Volunteers from Hunstanton RNLI took to the water dressed as characters from TV shows and movies on 25 December.
They joined hundreds taking part in the much-loved festive dip - which was watched by thousands more lining the beach and promenade to cheer them on.
Swimmers have to reach a banner taken out to sea by organisers Hunstanton Round Table, in a time-honoured local tradition.
Round tablers Ryan Darby and Josh Haycock - who are also members of the lifeboat crew - waded in first dressed as Super Mario and his brother Luigi, complete with fetching fake 'tashes, before Ryan signalled the start.
A mad dash down the beach ensued - followed by an even-madder dash to get ashore and back to the warm as the North Sea chill set in.
Crew member Louise Kyle shivered: 'I j-j-j-just have no feeling in my lower half - other than that I think I'm O-O-O-OK.'
Hovercraft Commander Andrew Craven wasn't phased after getting a soaking from the waves.
'You just go numb to start with,' he shrugged. 'And then you don't feel the cold any more.'
Volunteers had their pagers on throughout the event, with cars ready to rush them to the station in the event of a 'shout'.
The Hunstanton crew will be on-call throughout Christmas and the New Year, like those at more than 200 RNLI lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland.
The charity's lifeboats launch on average more than 100 times over the course of each festive period, responding to 119 'shouts' in 2024.
These rescues and others throughout the year are only made possible by the donations which help to fund the essential kit and training needed to keep crews prepared and equipped to save lives.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work into next year and beyond, go online to RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.
Editor's Notes
Hunstanton lifeboat station operates the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft
Hunstanton Flyer.
Their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.
RNLI Images
Pictures attached from the Hunstanton Christmas Swim.
Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
