Brave a December dip in the sea in support of Littlehampton RNLI!
Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station will hold its first-ever ‘December Dip’ this year to raise vital funds for the lifesaving work of its volunteer crew.
The event, which will take place on Saturday 10 December, is expected to become a regular festive event for the local community. Participants will be encouraged to raise money for their local lifeboat station by braving a quick sea dip in waters that average a bracing 11°C in December.
Hosted by The Beach café, on Sea Road, Littlehampton, the event will start from 10.30am, with the first participants set to take the plunge from 11.30am. Each participant can enter in advance online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/littlehampton-rnli-december-dip-tickets-450459194577 for £5* and will be encouraged to raise sponsorship from friends and family – fancy dress is optional! Children over the age of 12 are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult.
After their dip, everyone will receive a hot drink. Spectators will be entertained by a brass band, and there will also be a stall selling RNLI gifts and goodies.
Cian Mathews, Chair of Littlehampton RNLI’s fundraising branch, said: ‘While this is the first time Littlehampton RNLI have organised an event such as this, we do intend this will become an annual event. We hope it will be a fantastic community event which will become a mainstay of the festive period and will be enjoyed by the communities in Littlehampton and surrounding areas for many years to come.’
The December Dip will be organised under strict safety measures, including logging each participant who enters and leaves the sea, safety boats, first aid, lifeguards and a full safety briefing. Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew will also be on the shore and at sea, dependent on taskings.
Taking a dip in cold, open water can be exhilarating, but it’s not without risk. If you are planning a dip or swim in open water, always remember to:
- Be prepared. Check the weather and tides, choose your spot, go with a buddy, have the right equipment.
- If in doubt, don’t go out. No matter how much preparation you do, or how experienced you are, if a swim doesn’t feel right there is no shame in getting out of the water straight away, or not entering.
- Make sure you acclimatise to avoid cold water shock.
- Be seen. Wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float.
- Stay within your depths.
- Float to live.
- Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency.
Whatever your experience or ability, take a look at the RNLI’s helpful and comprehensive guide to open water swimming: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming.
To find out more about December Dip, or to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/littlehampton-rnli-december-dip-tickets-450459194577
*Participants will also be able to register on the day of the event, for £15.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew look after the stretch of the West Sussex coast between Bognor Regis and Worthing. Littlehampton RNLI is independent from the Coastguard and receives no government funding. To find out more about Littlehampton RNLI, see https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/april/27/10-facts-about-littlehampton-rnli-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Beth Brooks, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East
07785 296252 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.