Pictures courtesy of Derek Van Der Byl.

Report from Ray McArdle:

RNLI Courtmacsherry Swim 2012

The second annual Courtmacsherry swim took place on September 8th on Blind Strand just outside Courtmacsherry.   The swim grew to 77 swimmers this year.
The swim had a 1.5K option (1 lap) or a 3K option (2 laps), with 39 of the 77 swimmers taking the longer option.  The swimmers had to exit the water at the end of lap 1 and run a short distance on the beach prior to starting lap 2.
The swim was supported by 8 kayakers and I’d like to thank each of them.  John Crotty, Annalise Dressel, Ria Meulmeester, David O’Donovan, Richard Murphy, Dave Fleming, Kieran Griffin, Billy O’Donovan.
Additionally, we were provided boat support by some of the local boating enthusiasts and the lifeboat was also there to lend a hand (which wasn’t required, thankfully).
After the swim the RNLI volunteers had prepared warm welcoming soup and sandwiches for the swimmers (which they devoured). All the swimmers were provided with water and Lucozade after the swim, which was donated by friends of the Courtmacsherry lifeboat.
The swim was won by a female for the second year in a row.  Big congratulations to Caitlin Desmond who had a very strong finish to narrowly defeat Ned Denison.
For the majority of swimmers it was a fun day out and an opportunity to test themselves in a 1.5K or 3K distance swim.
Well done to all participants and thanks to everyone who assisted in making this happen:  Carol Cashell, Frances Lucey at registration.  Dave Maxwell with parking.  David Lucey with the signs.  Ken Cashman for all the assistance, including the markers and rounding up boat support.  Liz Murphy for assisting with boat support and the lifeboat volunteers for the food.  Finally thanks to Derek van der Byl for the excellent photos.

1 Lap results