Christmas Day tradition shows no sign of losing popularity

HUNDREDS of hardy participants braved choppy waters for the annual Polar Bear Swim at La Vallette on Christmas Day.

As well as the chilly water and passing showers, those who took part in the Guernsey Swimming Club’s Polar Bear Swim had to brave choppy waters at the Bathing Pools as the tide dropped. (31607860)

The Guernsey Swimming Club’s event has been running for more than 50 years and its popularity seems only to grow. Sunday’s event began on the back of a 9.5m high tide that had started to ebb just over an hour before.

Nurse and housewife Lisa Clark, who now lives in East Sussex, was born and brought up in Guernsey.

‘We come back every year and this event is our Christmas tradition,’ she said. ‘The atmosphere is fantastic and we see people who we haven’t seen for 12 months.

Lisa Clark, right, was born and brought up in Guernsey, but now lives in East Sussex. She returns for Christmas and the swim is a chance to meet friends like Michelle Fattorini and Henry Mowbray. (31607858)

‘It builds up your appetite and clears any hangover and it’s about the feel-good factor.’

Shirley Wilson, from Hertfordshire, who works for a children’s charity, was back in the island to visit her sister, Janet Brookfield, who was joining her in the water.

‘I started sea swimming this year and we normally swim in the Grande Havre area,’ said Ms Wilson. ‘At home I swim in a lido but this is different and the real McCoy.

Sisters Janet Brookfield, left, and Shirley Wilson. (31607864)

‘This is my first Christmas Day sea swim, but I wouldn’t be doing it without a wetsuit.’

Khin Le Noury, 8, who goes to St Martin’s Primary School, was swimming with his nana, Sally Le Noury. The two often swam in the sea and had done so at Pembroke on Christmas Eve.

‘I like this one because there are so many people and the water’s rough,’ he said. ‘And I get to go fishing afterwards.’

Khin Le Noury, 8, with his nana, Sally Le Noury.(31607866)

Healthcare assistants Holly Smith and Courtney Le Marchant were also blowing the cobwebs away.

‘We like sea swimming and we try to go all-year-round but we’ve found it cold recently,’ said Ms Smith. ‘It was rough in there today.’

Mark Domaille, right, did the Polar Bear Swim for the first time since 2014, accompanied by his partner’s son, Ruari Perchard, 12. (31607872)

Banker Mark Domaille took to the water with his partner’s son, Ruari Perchard, 12, who goes to Elizabeth College.

‘It’s a moment of madness really,’ said Mr Domaille. ‘I checked my certificate earlier and I last did this in 2014. I lost my father earlier this year so I wanted to do something different on Christmas Day.’