Plunging participants, and a puffin, as '30 Bays' challenge stages launch event - Jersey Evening Post
by Tom Innes · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Plunging participants, and a puffin, as ’30 Bays’ challenge stages launch event
by Tom Innes 29 June 202629 June 2026
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DOZENS of Islanders took the plunge at Grève de Lecq yesterday to mark the tenth anniversary of a swimming challenge that has become established as part of the Jersey summer.
Established in 2016 and originally titled 30 Bays in 30 Days, the charity fund-raiser has now more than doubled in duration and will run until the end of August.
The launch swim for the 30 Bays Summer Challenge was held at the north coast’s best-known beach yesterday, with ideal conditions after the recent stifling heat: sunshine, a light breeze, calm seas and temperatures of around 21°C (on land) and 17°C (in the water).
As the clock struck 10am, swimmers raced across the sand to the water, pursued by a large puffin, although the National Trust for Jersey mascot stopped short of a dip in the sea due to concerns about whether the costume was salt-proof.
The National Trust and Jersey Hospice Care are the two good causes for which participants raise money, while the challenge is sponsored by Fairway Group and supported by the RNLI and local businesses such as Potting Shed, Idea Works, Fuse 2 and Network Insurance & Financial Planning.
Liana Summers-Shaw, fundraising officer for the National Trust for Jersey, said the expanded time frame for 30 Bays was part of making it accessible to the largest possible number of people.
“30 Bays is all about appreciating Jersey’s beautiful coastline and enjoying nature,” she said. “If you like a fast-paced challenge, you could swim at every bay within 30 days, as per the original ’30 Bays’, or take a more leisurely pace over the two-month event window.”
Jersey Hospice Care community engagement officer Marina Brockbank stressed why it was important to keep fundraising at the heart of the challenge:
“Events like the 30 Bays Summer Challenge are vital in helping both charities continue providing specialist services which can benefit the whole Island,” she said. “Every person who takes part is not only enriching their own wellbeing but also making a real difference to out two amazing charities.
“It’s a wonderful way to come together, enjoy Jersey’s coastline, and support causes that touch so many lives.”
As well as swimmers, 30 Bays has widened to include those whose preferred mode of aquatic propulsion is a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard. There’s even a scavenger hunt, dubbed “Tide and Seek”, in which participants “collect” coastal symbols hidden on each 30 Bays sign.
This year’s 30 Bays challenge will run until Sunday 30 August, when the final swim will take place at 10am, also at Grève de Lecq.
For more details, including a list of the bays and accompanying map, see 30bays30days.org.je
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