HARBOUR SWIMMERS GUIDE

Every year on Christmas Day brave volunteers of all ages come to Weymouth Harbour for the Lions Club annual Christmas Day Harbour Swim. Swimmers wear a variety of costumes from Santa Clause to mankini to simply budgie smugglers.

For safety reasons the event is broken down into groups of up to 50 swimmers. Last year 398 swimmers attended and between them managed to raise about £20,000 for local charities and good causes. Swimmers are encouraged to raise sponsorship for Weymouth & Portland Lions Club or their own charity.

KEY DATES & TIMES

Thursday 16th November 2017

09:00 Online Ticket Sales Open

Saturday 23 December 2017

16:00 Online Ticket Sales Close.

For safety reasons the event is limited to an absolute maximum of 500 swimmers.

A limited number of tickets will be available on the day. It is recommended (and cheaper) to purchase online.

Monday 25 December 2017 (Christmas Day)

09:45 Registration.

Registration is open to ticket holders only. All swimmers need to be at registration with a ticket to receive their swim band. Swimmers will not be allowed to enter the water without a band.

If you decide to buy a ticket on the day instead of online, please allow enough time to register before the swim.

10:45 Registration closes.

11:00 First swim starts

LOCATION

The Hall of Hope United Reformed Church, Trinity Street, Weymouth. DT4 8TW

NOT in the Old Rooms Inn as in previous years.

REGISTRATION

After you have bought a ticket, online or on the day you need to register for a specific class of swim.

At registration you will be asked which one class of swim you wish to enter:

Not Competitive:

• Family Fun Swim. Open to everyone over 7 years old.

Competitive:

• Junior Swim - Open to children aged 7 to 15 years. (May be accompanied by adults.)

• Open Swim - Open to everyone over 7 years old.

You will be given a coloured wristband. If you wish to swim with friends or family in the same class then you need to register at the same time.

If you were kind enough to get sponsorship for this event, and you require your sponsorship form to be validated then please bring the form to registration.

AT THE START

• Swimmers will be called forward by class/wrist band colour into the 'starters enclosure'
• Swimmers will be marshalled on to the pontoons on the Brewers Quay side of the harbour
• Each swim will have a maximum of 50 swimmers at any time so as not to over load the pontoons.
• The organisers reserve the right to combine swims depending on entry numbers.

What do I do with my clothes, towel etc?

• You can put any clothes, towel etc in to a plastic bag (to be issued) for transportation by boat to the other side of the harbour (or you can simply leave them with relatives or friends).

Notes.
Weymouth & Portland Lions Club accepts no responsibility for the safety or security of swimmers possessions. Cross-harbour boat transport is provided only for clothing etc.

THE SWIM

SAFETY WARNINGS

• Access to the pontoons will be strictly controlled. Only swimmers with the appropriate colour wristband will be allowed on to the pontoon immediately before the start of their swim.
• When entering the water beware of movements of the pontoons.
• Be aware that especially at this time of the year the water may be extremely cold! Swimmers are advised to dress accordingly.
  
• Indicate at ANY time if you need assistance.
• It is not advisable to swim if you have been drinking heavily the night before.
• A modular floating beach will be in position at the finish to help you get out of the water. The floating beach is highly buoyant and you should be easily able to crawl out on to it.
• As in previous years, lifeguards and stewards will be on hand to help you leave the water if necessary.
• At the end of your swim, in the interests of safety, please exit the pontoon and ramp immediately.

HELP LIONS MAKE SOMEONE'S LIFE BETTER

Throughout every hour of every day, somebody somewhere needs a little help. Even on Christmas Day!

If you would like to get sponsorship on behalf of Weymouth & Portland Lions or another charity or good cause please download and print out as many sponsorship forms as you need here:

1. Lions Sponsorship FormSponsorship Form
2. Other Charity Sponsorship Form

You can also donate when buying tickets for the swim or search for Weymouth & Portland Lions Club on JustGiving.com

AFTER THE SWIM

• Collect your clothes from the winners enclosure at the top of the ramp.
• Winners Medals will be presented after each competitive swim, as soon as possible after leaving the water.
• If you were kind enough to get sponsorship to help Weymouth & Portland Lions Club to help others, or to raise money for another charity or organisation please let us know how much you raised.
• Don't forget to send us your photos!
• You can also donate in our buckets to Weymouth & Portland Lions Club directly on the day.
• Please note. Photographs and videos taken on the day may be used by the Lions Club for publicity purposes.

LIONS CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM from Champagne Film on Vimeo.

Problems or feedback

If you would like to contact us regarding the swim please contact webmaster@weymouthlionsclub.co.uk by email or write to us at:

Weymouth & Portland Lions Club

c/o Hotel Rembrandt,

12-18 Dorchester Road,

Weymouth

Dorset.

DT4 7JU