2014 Race review and photos.

Posted on June 30, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Participants for RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay 2014

Thanks to Siobhan Russell for capturing the day – we are so lucky to have her involved. All of the photos are online here.

The event went off very successfully and €1,270 was raised for the RNLI. Our thanks again to all of the volunteers, the RNLI, Coast Guard, Gardaí, Funkytown and many individuals who helped with boats, kayaking, course marking, registration, van loading and – the hard bit – unloading, timekeeping, results preparation etc. It’s easy to run an event when there are so many willing helpers.

Anne Sheehy sent on a short video of the start, capturing – amongst other things – Liam Maher dancing happily into the water (wasn’t dancing at the end…) and Mr. Craughwell having to be hunted back into the water by the Safety Officer.

98 swimmers started, with 97 completing the course in good swimmable conditions, but certainly not easy. All finishers were under a very creditable 53 minutes.

Just some of the Safety Armada waiting for the start.

We had a fantastic race for first place, with Gerard Mangan just pipping Ned Denison by a couple of seconds.

Gerard Mangan just ahead of Ned Denison at the finish.

Brian O’Shea took third place, just ahead of Sham Riordan. Orla Houlihan took the honours in the women’s race, coming home ahead of two visitors – Adrienn Ver from Hungary and Andrea Newport from Limerick.

Gerard Mangan – 1st overall.

Ned Denison – 2nd overall.

Brian O’Shea – 3rd overall.

Andrea Houlihan, on behalf of Orla! – first lady.

Adrienn Ver – 2nd Lady.

Andrea Newport – 3rd Lady.

There were fantastic performances right through the field, with personal bests being set and first-time swims completed for many swimmers. Looking forward to 2015 already!

That’s the official race report completed. You can expect an alternative view on the event in another post later in the week. With so many pictures and sub-plots to the day, I hardly know where to begin.

RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay swim 2014 – Results

Posted on June 28, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Here are the results from the Myrtleville Jury…..

RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay 2014 Swim Results

We hope everyone had a great day. Thank you to all participants and the many volunteers for helping to raise money for the RNLI. That is what it’s all about. Enjoy the night – you’ve earned it!

Bernard Lynch & Damian O’Neill

RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay swim: Entrant information

Posted on June 26, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Entries now closed. See you all for registration from 15.45 – 16.45 tomorrow.

For participants, please read the PDF below. Important information is included on the first page. Directions to Myrtleville and to Church Bay are also provided. This PDF has been emailed to all participants as at 12pm on Friday, June 27. Later entrants will not receive an email and must download it from the link below.

RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim 2014 – Participant Information

Please do not block entrances to homes or access to roadways in either Myrtleville or in Church Bay. Park carefully and with consideration for residents.

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 2013 RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Good luck. Well done.

Posted on June 25, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Down for a pre-travel swim on Tuesday morning, Carol Cashell and Rob Bohane – who are heading for Florida and Jersey for big swims – were joined by Eddie Irwin, who is going to Limerick for the day soon. Good luck, Eddie! Mind yourself in that place. The other two should be safe enough.

Carol and Rob are heading out foreign for big swims. Eddie’s going to Limerick. Up the Rebels.

Well done to the five Myrtlevillains who competed in the 5km Monte Cristo Challenge in France at the weekend – Fiona Gough, Rosaleen McKeown, Tim Smyth, Keith McKeown and Andrew Gough. They had The Hat with them, but it seems to have gone lazing by the pool.

Or, it may simply have been tired after its visit to Spain for the coronation of the new King – VIP class, of course.

Crown for the new King.

Monday night, Tuesday morning

Posted on June 24, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

We’re struggling on bravely in the heat of the sea – some watches reaching 19.5c in the last couple of days, but at least 18c all the time. Sweatin’ lads, Sweatin’.

Brian, Nigel, Niamh, Ornaith, Martin, Richard & Isa. Sunny Monday night.

Ber & Tom – on the Riviera.

“Second shift line up for photos. First shift – get in the water!” Siobhan marshals the troops from behind the lens.

A small group enjoyed Monday evening so much, they arrived for the sunrise this morning. Dawn swim – a beautiful start to the day.

Over eighty entries for Saturday now, but still plenty of room so enter now, if you’re ready for it. Swim Safe.

Dealing with the heat.

Posted on June 23, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

As swimmers flock back to the pool – to cool down from the heat in the sea – we’re preparing for the RNLI Myrtleville – Church Bay swim next Saturday. The sea is simply too hot, so we’ve brought in equipment to cool things down to acceptable Irish levels.

Getting to grips with the new equipment for Myrtleville Beach.

Of course, it’s not easy to get it right. Some of the settings were a bit high the first time we brought it down to the beach for a test run.

Some casualties when we were trying out the machine.

Hopefully we’ll have it sorted by next Saturday. Get your entries in anyway!

RNLI Myrtleville – Church Bay swim 2014: Entries Reminder

Posted on June 22, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Just a week to go to the RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay (entrance to Cork Harbour) 2km open water sea swim on Saturday 28th, June at 5.30pm.

Entry fee is €15, payable on the evening and donated to Crosshaven RNLI, but you must have submitted your entry online. Entries will be taken up to Friday night, June 27th.

Anyone who is not swimming and could kayak as support, please contact Bernard Lynch: lynchcrosshaven @ centra.ie.

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

Monte Cristo Challenge

Posted on June 21, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Let it never be said that we didn’t have some fierce literate swimmers down Myrtleville way.

Following in the steps – or strokes – of Alexander Dumas’ hero, Edmond Dantès, from The Count of Monte Cristo, several Myrtlevillains are entered in the 5km Monte Cristo Challenge in France soon. Best of luck to all 🙂

Warm-water training in Myrtleville today: Rosaleen McKeown, Breda Maguire, Barbara Anne Richardson, Olive Hughes, Anne Smyth, Sean Foley, Keith MacKeown.

Páraic Casey Celebratory Event

Posted on June 19, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

This Saturday, June 21st, is the second annual Summer solstice event at Sandycove, to celebrate the life of Páraic Casey. It will kick off around 12:30pm, with a swim at 1:00pm for whoever wants to get in. There is no distance requirement – even if you just want to dip your big toe, you are more than welcome!

Click here for further details. The forecast is fantastic, so head along and enjoy the day.

Swimming makes you smile!

Posted on June 18, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

It certainly worked for these ladies anyway! Siobhan Russell stepped out from behind the camera, conquered a few small nerves and went around Garnish Island last Saturday to complete a fantastic 3km swim. Joleen Cronin, Amy Barry-Murphy and Ger Venner were also first-timers around the Island and it’s a great achievement for them all. Very well done 🙂

Ger Venner, Joleen Cronin, Siobhan Russell and Amy Barry-Murphy who all completed the the 3km Garnish swim at the weekend.

Next challenge: RNLI Myrtleville – Church Bay on June 28.

Lots more Myrtleville locals also made the trip. Denis Condon did 5km, but forgot to take off his wetsuit before he started. Won’t need it next time, he says.

Myrtleville Swimmers

Open Water – Sea Swimming in Cork, Ireland

Monthly Archives: June 2014