Littlehampton RNLI’s Big December Dip returns for third sensational year!

The event will take place on Sunday 8 December, at The Beach Café, on Sea Road, Littlehampton, from 12.00pm. Participants will be encouraged to raise money for their local lifeboat station by braving a quick sea dip.

Last year, more than 150 brave participants took up the challenge, cheered on by their friends and family.

To take part in this year’s event, participants can enter online at https://rb.gy/j8gdc5. Entry costs £6 for adults and £4 for children aged 12–17 years old. Children over 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Fancy dress is not necessary but is encouraged!

All dippers will receive a hot drink, courtesy of The Beach Café. Spectators will be entertained by a DJ, and there will also be a stall selling RNLI Christmas gifts.

Cian Mathews, Littlehampton RNLI Fundraising Chair, said: ‘Our Big December Dip is now firmly established as an annual local event that is anticipated by everyone in the Littlehampton area. Last year’s event was so much fun, with a real feeling of Christmas spirit and camaraderie. I would urge everyone to sign up, if they can, to support our local lifeboat station. Our volunteer crew work tirelessly all year round to save lives at sea and very much deserve our help and support.’

The Big December Dip is organised following strict safety measures, and all participants will be looked after by the volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI, trained lifeguards and St John Ambulance – on land and sea.

If you are planning a dip or swim in open water, always remember to:

• Make sure you’re 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.
• In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

For more lifesaving tips on open water swimming see: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming#

To find out more about December Dip, or to register, please visit: https://rb.gy/j8gdc5

ENDS

Notes to editors

Cian Mathews is available for interview.

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, Voluntary Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]

Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager, SE & London
07724 801305 [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 146,000 lives.

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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.