Welcome to SwimTrek's December Newsletter, where you will find a selection of interesting stories about SwimTrek as well as open water swimming in general. Everyone here at SwimTrek wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2008!

For the first time ever, the World Winter Swimming Championships will be held outside Finland from the 9th-10th February at Tooting Bec Lido in London.

Both experienced and novice swimmers will take the plunge into the 4-5°C water, either to be named 'World Champion' or simply to just take part in this unique and fun event.

Entries close at the end of December so sign up now to guarantee your place in a variety of different races.

While children wake early on Christmas day, big kids are also known to race down to beaches, lidos and ponds to start off the big day in true style by taking a dip. Some are there for the competition whilst most are just joining in the fun of it all.

We have collected a selection of swims that will take place over the festive season. If you know of a swim anywhere in the world that we have not mentioned, please let us know as we would like to compile a more comprehensive list for next Christmas.

"If at first you don't succeed, try again a month later."

This summer, after being plucked from the water after nine & half hours in the English Channel, SwimTrekker Jim Boucher new it was not to be.

A month later Jim found himself once again standing on the beach at Dover with the knowledge of the swim ahead, but this time it was going to be different.

Over 200 guests attended SwimTrek's end of season party in London in November. After digging deep into their pockets they helped raise over £950 on the night for 2 worthwhile charities, the Children's Trust and the 'Special Needs School of Calabar (SNSC), Nigeria'.

Both charities, though geographically diverse both aim to help children rebuild their lives. The Children's Trust are building a new hydrotherapy pool for children with severe brain injuries, while the SNSC are building a new roof over their school building.

Grant Hackett the Australian swimming captain, is generally regarded as the best long distance swimmer in history, as he holds the 1500m world record and has dominated this event since 1996.

As well as going for his 3rd consecutive Olympic gold medal in Beijing in the 1500m, Hackett t is also targeting the new Olympic discipline of 10km open water.