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!
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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
- Sat, 14 DecLifeboat Way, Selsey14 Dec 2024, 11:00 – 12:00Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 14 DecMedmenny, 5 Clayton Road, Selsey14 Dec 2024, 15:00 – 18:00Medmenny, 5 Clayton Road, Selsey, Clayton Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 21 DecBeach in front of East Beach Car Park21 Dec 2024, 09:15 – 10:30Beach in front of East Beach Car Park , Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZ21 Dec 2024, 09:15 – 10:30Beach in front of East Beach Car Park , Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZWe reach the point in the year when the axial tilt of the Earth is aligned with the sun, only this time the north pole is tipped away from it and the south pole is tipped towards it. Come and join us to celebrate this auspicious time of year.
Sun, 17 NovBeach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey17 Nov 2024, 11:00 – 12:30Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 19 OctSt Mary's Church, Slindon19 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00St Mary's Church, Slindon, 11 Church Hill, Slindon, Arundel BN18 0RB, UK19 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00St Mary's Church, Slindon, 11 Church Hill, Slindon, Arundel BN18 0RB, UKCome and join us for this special event where, after an introductory talk, Phil will lead us around this historic , National Trust Downland village, where he lived for 35 years with his late partner John.
Sun, 22 SeptSelsey22 Sept 2024, 09:00 – 10:00Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 21 SeptEnd of Lifeboat Way, Selsey21 Sept 2024, 14:00 – 16:00End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 17 AugBeach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey17 Aug 2024, 16:00 – 19:00Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK17 Aug 2024, 16:00 – 19:00Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UKAs Siouxsie and the Banshees once said "The sun is out, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you". Join us for a later-in-the-day gathering so we can enjoy a little of these special, long summer evenings, together on the beach.
Sat, 20 JulBeach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey20 Jul 2024, 13:30 – 15:30Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 22 JunBeach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey22 Jun 2024, 11:00 – 13:00Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK22 Jun 2024, 11:00 – 13:00Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UKJune 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! For this month's gathering it's 'bring a friend who's never (or hardly ever) been in the sea month!'
Fri, 21 JunBeach in front of East Beach Car Park21 Jun 2024, 04:30 – 5:30Beach in front of East Beach Car Park, Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZ, UK- Tue, 28 MayBeach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey28 May 2024, 13:00 – 14:00Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sun, 19 MayEast Beach Car Park, Selsey19 May 2024, 11:00 – 13:00East Beach Car Park, Selsey, 117 Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZ, UK19 May 2024, 11:00 – 13:00East Beach Car Park, Selsey, 117 Beach Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0SZ, UKAs part of our 5th birthday weekend celebrations this year, our 2 wonderful Blue Tit neighbour groups from Bracklesham and Bognor come and join us for a dip. Let's give them a hearty Selsey welcome!
Sat, 18 MayEast Beach Car Park, Selsey18 May 2024, 14:00 – 17:00East Beach Car Park, Selsey, Beach in front of East Beach car park, 117 Beach Rd, Selsey, PO20 0SZ
Sat, 20 AprBeach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey20 Apr 2024, 10:45 – 11:45Beach at end of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
Sat, 20 AprEnd of Lifeboat Way, Selsey20 Apr 2024, 09:00 – 10:30End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK20 Apr 2024, 09:00 – 10:30End of Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Lifeboat Way, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UKThis event is for anyone at all - sea bather or not. Please do come along with your garden hoe for our 3rd Hoe,Hoe, Hoe to help pull up some of the weeds along the shoreline -beginning and ending at Lifeboat Way. Organised by Alex.
Sun, 10 MarCar park at the bottom of Hillfield Rd10 Mar 2024, 16:00 – 19:00Car park at the bottom of Hillfield Rd, Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20, UK
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
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.
©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.