Weather not so swell for Polar Bear swim

The water looked far from inviting for many, with a large swell and grey skies. However, that was not going to stop the hundreds of people who went down.

Red Watch, from Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service, were in attendance with five of their team jumping into the pools and swimming back to shore.

Nick Marley, better known as Bob to his colleagues, described the water as ‘fine’.

‘We were only in for a couple of minutes, it was a short swim for me – I’m not quite [long distance swimmer] Adrian Sarchet,’ he said.

‘I was in at Cobo yesterday [Christmas Eve] too, although now we are heading back to the fire station for warm showers, to dry our kit, and to get the turkey in the oven.’

Nine-year-old Freya James managed to convince her dad and brother to get in the sea along with her.

‘This is my first Christmas Day swim. I quickly jumped in and then got out again, although I did do a few strokes.’

Full story in today's Guernsey Press