CROOKLETS Beach in Bude saw more people in the sea on Christmas Day than at any time this summer! Some 500 spirited people, without wetsuits ran into the sea at the 11am maroon fired by the Coastguard, watched by some 2,000 spectators.

The Bude Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Christmas Day swim attracts the largest amount of non-wetsuit wearing swimmers in the South West.

"It is the most refreshing and invigorating way to start your Christmas day!" said a spokesman for Bude SLSC who are the first Surf Life Saving club ever established in the UK and have been running this sponsored event for 25 years!

This year was no exception, with the highest number of people registering to take part ever in the club's history. Fortunately it was a bright clear day with clean surf, and no wind making it better conditions than we have seen for most of the summer!

The youngest participants were six-years-old and the oldest this year was Leonardo Creo, an American World War Two veteran aged 86, who said: "I have just given up doing marathons, so thought I would try something new!"

Bude SLSC Chairman Adrian 'Horace' Parsons said: "Again it was a fantastic turn out, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity and support of local people and so many holiday makers who really threw themselves into the spirit of the day!"

Bude SLSC has some 200 members and trains locals about sea safety from the age of seven to fully qualified NARS beach lifeguards. The atmosphere was rather magical, with hot chocolate and Brulee ready for all swimmers, and so many people greeting friends and family.

A club spokesman said: "We thank Zuma Jays surf shops for sponsoring the Christmas Day beanie hats and taking registrations for the Christmas Day swim which is dedicated to the late Mick Moyle, former referee and life member of SLSGB. Thanks to all the swimmers — without your support we cannot afford to run the club for the young people of Bude."

The numbers have increased from a rough 150 taking part to the enormous amounts now — it really has become 'The Christ­mas Morning' tradition.