Street.

The event, which is being organised for the second time, raises money for the lifeboat charity.

And, in Herne Bay, swimmers will also meet for a "refreshing festive dip", starting at Herne Bay pier from 13:30, swimming three hours before high tide.

But events in Deal have been cancelled for a second year in a row over poor sea water bathing conditions, according to organisers.

Deal Rotary Club said that, although water quality had now been classified as "good", short notice on the decision meant there was not enough time organise the event.

New Year's Day has also become a popular day for swimmers looking to start 2026 with a dip in the sea.

In Camber Sands, The Gallivant hotel will organise its annual new year swim, led by a wild swim coach from 10:00 to 11:00.

The swim is followed by a hot drink at the hotel, and the event is free for the community, but also raises money for Blood Cancer UK for those wishing to give.

The Big Dip in West Wittering will also return for another year from 13:00 on 1 January, with registration from 11:00.

The event, which was cancelled in 2025 over weather concerns, also attracts fancy dressers looking to inject an element of fun into their new year tradition.

However, people have been warned to take care.

Michael Grier, Brighton & Hove City Council's seafront operations and contract manager, said: "Cold water sea swimming takes skill, stamina and knowledge of the physical dangers and should only be for the very experienced, using suitable wetsuits, in very calm conditions and with friends.

"Even on a calm day, sea currents, unpredictable waves or a sudden change in weather can create life-threatening hazards without warning."

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