Boxing Day and New Year Day dips taking place in Ramsgate but Viking Bay event cancelled

Getting ready to brave the waves in 2019 Photo Brian Whitehead

Brrr-ave swimmers  will plunge into the sea for the Boxing Day Dip at Ramsgate’s Western Undercliff.

The annual winter dip usually attracts dozens of participants and in previous years the countdown has been carried out by the town’s acting celebrities Brenda Blethyn and Janet Fielding.

Fancy dress encouraged. Voluntary donation collection point for both swimmers and spectators. Gather at 2-30pm for a 3pm dash down the beach.

All swimmers receive a medal.

Photo Malcolm Kirkaldie

On New Year’s Day the annual charity dip in Ramsgate will take place.

The dip, which has been taking place since 2012, raises cash for Ronald McDonald Houses in memory of baby Joseph Brown.

Meet in the Queen’s Head on Harbour Parade at 11am.Dip at midday. Hot soup and entertainment from Two’s company afterwards.

All dippers receive a medal.

Broadstairs Photo Frank Leppard

The annual Viking Bay dip on New Year’s Day in aid of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation will not go ahead this year due to Covid.

The dip is organised by Jill and Ken Connell who ran the town’s Neptune Hall pub for 17 years.

Letting people know about the cancellation, they said: “As upset as we are, this is not going ahead. We think it will not be safe to run the event this year and everyone’s safety is our priority!

“We will be back in 2023, merry Christmas and a happy new year, thank you for all your support! If you would like to donate please do so through the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation website.”

9 Comments

  1. yes – if it went ahead i dont know what would be worse – the cold or getting attacked by a thames trout ?

  2. The commendable decision to go ahead with Ramsgate’s event makes Broadstairs’ cancellation even more questionable.

    • I guess there’s nothing stopping individuals turning up in Broadstairs and going ahead with it? I would, if I was nutty/brave enough to go in a freezing and smelly sea!

      Anyway, Merry Christmas Everybody!

      Peter C.

  3. The sea is never smelly here. In fact, during my 65 years (so far) of swimming in the sea, it never has been smelly.

    • Peter C is an expert in getting facts wrong and hold beliefs that completely fly in the face of logic or science. So much so he could be a Tory MP.

  4. I run the new years day dip at Ramsgate, the viking bay dippers are more than welcome to join us.
    More the merrier.

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