Westward Ho! New years day fancy dress dip on the beach. This is a tradition and the only way to start a new year here.

Every year we head out, mid winter, into the stormy Atlantic Ocean, then run into the sea half naked, wearing fancy dress, Why?

To celebrate another year here of course! The Westward Ho! New Years Day Dip is now a tradition, stamped into Westward Ho! society for good.

New Years day dip at Westward Ho! in Devon is a great free event for the whole family. Dip into the atlantic ocean with friends
new year fancy dress dip at westward ho! is an annual event held in the South West. It attracts people from around the country
Classic moments of the new year day dip at Westward Ho! in Devon. Craig in his pink ring made many people smile at this wonderful event in the South West of England

This is a Westward Ho! tradition....It's New Years Day, the ONLY thing to do is come for a bracing dip in the ocean?


11.15am Join Peter and Bob from Visit Westward Ho! on the beach by the waters edge 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.


11.45am Assemble at the waters edge between the two flags, they will be spaced further apart to give you more room. You will feel the true vibe of this event, what has made it so popular...Standing next to people ready to dash into the sea is an experience, it's bracing but a memory maker, the only way to start 2025.


11.50am The now famous warm up with Jack! Jack Johns is full of energy, a professional physical trainer, kick boxing instructor and all round certified nutter! Expect an unusual warm up, a warm up that will make you smile.


12.00 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 at the bottom of the page.


Afterwards - 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.

Rob Braddick is alway fun at the new years day dip in Westward Ho!, Devon. This year he was a storm Pooper, may the force be with you! Great events in the South West England
The new years day fancy dress dip at Westward Ho! always starts with this big horse shoe of people on the beach. It's a great event for the South West of England and draws in many people.
The Jamacan bob sleigh team getting ready to run into the sea at Westward Ho! for the new years day dip here. It's a wonderful way to start the year.

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 plus 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 and 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 and Medicare SW will be marked with fluorescent vests


The new years day fancy dress dip does make many smiles after the shock of running into the ocean! It's a great way to start the new year if you are in the South West.
Peter Sawyer organiser and MC for the new years day fancy dress dip in Westward Ho!, Devon. This is a great free event in the South West of the UK and draws people in from around the country.
Lots of fancy dress at the new years day dip at westward ho! in Devon. This event has become a tradition and the only way to start a new year in the South West.
Westward Ho! hosts the NY day fancy dress dip every year. Many people attend to run into the sea, semi naked to start the new year.

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!



This event is brought to you by Visit Westward Ho! for visitors and residents alike.

Event organised by Peter from Ho! Surf.


Many people running into the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate the new year. This annual tradition at Westward Ho! draws in many people from around the country. A great free event for Devon.
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