A Christmas custom on the South Shore began early today with swimmers at Elbow Beach gradually joined by revellers in Santa attire with picnics and champagne.

By noon, despite a little rain, the traditional gathering was in full swing.

Among them was Matt Watson from the UK, who emerged from the sea when The Royal Gazette came calling.

“It’s beautiful,” Mr Watson said of the water.

Like many of those meeting friends this morning on Elbow Beach, Mr Watson hails from elsewhere but lives and works on the island.

Today was his third Christmas coming to the popular Paget beauty spot.

“It’s a great tradition,” he said. “Back in the UK on Christmas, everyone would be at home with family.

“But there’s a lot of people at the beach. It’s a good place to come with a family feel. Everyone’s out with their kids and their dogs – it’s lovely.”

Farther up the beach was Craig, a Bermudian with his partner and long-time Bermuda resident Sandra, accompanied by Sophia and Oz, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Yorkie – both appropriately suited up in Santa gear.

Raising a glass, Craig told the Gazette: “I’ll go swimming after I have another one of these.”

They said they were both first-timers for the tradition.

“We figured it was time this year to take in the festivities,” Sandra said.

“I’m an expatriate but I’ve been here for a long time. We decided to give it a try – and we can bring the dogs, which makes it extra special.”

Numbers this year appeared lower than usual, with perhaps a few hundred people.

The couple reckoned the rough weather this weekend deterred some of the usual turnout.

Nearby on the beach were John, a Bermudian, with Grainne, his wife from Sligo in Ireland.

John voiced surprise at the lack of sand, which was hard-hit by two close calls from hurricanes Earl and Fiona in September.

He said they had been coming to Elbow Beach at Christmas for about 14 years.

But he demurred at trying a swim, adding: “God, no. I’m still Bermudian.”

Grainne, who has been on the island for 21 years, said the Christmas beach gathering had originally been customary for expatriate workers.

She added: “You wouldn’t see too many Bermudians when I started. Now it’s for everyone, meeting friends and sharing a drink. It’s become traditional.

“It’s something for myself and my husband before family.”

Rebecca, from Indonesia, was another first timer experiencing the tradition with her husband Peter.

Peter told the Gazette: “Swimming – no, not today. But we have our champagne.”

Robert, a guest worker meeting friends with his partner Lauren, had eight-week-old Mabel in a sling. He said it was their first Christmas on the island.

“We were back in the UK last Christmas and thought we’d pop down here this time,” he said.

“When we left to come out, it felt cold. Now I’m really regretting not bringing my trunks.”

Nearby were expatriates Craig and Yvonne, on Elbow Beach for their fifth year.

“It’s all about the camaraderie – everybody on the beach,” Craig said.

Yvonne had just come in from swimming.

“The water is lovely once you’re in for five minutes,” she said. “It’s refreshing.

“It’s good to be out doing something on Christmas. Otherwise we’d be at home.”

Asked what kept them coming out on Christmas, she laughed and said: “FOMO – the fear of missing out.”