SWIM HISTORY

This is a picture of the very first swim back in 1984 and depicts 10 of the 17 that first entered the icy waters. The event was only ever meant as a one off to raise funds for the new sports club changing rooms & equipment for the medical centre, but 30 years later it is one of the premier events in the county calendar. A Swim has been organised at Saundersfoot since 1984 by Saundersfoot Festivities. The very first swim was on Boxing Day in 1984 when just a handful of hardy locals got together and entered the sea for charity.

The following year it was decided to switch the swim to its now infamous New Year’s Day slot and over the years the swim has grown in stature and occasion with over 1000 swimmers regularly taking part with thousands more watching and supporting around the village’s beachfront and harbour. It has become the biggest occasion on the Saundersfoot social calendar and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for local and national charities. the 2009 swim raised over £46,000, and the 2012 swim attracted a record 1,700 swimmers.

2016

Up to the 2009 25th anniversary swim 4 people had never missed a swim. They were Chris Williams, Mick Hamilton, Gethin Evans and John Joseph (pictured left.

Since then Mick and Gethin have retired gracefully from the swim and only Chris and John remain (pictured right).

Saundersfoot new years day swim through the years

Click a year to see previous swims - 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

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2015		the swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. Two individuals , john joseph and chris williams, have taken part in every single new year’s day swim.
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2012		To celebrate the london olympics the swimmers are Sent on their way by the lighting of our own olympic torch.
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2010		The first mascot race was won by henry horse of folly farm.
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2009		The ‘man’ logo was named charlie shivers by pupils of saundersfoot school, and thanks to the sponsorship of chevron the drawing of charlie came to life as our mascot charlie shivers. The 25th swim, known as the silver swim, raised the most money - £46,144.
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2008		Items from the swim were put on view at the st fagans museum of welsh life.
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2006		The swim polo shirt was introduced and in 2009 over 400 swim polo shirts were sold, numerous celebrities have been photographed wearing the shirt and people have sent photographs of themselves in the shirt from every continent.
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2005		A founder member of the swim, betty duncan, donates a trophy to be presented annually to the highest sponsored swimmer.
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1994		from left to right (standing) Dave McDermott, Gordon Hughes, Nick Ainger (former MP), Andrew Hughes, Martyn Williams (Chairman NYDS), Ty Francis, (front row) Mick Hamilton & Gethin Evans
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Early 1990s		Saundersfoot Ladies Football Team from the early 90’s From Left to Right: Standing: Penny Cope, Kristen Jordan, Diane Kershaw , ?, Sarah Edge, Shauna Rowell, Julie Slack (nee Coates) Front row: Sian Williams (nee MacDonald), Jess ?, Stevie Kershaw, Tanya James, Donna John (nee Keating) & Vicky Farrow. seen in the background are John Joseph (never missed a swim!), Phil Kidney, Peter Williams, Simon Rowell, Delyth Mattick, Gill John and Jack & Molly from Saundersfoot.
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1988		The swim’s ‘man’ logo is created by a 14 year old pembroke school pupil, claire parry (now claire philips).
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1986		The first new year’s day swim takes place.
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1984		The first saundersfoot charity swim takes place on boxing day with 10 people taking part. The very first poster and swimmers are shown on the right, Things have changed a bit since then !

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Swim history

If you have any photos of swims before 2004 we would love to receive them so we can add further years gone by. Please email to charlieshivers@yahoo.co.uk with a brief explanation of who is in the photo and what year it was taken or post photos to Martyn Williams, 18 Whitlow, Saundersfoot SA69 9AE.