Festive Cold Water Swims Scheduled Across Kent

Hundreds of outdoor swimmers throughout the county are preparing to participate in festive cold-water dips. While Christmas typically involves gatherings with family and friends and celebratory meals, cold-water swimming has recently emerged as a common activity during the holiday season for numerous individuals. To ensure safety, a spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Kent advises swimmers to “check the weather forecast and tide times, and avoid swimming alone.” The Boxing Day dip in Deal has been called off because of a “poor” bathing water quality assessment issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Whitstable RNLI is hosting its inaugural cold water event, which includes a swim followed by a sauna. This event will commence on Whitstable beach at 10:00 GMT, with adult tickets priced at £6.13. All funds raised will be donated to the RNLI. The yearly Folkestone dip is scheduled once more for Sunny Sands Beach. A fancy dress competition will precede the event, and swimmers are expected to be awarded a medal upon completing their dip. The precise start time for this dip has not yet been finalized. St Andrews Lakes in Rochester will hold a dip at 10:00. This event is advertised as open to all inducted swimmers. Tickets are available for £16.60, and fancy dress is an optional element for the occasion. Additionally, an annual Boxing Day swim is planned for 10:00 at The Leas, Minster. Participants will dash across the beach for their dip before heading back to shore for warm towels and hot chocolate. This event aims to collect donations for the RNLI. Ramsgate will provide soup, entertainment, and a sea dip. Swimmers are requested to gather at the Queen’s Head pub at 11:00. Every participant will be given a medal, and all proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London. The yearly TriSwim dip is scheduled for Chipstead Lake, Sevenoaks, between 8:00 and 9:30. Tickets cost £17 and come with a gift and a New Year’s resolution ritual. St Andrews Lakes in Rochester will also host a dip at 11:00. This event is promoted as accessible to all inducted swimmers, with tickets priced at £16.60. For updates, follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.