Westward Ho! New years day fancy dress dip on the beach

Want to start 2023 in style? 


It is now a tradition at Westward Ho! so grab your friends, family, neighbors, fellow villagers, visitors plus anyone else and head to the beach.


We are back for the sixth year, the ONLY way to start 2023 is with a bracing dip in the Atlantic Ocean, together, at Westward Ho!


10.00am Join Peter on the beach infront of the slipway getting ready for this fine event. Lessons from previous years, get here early! It WILL be busy and parking at Westward Ho! can take a while.


10.20am Assemble at the waters edge between the two flags where Crazy Jack is going to be getting you ready, in a way only Crazy Jack can. You will feel the true vibe of this event, what has made it so popular...Standing shoulder to shoulder with 500 people ready to dash into the sea is an experience, the only way to start 2023


10.30am MAIN EVENT - We enter the water (NO wetsuits allowed) for a bracing dip in the glorious Atlantic. Victorian people used to travel MILES to come and dip in this wonderful place, just for it's health properties. Please see safety notes below.


Enjoy Westward Ho! while you warm up after having started the year in style with us.


We can guarantee a smile, a warm glow (a long time after!!) and a start of the year to remember.

SAFETY NOTES-


1. Hypothermia will be a factor on the day due to the air and water temperature. To minimize risk we suggest using towels/ponchos/thick coats to keep yourself warm before entering the water. Remove these, get in, get wet and before getting too cold, get out and get the layers on! Hot drinks will be available in the village afterwards or bring your own to get the core temperature up afterwards..


2.Going into cold water will induce cold shock. This makes your body divert your blood to the core to protect it and will make it difficult to catch your breath and can make you dizzy at the start. With this in mind we ask people to not go for a swim and only do what they are comfortable with.

If you have a heart condition or are generally not medically fit, please join in but only go for a shallow paddle. Although we will have lifeguards on duty, please think about your safety at all times.


3. Fancy Dress. If you are using a fancy dress costume that will hold lots of water please think about the effect it will have in the water. If your costume will go heavy please think about putting on a buoyancy aid or limiting your depth.


4. Please listen to the safety briefing carefully. Although Westward Ho! is one of the safest beaches in Devon, during big swells there can be a strong cross shore drift. Sea conditions will be assessed on the day and full safety briefing supplied. 


5. Please ONLY enter the water between the two flags if you are participating in this event. This will allow the lifeguards to be able to properly look after you.


6. We have lifeguards and first aid cover on the beach for this event. These are trained professionals. Lifeguards are marked with orange fluorescent vests and there for your safety. First aid is from Medicare SW from their vehicles. Marshals for the event are marked with yellow fluorescent vests.


Enjoy the whole experience and community spirit at Westward Ho!

This event has been sponsored by John and Julie Martin from the Carousel Amusements, without this support, events like this couldn't happen.

     Westward Ho!

Come to Westward Ho! and enjoy the New Years Day Fancy Dress Dip with us. You can then explore the village, enjoy a well deserved breakfast/lunch or even cream tea. Pop into the amusements, warm up in the pub or enjoy the open spaces. 
Westward Ho! is an amazing place to be made even more special by a bracing dip in the ocean with friends first!

Westward Ho! Business Association

This event is brought to you by The Westward Ho! Business Association. We are all the businesses of Westward Ho! collectively working together to provide  events and improving Westward Ho! for visitors and residents alike.
Massive thanks to John and Julie Martin from the Carousel Amusements for sponsoring this whole event, without support like this these events couldn't happen,
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