Hundreds sign up for 12 Bays of Christmas
MORE than 300 swimmers have signed up for this year’s 12 Bays of Christmas in aid of Les Bourgs Hospice.
The challenge started on Friday and dozens more signed up at the Bathing Pools on Saturday.
Among them was triathlete Mark Naftel, who was taking part in the annual event for the first time.
‘I will most probably swim all 12 bays and try to do a few more,’ he said.
‘Last winter was my first sea swimming in skins. Previously I always swam with a wet suit. At first I struggled a bit, but you get used to it, and this year I’m looking forward to the 12 Bays challenge.’
Mr Naftel said he preferred sea swimming when the water was slightly warmer than the air temperature. Those were the conditions, together with little wind and rain, which encouraged new recruits on Saturday.
However, fewer swimmers have so far signed up to take part in the 12 Bays of Christmas than last year, when £21,000 was raised and a new record number of participants was set.
‘Today has been really good. We have got some extra sign-ups. We always find we have a number who sign up at the last minute,’ said funding administrator Liz Stonebridge.
‘You can continue to sign up throughout the month. If you want to have a dip and get out, that’s fine, or if you want to have a longer swim that’s also fine.’
She said it was a myth that swimmers should stay in for a number of minutes equal to the temperature of the water.
Jacki Hughes managed 50% longer than that on Saturday, remaining in the water for 18 minutes.
‘I don’t think you ever really get used to it, but it hurts a bit less with practice,’ she said.
‘If you’re busy and a bit stressed at work, as soon as you get in the water it’s like an inner detox.
‘Sometimes I just bob around and have a chat and sometimes I swim for longer. I always swim in gloves and a hat and socks and have a hot water bottle for my back when I get out.’
Mrs Hughes started sea swimming when she relocated to Guernsey just over four years ago – ‘you don’t sea swim in the winter in Lancashire’, she said – and is now in the water once or twice a week all year round.
She said the 12 Bays challenge was a great way to get into sea swimming while raising money for a good cause.
