The swim was started by BBC Sports Presenter Rachel Treadway-Williams and her waving of the Welsh flag was the signal for the ten second countdown followed by a magnificent fireworks display courtesy of Chris Allen at Westcoast Fireworks. This was the signal for the mad rush to the sea by all the swimmers, except of course for two groups. One was a group of six ladies who were swimming for MacMillan. Their average age was 76. The other group was the Royal Oak’s “Gentleman’s Club”. They walked sedately to the sea where they had afternoon tea on a table set among the waves. It is not surprising that the latter group won the Best Group Fancy Dress, winning for themselves ten free tickets to Bath Race Course, courtesy of local boy, John Williams, who manages the course. Runners up were the “Rockin’ Robbins” from Stepaside Coachworks and they win an Oakwood Family Ticket. Best individual swimmer with fancy dress was Chris Williams’ “Mr T”. He also wins a family ticket for Oakwood.

Gareth Davies was there to record proceedings and we are grateful for all the photographs that he has supplied us. What other photographer would spend so much time amongst the swimmers in the sea.

The medal ceremony went very smoothly as Mr & Mrs Peter Williams together with Mrs Mary Cavell and members of the Community Council distributed the medals very professionally.

The event continues to gather momentum and the link this year with Radio Pembrokeshire is a huge step forward. As well as recording the start of the swim live they also put out a magnificent fifteen minute slot on January 2nd when interviews with numerous people were broadcast. BBC Radio Wales also interviewed our chairman, Martyn Williams, both before and after the swim. We are delighted that Gareth Morris of Radio Pembrokeshire promised on air to participate in the swim next year.

It is no accident that the swim gathered pace not long after we received sponsorship from Oakwood. They are all about family entertainment and this is what the swim is all about. They have given us a professionalism that was previously lacking. We are grateful to them for the fabulous beer-mats, which continue to be collectors’ items. Oakwood also provided the superb photographic-style signs advertising the swim. Sincere thanks also to Powells Holidays for supplying the smaller signs which are found in all the public houses.

A great success this year was the official polo shirt, partly sponsored by Kukri. Such has been the demand that all 105 polo shirts were quickly sold. As we have been inundated with firm orders we have decided to order another batch. If you would like to purchase an official swim polo shirt please contact 01834 813039. The polo shirts come in the following sizes: Medium, Large, XL, XXL and XXXL, and retail at £25.

Anyone wishing a sponsor form for next year’s swim can either collect it from Evans’ Newsagents, Walk On Water or contact 01834 813039.

If you attended the swim and have any ideas on how the swim can be improved please email mwilliams22@toucansurf.com

Old Pulteney continue to sponsor us but were unable to deliver sufficient miniatures to accommodate all the adult swimmers. We sincerely hope that they will be able to send an additional batch prior to our Presentation Evening in March. With that in mind we would encourage all swimmers to hand their sponsor money to Evans’ newsagents as soon as possible.