Weather conditions on Sunday again forced the cancellation of the Caldey Swim.

The 2.5 mile event was postponed a fortnight previously for similar reasons.

It had secured its full entry of 100 swimmers, all of whom were raising money for Tenby RNLI and Tenby Surflink.

Its organisers, Tenby Sea Swimming Association, said the decision to cancel was taken with “great regret”.

Swim chairman Chris Osborne told swimmers on the morning: “The forecast indicates WSW and W winds of up to 21mph with gale force gusts up to 30mph. If the swim was in a north easterly direction it might have been helpful, albeit in a ‘lumpy’ sea.

“The swim, however, has to cross the rip between Caldey Island and the headland near Giltar Point, in a north westerly direction, and in such weather conditions we consider the swim to be unsafe; it is also unsafe for the flotilla of support kayaks.

“We understand many have made huge efforts in preparation of, and travelling to, this event; however, safety must always be paramount in all our decisions.

“So disappointment all round and, of course, frustration that all our efforts this year have been in vain,” he added.

The swim will now not take place until 2019.

Swimmers are being asked to email the event to claim their entry fee back, unless they wish to contribute it to the beneficiaries.

One swimmer who was due to take on the swim this year, could probably claim to have had the longest journey to take part.

Judy Stevenson who completed last year’s swim travelled from South Africa with her husband who is a native of Manorbier.

She oscillates between Hong Kong where her husband works and South Africa, but the coiple do spend at least once a year at their flat at Tenby’s Croft Court, so unperturbed, Judy hopes to return for next year’s event.

Chair of TSSA, Chris Osborne,said: “I was so impressed with her commitment, and also her generosity in foregoing her refund of the swim’s entry fee,” added TSSA?chair Chris.