‘IT WAS another incredible turnout’ for the Christmas Day Mike Moyle memorial swim at Crooklets, hosted by Bude Surf Life Saving Club.

“The event just seems to get bigger and bigger every year,” said former chairman Adrian ‘Horace’ Parsons, who recently stepped down from the role at the club’s annual general meeting.

“The beach was absolutely packed. It’s hard to put figures to it but I would say at least 800 swimmers and 3,500 people watching. Crooklets was absolutely packed.

“It sounds stupid, but we were fortunate the weather stayed dry. We missed the rain. Some rain came in half an hour to an hour after.

“The air temperature and water temperature were probably very close — sometimes the air temperature can be quite cold.”

The swimmers also had to watch out for stones at the top of the beach as it was close to high tide, which Mr Parsons said ‘added an extra hurdle to the swim — walking over the stones to get there’.

He added: “It was a brilliant event and it’s now our main fundraiser of the year. It’s just great that so many people are so happy to come down and give a bit of time to support the club.”

It is not known yet how much the swim raised, as sponsorship forms are yet to be collected, but Mr Parsons believes it was the busiest year yet. It is thought the event has been going for around 34 years, starting around 1982 or 1983.

He added: “It’s got to be the biggest sea swim, I would think. I still have a quick look from the balcony ten minutes before and it always amazes me so many people are happy to come down Christmas morning.”

The club provided safety cover, with around 12 lifeguards in the water making a cordon to make sure everybody stayed safe. Club captain Paul Diffey said they take water safety very seriously and make sure the cover is correct.

He added: “Crooklets is a very rough beach and it can be quite violent.”

Afterwards, swimmers were able to enjoy hot chocolate and snacks to help them warm up.