Meet the craziest people in Waterford: the Christmas Day swimmers
'Brothers' John Cardiff, Tom O’Sullivan, Manus Campbell and Mikey Kelly. Photo Libby Marchant
Back in 2015, when I went swimming on Christmas day, there were maybe 100 other people on the beach doing the same thing. My family were sure I’d be the only person on Tramore beach at 11 am on Christmas morning.
Ten years later, I’ve managed to convince my mother to join me in my madness, and she has been completely converted. She even claims it's her ‘favourite part of Christmas.’ Even that’s a bit far for me…the dinner will always be the best part of Christmas.
This year was the largest turn out for the swim that I can remember. Certainly, the blue sky and crystal calm water helped, but I think there’s more to it than that. People cannot survive on bread (or Christmas dinners) alone. We need community, camaraderie. And let me tell you, there’s no bond like the bond formed as you lock eyes with a stranger right before you both get battered by a freezing wave.
I asked the lunatics in their swimming togs on Christmas Day what it was about the tradition that they loved so much.
is from Tramore. His father passed away in November of this year. He decided to do a fundraiser for the Irish Heart Foundation. His close friends and cousins showed up to do the swim with him. He said he was “a little bit” nervous about the swim. He said: “I’d say it will be fairly fresh, but we’ll do it anyway.”
Dave Kenny was wearing reflective sunglasses, a large Santa hat and a dry robe. I had a feeling he was a veteran like myself. It was his 30th time doing the Christmas Day swim. But it never gets easier, according to David, he said he was “absolutely terrified…thank God there’s a defibrillator nearby.”
. It’s Eoin McGrath’s first time doing the swim in a few years, but he’s not nervous at all. Eileen isn’t either. For Paul, the best part of the Christmas day swim is “getting out of the water afterwards and having a nice cup of tea".
. It was Luke’s first time. He’s not nervous, “more cold than anything.” Teresa is from Kerry and now lives in Kilkenny. This is her first time doing the swim in Waterford. She said, “It’s packed here, I can’t believe it! I love the atmosphere, I love the sea.”
As I weave between bodies at various states of undress, dogs desperately confused as to why their otherwise reasonable owners have launched themselves into the sea and supportive but bewildered family members clutching cappuccinos, I spot a group of monks.
did the Christmas Day swim to “cleanse their souls”. Although Brother Manus assures me that he “won’t be making a habit of this,” In all seriousness, the group of men have raised thousands for the Hospice, as well as having some craic while they did it.
hadn’t done the Christmas Day swim for a few years but seemed lighter than air when I chatted to her after her dip. She told me it was “f****ing cold”. Her favourite part of the Christmas Day swim is “the atmosphere. It’s brilliant, you see loads of people, friends and family. Everyone’s in such good form. It’s a brilliant thing to do. We have the sea on our doorstep.” After the swim, Kate is going to have a hot shower.
Me? I had a mulled wine from Moe’s and a nice long bath!
