Sea Temperatures from April to October

Posted on October 29, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

The problem with making sweeping statements like “the water is warmer than in June” is that there’s always a genuinely precise person (note, I did not say “swimming geek” )with the data to prove or disprove it.

Fortunately, I was right as a general statement, so I only got a small rap on the knuckles for my lack of precision, rather than a full dressing down for inaccuracy.

Here’s how it should be done:

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland

Myrtleville Sea Temperatures – April to October 2013.

With thanks to she who Rob Bohane calls “the eye of the tiger”.

So, anyway, like I said yesterday…..Keep swimming – in the sea :-) .

Warmer water than June…keep swimming!

Posted on October 28, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

The highest sea temperature we recorded in June was 13.6c, early in the month. It shot up after that with the heatwave, but we had 10.7c late in June when it dropped back suddenly for a few days.

This weekend, nearly into November, it’s 14c in the sea at Myrtleville. There’s no excuse to abandon the sea for the pool for a while yet – apart from the odd storm frothing up the water!

Denis Condon is still in daily and joined by several others at various stages during the week.

Saturday, October 26 @ 8.15: Damian O’Neill, Bernard Lynch, Gary Frost, Denis Condon & Joleen Cronin stuck in the seaweed washed up on the beach from the various storms.

Keep swimming – in the sea 🙂

Last Monday night of 2013

Posted on October 22, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Hard to believe it’s over for another year. We had a huge increase in numbers for Myrtleville Mondays this year, but there was only a hard core left, on a bad night for the last one.

Last Monday of 2013 – just three swimmers – Tom McCarthy, Bernard Lynch & John Russell – with Denis Condon: 21/10/2013.

Anne Sheehy brought her camera and got a couple of pictures. I think she was using the Siobhan Russell Technique for rough days (“No, I’m not going in there – someone has to take the pictures…..on you go, the rest of you……and remember to smile for the camera…..”).

Tom McCarthy braves the waves – 21/1o/2013.

John Russell & Bernard Lynch – it does look a bit lumpy…21/10/2013.

See you all on Monday, March 31, 2014. Only 160 Days to go 🙂

Name that cloud formation…

Posted on October 16, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Beautiful picture from Siobhan Russell’s iPhone yesterday morning.

Myrtleville at 9am, October 15, 2013.

Global OWS dinner – more pictures!

Posted on October 14, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Annaleise Carr – World Open Water Swimming Association 2012 Woman of the Year – swam in Myrtleville on Friday. She was huddled in a coat for her picture that morning, but looking much more glamorous at the dinner 🙂

There were superstars of international open water swimming everywhere we looked on Saturday night! Great to get a chance to meet them all.

Siobhan’s full set of pictures from the night is now online here.

Damian & Bernard with Annaleise Carr – the youngest person to swim Lake Ontario: almost 27 hours in the water!!!

Global OWS Dinner

Posted on October 13, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

A great night on Saturday with hundreds of open water swimmers abandoning diets and alcohol control plans in Cork. Siobhan came along just to take pictures, and it was all worthwhile when she met Steve Redmond….

Siobhan meets her hero – with Steve Redmond

Anna Wardley has just recently completed her 5ive Islands challenge and got to compare notes with local Island swimming experts..

Island Swimmers – Owen O’Keeffe, Carol Cashell and Anna Wardley.

Tom McCarthy has been fantastic help with all kinds of events this year and put a huge effort into the conference too. Carol reckoned he just hadn’t enough time for grooming, so she helped him out…..

Yes, it’s real and now looks perfect…Tom McCarthy gets primped – just ignore the eejit in the background.

Ram Barkai was missed in the pictures when he swam in Myrtleville on Friday, but we caught up with him last night.

At last – international man of mystery, Ram Barkai gets in a picture with Myrtlevillians.

Mike Gregory came from Melbourne for the weekend and very kindly offered to put up any swimmers from Cork who made it over to Oz. Jeez, he’s going to regret that one.

Eddie Irwin (booking his flights right now), Mike Gregory (soon to be inundated with Corkonians), Damian O’Neill & Carol Cashell.

A few more pictures from a great night. Well done to Ossi, Tom, Ned, the Lions Club and all of the other organisers.

Damian and Bernard with the Real Deal – Steve Redmond

Carol with her parents, Mary & John.

Some people will do anything to be taller than Liam Maher…..

Light swimming – Riana’s pictures

Posted on October 13, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Five great pre-dawn swim pictures from Riana Parsons. Some people couldn’t even get the packet open on their light sticks, not to mind getting them to work…..

Spot the SA togs in the group going into the water – finally, a picture of Ram!

The rest just speak for themselves. Beautiful pictures.

Global OWS conference – starter swim!

Posted on October 11, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Ned Denison organised a group to swim in Myrtleville this morning, as a kick-off to the conference this weekend. As well as lots of local swimmers, Ned was joined by Ram Barkai, founder of the International Ice Swimming Association and Annaleise Carr, who in 2012 at 14 years old, became the youngest person to swim across Lake Ontario, taking just under 27 hours.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a picture of Ram, as he ended up swimming a marathon with Carmel Collins. Last seen passing Power Head…..

Some of this morning’s group (still waiting for Ram and Carmel…..) Carol Cashell, Damian O’Neill, David Merriman, Ned Denison, Eddie Irwin, Finbarr Hedderman, Rob Bohane, Annaleise Carr & Maeve Mulcahy.

As a big bonus for Ned, he got to have his picture taken with two of his heroes. One of them, unfortunately, was falling asleep……

Unsponsored Ned Denison with high profile Diesel Powered local swimmers. Or, Bernard and Damian’s annual picture with Ned ‘One of the big guys’ Denison.

But he woke up for this one…..

Bernard and Ned.

As always, Siobhan Russell’s dedication to the cause is unbelievable. Dragged herself out of bed this morning to get the pictures as we came in. It was too dark when we went out, although Riana Parsons tried a few so we might have those to post soon.

Finishing the morning swim.

Only 4ºC on land but 14ºC in the water – toasty.

Sun coming up, time for work!

Seriously, though, is there anyone left in Sandycove, Rob? Finbarr?

Finbarr Hedderman, Maeve Mulcahy & Rob Bohane.

A great start to a great weekend. Usual swim at 8.15am (AKA, lunchtime) tomorrow.

Shift work

Posted on October 7, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

It’s so busy at the beach, we’re working in shifts. First group in on Saturday was for Gary Frost’s birthday sunrise swim, with full outdoor catering afterwards.

Gary Frost’s birthday group – too many to name, but that’s Gary with the balloon on the far left and Lemmy the Dog is there too.

Second shift was just in time for the ferry to pass. Welcome back to Maeve and welcome to David Dineen, who moved to Crosshaven recently.

David Dineen, Ciaran Byrne, Rob “it’s much easier to get parking in Sandycove” Bohane, Bernard Lynch, Damian O’Neill, Maeve Mulcahy, Eddie Irwin and Neddy “hurry up, it’s cold” Irwin.

The third shift got creative and took one car to Fountainstown, then swam back to Myrtleville.

Ross O’Connor, Keith Hyde, Aidan Mangan & Kieran Callinan.

A standard time of 8.15am on Saturdays will run throughout the Winter. It’s over 15c in the water, so it’s not time to even think about cold water yet.

If you’re looking to swim with others and don’t have a group, that’s the time to aim for. Everyone welcome.

RNLI Courtmacsherry Swim Report

Posted on October 3, 2013 by myrtlevilleswimmers

From Ray McArdle:

The third annual Courtmacsherry swim took place on September 28th outside Courtmacsherry hotel. This was due to adverse weather conditions on Blind Strand.

RNLI Courtmacsherry swim participants 2013

The swim had a 1.5K option (1 lap) or a 3K option (2 laps), with 53 of the 79 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, Dorothy Grimes, Cian Walsh, Cath Russell, David and Kev. Thanks also to Colin Cashman, Seamus and Mairead Barry and the lifeboat crew for the boat support. The rowing club for allowing us to use their markers. Carol Cashell and Dave Maxwell on time keeping. Lisa Cummins and Finola Roycroft on registration and Olan and Barry for parking. I’d also like to thank Ken Cashman for all the work he did in helping me organise this, including liaising with the lifeboat crew, sorting out the markers and organizing boat support. Big thanks also to Derek Van Der Byl for the photos. You can see all 224 here.

Full Report can be downloaded here. RNLI Courtmacsherry Open Water Swim 2013 .

Myrtleville Swimmers

Open Water – Sea Swimming in Cork, Ireland

Monthly Archives: October 2013