Three festive sea dips and an afternoon of traditional sword dancing will take place over the Christmas period this year.

Festive Dips and Sword Dancing… full details of four traditional events taking place over Christmas — Chilly dippers on Bridlington North Beach. Photo: Echo Media Group.

Christmas Day will see the 57th annual morning sea dip on the Northside of Bridlington (below the Expanse Hotel).

The event is steeped in tradition, and was set up almost six decades ago by the late Warwick Connelly who had a bet with his customers in Old Town that he and some friends dare to swim in the chilly waters of the North Sea on Christmas Day morning.

After Warwick passed away, his family members have always attended and taken a swim and it has been carried on by Steve Tighe from RT Fitness who is carrying on the time-honoured ritual.

Over the decades the dip has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities and has attracted upwards of 100 foolhardy souls on several occasions.

Participants are asked to gather for a safety briefing no later than 9.45am, with the dip taking place at 10.am prompt. This will be under the watchful eye of the Bridlington RNLI Inshore Lifeboat.

“This year all monies raised will be going to the Bridlington Branch of the R.N.L.I. So lets raise as much as possible for our local heroes.” said Steve.
Contact Details: RT Fitness Christmas Day Dip 2023
Boxing Day will see two dips…one at Flamborough North Landing and the other on Bridlington South Beach.

Flamborough will see swimmers having a post Christmas splash on Boxing Day morning in the North Sea at the picturesque North Landing.

The dip will take place at 11am and will have safety briefing and crew supplied by Flamborough RNLI. The Boathouse Grill will be offering a free hot drink to all the dippers and will be open between 9am- 12noon, serving breakfast sandwiches. All money raised will go towards the village pre-school.

C o n t a c t D e t a i l s : Facebook: Boathouse Burger & Grill.

Back in Bridlington, a Dip 4 Heroes will also splash off at 11.am. on Boxing Day morning. Dippers are asked to meet at Richie’s Cafe Bar at 10.45am for a quick safety briefing.

All monies raised will go towards the Bridlington Veterans Coffee Morning charity calendar appeal (Privates on Parade) which is raising funds for Parkinsons UK.

There is a free hot sandwich and hot drink for all dippers, which has kindly been supplied by Richard Preston from Richies Cafe Bar. There is a £2.00 registration fee and fancy dress is encouraged, but not essential.

The Flamborough Longsword Dancers will be keeping the ancient tradition alive from late morning on Boxing Day.

Flamborough Longsword dancers will be performing on Boxing Day (Monday 26th December), keeping a decades older tradition alive.

The Flamborough Sword Dance is unique to the area and has been taught in the village school since the early 1900s. Both the current junior and senior teams have members who were taught in the primary school.

The dance itself, was previously handed down from father to son, and has its roots in the fishing heritage of the village.

Richard Traves, one of the main organisers, has been involved with the Sword Dance for nearly all his life.

He said previously that most people watching will not understand the vital role that Flamborough and the village school have played for almost 100 years in keeping this traditional custom a part of village life.