Each year hundreds of courageous people across Wales brave the cold weather for a dip across its many beaches or pools. Some do it for a good cause, some just to prove their mettle and welcome the new year, but this year — several won’t get the chance to due to severe weather conditions.
The wind weather warning for New Year’s Day has been updated and now covers a greater part of north Wales. The Met Office also warns that the strongest winds would be at the coastal regions in the west and south which can possibly see gusts of up to 65-75 mph.
This means that several planned events for New Year’s Day have had to be rescheduled or cancelled, including several swims as well. Here are some of the swims across Wales, and whether they would be going ahead at the time of publication:
Going ahead
Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim
One of the biggest swims, the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim is planned to go ahead. So far 2100 swimmers have registered for the New Year’s Day swim at Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire. Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What’s On newsletter here
Lido Ponty
The New Years Day Swim at Lido Ponty is set to go on as of now with the tickets being sold out for the event. However, the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council stated that even though the New Year’s Day swim is going ahead, they are keeping an eye on the weather and if it is cancelled, those with tickets will be informed.
Barry Island’s New Year’s Dip
The New Year’s Day dip in Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, has not been cancelled – but people have been advised against going fully into the sea to avoid harm and to judge conditions at their own risk.
Abersoch RNLI New Year’s Day Swim
As of now, the yearly Abersoch RNLI New Year’s Day swim is set to go ahead but a final decision would be made at 9:00am on the day.
A Facebook post from the Abersoch RNLI, read: “To all Dippers, weather forecast looks to be improving for New Years Day, so dip is still on, we always make the final decision at 9am on the day with our safety team, but no reason at the moment for it not to go ahead.”
Cancelled/Postponed
St David’s Penknife Club swim at Whitesands Bay Beach
The St David’s Penknife Club has decided to cancel their New Year’s Day Swim at the Whitesands Bay Beach due to safety reasons. The RNLI St David’s Lifeboat have also warned people against entering the sea at the Whitesands Bay Beach as there will be no lifeguard nor lifeboat cover.
RNLI Porthdinllaen New Year’s Day Dip
The RNLI Porthdinllaen New Year’s Day Dip has been postponed in a ‘difficult decision’, because of the weather forecast. A statement on Facebook said: “Unfortunately we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the RNLI Porthdinllaen New Year’s Day Dip tomorrow – due to the weather forecast and for the safety of everyone who intended to take part.”
RNLI Porthdinllaen further added that more details about the new date, and refunds for those who have registered online will follow shortly, and advised people to check their Facebook page for updates.
Newport Mayor’s New Year’s Day Swim
The 2025 Newport Mayor’s New Year’s Day Swim at Parrog will be cancelled due to the weather. An updated post on The Mayor of Newport Pembrokeshire Facebook page read: “Sadly we will have to cancel this New Year’s Day swim due to the weather. As the tide will be out we would have to swim from the beach and the wind and gusts have made it too dangerous.”
Angle New Years Day Swim
The Angle New Year’s Day Dip in Pembrokeshire being held to raise funds for the Paul Sartori Foundation has been postponed to February 1, 2025 due to a Yellow Weather Warning.
A statement on Paul Sartori Foundation’s Facebook page read: “Due to a Yellow Weather Warning, and for the safety of our participants, volunteers, and staff who are our top priority, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Paul Sartori Foundation, Angle New Year’s Day Dip to Saturday, 1st February 2025. The exact time will be confirmed soon.”