The Buzz of Open Water swimming

Posted on September 30, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

By Gordon Adair – age 47 🙂

Looking on for years I thought the sport of Open Water Swimming was beyond my reach but over the last few months I have found out differently. Early July, just by chance I met a few guys in Aghada and I joined them for a swim. Afterwards the buzz and feeling of accomplishment was hard to describe. I felt great and just wanted more and as I found out the opportunities are endless.

Over the next few weeks a friend of mine introduced me to people involved with the Sandycove Swimmers who swim almost everyday around high tide. It really is an amazing place.

As I met more people I was asked to join a group in Myrtleville who swim every Monday night and also on Saturday mornings. Myrtleville also had a dawn swim last Wednesday and that was something really special as we watched the sun come up over Roches Point.

In Cork we are spoilt for choice with our coastline, lakes and rivers. Throughout the year there are many very well organised swims that cater for all ages and abilities. I have been lucky enough to take part in 5 events since July and have made a lot of new friends. The atmosphere at the events is something that has to be experienced. It is like a big close family – everyone is there to help and motivate you. There are no closed doors – all involved have the swim bug The really good swimmers are no different from anyone else except they swim faster and go for ever… but that does inspire others to follow.

The big family of swimmers will embrace new comers sharing all their experience and knowledge. Not alone have I made new friends, I have been given technical advice and motivated to just come back the next day and do it again.

If you are like thinking of getting involved and finding out more about this unbelievable sport, register for the World Open Water Conference from the 11^th to the 13^th of October in the Rochestown Park Hotel. Many of our local experienced swimmers have managed to bring this event to Cork where we will be treated to a host of international speakers.. Check out all the information on the web site.

This event is filling up fast and is a great opportunity for the newcomers to take the first step, meet the gang and be part of this growing sport. I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world and maybe something new will be around the corner.

See you all there…….

Book now on: http://www.activeglobal.com/gl/swimming/cork-ireland/global-open-water-swimming-conference-cork-2013/188179

For more information please see: http://www.globalopenwaterswimmingconferencecork2013.com/

Open Water, Sea swimming in Cork, Ireland

Gordon Adair at the Myrtleville to Church Bay swim registration – No. 1, so why try harder?

Tom McCarthy promoting the OWS Conference.

End of the early swims

Posted on September 27, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Jim Shaloo modelling the latest Myrtleville early morning headwear.

The picture is a bit blurry – you’d know Siobhan wasn’t around. You’d also know it’s time to finish the morning swims when:

Glow sticks are needed to find the other swimmers.
A slight extra hip rotation when breathing lets you stare straight up at the moon.
You can’t see the kelp underneath you, but you keep catching it with your hands to give you a nice scare (bet you’re sorry you missed that one, James).
Stalwart swimmers send last minute tweets that they’re going to the pool (ah, Carol…).

It’s a shame, because the water is at 15.2c – toasty, as Mr. Finbarr would say – but it’s just too dark. So, four more Monday evenings at 6pm and Saturdays at 8.15am continuing for the Winter.

Stormy Monday

Posted on September 26, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

We really got lucky with the weather last Saturday – if we had faced this Monday’s weather, it would have meant another swim cancellation. Monday was great fun to surf around, though…for those willing to try it….

Hmmmm – will I go in or won’t I? No….Siobhan opts for the “I’m taking pictures” option…

First to test the waters – Joanne & Tadhg were early: conducting sea-lice experiments. Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland

Next in were Diarmuid Herlihy & Rian Herlihy – Rian is swimming the Straits of Gibraltar in 2014. Diarmuid already knows the route!

Over a dozen swimmers on a night like this – no stopping us 🙂 .

Surfers

Peter O’Mahony & David O’Mahony – with Safe Swimmers

Stephen O’Reilly & Gary Frost

Some people just hate the water….read Carol’s latest exploits here.

Monday nights will continue until October 21st – the clocks go back on October 27th, so that will be that.

We’re also swimming at 8.15am on Saturdays, which will continue right through the Winter. Some afternoon swims are also planned and we’ll post these details once we’ve worked them out. All welcome, as ever.

RNLI Courtmacsherry swim: 1.5km & 3km options

Posted on September 25, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Details on this Saturday’s swim from Ray McArdle – raymcardle@yahoo.com are online at https://myrtlevilleswimmers.com/courtmacsherry-swim/ . Please support this event.

Pictures from RNLI 2013 swim from Howard Crowdy

Posted on September 25, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Howard Crowdy has kindly sent on a fantastic batch of pictures today. The two capturing the start are just brilliant…

The leading group start their swim in the annual RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim. Picture: Howard Crowdy.

Swimmers take to the water at the start of the annual RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim recently. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Swimmers take to the water at the start of the annual RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim. Picture: Howard Crowdy.

Swimmers pass the safety boats at the start of their 2km Open Water Swim from Myrtleville to Church Bay. Picture: Howard Crowdy.

All of Howard’s pictures are now online here.

RNLI 2013 swim – a few pictures.

Posted on September 24, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

With all of the pictures online, here’s a few that caught my eye….

Tom McCarthy promoting the OWS Conference.

Still some places left for the conference so please support it – book here. Further conference information on the website – well worth attending.

The real Myrtleville Swimmers – Pat Higgins, Tom Bermingham and Jimmy Long.

A good view of some of the safety flotilla – with Kieran Dwyer and Peter O’Mahony ready to go on the slip.

The safety cover on the day was unbeatable and every swimmer commented on it.

RNLI swim start 2013 – speedsters already moving out.

At the finish – the first swimmer is in sight and the team are waiting – Antoinette, Damian, Kate, Yvette, Conor, Bernard & Vincent.

Last few swimmers finishing – how’s that for safety & support 🙂

The spot prize-giving didn’t proceed in a very organised fashion – the least well-managed part of the day, if truth be told….

Bernard’s unwashed Speedos. The most popular spot prize – still unclaimed……

Thanks to The Edge Sports for sponsoring the spot prizes.

RNLI Myrtleville – Church Bay 2013: Pictures

Posted on September 23, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

It was an absolutely fantastic day on Saturday, with a challenging sea bringing the best out of all 101 swimmers. We had an incredible performance from the winner, Ethan O’Brien, in a time of 24:43. Carol Cashell continued her winning streak with third place overall and first lady in 28:25. Special mention also for Neddie Irwin, age 10, who finished in 33:22 for 18th place overall, leaving lots of big names in his wake.

All swimmers came in under 55 minutes, supported throughout by the RNLI, Civil Defence, Coast Guard, Funkytown kayakers and numerous volunteers in boats, kayaks and on land who gave their time and equipment freely. Thank you very much to everyone. Over €1,200 was raised for the RNLI – and that is what it’s all about.

Siobhan Russell took hundreds of pictures and these are online here. She’s great!

We’re going to need a bigger beach next year – Participants 2013.

Overall winner, Ethan O’Brien with Gary Heslin, RNLI and Bernard Lynch.

Ladies winner, Carol Cashell with Gary Heslin, RNLI and Bernard Lynch.

Neddie Irwin with Gary Heslin, RNLI and Bernard Lynch.

With participant numbers growing quickly, we will look at next year’s event and plan to make it even better. Thanks to everyone who helped and participated.