New Swimmers evening – June 13th: 18:30 – Help wanted

June 13th, 6.30pm: Eilis Burns will be bringing a group of new open water swimmers to Myrtleville on Tuesday, June 13th at 18:30.

Any of the regular Myrtleville swimmers who can be around that evening to give any help would be appreciated. We need swimmers used to the sea to join the group for the swim and watch out for anyone who needs some support.  Also, any kayakers or SUPs available would be very welcome.

Please come down if you can. Remember what your own first swim was like and help out:-)

Some of the new swimmers in 2014 with Eilis and Mike Harris.

Some of the new swimmers in 2014 with Eilis and Mike Harris.

Buoy 1 made a break for freedom

The best laid plans…..Buoy 1 wasn’t willing to wait for its replacement to arrive so it has made its way onto the beach in the very strong Easterlies we’re having.

Repairs are planned for May when we have better weather, so we’ll have to work with five buoys until then and hopefully won’t lose any more before the two new ones get here and all the shackles etc are checked.

The Buoys thank you!

Well done and thanks to everyone who donated either online or in-person. All donations from €10 to the several €100s – and even a very generous €200 – will go to keeping the buoys and defibrillator in working order. Every cent is appreciated. Thanks to Crosshaven Tri Club (€500) and Sandycove Swimmers (€250) for their continued support. The generosity of all involved means we will have top-up funds for 2024 and maybe even 2025 – as long as we are successful in getting County Council grants for the bulk of the costs each year.

Thanks to Aisling, Marie and Nicola for catering a great event yesterday. Sincere apologies that some eejit in a self-styled swimmy-sarong crashed your picture. We’ll look into organising better security for the future.

Well done to everyone. Great to see that what we have in Myrtleville is valued by so many.

Easter Monday Buoy & Defibrillator fundraiser

Buckets will be shaken for donations next Monday, April 10, from 10.30 – to make up our funding shortfall for 2023 and maybe 2024. Funds raised are to cover costs for the maintenance and replacement of buoys and the purchase and setup of the new defibrillator, which exceed the amount of County Council grants annually.

If you can’t make it in person, you can donate here: https://gofund.me/184b0036

Buoys are great – but not cheap!

Good news today that following an application submitted by myself and Bernard Lynch to Cork County Council, Myrtleville Swimmers have been approved for a grant of €3,900 towards the cost of maintaining and replacing the buoys, chains, ropes etc. This is very much appreciated and thank you to everyone who assisted in the Council.

The full amount we’ve been quoted for this year for the buoy maintenance and replacements is €6,150. We have €1,250 from the support given to us by the Centra Crosshaven Challenge Triathlon. We need another €1,000 – as well as the €1,000 to cover the defibrillator.

In April, we’ll hold a swim and shake out the buckets to look for contributions towards the shortfall of €2,000. There are hundreds of us benefitting from the buoys and having the defibrillator is very reassuring. Be generous 🙂