Walrus Dippers the stars at Cefn Sidan beach
Blustery winds and squalls could not deter the hardy 600 souls, aged from 84 to six, who took to the frothing seas watched by 700 supports and towel bearers.
The popular event which has only failed to run twice since conceived in 1984 (once because of icy seas and another time because of a tanker oil spill) is growing in popularity with innovative dippers.
Carmarthenshire Council Chair Cllr Sian Thomas has been a Walrus Dipper for 16 successive years, starting before she became a county councillor in 1999.
This year she had the honour, as council Chair, of kick-starting the event flanked by Santas Sue Davies and Angela Lewis as the hooter signalled the mad dash to the waves.
Cllr Thomas thanked the Council Pembrey Country Park staff for organising the event and made special mention of the RNLI who provided safety on the surf and St John’s Ambulance present on the beach,
Cllr Thomas said afterwards: “Howling winds and rain thankfully abated for the dash to the sea. But nothing was going to deter the brave Walrus Dippers raising thousands for charity.
"I have run over ice and snow to get to the sea. This time, cruelly the tide was right out and receding so it was nearly a mile to the sea."
Cllr Thomas later at the Visitors’ Centre presented Dippers with certificates for taking the plunge and had a bit of fun having her picture taken with brave young man sporting just a mankini and another two bikini clad bikini beauties Amelia Jones-Tall and Cat Hook from Neath.
There were scores of Santas of all ages joining old Father Time Vic Buffey in his 80s who has done every Walrus Dip since its inception and and six-year-old Jules Lewis dressed as Batman taking his first Walrus Dip.
Mr Buffey was joined by Helen and David Gravelle and Justin Lewis. Every year they raise £100s through the Walrus Dip for the West Wales branch of children cancer charity LATCH.
Burry Port Under 16s rugby team were chased into the seas by the sea by their coach Steve Benson. The team were raising funds for their 2013 summer tour.
Stars of the show this year were innovative John and Debbie Price from Llanelli who called themselves extreme ironing who creased onlookers carrying their ironing boards and irons into the sea offering to press the clothes of those splashing by.
John said: “We are never short of ideas and try and come up with something daft every year. We love it and so does everyone else. It sets the seal on Christmas for us.”
Spoof nurses Diane Bennett and Lynda and Chloe Jones checked the medical condition of Cllr Thomas using a stethoscope before receiving their certificates. They were raising money for Air Ambulance Wales.
Ysgol Carwe teachers took to the waves dressed as a daffodil and leek raising money for Teenage cancer Trust in memory for former pupil Steffan Rees.
Bravest of the dippers were three Sumo Wrestler suit clad friends Nichole Matthews, of Trimsaran, and Burry Port’s Gwenan Nelson and Dionne Evason. While they were insulated from the cold in their inflatable suits they were bowled along the beach by the gusting wind which was fortunately bowing inland.
Pembrey Country Park caterers SFS Event Caterer took to the seas dressed as a Happy Feet penguin and her husband dressed as a monkey. Her staff greeted dippers and towel bearers arrive and leaving at the beach with steaming mugs of cawl.
Council’s facilities manager Neil Perry said: “It never ceases to amaze me how popular and how much fun this event is.”
Park ranger Dave Hughes said: “The park is one of Wales’ biggest all round visitor attractions and the popularity of this event is put into perspective when the busiest morning of the year is Boxing Day with more than 400 vehicles clocked into the park in less than an hour before the Dip.”
The popular event which has only failed to run twice since conceived in 1984 (once because of icy seas and another time because of a tanker oil spill) is growing in popularity with innovative dippers.
Carmarthenshire Council Chair Cllr Sian Thomas has been a Walrus Dipper for 16 successive years, starting before she became a county councillor in 1999.
This year she had the honour, as council Chair, of kick-starting the event flanked by Santas Sue Davies and Angela Lewis as the hooter signalled the mad dash to the waves.
Cllr Thomas thanked the Council Pembrey Country Park staff for organising the event and made special mention of the RNLI who provided safety on the surf and St John’s Ambulance present on the beach,
Cllr Thomas said afterwards: “Howling winds and rain thankfully abated for the dash to the sea. But nothing was going to deter the brave Walrus Dippers raising thousands for charity.
"I have run over ice and snow to get to the sea. This time, cruelly the tide was right out and receding so it was nearly a mile to the sea."
Cllr Thomas later at the Visitors’ Centre presented Dippers with certificates for taking the plunge and had a bit of fun having her picture taken with brave young man sporting just a mankini and another two bikini clad bikini beauties Amelia Jones-Tall and Cat Hook from Neath.
There were scores of Santas of all ages joining old Father Time Vic Buffey in his 80s who has done every Walrus Dip since its inception and and six-year-old Jules Lewis dressed as Batman taking his first Walrus Dip.
Mr Buffey was joined by Helen and David Gravelle and Justin Lewis. Every year they raise £100s through the Walrus Dip for the West Wales branch of children cancer charity LATCH.
Burry Port Under 16s rugby team were chased into the seas by the sea by their coach Steve Benson. The team were raising funds for their 2013 summer tour.
Stars of the show this year were innovative John and Debbie Price from Llanelli who called themselves extreme ironing who creased onlookers carrying their ironing boards and irons into the sea offering to press the clothes of those splashing by.
John said: “We are never short of ideas and try and come up with something daft every year. We love it and so does everyone else. It sets the seal on Christmas for us.”
Spoof nurses Diane Bennett and Lynda and Chloe Jones checked the medical condition of Cllr Thomas using a stethoscope before receiving their certificates. They were raising money for Air Ambulance Wales.
Ysgol Carwe teachers took to the waves dressed as a daffodil and leek raising money for Teenage cancer Trust in memory for former pupil Steffan Rees.
Bravest of the dippers were three Sumo Wrestler suit clad friends Nichole Matthews, of Trimsaran, and Burry Port’s Gwenan Nelson and Dionne Evason. While they were insulated from the cold in their inflatable suits they were bowled along the beach by the gusting wind which was fortunately bowing inland.
Pembrey Country Park caterers SFS Event Caterer took to the seas dressed as a Happy Feet penguin and her husband dressed as a monkey. Her staff greeted dippers and towel bearers arrive and leaving at the beach with steaming mugs of cawl.
Council’s facilities manager Neil Perry said: “It never ceases to amaze me how popular and how much fun this event is.”
Park ranger Dave Hughes said: “The park is one of Wales’ biggest all round visitor attractions and the popularity of this event is put into perspective when the busiest morning of the year is Boxing Day with more than 400 vehicles clocked into the park in less than an hour before the Dip.”
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