ARE YOU READY FOR NYDS 2024

Saundersfoot Beach was the place to be to welcome in the New Year in style.  A record 2067 swimmers braved the icy waters and thousands of spectators turned out for the 37th annual Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim in Pembrokeshire.

The charitable event just gets bigger and better – and as the gathered masses prepared for the big event they were entertained by the dancers from Cast & Crew Performing Art School who provided the warm-up, whilst the crowd provided a powerful rendition of ‘Rockin All Over the World’.

There was also a tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II with bagpiper Michael Kelly playing.  This was followed by a round of applause from the large crowd. 

The swim countdown was initiated by ‘Star Of The Swim’ and birthday girl Eliza Wood and at 12.00pm the swimmers were sent down the sands by a firework launch courtesy of Westcoast Fireworks.

The swimmers did not disappoint on the fancy dress front.  In amongst the fancy dress entrants were a gaggle of Blue Macaws, Bo Peep & her Sheep and Cleopatra.

Saundersfoot Festivities Chairman Martyn Williams said, "The village and wider community has done us proud again. We could not have conceived 38 years ago we would be here now hosting such a major event.  Our driving force as always is the huge number of fantastic causes that benefit. Thirty-eight years on and this event is getting bigger and better with thousands of pounds raised for charity.  The people from Saundersfoot, the surrounding areas and even further a field have come out in force to support this marvellous event despite the weather".

The Presentation Evening for the 2023 Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim was held at the St Brides Spa Hotel on Thursday, 25th May. Saundersfoot Festivities thanked all swimmers, sponsors, commercial sponsors and helpers for contributing to the magnificent £31,260 generated, which will benefit over 35 charitable and worthwhile causes. The generosity of the commercial sponsors ensured that every penny raised was donated to charity. 

Among the recipients were a number of charities that received at least £1000.  They included the Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research, Get the Boys a Lift and the Little Princess Trust.   

Main guests at the Presentation were Nicola Hirst (Original Cottages – Main Sponsor) and Dean Ludlow (Saundersfoot Community Council).   The guests helped to present the numerous certificates, awards and cheques.  

Winner of the Betty Duncan Cup for the highest sponsored swimmer was John Edmunds (Grace Church) who raised a fantastic £1,450 for Adey’s Batten Adventure.  

Best group fancy dress winners were The Farmers from Carmarthen raising money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution who came dressed as ‘Little Bo Peep and her Sheep’.  Carys Wood won the Best Individual fancy dress for the trumpet playing Blues Brother and won the Finla-sponsored paddleboard.  

During the presentation Martyn Williams took time to thank everybody who was involved in making the 37thswim a success; namely, the emergency services, safety personnel, stewards, bucket collectors and sponsors. 

This year’s presentation was significant as swim founders Martyn Williams, Carol Williams and Roger Stephens announced they’d be stepping down from the organisation of the event. The trio have been involved since the very beginning, when they formed Saundersfoot Festivities, to put on events in the village for the village. They started out with the Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner, the Fireworks and the infamous Watersports, and then in 1984 they put on the first Saundersfoot Swim. That Swim was initially to be a one-off event to raise funds for new changing rooms on the Sports Field and purchase medical equipment for the Doctor’s Surgery. That was in 1984 and it most certainly didn’t turn out to be a one-off event! Since then the Swim has gone from strength to strength and over the years has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charitable and worthwhile causes and 100s of organisations have benefitted from the fundraising efforts.  

Taking on the New Year’s Day Swim baton is County Councillor Chris Williams. He already organises the TenFoot Swim and this year is spearheading the inaugural Saundersfest Music Festival (taking place 7-9 July) so he has plenty of experience running major events in the community. The outgoing members wish him every success and are confident he will pick up brilliantly where they have left off. Good Luck to Chris and his team. 

Once again, Saundersfoot Festivities would like to thank St Brides Spa Hotel for their hospitality and support. The venue always provides the most spectacular backdrop for the event. 

In the 40-year history of this Swim, it has raised over £600,000. 

For further information about the 2024 swim see the swim website www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk or follow Charlie Shivers on Facebook and Twitter. 

2023 Swim Sponsors: Powells Cottage Holidays, Royal Oak, Club Cymru, Apparel Sourcing Agency, Scaffold 2000, Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Mike Wealleans PVCu Specialist, Elston Construction, Broughton Leisure Ltd, Neil Finlay Cars, Team Littlefoot, The Silver Lily, ‘Lewis, Lewis Solicitors’, 

1 Formula Fitness, Folly Farm, Simon Fussell & Son, Harbwr Bar & Kitchen, Taf Valley Coaches, Sue’s Pantry, Caldey Construction & Finla.