The sea was just about as rough as it could get. Waves were crashing over the Lower Prom and some were breaking over 200m from shore. It was so rough that even the horizon was wobbly! Perfect conditions, then, for our annual Boxing Day Swim...

A very big sea...

Photographers from the local press were there and there was some attempt at getting us to pose. Unfortunately, the strength of the waves meant that it was very difficult to keep our feet on the ground - let alone stand still! Waves took people off their feet and draged them to the shore and then the strength of the backwash washed them right back out again. There were sand-grazed bodies a-plenty!

After the rest of us had got out, the photographer wanted a few more photos of Steve Poulton in his now traditional Jester's hat and sunglasses. Poor old Stephen had to sit in the water getting bashed around by the waves for a further five minutes while the photographer did his stuff - not that Steve minded! But it wasn't to no avail - the photo did end up in the Evening Chronicle and this time they did say it was Whitley Bay, unlike last year when they said it was a photo of Sunderland. Still, they made up for it by calling us the 'North Sea Volunteer Life Brigade' and misspelling our Chairman's name...again!

Back up to the Beach Base and it was a quick drying off and plenty of layers of clothes, along with a cup or tea (and whiskey!) to warm up before the certificates were handed out. Then it was up to the Avenue to warm up some more!

Special mention must go to our Portugese friend Pedro who had been roped into doing it over a few drinks with Club Chairman Joe Welsh - he'd never experienced cold like it!

Back to main Boxing Day Swim page 

i

2003 2003 - Phil 2003 2002 - Steve 2003 2003 2003 2002 - Group 2001 - Big seas 2003 2002 - Steve the fish does his swim the weekend after 2003 - Alex 2003 2001 2002 2002 - Geoff 2003 2001 - very, very big seas 2002 - Steve the fish does his swim the weekend after 2003 - Becca (Evening Chronicle) 2002 2003 - Richard body surfing (Evening Chronicle) 2002 2003 2002 - Steve the fish does his swim the weekend after 2003 Andy (Evening Chronicle) 2002 2000 - News Guardian 2002 2003 2003 - Steve (Evening Chronicle) 2003 - Steve (Evening Chronicle) 2003 - Donna 2003 - Kev and Spanner (Evening Chronicle) 2003 - Donna (Evening Chronicle) 2003 2002