12 Bays of Christmas Jersey

Don’t forget our closing swim this Saturday, 3rd February, 10:00 at Ouaisne. Hot drinks will be provided.

We really hope to see you there!

We are pleased to announce that we have managed to reschedule our closing swim!

The closing swim will be held on Saturday 3rd February, 10:00 at Ouaisne. Hot drinks will be provided.

Please email [email protected] if you can attend. We hope to see you there.

Thank you to all of you for your support.

CLOSING SWIM

Sadly there won’t be a closing swim tomorrow due to the weather.

Some more images...

Thank you to everyone that came to our opening swim on Saturday.

If you haven’t signed up, there is still time! Sign up here - https://race-nation.co.uk/register/jhcnt/12-bays-of-christmas-2023

With December only a week away, if you haven’t signed up to our 12 Bays of Christmas Jersey challenge, make sure you add it to your to do list for the weekend!

All you have to do is take a dip in 12 of our festively themed bays (or you can repeat swims in your favourites on the list) during the month of December.

For more information and to sign up - https://rb.gy/a5fcdq

Thank you to Nicholson Builders Limited - Jersey for sponsoring this challenge.

12 Bays of Christmas Opening Swim
Jersey Hospice Care and The National Trust for Jersey will be launching this year’s festive sea swimming challenge the 12 Bays of Christmas with the ‘opening’ swim taking place on Saturday 2nd December at 10.00 am at Bouley Bay. The organisers are inviting swimmers to come along in ‘swimming’ fancy dress to reflect the Christmas nature of the challenge.

The festive challenge encourages seasoned year-round swimmers to take a dip in 12 bays between 1 and 31 December. Each bay has a festively themed name, for example ‘Port let it Snow’, ‘Jingle all the Ouaisné’ and so on.

As part of its season of goodwill, the Channel Island Co-Operative Society will be coming along to the launch swim to give out hot drinks and mince pies.

To register click on this link: 12 Bays of Christmas 2023 - Race Nation (race-nation.co.uk)

The cost of participation is £50 for a team of 5, £12 for adults and £5 for children under 12 and swimmers are encouraged to raise a minimum of £12 in sponsorship.

For more information please go to: http://30bays30days.org.je/12-bays-of-christmas/

12 Bays of Christmas | 30 Bays in 30 Days 12 Bays of Christmas! Jersey Hospice Care and The National Trust for Jersey have announced the launch of their winter fundraiser, The 12 Bays of Christmas! Hot off the heels of the ‘30 Bays in 30 Days’ Sea swimming event which raised £20,000 for the 2 charities this summer, ‘12 Bays of Christ...

A great write up in the JEP today.

Don’t forget to sign up - https://rb.gy/242gu

We are back for a 3rd year!! It's time to get those Christmas themed bathing suits and hats out as registration is now open for our winter fundraiser!

Those who have been swimming since the summer or are seasoned year-round swimmers are encouraged to take a dip in 12 bays between 1 and 31 December. Each bay has a festively themed name, for example ‘Port let it Snow’, ‘Jingle all the Ouaisné’ and so on!

For more information and to sign up - https://rb.gy/242gu

Thank you to Nicholson Builders Limited - Jersey for kindly sponsoring this event.

People urged not to sea swim as water could contain raw sewage | ITV News People with boreholes are also being advised to boil water before they use it. | ITV News Channel

Well done to everyone who took part in our festive challenge!

Islanders brave cold weather for closing 12 Bays of Christmas swim | ITV News Participants were tasked to swim in a different bay every day to raise money for charity. | ITV News Channel

152 hardy sea swimmers have braved chilly local waters to meet the festive challenge of swimming in the 12 Bays of Christmas and in the process have raised much needed funds for Jersey Hospice Care and The National Trust for Jersey .

To mark the end of the challenge, there will be a closing swim on New Year’s Eve which is taking place at 10.30 a.m. at Bouley Bay

Hot off the heels of the ‘30 Bays in 30 Days’ summertime sea swimming event which raised £24,000 for our 2 charities, the ‘12 Bays of Christmas encourages the hundreds of local sea swimmers who brave our chilly waters every day throughout the year to take part in this festive challenge.

We are inviting those islanders who have continued swimming since the summer or are seasoned year-round swimmers to take a dip in 12 bays listed on a map between 1 and 31 December. Each bay on the list has a festively themed name, for example ‘Port let it Snow’, ‘Jingle all the Ouaisné’ and so on.

The first 100 participants to sign up will receive a 2022 badge at the opening swim, which will take place on Sunday 27th November at Longbeach, Gorey (time to be confirmed). We would also love swimmers to come along in ‘swimming’ fancy dress to reflect the Christmas nature of the challenge.

Safety of swimmers is paramount so only those who are medically fit should consider taking part. Participants will also receive tips and information about how to stay safe during and after a cold-water swim and wearing a wetsuit will be optional. The emphasis is also for people to take part within in their own limitations so there is no target time, distance or number of strokes to swim as with the 30 Bays in 30 Days event.

The cost of participation is £12 for adults and £5 for children under 12 and swimmers are encouraged to raise a minimum of £12 in sponsorship.

To register click on this link: https://race-nation.co.uk/register/jhcnt/12-bays-of-christmas-2022

Here are our fantastic new beach signs! Thank you to F. Nicholson & Son LTD for their sponsorship.

You can sign up to our festive challenge here: https://bit.ly/3rRNd69

Exciting news ... we are BACK for 2022! Registration will open on 01st October! This year we will also have some fantastic beach signs. Keep your eyes p*eled for further information.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our 12 Bays of Christmas. You have raised an incredible £20,000! Please do keep on swimming and we look forward to seeing you all at 30 Bays in the summer!

Special thanks to the ladies at "Bauble Bay" for their synchronized swimming in such chilly waters.

Thank you for all your bids so far, we have already raised an additional £946 with the current bids once they are fulfilled. It would be fantastic if we could get the minimum bid of £20 for each of the remaining 5 signs to reach £1,100 for Jersey Hospice Care and The National Trust for Jersey.

The following 5 Bays have yet to receive bids. You can still bid on the other bays. Please remember best and final bids (we are not able to notify you of higher bids) by midnight tonight - Friday Dec 17th to [email protected] Winning bidders will be informed by 9am on Monday December 20th.

#12 Grouville Bay (slip by Rhona’s Café)
#22 Portelet (Port let it snow)
#27 La Pulente
#28 Le Braye (Santa Ouen St Ouen)
#29 El Tico

Full list:-
#1 Bonne Nuit
#2 Bouley Bay (Bauble Bay)
#4 Rozel (Rocking around Rozel Bay)
#5 Le Saie (In a Manger)
#6 La Coupe
#7 Fliquet
#8 St Catherine’s
#9 Belval Cove
#10 Archirondel
#11 Anne Port (and Stilton)
#12 Grouville Bay (slip by Rhona’s Café)
#13 Grouville Bay (Longbeach)
#14 La Rocque
#15 Robin Bay
#16 Le Hocq
#17 Green Island
#18 Greve d’Azette
#19 Havre de Pas & Lido
#20 St Aubins (Deck La Haule)
#21 Belcroute (Jingle Belcroute)
#22 Portelet (Port let it snow)
#23 Ouaisne (Jingle all the Quaisne)
#24 St Brelade
#26 Beauport (Snow port)
#27 La Pulente
#28 Le Braye (Santa Ouen St Ouen)
#29 El Tico
#30 Watersplash
#31 Jersey Pearl
#32 L’Etacq
#33 Plemont
#34 Greve de Lecq

Best of luck.

With the news that the organised Christmas day swims are taking place again this year, and many of you are braving the 12 Bays of Christmas challenge, Jersey Coastguard would like to offer this advice for those brave enough to be sea swimming this winter.

If you get into difficulties, or see anybody in difficulties sea swimming, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

30 Bays in 30 Days Signs - A fabulous pre-loved Christmas gift
Due to a change of sponsor we need to create new signs for 2022 so the iconic 30 Bays signs are available to purchase as a great original and recycled present to yourself or to someone. A gift of one of these signs has the added impact of supporting 2 worthy Jersey causes.
31 signs are available from the original 34 and they are:-
#1 Bonne Nuit
#2 Bouley Bay (Bauble Bay)
#4 Rozel (Rocking around Rozel Bay)
#5 Le Saie (In a Manger)
#6 La Coupe
#7 Fliquet
#8 St Catherine’s
#9 Belval Cove
#10 Archirondel
#11 Anne Port (and Stilton)
#12 Grouville Bay (slip by Rhona’s Café)
#13 Grouville Bay (Longbeach)
#14 La Rocque
#15 Robin Bay
#16 Le Hocq
#17 Green Island
#18 Greve d’Azette
#19 Havre de Pas & Lido
#20 St Aubins (Deck La Haule)
#21 Belcroute (Jingle Belcroute)
#22 Portelet (Port let it snow)
#23 Ouaisne (Jingle all the Quaisne)
#24 St Brelade
#26 Beauport (Snow port)
#27 La Pulente
#28 Le Braye (Santa Ouen St Ouen)
#29 El Tico
#30 Watersplash
#31 Jersey Pearl
#32 L’Etacq
#33 Plemont
#34 Greve de Lecq
Please email [email protected] to place your best and final bid by midnight on Friday December 17th with your Bay number and bid amount showing on the subject line.
Minimum bid for each sign is £20 and all proceeds will go to the Save The Coastline Campaign for National Trust for Jersey and Jersey Hospice Care. Payment will need to be paid over the phone and the signs to be collected please from The Elms at St Mary. We will notify the winning bidders by 9am Monday December 20th.

The Jersey Blue t**s had a fabulous swim this morning to celebrate the half way point of 12 bays of Christmas. Chris Craddock from BBC Radio Jersey braved the early morning (6am) for a swim and an interview at sea!

Just to let our hardy winter swimmers taking part in the 12 Bays of Christmas, that we still have Santa hats available at Lockes Cafe, the Jersey Hospice Care shop in town and The Elms in St Mary...

The 12 Days of Christmas

On the 12th day of Christmas Jersey gave to us...

12 Saint Ouen waves
11 Wishes for snow
10 Jingles at Ouaisné
9 Ports of tingles
8 Cakes at Belcroute
7 Santa hats La Haule
6 Swims in blue sea
5 Lost swim things
4 Toilet queues
3 Mince pies
2 Hungry man rolls

And a Mad Mary’s chocolate filled with glee !

Saint a Ouen (Santa Baby)

Saint a Ouen, just keep my dry robe warm and cozy for me
We do lovely chill swims
Saint a Ouen,
so keep it warm and dry today.

Saint a Ouen, we don’t want any of those scary rollers
We prefer the calm sea,
Saint a Ouen
So make it all smooth and nice.

Think of all the friends we bring
Think of all the songs we sing
Swimming is what we love
But we’ll swear as we get in.

Saint a Ouen, we leave our buckets on the sand in long lines
They’ll see us from the air,
Saint a Ouen
Let’s make a splash today.

Make a splash today
Let’s make a splash today.

Jingle all the Ouaisné – to the tune of Jingle Bells

Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay cold swim
Oh what fun it is to jump
the waves of Ouaisné Bay
Ouaisne Bay, Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay cold swim
Oh what fun it is to jump
the waves of Ouaisné Bay.

Dashing down the hill,
Swim Bucket in the car.
Hot water bottles we have filled,
Some say that we’re bizarre!
Running down the beach
Jumping in the waves,
We love it, though we might screech
This is what we crave ….

Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay cold swim
Oh what fun it is to jump
the waves of Ouaisné Bay
Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay cold swim
Oh what fun it is to jump
the waves of Ouaisné Bay

Coming out the sea,
Towels and warm stuff on.
Needing cake and tea,
Where’s my car keys gone ?
Changing super fast,
Don’t want the after drop.
We’re loving Dry Robes that are vast
Quicker if you hop!

Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay cold swim
Oh what fun it is to jump
the waves of Ouaisné Bay.
Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay, Ouaisné Bay cold swim
Oh what fun it is to jump
the waves of Ouaisné Bay.

Port - let it snow (Let It Snow)

The weather outside is frightful
But the sea is still delightful
We have 12 bays to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The wind and the rain are slowing
Our skins are truly glowing
A hop and a skip in the cold
We are bold, we are bold, we are bold.

When we finally get immersed
How I love to feel the tingles
Don’t forget to breathe in the verse
Sing your way through all the jingles.

Wear your boots or you’ll get the chills
water bottle gives you the thrills
We act like it’s the norm,
Ice and warm, Ice and warm, Ice and warm.

Jingle Belcroute (Jingle Bell Rock)

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Belcroute
Belcroute Bay sun and Belcroute Bay fun
Swimming at dawn all half asleep
Clothes all in a heap!

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Belcroute
Belcroute Bay gurn and Belcroute Bay squeal
Tow floats and swim caps, a rising tide
Selfies, nobody hide!

Belcroute Bay time, it’s the right time
To swim to the white buoy
Belcroute Bay time is a swell time
To go swimming in a gaggle of joy

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Belcroute
Belcroute Bay trees and Belcroute Bay freeze
One of our group has made a bake
We’re sharing tea and cake …

Belcroute Bay time, it’s the right time
To swim and chat with friends
Belcroute Bay time is a great time
We’ll come back, so it doesn’t end.

Belcroute Bay trees, Belcroute Bay freeze,
To swim and chat with friends,
Belcroute Bay time is a great time,
That’s the Belcroute Bay swim.

Deck La Haule (Deck The Halls)

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Deck La Haule with hats and folly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
This the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our mad apparel
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Sing our crazy Christmas carol
Fa la la la, la la la la.

See the freezing sea before us
Fa la la la la, la la, la la,
Run in and sing, don’t swear the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Follow us in swimming circles
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Pretending that we are turtles
Fa la la la, la la la la.

Fast away 21 leaves us
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Covid distance comes between us
Fa la la la la, la, la la la
Sing our crazy songs together
Fa la la la, la la la la
We’ll dip in all kinds of weather
Fa la la la, la la la la.

Deck La Haule with hats and folly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
This the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our mad apparel
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sing our crazy Christmas carol
Fa la la la, la la la la.

Robin Bay (to silent night)

Robin Bay, Robin Bay,
All is calm, all is bright,
Down the beach and to the sea
Till the water envelops me
Swimming in beautiful blue, aah
Swimming in beautiful blue

Robin Bay, Robin Bay
All is cold, waves are white,
A quick swim out to the buoy
Fisherman shouts ‘crazies’ ahoy
Swimming in bouncy green, ooh
Swimming in bouncy green.

Robin Bay, Robin Bay,
Gloves are on, hat is tight
Round the boat and to the shore
We are brrrrrrr to the core
Swimming in winter sea, eek
Swimming in winter sea.

Once in Royal Bay of Grouville

Once in Royal Bay of Grouville
Someone left their swimming kit
Open Water, someone’s daughter
Was it a mermaid or a Tit ?
A floater, Swim Chat, Facebook friend
We’ll find the owner in the end

They came down to swim for Christmas
Left wet cossies in the sand
Was it half dark, we’re they rushing
Was the sand a soggy mush ?
Perhaps they had to run and p*e
We’ll hang them from the nearest tree

Hope they have some other swimsuits
And they notice when at home
Retrace their steps to spot a glove
Wash the sand off, give it love
But if they cannot find their stuff
Their next swim might be in the buff!

AnnePort and the Slipway (The holly and the ivy)

AnnePort and the Slipway
When the tide is full-up
All the stones are covered over
And the sea is at the top.

The rising of the sun
And the running out the sea
The playing of the merry swimmers
Getting dressed and drinking tea.

AnnePort has a toilet
For that we are happy
For when you come out the water
You will surely need a wee!

The rising of the sun
And the running out the sea
The playing of the merry swimmers
Getting dressed and drinking tea.

The sea gives us the tingles
It sure is getting cool
We jump about in Santa hats
And totally act the fool.

The rising of the sun
And the running out the sea
The playing of the merry swimmers
Getting dressed and drinking tea.