The Christmas Day Swim Story

Before the town’s Catholics were allowed…

t’s been a Greystones tradition for many-a-year, but the idea of the Christmas Day Swim actually started deep in the bowels of the 1970s…

Just when in those deep bowels it first splashed upon our notably grey rocks, we’d love to know, but, suffice to say, it’s a tradition that’s taken a fever-like hold on our more gullible townsfolk.

Even miserable, wet weather doesn’t put off the foolhardy Greystonians who like to have a little shock to their system before they spend the rest of the day administering hot medicinal shots into that now-tender system.

As noted journalist Fergal Keane so eloquently pointed out in 2015 after a dip at the South Beach, “It was worth every second of Arctic misery for the sense of achievement that followed”.

Ah, nothing like a shot of mortality to warm the cockles.

Naturally, each and every fool is advised to bring along hot beverages, and maybe even a little tipple, on the big day, along with a dirty big towel and plenty of warm, dry clothes to escape into.

Kicking off each year at noon on Christmas Day on the South Beach (and for the VIPs, The Cove, where Fad Saoil Saunas are open from 8am to 2pm), we here at GG have managed to capture every dang dive since 2011. Right here.

All-shivering human life is here – some of it captured on video, as we try to separate the hardy souls from the shivering cowards. And don’t forget, you can take your dip for charity. Just, you know, choose wisely. There are some real chancers out there.

And if you haven’t brought a winter’s picnic with you, Vick up beside the library has hot drinks and yums from 9am till 1pm, whilst raising some moolah for charity too with a raffle (€4 for one ticket; €10 for 3). What a guy.

Other festive swims include Stephen’s Day at noon on both Arklow’s South Beach and at Wicklow Harbour, whilst Bray has theirs on New Year’s Day at 12pm, with changing rooms in The Martello from 11.30am.

This article was first published way back in the year 2016. If anyone does remember those early beginnings, be great to know more. Email on [email protected].