Eilis Burns – March 19th

With a few cancellations, we have 45 booked for the evening, so if anyone else would like a place, please let me know – myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com.  Just to note, while we say there are 50 places, there are only about 30 chairs, so this really is a standing-room only event!

Also, Eilis is travelling down from Dublin that evening.  She expects to make it on time so 7.30pm is still the time.  If there’s a small delay, Denis has been working on a tune for Gordon’s Ballad and will entertain the group with that 🙂

Eilis Evening

HEARTSAVER CPR/AED Course – March 12th.

The third course is now scheduled for March 12th in the Coastguard Station in Crosshaven at 6.30pm.  With a waiting list from the last courses, there are already eight places booked for March, leaving just FOUR places available.  Email myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com if you want to book one of the four places.

Everyone who has attended has found this course invaluable, and Ger Venner put the skills to use in assisting a choking child just last month.   Pat Lowry also intends to organise some shorter refresher evenings for the earlier graduates.

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE:

The increase in numbers swimming in Myrtleville is great but with this in mind, there is also an increase in the risk of an adverse event such as Heart Attack or Sudden Cardiac Arrest. These conditions, as you may know are closely linked with sudden adult death syndrome, (SADS).

Like every sport it is important to have some trained responders to facilitate simple rescue efforts to help resuscitate somebody whose heart has stopped.  We now have a defibrillator in Myrtleville.  We need to have trained users.

It is easier than you think to be able to help someone in this situation. The answer is a simple 3 & 1/2 hour course.  Pat Lowry – Advanced Paramedic in the National Ambulance Service – has offered to provide a certification course covering all aspects of CPR for adults and children.  The only cost will be €7 for the certification card provided as part of this course.

HEARTSAVER CPR/AED COURSE

This is a comprehensive 3½ hour Irish Heart Foundation, in association with the American Heart Association certification course which covers all the essential aspects of CPR for adults and children.

The Heartsaver AED Course teaches you the basic techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and the relief of choking for adults and children. An AED is a computerised defibrillator which analyses the heart rhythm of a person in cardiac arrest and uses voice prompts to advise you if a shock is needed. The AED is an important link in the chain of survival and this course teaches you how to use them effectively. The Heartsaver AED Course takes approximately 3½ hours to complete.

The course carries International accreditation and certification.  All participants receive a wallet size certification card from the Irish Heart Foundation, valid for two years.

Who Should Attend: Anyone who wants to learn CPR & Defibrillation for Adults & Children
Date: March 12th, 2-15: 6.30 – 10.00 pm
Location: Crosshaven Coast Guard Station
Booking: Contact Damian O’Neill through myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com.  There are only four places still available.
Certificate Valid For: 2 years
Accreditation: Irish Heart Foundation / American Heart Association ( Internationally recognised)
Public Course Cost: Course Provided FREE of charge by Pat Lowry (Advanced Paramedic National Ambulance Service).Charge of €7 for certification.

CPR CPR AED

ILDSA Awards – D’Alternative View.

There’s always a few sub-plots going on at any event.  You just have to look carefully.

All the top athletes know that it’s important to take a break from training every now and then.  I think we can all safely assume Denis decided it was time for a break on Saturday night.  I’m not 100% sure what Anne is reacting to, but I can’t see Denis’ other hand either.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Mr. Cregan-Condon – on a break.

In fairness to him, he still has all the moves, though – once he puts on that jacket, there’s no stopping him – irresistible charm.

Denis and Anne

 Finbarr Hedderman won an award for his North Channel swim.  People were amazed when he went up to collect it.  I can see why.  Honestly, I’ve never seem him looking so good.

The best Finbarr has ever looked.  Ever.

Finbarr went all out to prepare for the night.

Finbarr went all out to prepare for the night.

The night went on, as they tend to do.  One of the organisers thought the Myrtleville table was getting unruly so he tried to remove the source of celebration.

Ger Kennedy tries to take it back but Siobhan has both hands on the award.

Ger Kennedy tries to take it back but Siobhan has both hands on the award.

Kieran Murphy soon won him round to our point of view.Kieran Murphy and Ger Kennedy.I just hope Ger didn’t see what Kieran was doing with the hat just before he put it on…I hear Tea Tree shampoo is very effective, Ger.

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And so to the morning after the night before.  Lots of big talk about the swim at 12.00.  How many of our crowd showed up?

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Must have been a good night. Two of them managed to make it to the swim. Two!

Still, the two who made it soon had reason to think the others might have got it right.

Sea swimming in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Delicate as a butterfly, practicing how to slide and glide in the waves in Bray.

A night to remember.  Just to be fair, here’s some really nice pictures of everyone in their finery – Mermaids et al.

Ger Kennedy, Siobhan Russell, Billy Wallace and Marie Watson. 10917419_1065437636815456_5803047124041037027_n 10014672_1065437770148776_4017756323650982511_n

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Siobhan gets the speech done – with support.

Diarmuid and award-winning Rian Herlihy.

Diarmuid and award-winning Rian Herlihy.

Carmel Collins & Coleen Mallon.

Carmel Collins & Coleen Mallon.

ILDSA Awards Night

Trophy & Hat. Winning an award is great, but accepting it and having to give a speech is nerve-wracking for anyone.  Siobhan Russell did a fantastic job on behalf of us all last Saturday night in Wicklow.  Her short, perfect speech is below.

“Thank you for awarding this honour to Myrtleville Swimmers for promoting Open Water Swimming in Ireland. We are thrilled to bits to accept this award on behalf of all Myrtleville Swimmers!

Swimming in Myrtleville has transitioned from small beginnings to one of the most popular Swimming Groups and places in Ireland.

Myrtleville Swimmers Philosophy is Inclusion – from the Newest Open Water Swimmer to the seasoned Long Distance Swimmer and from the Youngest, to the not so Young!

Myrtlevillains welcome you all to swim in the Real Capital of Ireland and enjoy coffee, cake and a chat with us and who knows your photo may even appear on Damians Blog – if I have anything to do with it!

We are looking forward to swimming with Ger, Alice and all of you tomorrow. Thanks so much again.

UP CORK!”

I’m delighted to see that all present responded appropriately to the last shout….

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Rouse the Rebels!! Up Cork!!

Fantastic work by everyone.  The Trophy.

A Christmas Carol.

The growth in numbers swimming in Myrtleville this year has been huge and has contributed to the increased numbers participating in the Turkey Swims.  Over sixty people swimming in November/December is a great sight.  These events don’t just run themselves, though, so let’s give some credit to the organiser-in-chief (and Birthday Girl on Saturday), Carol Cashell.

DSC_1651 She kept it running last year, too.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland

2013: Carol doing her unusual shop – meat and choccies all round for the prizes – with her personal shopper, B. Lynch

I suppose we’d have to give some recognition to Ms. Harris, who helped out the odd time.

Some bit of help, I suppose.  Mostly in it for the cake, though.

Some bit of help, I suppose. Mostly in it for the cake, though. She’s all about the cake, ’bout the cake…

Finally, lest this become too much of a praising pukefest….

Just in case anyone would think it was all sweetness and light.  Carol.... really!

Just in case anyone would think it was all sweetness and light. Carol…. really!

3pm on Saturday in Myrtleville for the Turkey Swim and 4.30pm or so for the Turkey Thaw in the Pine Lodge.

3pm on Sunday in Sandycove for the Turkey Swim and 4.30pm for the Turkey Series Bake Off.  That’s an excuse to eat even more cakes, for anyone who doesn’t know about it.

For those poor misfortunes with work and other plans on Saturday (me) the usual 08.15 swim is still on. Also for double-dippers, of course, who might go for the early swim, Hassett’s, Christmas shopping in Centra,  back to the beach for the Turkey Swim, Cakes, Turkey Thaw…what a day😊.  Anyone?

Video by Denis Spielberg

This is great. Well worth watching. Fantastic work by Denis and Anne.

From Anne Sheehy:

Here is the video Denis shot on his Go Pro Camera last Saturday morning.  None of the filming in the water came out so Gordon Adair was kind enough to let us use his shots and Siobhan gave us permission to use some of hers.

A bit of a do – December 20th.

Siobhan Russell is posting an Event on FaceBook for all swimmers.  For non-FaceBookers, it’s the Turkey Thaw in the Pine Lodge, Myrtleville, at about 4.30pm on Saturday, December 20th – after the last Myrtleville Turkey Swim for 2014.  All are welcome.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Pine Lodge – ready to be filled.

The Pine Lodge is a great spot.  The suggested table of events for the day and evening per Siobhan is:

Second last Turkey Swim in Myrtleville at 3pm.
Raffle being held after swim at the beach.
Pine Lodge for drinks and Turkey Thaw afterwards – about 4.30pm.
Photos of the year on screen.
Food available from pizza van.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Crystal’s Munchie bus.

Siobhan’s agenda stops at that point, but I think she must have run out of space.  I’m sure the following should also be there.

  • Tequila Chaser Chicks – live on stage at 9.30.
  • Denis’ Shower Strip – repeated performance on request throughout the night – just ask and he’ll be ready to go.
  • X Rated photos on screen (i.e. The Killary Shots) – once the kids go home.  Sure to set up the next stage……..
  • “It’s way too hot” – off to the beach without any silly old clothes to get in the way

Just another normal night out for this crowd, really.

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See you on the 20th.  Oh, it’s Carol’s birthday, too.  There might be even more cakes than usual.

AGM Minutes

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.