SAUNDERSFOOT NEW YEAR’S DAY SWIM 2022 CANCELLED

We are disappointed to announce that for the second year running the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim will not go ahead. The event was scheduled for 1st January 2022. This was a unanimous decision made by the members of the Swim’s Health & Safety group.  

Whilst we recognise that things have undoubtedly improved, even the introduction of Level 1 restrictions would make it impossible to run the event safely. In this situation the total number of participants and spectators would be limited to 4000 and social distancing rules would need to be implemented. Given the large crowds that the swim attracts, it would be impossible for us to achieve COVID compliance.

The New Year’s Day Swim is a community event and so we must consider the interests of all within the community. We cannot risk any increase in pressure on the emergency services that have always supported us to run the event safely.

We know this decision will be disappointing to the many charitable and worthy causes the Swim supports; the 2019 and 2020 Swims each generated over £50,000, but after 36 successful years we must continue to prioritise the safety of all those attending. Rest assured, if all is well in 2023, the Swim will be back and better than ever.

2021 swim cancellation

It is regrettable that we have had to cancel our popular Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim, scheduled for 2021. The unanimous decision was made by the Swim’s Health & Safety group and was in response to Government restrictions on events that host large crowds during the current Covid 19 crisis. This news will bring disappointment to many charitable and worthy causes, especially as the 2019 and 2020 Swims each generated over £50,000. We feel that the health and safety of the public is paramount and, as we could not guarantee social distancing, we are not prepared to put the public at risk. The Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim has successfully run for 36 years and we pride ourselves on the safety of all those attending. We sincerely hope that we can go ahead with the 2022 New Year’s Day Swim and make it the best Swim ever.

Update on 2021 swim

"As part of our annual event planning, we (organisers of Saundersfoot’s New Year’s Day Swim) have recently held an online meeting to discuss the 2021 NYDS Charity Swim.

Due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 Virus and the many challenges presented when holding a major event, we are very mindful of the health & safety of the swimmers, viewing public and communities at large.

The NYDS swim has successfully run for 36 years and we pride ourselves on the safety of all those attending. During these uncertain, difficult and challenging times it is accepted that people’s safety would be at risk as long as the COVID-19 Virus is in existence.

To this end, we have agreed to monitor the situation and continue to observe national and local government advice as well as continuing to work with PCC and emergency services, before making a final announcement as to whether to proceed with the holding of the 2021 event.

A further announcement will follow on Tuesday 1stSeptember 2020."  

Saundersfoot NYDS Organisers  

2020 NYDS raises over £48,000

Organisers of the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim are delighted to announce that the total money generated from NYDS 2020 is £48,896.  Organisers are thankful to all swimmers, sponsors, commercial sponsors, organisations and helpers for contributing towards the magnificent sum.  

The generosity of the commercial sponsors has ensured that every penny raised is donated, and it total 54 charitable and worthwhile causes will benefit.

Martyn Williams, chairman of NYDS said, "The swim continues to go from strength to strength. Our community should be extremely proud of the magnificent sum raised, whether that be from the swimmers and their sponsors or financial contributions from commercial sponsors and organisations within the locality. The cheques handed out will make a difference to every one of the 54 charitable and worthwhile causes. Thanks too go to all the emergency services, safety personnel, stewards, bucket collectors and sponsors who all contributed to make the 36th swim a success”

For further information about the NYDS swim please keep an eye out on the swim website www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk or @CharlieShivers on Facebook and Twitter.

2020 Swim Sponsors: Powells Cottage Holidays, 1 Formula Fitness Health & Leisure Club, Broughton Leisure Ltd, Elston Construction, Folly Farm, Harbour Wealth Financial Services, Lewis, Lewis & Co Ltd, Mike Wealleans PVCu Specialist, Neil Finlay Cars, Pembrokeshire Tyres & MOT's, Princes Gate Spring Water, Little & Large Lite Bites, Saundersfoot Pleasure Boats, Scaffold 2000, Sue’s Pantry, Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Sytner Mini BMW, Bysiau Cwm Taf - Taf Valley Coaches, The Silver Lily, NBSM and Elements of Pembrokeshire.

**** A statement regarding the 2021 swim will be made on Monday 1st June ****

Saundersfoot Beach was the place to be to welcome the New Year in in style.  A record 2048 swimmers and thousands of spectators braved the icy waters for the 36th annual Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim in Pembrokeshire. The charitable event just gets bigger and better – and as the gathered masses prepared for the big event they were entertained by the dancers from Cast & Crew Performing Art School who provided the warm-up, whilst the crowd provided a powerful rendition of ‘Delilah’. The swim countdown was initiated by Great British Bake Off star Michelle Evans-Fecci, and at 12.30pm the swimmers were sent down the sands by a firework launch courtesy of Westcoast Fireworks. The swimmers did not disappoint on the fancy dress front.  In amongst the fancy dress entrants were numerous elves, fish, horses and dinosaurs. Saundersfoot Festivities Chairman Martyn Williams said, "The village and wider community has done us proud again. We could not have conceived 36 years ago we would be here now hosting such a major event.  Our driving force as always is the huge number of fantastic causes that benefit. Thirty-six years on and this event is getting bigger and better with thousands of pounds being raised for charity.  The people from Saundersfoot, the surrounding areas and even farther a field have come out in force to support this marvellous event despite the weather".

Fancy Dress Results:

Group: 1st Place – ‘Roadworks’ from Stepaside Coachworks, 2nd Place –  ‘Alice in Wonderland’ from Phillips and Vaux Family, 3rd Place – ‘Cool Runnings’ from Malin House Hotel

Individual: 1st Place – ‘Dilys the Fish’ Mark Halford, 2nd Place – ‘Drummer Boy’ – Barbera Camp, 3rd Place – ‘Wurzel Gumage’ – Mr Hayman

Contact: Jon Williams , Event Co-ordinator Tel: 07528 690633.

Photographs of the swim can be obtained from Gareth Davies Photography, Tel: 07836 334436.

For the fourth year running Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim has teamed up with Sytner, Haverfordwest for the loan of a brand new BMW 8 series over the festive period.  The vehicle will carry the branding of both NYDS and Sytner.   Martyn Williams, Chairman of the swim said, “We are delighted with our relationship with Sytner and are grateful for their continued support.  I’m sure Charlie Shivers will be delighted to drive around in the BMW over Christmas and New Year!”.   In addition to the BMW, Sytner have also sponsored the NYDS 2020 rugby jersey.

Picture:  Charlie Shivers pictured with his new toy!

NYDS PARK & RIDE WITH TAF VALLEY COACHES

With only a few days left until the big day, organisers of the 36th Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim have again teamed up with one of their sponsors to try and ease some of the congestion in the village on the day.  Taf Valley Coaches are supplying a free shuttle bus which will travel between Kilgetty Tourist Information Centre and Saundersfoot village.   The bus will start its service from Kilgetty at 10.30am and the last pick-up from Saundersfoot, returning to Kilgetty, will be at 2.30pm.  The drop off and collection point in the village will be the junction of Stammers Road and the bottom of St. Brides Hill.  It is anticipated that the round-trip will be between 20-30 minutes.  Although the service will be free, a £1 charitable donation would be welcome and all proceeds will be donated.   Martyn Williams, Chairman of NYDS said, “We are delighted to be partnering up again with Taf Valley Coaches.  Their continued support of NYDS is very much appreciated”.

Organisers are requesting that if you are travelling to the village by car on New Year’s Day please also consider car sharing and if you have friends or family in the village request the use of their driveway where possible – after all, it is the season of goodwill!

Sponsor forms are still available from Elements of Pembrokeshire, The Strand, Saundersfoot, alternatively, you can visit the swim’s website at www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk  and download your own form.  Also keep up to date with the build by following Charlie Shivers on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @CharlieShivers.  

PICTURE:  Charlie Shivers with Joseff Edwards and Gareth Hurlow of Taf Valley Coaches

DOM TO MAKE DEBUT AT NYDS 2020

Familiar face Dominique John is the latest local celebrity to sign up to the 2020 Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim.  Dom will be making her debut and will be raising money for the Pembrokeshire Under 14’s Cricket Team.

CAST & CREW DANCE TEAM TO WARM UP NYDS

You’ve got less than two weeks to sharpen up your dance moves!!!! ....... Organisers of NYDS are pleased to announce that Cast and Crew Performing Arts School will be returning for NYDS 2020 to warm up the swimmers on New Year’s Day.  

Martyn Williams, Chairman of NYDS said, “We are delighted that Rebecca and Carys from Cast & Crew will be returning for 2020.  They certainly got everyone dancing last year and it was a brilliant spectacle”.

Rebecca from Cast & Crew said, “We were honoured to be asked to warm up the swimmers again for 2020.  Getting the swimmers moving and dancing is a great way to start 2020!”   

Cast & Crew have had a fantastic 2019,from moving into their own facilities at the Creative Studio in Haverfordwest, to starting Cast & Crew Minis as well as other performance and education classes thriving.  Further information can be found on their Facebook page ‘Cast & Crew Performing Arts School' or Instagram @castandcrew_pa

Picture: Rebecca & Carys with Charlie Shivers.

DPJ FOUNDATION SET TO BENEFIT FROM NYDS 2020

Kim Goddard is the latest individual to sign up for the 2020 Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim.  Kim, of Elements of Pembrokeshire, is a volunteer for the DPJ Foundation and will be raising money for that worthy cause.   Kim will brave the icy cold waters with her sister Sam and her son Austyn in order to raise awareness and funds for the charity.  All donations will be greatly received.  

The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016, following the death of Daniel Picton-Jones, with the aim of supporting people in the agricultural sector with mental health issues and the people around them. The Foundation offers a 24/7 counselling referral service specifically for those who work in agriculture. Over 20 Samaritan trained volunteers run the call line and text service, in English and Welsh.  To date 115 farmers across Wales have been supported, including 46 in Pembrokeshire.  A further 500 people have received training regarding mental health awareness and first aid, allowing the community to be confident in spotting the signs of poor mental health and signposting onwards to appropriate support.  A vital service given that agriculture carries the highest rate of suicide.    

If you wish to join Kim on New Year’s Day and raise money for the DPJ Foundation, sponsor forms are available from Elements of Pembrokeshire.

If you would like further information regarding the DPJ Foundation, please visit www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk ; follow them on social media or call 0800 5874262

NEW SPONSOR FOR NYDS 2020

With just a few weeks to go until the 36th Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim organisers are delighted to welcome their latest sponsor, The Antiques Shop, who have kindly sponsored the latest NYDS billboard.  Martyn Williams, Chairman of NYDS said, “We are extremely grateful to The Antiques Shop for their generous sponsorship of NYDS 2020.  Their financial support as well as the financial support from our other sponsors ensures that all our costs are met and that every penny raised by the swimmers goes to their respective charitable and worthwhile causes”.  

Pictured within the billboard is the Wales & Lions rugby star Alun ‘Swim’ Jones.  The Welsh captain was visiting the village earlier this year and was only to happy to put on the infamous NYDS shirt.  He will certainly be getting Charlie Shivers’ vote for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year! Kim from The Antiques Shop said, “We are delighted to be involved in such a fantastic community event and we wish the organisers and swimmers all the very best on New Year’s Day”.  

For further information about the swim, please view www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk or follow Charlie Shivers on Facebook or on Twitter @CharlieShivers.

picture:  Kim & Holly from The Antiques Shop with Charlie Shivers.

POWELLS AND NYDS TEAM UP AGAIN FOR 2020 SWIM

Powells Cottage Holidays are once again the main sponsors of the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim.  Charlie Shivers was on hand this week to unveil the new banner which will span the promenade on New Year’s Day.   Martyn Williams, chairman of NYDS said, “We have a long association with Powells Cottage Holidays and are extremely grateful for their support over the many years they have sponsored the swim.  The financial support we receive from all our commercial partners ensures that every penny raised by the swimmers will go to their chosen charitable or worthwhile cause”. Kate Pierce of Powells Cottage Holidays commented “We are very proud to sponsor the swim. We are both integral parts of the community and so it makes total sense to join forces for the greater good"

NYDS 2020 will be the village’s 36th event.  Sponsor forms can be collected from Elements, The Strand, Saundersfoot or downloaded from the NYDS website - www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk  Further information can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CharlieShivers

Picture: Charlie Shivers pictured with Nicola, Stacey and Julie (Powells Cottage Holidays)

Look what’s arrived new for NYDS2020, Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim beach towels!  On sale now Elements of Pembrokeshire, The Strand. @elementsofpembs #NYDS2020

NYDS & ODDBALLS TEAM UP AGAIN FOR CHARITY

With the temperatures plummeting recently, it is timely that the new Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim bobble hats have arrived ready for Christmas.  NYDS organisers have teamed up with ‘Oddballs’ to create a team-winning stocking filler!   Oddballs itself was created to raise the awareness of Testicular Cancer and 100% of their profits are donated to their Foundation.  

Martyn Williams, Chairman of NYDS said, “We have seen the success of the NYDS rugby and cycling tops.   Last year we introduced the bobble hats which sold out very quickly s this year we’ve doubled the order.   With the recent weather we have had I’m sure they won’t be on sale for long!”.  The bobble hats are now on sale at Elements, The Strand, Saundersfoot.  Further information can be found on saundersfootnyds.co.uk or @CharlieShivers on Twitter and Instagram.

Pictured : Sam Turner (Elements of Pembrokeshire) with Charlie Shivers and the NYDS 2020 bobble hat.

SAUNDERSFOOT LAUNCH FOR NYDS 2020 SHIRT

The launch of the 2020 Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim took place at the St. Brides Spa Hotel last week. During the event, the 2020 shirt was also unveiled and Charlie Shivers was there to welcome this year’s sponsors. The 2020 swim will be the village’s 36th and over recent years the swim has gone from strength to strength raising thousands and thousands of pounds for charitable and worthy causes. Last year attracted over 2000 swimmers generating over £50,000.

Martyn Williams, Chairman of Saundersfoot Festivities said, ‘The swim is an important date in the calendar for the village. The NYDS shirt has become an integral part of promoting the swim. I am delighted with this year’s sponsorship.  The financial support is vital for the future of the swim. It will also ensure that every penny raised by the swimmers will be allocated to their nominated charities. The generosity which the businesses have shown towards the sponsorship of the swim has been very much appreciated’. Saundersfoot Festivities would like to thank St. Brides Hotel & Spa once again for their generous hospitality.

The 2020 swim shirt is now on sale at Elements of Pembrokeshire, The Strand, Saundersfoot. All profits from the shirt will be donated to charity. To find out more information about the swim, please visit the website www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk or follow Charlie Shivers on Facebook and Twitter @CharlieShivers.

2020 Swim Sponsors: Powells Cottage Holidays, Harbour Wealth Independent Financial Planners, Scaffold 2000, Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Broughton Leisure Ltd, Silver Lily,  Princes Gate Spring Water, Elston Construction, Folly Farm, Taf Valley Coaches, Sue’s Pantry, Saundersfoot Pleasure Boats, 1 Formula Fitness, Little & Large Lite Bites, Tenby Glass, Synter MINI, Lewis, Lewis & Co Ltd, Mike Wealleans PVCu Specialist, Neil Finlay Cars, NBSM and Pembrokeshire Tyres & MOT.