Christmas Swim History
Thank you for 33 years of the Galway community coming together to Brave the Cold so others don’t have to
A history of the COPE Galway Swim
On a cold Christmas morning in 1989, a brave group of COPE Galway staff took the plunge into icy waters to raise support for their domestic abuse support service, Waterside House. Little did they know this event would evolve into one of Galway’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
Since the inaugural swim, the event has grown from strength to strength, bringing thousands of families and friends – and the occasional tourist – to Salthill Beach every year on Christmas Day. For over three decades Galwegians have demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas by raising vital funds for people who need it through the services that COPE Galway provide.
We have come a long way in the past 30 years, and not only has the Christmas Swim developed into one of our most important fundraising events, but it has also become a cornerstone of community camaraderie.
Though the event has changed with the times, from handing out warm whiskies to the current hot chocolate alternative, and more recently adapting to a virtual alternative for Covid-19, the community spirit has not faltered, and the heart of Galway keeps shining through.
A very sincere thank you from all here at COPE Galway for your continued dedication and support.
Thank you for braving the cold year after year so that others don’t have to.
Here is a little look back over the many wonderful (and sometimes weird!) Christmases we have shared with our community.
The first Christmas Swim
COPE Galway domestic abuse service staff braved the cold to fundraise for their clients. On a cold Christmas morning in 1989, a brave group of COPE Galway staff took the plunge into icy waters to raise support for their domestic abuse support service, Waterside House. Little did they know this event would evolve into one of Galway’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
December 1989
December 2004
Sally Long’s Pub
Sally Long’s Pub comes on board as our very first event sponsor.
World Record Set
Set world record for largest charity Christmas Day Swim! Almost 900 people participated and over €40,000 was raised
December 2008
December 2009
Another World Record Attempt
Attempted to smash our own record but by Christmas Day, the Big Freeze of 2010 had firmly taken a hold and the icy conditions meant a smaller than usual turnout. 400 swimmers still braved the extreme cold and over €25,000 was raised!
The Jingle Bell Walk
The Christmas Swim expanded as walkers joined in from Clifden called “The Jingle Bell Walk” for those souls not feeling brave enough to take a dip on Christmas morning. Walkers received little bells to tie to their shoes before taking to the prom for a walk and a hot beverage courtesy of Lohan’s Pub.
December 2010
December 2011
Another go at a World Record
COPE Galway attempted another World Record! This time for the largest number of swimmers wearing a Santa hat. Just over 500 participants were needed to set the record, and the people of Galway blew the record out of the water (literally!) with almost 900 turning up on the day!
Family Generations at the Swim
We celebrated the inter-generational relationship that Galwegians have with the swim. The theme ‘Family Generations @ the COPE Galway Christmas Day Swim’ invited all the family to get involved and join us at Blackrock on Christmas morning.
December 2013
December 2017
Swim Launch Flash Mob
The launch was a year like no other, on October 28th, dozens of enthusiastic staff, volunteers and supporters of COPE Galway staged a flash mob at Blackrock diving tower to promote the big day.
Marking 30 Years
Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the swim by inviting COPE Galway volunteers and supporters to share their memories and experiences of the event, in a project entitled ‘Swim Stories’. The participants spoke of the sense of community and tradition they experience every year at the swim.
December 2019
December 2020
Swim Apart, Standing Together
Due to Covid-19, it was the first time in 31 years, we couldn’t gather at Blackrock for the Christmas Swim event. Yet still, over 870 swimmers in Galway, across Ireland, the UK, USA, Canada and Australia braved the cold from where they were and raised funds for COPE Galway. The virtual 10-day ‘Swim Where You Are’ event meant people could keep their tradition alive and continue to support people in need when they need it most. Thanks to the overwhelming support from the community, we still raised over €65,000!
The first Christmas Swim
COPE Galway domestic abuse service staff braved the cold to fundraise for their clients. On a cold Christmas morning in 1989, a brave group of COPE Galway staff took the plunge into icy waters to raise support for their domestic abuse support service, Waterside House. Little did they know this event would evolve into one of Galway’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
Sally Long’s Pub
Sally Long’s Pub comes on board as our very first event sponsor.
World Record Set
Set world record for largest charity Christmas Day Swim! Almost 900 people participated and over €40,000 was raised.
Another World Record Attempt
Attempted to smash our own record but by Christmas Day, the Big Freeze of 2010 had firmly taken a hold and the icy conditions meant a smaller than usual turnout. 400 swimmers still braved the extreme cold and over €25,000 was raised!
The Jingle Bell Walk
The Christmas Swim expanded as walkers joined in from Clifden called “The Jingle Bell Walk” for those souls not feeling brave enough to take a dip on Christmas morning. Walkers received little bells to tie to their shoes before taking to the prom for a walk and a hot beverage courtesy of Lohan’s Pub.
Another go at a World Record
COPE Galway attempted another World Record! This time for the largest number of swimmers wearing a Santa hat. Just over 500 participants were needed to set the record, and the people of Galway blew the record out of the water (literally!) with almost 900 turning up on the day!
Family Generations at the Swim
We celebrated the inter-generational relationship that Galwegians have with the swim. The theme ‘Family Generations @ the COPE Galway Christmas Day Swim’ invited all the family to get involved and join us at Blackrock on Christmas morning.
Swim Launch Flash Mob
The launch was a year like no other, on October 28th, dozens of enthusiastic staff, volunteers and supporters of COPE Galway staged a flash mob at Blackrock diving tower to promote the big day.
Marking 30 Years
Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the swim by inviting COPE Galway volunteers and supporters to share their memories and experiences of the event, in a project entitled ‘Swim Stories’. The participants spoke of the sense of community and tradition they experience every year at the swim.
Swim Apart, Standing Together
Due to Covid-19, it was the first time in 31 years, we couldn’t gather at Blackrock for the Christmas Swim event. Yet still, over 870 swimmers in Galway, across Ireland, the UK, USA, Canada and Australia braved the cold from where they were and raised funds for COPE Galway. The virtual 10-day ‘Swim Where You Are’ event meant people could keep their tradition alive and continue to support people in need when they need it most. Thanks to the overwhelming support from the community, we still raised over €65,000!