CLUB organisers are shying away from the traditional Christmas dip in the sea at Felixstowe because of insurance problems.A number of associations are cancelling their festive swims because they are having trouble insuring their members but the Ipswich Snorkel Club is still going ahead with their Boxing Day swim.

CLUB organisers are shying away from the traditional Christmas dip in the sea at Felixstowe.

A number of associations are cancelling their festive swims because they are having trouble insuring their members, but the Ipswich Snorkel Club is still going ahead with their Boxing Day swim.

Sarah Studd, secretary of the club, said: "It's going to be on Boxing Day at about 11 in the morning, we're doing it in aid of the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol."

Of the insurance problem faced by other clubs, Mrs Studd said: "We have got to look in to that.

"We may have to put a clause in to say that people have to be responsible if we do it. All the members have insurance for open water snorkelling."

Other swims around East Anglia – especially a large charity event in Lowestoft – have been forced to cancel because of insurance problems.

The six or so members expected to brave the cold water in Felixstowe will also have back-up from the Felixstowe Volunteer Coastal patrol.

Ipswich Snorkel Club, which is based in Fore Street, Ipswich, is for children under 16 and so Mrs Studd said only a few of the older members are expected to turn up on the day.

The tradition for the North Sea dip in Felixstowe started on Easter Monday in 1983 as an exercise for Royal Airforce and RAF Association (RAFA) members.

The dip soon became an annual Boxing Day event, raising money for charity – but this year there is no RAFA event because the future existence of the local branch is uncertain.