Littlehampton RNLI’s December Dip returns!
Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station’s popular December Dip is returning for a second year to raise vital funds for the lifesaving work of its volunteer crew.
The event will take place on Saturday 16 December, at The Beach Café, on Sea Road, Littlehampton, from 10.30am. Participants will be encouraged to raise money for their local lifeboat station by braving a quick sea dip.
Last year, 158 participants took up the challenge, cheered on by their friends and family. They were kept safe in the water by Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew and trained lifeguards.
To take part in this year’s event, participants can enter online at https://tinyurl.com/DecemberDip2023. The entry cost for is £7 for adults and £5 for under 18’s. Children over the age of 12 are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult.
After their dip, everyone will receive a hot drink, courtesy of The Beach Café. Spectators will be entertained by a brass band, and there will also be a stall selling RNLI gifts and goodies, including Littlehampton RNLI’s very special 2024 calendar.
For the second year running, the December Dip is proudly sponsored by Expleo UK. An Expleo UK spokesperson said: ‘We are delighted to be sponsoring the Littlehampton RNLI December Dip again for 2023. We are honoured to be able to support the brave men and women of the RNLI in their selfless mission of saving lives at sea.’
Cian Mathews, Chair of Littlehampton RNLI’s fundraising branch, added: ‘We’re delighted to be hosting our December Dip once again. Last year’s event was blessed by beautiful weather, a huge crowd and some very brave and generous dippers. The volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI go out in all weathers to save lives at sea, so a quick sea dip is a great way to thank them for keeping us all safe.’
The December Dip will be organised under strict safety measures, including logging each participant who enters and leaves the sea, safety boats, first aid, lifeguards and a full safety briefing. Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew will also be on the shore and at sea, dependent on taskings.
Taking a dip in cold, open water can be exhilarating, but it’s not without risk. If you are planning a dip or swim in open water, always remember to:
- Be prepared. Check the weather and tides, choose your spot, go with a buddy, have the right equipment.
- If in doubt, don’t go out. No matter how much preparation you do, or how experienced you are, if a swim doesn’t feel right there is no shame in getting out of the water straight away, or not entering.
- Make sure you acclimatise to avoid cold water shock.
- Be seen. Wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float.
- Stay within your depths.
Float to live.
- Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency.
Whatever your experience or ability, take a look at the RNLI’s helpful and comprehensive guide to open water swimming: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming.
To find out more about December Dip, or to register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/DecemberDip2023.
If you would like to sponsor a participant, or just donate to the event, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rnli-littlehampton-dip-2023
ENDS
Notes to editors
Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew look after the stretch of the West Sussex coast between Bognor Regis and Worthing. Littlehampton RNLI is independent from the Coastguard and receives no government funding. To find out more about Littlehampton RNLI, see https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/april/27/10-facts-about-littlehampton-rnli-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Beth Brooks, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East
07785 296252 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.