Monthly Archives: November 2014

Swimming in Cold Water

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A RE-POST FROM 2014: IMPORTANT STUFF.  SWIM SAFE – IT’S COLD OUT THERE.

As we head towards the lower sea temperatures, some swimmers are making a decision on whether to take some time out of the sea or continue with a wetsuit, or in togs.  This is an individual decision and should be made on safety grounds alone.  Don’t just follow a group – your safety is your responsibility.

We’re fortunate that much detailed thought has been given to cold water swimming and hypothermia by Donal Buckley on http://www.loneswimmer.com.  In making a decision on whether to swim through the Winter, everyone should read at least some of his many articles on his chosen specialised subject.  His recommended shortlist of articles to begin with are as follows:

WHY would anyone swim in cold water? 

The Ten Commandments of Cold Water Swimming.

“What temperature of water is too cold to swim in?”

How To – Understanding Mild Hypothermia in swimmers

Cold water and cold immersion shock, the first three minutes.

Ice Mile Dilemmas VIII – The Dangers.

If you want to know more, there are about fifty articles which he has helpfully put in this Index.

Swim Safe.  Swim Responsibly.  Educate yourself.  Remember – Cold Always Wins.

EXCLUSIVE!!! CREGAN-CONDON IN CONMAN SHOWER SHOCKER!!!

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The world of OW swimming has been rocked this week by revelations of fraud by International Man of Mystery, Denis Cregan-Condon.  A regular feature in Society pages and noted Babe Magnet, Mr. Cregan-Condon seemed to have it all.

The man in action, magnetting babes.

The man in action, magnetting babes.

From Crosshaven to Killary, Lanzarote to Loch Allua, no gathering was complete without him.  The foundation of his fortune was his “invention” of the “Cregan-Condon Compact Cloudburst Purification Pourer”.

Cregan-Condon Compact Cloudburst Purification Pourer - promotional brochure shot.

Cregan-Condon Compact Cloudburst Purification Pourer – promotional brochure shot.

The devious genius of the jet-setting conman is clear from the title of the “invention” – avoiding the use of the word “Shower”.  Once his plan was set in motion by promotional releases on unsuspecting specialist websites (this one), the criminal mastermind just sat back and watched the kudos pour in.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Cregan-Condon sitting back and enjoying the kudos pouring.

Today, exclusively (because nobody else would bother), this correspondent can reveal that the “invention” is a sham, a fraud, a rip-off and a barefaced attempt to scam a pensioner out of the credit for his life’s work.

The “Purification Pourer” is nothing more than a flagrant and blatant copy of the Harris Shower invented by Mr. M. Harris of Back of the Island a long, long, long, long, long time ago.

Thanks to intrepid sleuthing by an undercover agent known only as LaLa, slightly creased pictures have emerged online.  They clearly demonstrate the shower in use by the proud inventor, Mr. Harris, in 1962.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Mr. Harris in action with his Shower. The one and only.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

1962 – a good year for wine and showers.

Despite some initial reservations that Mr. Harris couldn’t actually have looked like that in 1962, independent confirmation was received that he has actually looked the same since he was three.  He was a very distinguished child, insiders said.

Mr. Cregan-Condon was not available for comment as we went to print.  Calls to his main office at the top of the slip in Myrtleville went unanswered.  With his reputation in tatters, it remains to be seen how he can restore his position in swimming circles.  Is this the end of the line for the self-styled International Man of Mystery and Babe Magnet?  Will his days of carousing be over? The world awaits….

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Cregan-Condon: Carousing.

NOTE: Got a tip-off?  Know something that the world should hear?  Get in touch on TOTESMADEUPBALLS@MYRTLEVILLESWIMMERS.COM.  Reward of a 4 hour swim with Mr. Finbarr on Christmas morning to anyone who provides a tip-off that’s published.

AGM Minutes

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Real clubs run by serious people have AGMs.  I was reminded of this when I received Angela Harris’ excellent minutes for the Sandycove AGM.   It made me wonder – if   Myrtleville Swimmers had an AGM, how might that go?

Let’s just see –  2014 AGM Minutes

Treasurer's Update.

Treasurer’s Update.

Like a Summer weekend.

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The Turkey Swims have really come into their own this year, encouraging nearly sixty swimmers to Myrtleville on Sunday.  Before that, there was a nice group of a dozen or so in at 8.15 on Saturday morning too.  Pride of place goes to Jamie O’Donnell who decided he’d had enough of the wetsuit after the Summer and wouldn’t be needing it for the Winter.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Jamie O’Donnell jumps for joy at shedding his wetsuit..

There are dozens of pictures around FaceBook of the Turkey Swim.  Just click here.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

November – not August. Great to see it.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Some Turkey Swimmers on the way – basted, but not frozen. Yet.

Well done to all involved in the Turkey Swims.  Still five more to come.

#6 Sandycove – November 30 at 12:00 noon.

#7 – Sun 7th Dec – Myrtleville – 11:00

#8 – Sat 13th Dec – Sandycove – 10:30

#9 – Sat 20th Dec – Myrtleville – 15:00 (half the Draw will take place)

#10 – Sun 21st Dec – Sandycove – 15:00 (other half of Draw will take place)

Still not cold…

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Water temperatures still holding up in double figures – over 11c most of the time, so we’ll have no complaints about November 🙂

The temperatures out of the water have stayed up too, so we’re still over the magic 20c combined.

There was a great group swimming in Myrtleville on Saturday morning and the Turkey Swim attendances in Sandycove this weekend also stayed high.  Next Turkey Swim is on Sunday 23rd (next weekend) in Myrtleville.

The early morning swims are always worth it for the sun – when it breaks through.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Gary and Jim can see the light.

Some swimmers have a theory that the water feels warmer when it’s a bit rough.  The froth warms it up, they reckon.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Welcoming waves. Fluffy and warm.

Of course, there are times when that theory doesn’t work out – like when that first wave hits you a bit early.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Anne Sheehy enjoying the fluffy warmth.

Keep Swimming.  Swim Safe.

Lumpy seas and more on the way

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Not the nicest of mornings for a swim, but doggy paddling was still an option from the back beach in Fountainstown.  “Lumpy and Currenty”, Bonnie commented.  A bit like a good bone, I suppose. If dogs comment, or can spell….

Bonnie

At least the salty dogs tried.  Some people went all the way to the beach then left for the pool…

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Pool or sea, pool or sea? I like my comfort. Pool.

Still Southerly tomorrow so a careful splash in the waves is all that’s likely at 08.15.  Has to be done to keep up that ould habituation and acclimatisation stuff (see loneswimmer.com for what that means – I just copied it).

More Turkey and Ducks.

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Not a bad morning for the first Myrtleville Turkey swim and a good turnout as well.  As usual, Siobhan has loads of pictures on her facebook page.

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Carol Cashell was away so Angela Harris made one of her all too rare trips to Myrtleville to take charge of the money.  Fair dues to Angela, even though it’s only about once a year, she always gets into the Myrtleville Way and leaves a picture moment.  This time she opted to Do a Denis – the patented water-saving methodology created by Mr. Condon.  We’ll have a vote to see who does it best…

Angela vs Denis

Denis needs a duck.

CPR / AED course 2

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From Pat Lowry:

Another successful night of CPR/AED training. Once again, a very keen and eager bunch. We  should once again thank Victor Shine for the use of the coast guard station which was a fantastic facility. Top notch nosh (say that fast) came from my lovely wife, Denise and thanks also to Adrian Bishop (other instructor) for giving me a big hand out.

DSCF3282

Things are really taking shape now to make our little Myrtleville swimming community a safer place to be. 24 People in total now trained on CPR/AED and choking for both adult and child. This is in addition to the already local voluntary personnel in the area.

Depending on numbers I would hope to do one more training night before Xmas. By this I mean that if I don’t have enough to fill a full class I’d like to run a refresher night purely on the skills that were taught before we move on any further.  Because of the amount of questions and information passed on in both courses, I felt that those already trained up could do with a little more practice on skills alone.  This would consist of: I would set up in a room with a manikin and rescuers would come and practice under supervision. It would take no more than 20 minutes per person. 

Administration:

If anyone is interested in a place on the next course and you have not already done so, let Damian know – myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com.  There are seven names down already.