Siobhan Russell, Joleen Cronin, Rosaleen McKeown, Niamh O’Connor and loads of others (real sharing of the workload going on here) are organising an end of season celebration and party.
It’s not just for swimmers (since we’ll still be swimming all Winter and the season never ends!) and all are invited.
Saturday, November 9th at 8pm in Bunnyconnellan, Myrtleville. No cover charge.
If possible, let them know on Facebook if you are going to attend, or just arrive on the night. All welcome.
Great to see the fantastic results of the Myrtleville to Church Bay swim, which raised €1,197 for the RNLI and the Crosshaven Triathlon, which raised €10,000 for local causes.
Bernard Lynch, Kate Heslin and Conor Middleton of Lynchs Centra Crosshaven seen presenting a cheque for 1197 euro to Alan Barton and Barry Woods of the Crosshaven RNLI following the recent RNLI Open Water 2k swim in Myrtleville. Picture: Howard Crowdy.
Cheques presented to representatives from the Crosshaven Rugby Club, Development Association, Boys School, First Response and Walkway Lighting project following the recent Centra Crosshaven triathlon challenge. Picture: Howard Crowdy.
Well done to everyone who participated in and supported both events.
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!!!
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…..
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.
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.
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 .
By Gordon Adair – age 47 🙂
Looking on for years I thought the sport of Open Water Swimming was beyond my reach but over the last few months I have found out differently. Early July, just by chance I met a few guys in Aghada and I joined them for a swim. Afterwards the buzz and feeling of accomplishment was hard to describe. I felt great and just wanted more and as I found out the opportunities are endless.
Over the next few weeks a friend of mine introduced me to people involved with the Sandycove Swimmers who swim almost everyday around high tide. It really is an amazing place.
As I met more people I was asked to join a group in Myrtleville who swim every Monday night and also on Saturday mornings. Myrtleville also had a dawn swim last Wednesday and that was something really special as we watched the sun come up over Roches Point.
In Cork we are spoilt for choice with our coastline, lakes and rivers. Throughout the year there are many very well organised swims that cater for all ages and abilities. I have been lucky enough to take part in 5 events since July and have made a lot of new friends. The atmosphere at the events is something that has to be experienced. It is like a big close family – everyone is there to help and motivate you. There are no closed doors – all involved have the swim bug The really good swimmers are no different from anyone else except they swim faster and go for ever… but that does inspire others to follow.
The big family of swimmers will embrace new comers sharing all their experience and knowledge. Not alone have I made new friends, I have been given technical advice and motivated to just come back the next day and do it again.
If you are like thinking of getting involved and finding out more about this unbelievable sport, register for the World Open Water Conference from the 11th to the 13th of October in the Rochestown Park Hotel. Many of our local experienced swimmers have managed to bring this event to Cork where we will be treated to a host of international speakers.. Check out all the information on the web site.
This event is filling up fast and is a great opportunity for the newcomers to take the first step, meet the gang and be part of this growing sport. I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world and maybe something new will be around the corner.
See you all there…….
Book now on: http://www.activeglobal.com/gl/swimming/cork-ireland/global-open-water-swimming-conference-cork-2013/188179
For more information please see: http://www.globalopenwaterswimmingconferencecork2013.com/
Gordon Adair at the Myrtleville to Church Bay swim registration – No. 1, so why try harder?
Tom McCarthy promoting the OWS Conference.
Details on this Saturday’s swim from Ray McArdle – raymcardle@yahoo.com are online at https://myrtlevilleswimmers.com/courtmacsherry-swim/ . Please support this event.
Howard Crowdy has kindly sent on a fantastic batch of pictures today. The two capturing the start are just brilliant…
The leading group start their swim in the annual RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim. Picture: Howard Crowdy.
Swimmers take to the water at the start of the annual RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim. Picture: Howard Crowdy.
Swimmers pass the safety boats at the start of their 2km Open Water Swim from Myrtleville to Church Bay. Picture: Howard Crowdy.
All of Howard’s pictures are now online here.
Myrtleville Swimmers 