It's as mad as, well, just about as mad as you can be on Christmas Day - after all the money you've spent on presents, mind.

Eastern Daily Press: It was all thumbs-up on Christmas Day 2014It was all thumbs-up on Christmas Day 2014 (Image: Paul Tibbs)

I can't remember who shivered that quote as I took it down in my even shakier shorthand on Christmas Day a few years ago, as the lazy wind lashed in off The Wash.

Eastern Daily Press: By 1989, the Hunstanton Christmas Swim was drawing the crowds By 1989, the Hunstanton Christmas Swim was drawing the crowds (Image: Archant Archive)

But it sums up the gloriously bonkers spectacle that is the Hunstanton Christmas Swim.

Eastern Daily Press: Santa leads the way in the 2006 Hunstanton Christmas swimSanta leads the way in the 2006 Hunstanton Christmas swim (Image: Adrian Judd)

The rules are simple if you fancy joining the dip.

Eastern Daily Press: 2005 was not the warmest year in the history of the Hunstanton Christmas Swim, judging by some of the faces2005 was not the warmest year in the history of the Hunstanton Christmas Swim, judging by some of the faces (Image: Colin Finch)

The rules are simple if you're brave enough to give it a go. 

Eastern Daily Press: The Hunstanton Christmas Swim got off to a decidedly relaxed start on a drizzly December 25 in 2007The Hunstanton Christmas Swim got off to a decidedly relaxed start on a drizzly December 25 in 2007 (Image: Denise Bradley)

Turn up dressed as a giant chicken or a bag of chips, a superhero or even that biggest, best-est superhero of them all on December 25, Father Christmas.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat crew launched the Spirit of Christmas for the 2018 Christmas swimHunstanton RNLI lifeboat crew launched the Spirit of Christmas for the 2018 Christmas swim (Image: Chris Bishop)

Then you run across the beach and splash through the waves, ignoring the pangs of cold until you reach the Round Table banner.

Eastern Daily Press: The waters were calm for the Hunstanton Christmas Swim of 1984 - when budgie smugglers were more de rigueur than fancy dressThe waters were calm for the Hunstanton Christmas Swim of 1984 - when budgie smugglers were more de rigueur than fancy dress (Image: Archant Archive)

With the Hunstanton Christmas Swim set to hit the waves again on Sunday, December 25, we thought it might be fun to look back through our archives and dig out a few pictures from over the years.

Eastern Daily Press: A nun on the run led the field as the 2012 Hunstanton Christmas Swim got under wayA nun on the run led the field as the 2012 Hunstanton Christmas Swim got under way (Image: Ian Burt)

The event is reckoned to have been going on for more than 50 years.

If you fancy it this year, registration's at the Oasis on the Prom from 9.30am, with the parade getting under way at 11am.

Eastern Daily Press: Let's all do the conga, back in 2007Let's all do the conga, back in 2007 (Image: Denise Bradley)

Sponsor forms can be downloaded from this shortened link tinyurl.com/4b9neu4p.

And don't miss the warning: "All swimmers will be required to enter the water fully for a certificate - no toe dippers."

Eastern Daily Press: The Hunstanton Christmas Swim in 2006The Hunstanton Christmas Swim in 2006 (Image: Adrian Judd)