Record numbers take the plunge for Looe RNLI’s 6th annual New Year's Day dip

On a crisp and sunny morning, many swimmers wore fancy dress as they ran into the sea to mark the New Year, and in the process raised over £1000 in donations for Looe Lifeboat Station.

At 11 am Looe RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Geoff Penhaligon blew his whistle and over 250 swimmers ran down the beach and into sea. For the intrepid bathers a buoy was anchored 25m offshore. Several swam around the buoy but many of the swimmers just ran in to test the water temperature and ran back out again. Crowds of spectators watched the intrepid bathers from vantage points along the beach, seafront and Banjo Pier.

Over £1,000 was raised for Looe Lifeboat Station, collected by fundraising volunteers who were joined by volunteer crew members to serve hot drinks and mince pies afterwards in the boathouse for spectators and swimmers to warm up after their bracing dip in Looe bay.

David Haines, Lifeboat Operations Manager with Looe RNLI and Jay Curtis, volunteer Looe RNLI crew member, who organised today’s event, were delighted with the number of swimmers who took part. They both commented that this event increases in popularity every year, with this year attracting the greatest number of swimmers to date.

David and Jay thanked everyone who took part in the swim, along with the many spectators who lined the Banjo Pier and seafront to watch the spectacle. David Haines went on to say: 'the generous donations will be used by Looe Lifeboat Station for crew training, helping them to continue saving lives at sea'.

The charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat helmed by Brian Bowdler, with crew members Aaron Rix and Richard Porter, was launched by Graham Rich to provide safety cover and was joined by two Looe RNLI volunteer crew on paddle boards.

End

Photos:

Photo credits RNLI/Ian Foster

For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

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For more information please telephone Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

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Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

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Carrie Garrad, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

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