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The
SELSEY
SEA BATHING
SOCIETY

VITAMIN SEA FOR THE SOUL IN ONE OF BRITAIN'S SUNNIEST SPOTS

"The best club in the Universe!"
Alex, member since 2020

"The Best Club In The Universe!"
Alex, member since 2019 

Welcome

  “live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
-  Ralph Waldo Emerson

The people of Selsey are passionate about their coastline and seafaring history, but historically, only a small proportion of locals regularly swam in the sea.  We set out to change all this and boy, has it changed! We're a flourishing, supportive, welcoming, free to join group of people who love being in the water with great company.  You don't have to be from Selsey to come along and bathe with us and if you just want to come and watch from the shoreline, that's ok too!

We're for all those who seek the wonders of the water. You may be a triathlete who also likes the odd jovial dip, you might be a first-timer, you may be old, you may be young, you may be fit, you may not be. Whatever and whoever you are, you are welcome to come and join us in continuing to make this society the fun, creative and inspiring community it is, full of like-minded people who feel inspired to get outdoors and onto the beach any time of the year. 

 

We now run monthly gatherings 12 months of the year and over the winter months also add in a few day-land experiences for those who may find it too cold to get in the water. 

Upcoming Events

  • January Bathe For The Brave
    January Bathe For The Brave
    Sat, 18 Jan
    Selsey
    18 Jan 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    18 Jan 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Happy New Year to you all for this month's Bathe for the Brave. January can be long and tough for some, so it's the ideal time to get out and get a good dollop of Vitamin Sea!
  • Aquanimity - the story of a Channel relay swim team who became friends
    Aquanimity - the story of a Channel relay swim team who became friends
    Wed, 22 Jan
    Zoom - RSVP to be sent the link
    22 Jan 2025, 19:30 – 20:30
    Zoom - RSVP to be sent the link
    22 Jan 2025, 19:30 – 20:30
    Zoom - RSVP to be sent the link
  • February Bathe For The Brave
    February Bathe For The Brave
    Sat, 15 Feb
    Selsey
    15 Feb 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    15 Feb 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    February can seem like a tough month, so it's a perfect time to make the most of living by the coast where the skies are endless and the air is fresh.
  • The light returns - March Bathe For The Brave
    The light returns - March Bathe For The Brave
    Sat, 22 Mar
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    22 Mar 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    22 Mar 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Bathe for the Brave but outside temperature getting a little warmer, spring is on it's way!
  • Spring  Low Tide Rounders on Kirkarrow Spit
    Spring  Low Tide Rounders on Kirkarrow Spit
    Sat, 29 Mar
    Car park at the bottom of Hillfield Rd
    29 Mar 2025, 16:15 – 18:30
    Car park at the bottom of Hillfield Rd, Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    29 Mar 2025, 16:15 – 18:30
    Car park at the bottom of Hillfield Rd, Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Another chance to try your luck at a game of rounders on one of two trips this over to the Kirkarrow spit off Selsey. Meet at the beach car park end of Hillfield Rd.
  • Hoe, Hoe, Hoe
    Hoe, Hoe, Hoe
    Sat, 12 Apr
    End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    12 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 10:30
    End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    12 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 10:30
    End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    This event is for anyone at all - sea bather or not. Please do come along with your garden hoe for our 4th Hoe,Hoe, Hoe to help pull up some of the weeds along the shoreline -beginning and ending at Lifeboat Way. Organised by Alex.
  • Springtime April Gathering
    Springtime April Gathering
    Sat, 12 Apr
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    12 Apr 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    12 Apr 2025, 11:00 – 12:00
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Spring is in the air, the clocks have gone back and we're beginning to turn towards the light once again.
  • SSBS 6th Birthday May Gathering
    SSBS 6th Birthday May Gathering
    Sat, 17 May
    East Beach Car Park, Selsey
    17 May 2025, 13:00 – 15:00
    East Beach Car Park, Selsey, Beach in front of East Beach car park, 117 Beach Rd, Selsey, PO20 0SZ
    17 May 2025, 13:00 – 15:00
    East Beach Car Park, Selsey, Beach in front of East Beach car park, 117 Beach Rd, Selsey, PO20 0SZ
    Our 6th birthday, can you believe it?! Come along and celebrate the afternoon with other members, friends and family.
  • June Gathering
    June Gathering
    Sat, 14 Jun
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    14 Jun 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    14 Jun 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    June is true summer, strawberries, roses and rainy picnics. The sea is becoming palatable now to a wide range of folk, so come along and share the revelry!
  • Summer Solstice sunrise dip
    Summer Solstice sunrise dip
    Sat, 21 Jun
    Beach in front of East Beach Car Park
    21 Jun 2025, 05:30 – 6:30
    Beach in front of East Beach Car Park, Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZ, UK
    21 Jun 2025, 05:30 – 6:30
    Beach in front of East Beach Car Park, Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZ, UK
    An unforgettable experience as you get up in the dark to experience the start of the longest day of the year. Falling on a Saturday this year, so a little easier for those working! No excuses then!!
  • Beck Moon Dip July
    Beck Moon Dip July
    Fri, 11 Jul
    Beach at end of Park Lane, Selsey
    11 Jul 2025, 21:45 – 22:45
    Beach at end of Park Lane, Selsey, Park Ln, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    11 Jul 2025, 21:45 – 22:45
    Beach at end of Park Lane, Selsey, Park Ln, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Known as the Buck Moon in July let's gather at night to celebrate this full moon.
  • Summer's here! July Gathering
    Summer's here! July Gathering
    Sat, 12 Jul
    Beach at end of West Street, Selsey
    12 Jul 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
    Beach at end of West Street, Selsey, West St, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    12 Jul 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
    Beach at end of West Street, Selsey, West St, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    In July we begin to relax into summer. The evenings are long and the sea sparkles all day long.
  • August Gathering and BYO Picnic!
    August Gathering and BYO Picnic!
    Sat, 16 Aug
    Beach at the end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    16 Aug 2025, 12:00 – 14:30
    Beach at the end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    16 Aug 2025, 12:00 – 14:30
    Beach at the end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Come and join us for some summer fun with a picnic, chat and swim.
  • September Gathering
    September Gathering
    Sat, 20 Sept
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    20 Sept 2025, 10:00 – 11:30
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    20 Sept 2025, 10:00 – 11:30
    Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Look out for the Harvest Moon this month, hanging low and yellow in the sky. Join us for this September gathering two days before the autumn equinox and a day before the low tide rounders. It's going to be a busy weekend!
  • Autumn Low Tide Rounders on the Kirkarrow spit
    Autumn Low Tide Rounders on the Kirkarrow spit
    Sun, 21 Sept
    Car park end of Hillfield Rd, Selsey
    21 Sept 2025, 17:00 – 19:00
    Car park end of Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    21 Sept 2025, 17:00 – 19:00
    Car park end of Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Another chance to try your luck at a game of rounders on the second of two trips this year over to the Kirkarrow spit off Selsey. Meet at the beach car park end of Hillfield Rd.
  • Autumn Equinox gathering
    Autumn Equinox gathering
    Mon, 22 Sept
    Location is TBD
    22 Sept 2025, 18:00 – 19:00
    Location is TBD
    22 Sept 2025, 18:00 – 19:00
    Location is TBD
    The Equinox is a complete moment of balance between hours of daylight and night. Come and join us to celebrate this pivotal time of year.
  • October Gathering
    October Gathering
    Sat, 18 Oct
    Beach at the end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    18 Oct 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
    Beach at the end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    18 Oct 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
    Beach at the end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    Join us for our gathering in October, a month that begins to feel truly autumn-like, with golden sunlight and morning mists, yet the temperatures can still be high - perfect for sea bathing!
  •  World Swim Hat Day
     World Swim Hat Day
    Sun, 26 Oct
    End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey
    26 Oct 2025, 10:30 – 12:00
    End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    26 Oct 2025, 10:30 – 12:00
    End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
    A global plunge with a hat event - let's get involved here in Selsey for the 3rd year running (although storms meant we had to cancel it last year)!

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

ANGELA

Being part of this group has opened up a world of new wonderful, warm friendships and a fabulously supportive community. On days when I wouldn't feel brave enough to swim alone because I'm anxious about the cold or the conditions there are always willing friends to encourage and assist and to share the joy with afterwards. The community shares information too ... tips for tides, weather, equipment that leave people feeling more secure and reassured. When I swim in the sea I feel connected, to myself, my friends and most of all to nature. It helps me feel gratitude for the good things in life

June.jpg

SUE

I get in and the moment it takes my breath away and I'm in, the sea washes my fears, worries, mental health struggles away. We laugh, whoop, share, comfort through the waves. It is incredible. Friendships, company and understanding is like nothing I have ever experienced. Without this group of amazing people I would be struggling with my inner thoughts and life in general. Plus the homemade cake is a bonus!

JO

I can escape from the moment I get to the beach and then walk into the sea everything just feels better. I laugh and even just cry but for me the chatting therapy is great. I always make sure I look out to sea and take a few moments to reflect, deep breathe and reset.  It's been great to meet new people and all have that one thing in common. I have set myself a personal goal to swim on Christmas day and hopefully just continue at least once a week through the winter. 

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©2023 Selsey Sea Bathing Society.  Proudly supported and crowdfunded by West Sussex Community Fund, the community and friends far and wide who believed in our vision and our reason for being.

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