A popular festive tradition will make a welcome return to a coastal town's beach for the first time in three years.

After being cancelled amid the continuing coronavirus crisis for the past two years, the Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim is back this weekend for 2022.

And organisers have sent out a rallying call for more locals to sign up in supporting this year's event.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim will return.The Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim will return. (Image: Matt Stebbings)

With a "last big push" to attract further brave souls to sign up and take part in this year's festive plunge, swimmer applications are still available online.

It was last held in 2019, and in that year the popular swim attracted crowds of around 3,000 people and "the biggest turn out yet" of more than 400 registered swimmers for the 42nd festive plunge.

Eastern Daily Press: The Christmas Day swim in Lowestoft 2019.

Now, with the Everyone Active 2022 Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim, sponsored by JME, going ahead once more it will see hundreds of Santas, Christmas elves and superheroes back on the beach.

Swimmer applications for the 43rd festive plunge remain open - with the event spearheaded by Everyone Active and supported by HM Coastguard, Lowestoft Volunteer Lifeguard Corps, Lowestoft Lions, St John Ambulance, RNLI and new for this year, East Point Pavilion.

With registration and changing for the festive dip held in the East Point Pavilion from 8.30am on Sunday, the swim will take place between East Point Pavilion and Claremont Pier at 10am.

Money raised will be shared equally between the James Paget Charity Trust, Lowestoft Lions, Lowestoft Lifeguard Volunteer Corps, St John Ambulance's local branch and the Brian Gallagher Football Fund.

On registration, a minimum donation of £5 is required.

 

Matt Stebbings, event volunteer, said: "We need your support.

"Signing up online is a requirement to swim as there are limited opportunities to register on the day.

"We will also be operating a band system so please make sure you register as no registration, no swim.

"Bring all sponsorship monies with you on the morning, with registration and drop off to receive swimmer wristbands and a free festive souvenir Santa hat open from 8.30am at East Point Pavilion."

To register, visit the event's website at www.everyoneactive.com/news/lowestoft-christmas-day-swim-2022.