West
Mersea Lifeboat News
by Leafy Dumas, Lifeboat Press Officer.
The Boxing Day Dip at the Monkey Beach is an
annual event run by the West Mersea Lifeboat and Guild. The aim of the bracing dip in the cold North
Sea is to raise much needed funds for the RNLI. This is the eleventh year of the dip at West
Mersea and it is fast becoming a great Boxing Day tradition. There is not much
better than a small dose of wonderfully invigorating madness for a very worthy
cause!
150 swimmers braved the chilly waters in
all manner of attire; there were elves and Santas, an incredible hulk, a tiger,
a shark, sailors, men in tutus and even a swimming chef from the Victory. Prizes were awarded for the best fancy dress
with the winners being Paul Camina from New York for his cyborg costume,
Caroline Bowring for her Daffy Duck outfit and George Devonport for dressing up
as Mrs Claus, Father Christmas’ wife.
Thank you to The Victory Hotel for providing
mulled wine and hot blackcurrant juice to fortify the dippers, to Tesco for donating
mince pies, and to marvellous Lyn and Heather from the Poop Deck who saved the
day with their tea tent providing hot refreshments to sustain us all.
Two lifeboats were in attendance: our own
Just George from West Mersea from which Stormy Stan disembarked, and our flank
station’s boat from Clacton.
Stormy Stan entertained the crowds, along
with lifeboat helmsman Jason Dale with his wonderful commentary.
Thronging with hardy souls as far as the
eye could see, West Mersea beach on Boxing Day was a sight to behold! Thank you, from all of us at the Lifeboat
Station, for coming.
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