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Topless Swim 2024

Topless Swim 2024

> Topless Swim 2024

Topless Swim 2024

Supporting breast cancer care at North Devon District Hospital

Topless Swim logo

Dare to bare in support of your local NHS at Ilfracombe’s awesome Tunnels Beach this November!

Our ladies only Topless Swim takes place at the beach’s historic tidal pool on Sunday, November 3.

Registration is £20 and is limited to 250 women. It includes entry to Tunnels Beach, bespoke event bobble hat, a goody bag and mug of hot chocolate on the beach to warm up after your dip. 

It’ll be refreshing. It’ll be empowering. It’ll be a brilliant way to promote body positivity and help power up cancer care for local people at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH). 

The event will be fully-supported by an all-female crew of lifeguards. The Breast Cancer and Fern Centre cancer wellbeing team will also be on hand on the day to offer advice about breast cancer screening and early detection, as well as provide information about the care and support available.

We ask you to raise a minimum £100 in sponsorship, 50% of which will go towards breast cancer care NDDH, with the other 50% going towards wellbeing support for cancer patients at the hospital’s Fern Centre. 

The Royal Devon Hospitals Charity team will support you every splash of the way and you’ll find some great fundraising tips to get you started, as well as a downloadable fundraising toolkit here.

Louise Butcher – aka the Topless Runner – and Royal Devon Hospitals Charity community fundraiser Kate Constable at Tunnels Beach in Ilfracombe. Pic: RDHC
Louise Butcher – aka the Topless Runner – and Royal Devon Hospitals Charity community fundraiser Kate Constable at Tunnels Beach in Ilfracombe. Pic: RDHC
3
Nov
2024
10:00 am –
11:30 am
Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe
This is a RDHC event
£20

Topless Swim FAQs

18
Yes, but female only please.
No, sorry!
The Tidal Pool, Tunnels, Ilfracombe, North Devon EX34 8AN
There will be limited accessible parking outside Tunnels but on-road parking can be found nearby and there is plenty of off-road parking available at the nearby Brookdale Avenue and Jubilee Gardens by the Landmark Theatre.
No, but we’d like everyone to feel empowered and confident to take part in this body positive event.
Just bring a suitable swimsuit, a towel and changing robe if you have one, some warm clothes and a big smile.
There is no minimum amount of time you need to stay in the water but the maximum time is 20 minutes.
No, everyone with access to the beach on the day will be female. There will also be a female event photographer taking photos on the day but all photos taken will preserve modesty. Should you not wish your photo to be taken, please make yourself known to the event crew on the day.
Yes, there will be a secure bag drop area on the day.
We ask participants to raise a minimum £100, which will be split 50-50 between breast care services and the Fern Centre at North Devon District Hospital.
Yes, when you resister to take part in the event, we’ll automatically set you up with your own fundraising pages linked to the Team Topless Swim 2024 fundraising page.
Water temperature in November is usually fairly mild but will be beginning to drop from the later summer highs as we head into winter. Prepare for a chilly dip but rest assured water and air temperature will be monitored by the safety team on the day. You can choose how long you stay in the water but are advised to exit the water before you get cold.
In the event of poor water quality, weather conditions and large waves, the safety of the event will be assessed by the safety officer in advance of the event. In the event of cancellation, this will be communicated to participants as soon as possible.
The tidal pool is 50m across by 100m in length, with a depth of up to 8-10 feet (tide dependant).
You do not need to swim and may choose to just dip your toes, have a paddle or take a quick plunge!
Yes, there are accessible toilets and limited changing facilities but we advise to bring a towel and have a warm set of clothes to change into.
We ask that participants are at least one year following treatment (surgery and radiotherapy) and 2 months following completion of chemotherapy. By entering the event, you are declaring that you are medically fit and have not been told to not take part in activities such as this by a medical practitioner. Please also make race organisers aware of any medical conditions prior to taking part in the event.

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