While most Devonians were enjoying Christmas Day in the warmth of their own homes, hundreds of brave souls participated in the annual Exmouth Christmas swim.
The swim began in 1967 when local resident Keith Cunningham took a dip in the sea with friends. Since then, it has become a local tradition. As a result of this, the event is not officially organised or managed and is free. However, this did not prevent many participants from crowdfunding in aid of a variety of charities.
it has become a local tradition.
As is the case most years, participants and spectators gathered in front of Exmouth’s clock tower at around 10.45am, while the swim kicked off at 11am. The swim lasted around an hour and was not a competitive race with a fixed length or destination.
Participants and spectators donned a variety of festive costumes. For the past 10 years, the swim has been photographed by Daniel Smith Photography, while the Exmouth Seafront Webcam enabled spectators to get a better view of the action.
Exmouth’s swimmers were not alone, with swimmers braving the cold across other parts of Devon and Dorset. One of the largest swims took place in Porthcawl in South Wales, while members of the Serpentine Swimming Club in London’s Hyde Park have been battling it out for the ‘Peter Pan cup’ since 1864.
Exmouth’s swimmers were not alone, with swimmers braving the cold across other parts of Devon and Dorset.
