When we think of Christmas Day, what comes to mind is a big dinner, rich dessert and … the freezing ocean! The Christmas Swim may not be the most conventional thing to do to mark the occasion but it’s a tradition that is well-loved with many. Take your togs with you after you open presents and head for the beach for a particularly choppy swim.
The Christmas day swim began about 40 years ago and has become popular in recent years. It is often connected with fundraising events but many people just decide to go for a quick dip to celebrate the day that’s in it. Coastal areas are the most popular spots, but some choose to go to rivers or lakes.
However, it’s advised to attend a well-populated area, places where local Coast Guard and Gardaí will be made aware of in advance. Precautions are usually put in place for the safety of the swimmers in the cold water and often choppy conditions.
The swim can be dangerous due to the extremely low temperatures which can cause cold shock. This can potentially lead to lethal shock responses and in severe situations, can even be fatal. To reduce your chance of shock, it’s advised to pour a handful of water down your back and jump into the body of water as quickly as possible afterwards.
As an island, we’ve plenty of coastal towns that have a perfect area to swim on Christmas Day. Some of the most popular in Dublin include Sandycove, Clontarf and Skerries. Around the country, large swims are organised in Rosslare in Wexford, Bundoran in Donegal, Greystones and Bray in Wicklow, Salthill in Galway, Myrtleville in Cork and Carlingford in Louth.
Certain areas charge registration fees and donate the money to charities, while others welcome donation on site. Some welcome swimmers for free.
If you’re planning on doing the swim for this first time this year, make sure to bring plenty of warm clothing to get into afterwards. If you’re lucky, there will be hot beverages and treats available after. Some may even opt for a hot whiskey to get the body temperature back up.
Avoid wearing heavy clothing such as a jumper in the water, as has been advisedsed. Some charity events may ask you to wear t-shirts but otherwise, regular swim gear is perfect. Although not mandatory, wetsuits are highly encouraged in some areas such as Carlingford. Most areas plan their swims for about 12 or 1 pm. Busier areas welcome people all day long.
While it may be freezing, the feeling of achievement afterwards will be much, much greater. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, the atmosphere along the coast is incredible. Wrap up in your warmest coat and meet friends and family from the town as you cheer for those heading in for a choppy swim.
Have you taken part in the Christmas Day Swim? What’s your favourite part of it? Let us know down in the comments!
