January 18th in The Edge Sports, Kinsale Road Commercial Park, Ned Denison will be sharing his considerable experience on Cold Water Swimming and Hypothermia. We’re lucky to have someone available in Cork with Ned’s background in open water swimming in Ireland and around the world , so this is one to go along for.
The timing will be interesting as more than 10 local swimmers will be headed to the cold water champions in London the next week, to compete in 3 to 5C waters…with several trying to join the International Ice Swimming Association by logging a 1 mile swim in an open air lido. Ned will cover:
How do the locals in togs do it?
What do they think?
How does one prepare?
How can I shed my wetsuit in the summer months?
Ned has also prepared presentation on hypothermia to give the real facts.
A good turn-out for 9.6 degrees in the water and 10 degrees on land. We couldn’t have asked for a better day for Lisa Cummins’ Turkey Swim in Myrtleville. Siobhan Russell had the foresight to bring a camera – thanks to her.
Bernard had organised mince pies and mulled wine afterwards – with the generous assistance of Jimmy Long, his daughter, Sheila and granddaughters. So, thanks to Centra Crosshaven for this festive touch and to Jimmy for faciliating us as always, blocking his roadway at the top of the beach!
Bernard, Jimmy Long & Damian outside Jimmy’s house
Mulled wine and mince pies at Myrtleville
One myth put to bed today was that Lisa never, ever, ever gets cold. While she didn’t actually shake so that she spilled her mulled wine, witnesses confirmed she did actually have a slight tremor in her hand after the swim. That’s a first…..
Lisa – definitely cold: we have witnesses
A great afternoon. Thanks to all who came along. The list from Lisa is:
Owen O’Keeffe, the Fermoy Fish, organised a great evening in the Grand Hotel Fermoy for Ned Denison’s annual celebration of marathon swimming in Cork and a combined event for the first time with the Irish Long Distance Swimmers Association (ILDSA) awards. Several Myrtleville regulars got honourable mention and Tom McCarthy was presented with an award for his Channel Relay swim this Summer. Thanks to Donal Buckley for the picture.
Liz Buckley & others are organising the 2012 Turkey Series. They have bowed to demand from the swimming public and scheduled a date for the jewel in Cork’s swimming crown….. see you at 13:30 on Myrtleville beach, Sunday, December 2. Be there early, as we’re expecting a huge crowd……maybe our local Lucky Duck, might make an appearance, to support fowl friends. No comments please about who is the biggest turkey.
From Liz:
Format is the same as always, €2 per entry, you can swim, walk, paddle. Proceeds all go towards the prizes at the end. More times you enter, the better your chances!
Tom McCarthy is a Myrtleville regular and a great help to all the swimmers there and throughout Cork. He is always happy to share his unique, vast knowledge of the sea and often volunteers to provide expert safety cover for events. Last July, Tom was a late addition to a relay team swimming the English Channel and as would be expected by all who know him, he performed brilliantly. One member of the team, Sue Oldham (the oldest woman to swim the English Channel solo) wrote a lovely account of Tom’s involvement in the team and we’re delighted to post it here:
Sue Oldham: “As a background and due to ill health two of our original four man relay team had to pull out – Tony Parbery who had swum in the 2006 oldest relay team and did his solo swim in 2008 and Les Stewart at 76 and also a member of the 2006 relay team. We had been very fortunate that when Tony withdrew Roger Allsopp the oldest person to solo swim the channel agreed to join Kathy Phillips from Perth and myself. When Les withdrew Tom agreed to join us.
Barracuda Aquaholics team of Kathy, Roger, Sue & Tom on the beach at Dover prior to 2012 relay swim
From the very first Tom became a firm friend, delighted to join our Aquaholics relay team and experience his first challenge at the English Channel. Kathy and I regarded ourselves very fortunate that our relay team consisted of Roger Allsopp and Tom and immediately the four of us joined forces, training together in Dover Harbour. Swimming the English Channel is regarded as the Everest of open water swimming and this was Kathy and Tom’s first experience although neither Roger nor I regarded this crossing as something to be undertaken lightly.
At our first training session in Dover Harbour our coach Pauline Pratt was immediately delighted by Tom’s breaststroke, recognising it as near perfect (more so when she discovered he had not had any professional coaching).
We met down at Dover Harbour in the early hours of July 22nd on a cold and windy morning and once all gear and supplies were loaded onto Anastasia, our pilot, Eddie Spelling, took us around to Samphire Hoe for our start. Pauline nominated the order of the relay as Roger to start, followed by Kathy, Tom and myself. In that order we would swim in a one hour rotation until we reached the shores of France. Tom of course immediately established himself as the experienced sailor he is and when it was his turn to jump into the cold, dark ocean he was quite at home. Some of us suffered mild cases of hypothermia (although not Tom) but eventually as the hours slid by the sun came up displaying a glorious sunrise, we gradually warmed up and the sea calmed down. After ten hours or more and with the coast of France in sight, the sea lost its glassiness, with the light breeze picking up enough to ensure we would all have to swim another round, making it four each (although as last swimmer mine was only a fraction of the hour) we gradually and slowly swam our way onto the French coast.
Tom was a wonderful team member, he enjoyed each and everyone of his turns, swimming strongly every time and finding the cold water quite exhilarating. As Tom’s last hour-long swim didn’t quite make the French coast I had the privilege of taking us in with Tom continuing to swim in behind me finishing on 23rd July in an official time of 15 hours 3 minutes.
Tom McCarthy during one of his relay legs
What can I say, Tom is a great chap, a good friend and team mate who was always ready to give a helping hand. I dont know if we will make the records as the oldest four man relay team to swim the Channel with an average of 64, but with a team comprising of two world record holders, Kathy who swam well and with great determination despite suffering badly from the cold and Tom McCarthy as our secret weapon who impressed us all with his strong and steady breaststroke. I would love to see him trying for a solo crossing, he has the ability and tenacity to achieve it and should he ever consider another relay crossing I would quickly put my hand up to be on his team.
As always, be it a relay or a solo swim, accolades must go to the skipper Eddie Spelling and his crew, our coach Pauline Pratt, the tireless support of assistant Tony Parbery and to our observers. ” Sue Oldham, 14 Oct, 2012.
Barracuda Aquaholics Relay team route 23 July, 2012
Before we post Ned Denison’s swim report, Bernard Lynch and Damian O’Neill have to say we were delighted to be asked to – quote – “play with the Big Boys” last Saturday. Thanks, Ned….
Bernard & Damian with Ned “one of the Big Boys” Denison
Swim Report by Ned Denison – pictures by Carol Cashell, Frank Lynch, Kieran O’Sullivan and Donal Buckley:
This morning before 8am, the air temperature was 5C and the ground felt colder in bare feet.
Sunrise at Myrtleville
Safety boats arriving at sunrise
9 swimmers waded out to two ribs and then tried to bundle up in jackets to stay warm. Off then from Myrtleville towards Roches Point
Boat 2 ready to go
The Port of Cork approved the safety plan in advance – it was based on the most experienced marathon swimmers only being invited (Channel soloer and 3 Myrtleville 2012 marathoners). We were well served by 6 great volunteers: Tom McCarthy and Billy Kelleher in Boat 1. Tom and Frank Lynch plus Dominic Baxter in Boat 2. Kieran O’Sullivan coordinating beach activities…and ready for possible transport if needed.
Tom Lynch, Frank Lynch, Bernard Lynch & Dominic Baxter.
Tom McCarthy & Billy Kelleher: the Safety Men
These kinds of swims do not happen without volunteers – so, many thanks folks. The swimmers made a donation each to the RNLI.
Waiting for the Tanker to pass at Roches Point.
We needed to wait at Roches Point while a tanker passed by and then the first 6 set off. Five minute later three more set off. The plan was for the swimmers to “meetish” in the middle of the shipping channel – to give the safety boats the maximum flexibility in case the port needed us out. It was about 1 hour before high water and we expected a tiny push in towards the harbour.
Ready to go at Roches Point
The first group either got caught immediately in an eddy and headed out to sea or Bernard Lynch lead them on a current beating line. Discussion continues on this subject…. The second group headed toward the red buoy (1k out) toward Church Bay….and certainly had a long angle back to Myrtleville.
Just missed the ferry!.
While Finbarr, upon hitting the water, declared it to be toasty,,,,,nobody else confirmed his view. It was 11 to 13 C from the watches and boat instruments.
All made it safety and we were unexpectedly greeted by Lisa Cummins and Riana Parsons with fresh made scones (2 more volunteers we thank!).
Paraic’s Cafe – thanks to Riana and Lisa
This 3 k was seeming a first ever. Others swam in the past from Roches Point to Crosshaven and also to Church Bay. I doubt it will ever be a mass swimming event….but it was there and had to be done !
If anyone wants to organise a new/never been done swim…let me know and I can advise on safety plan etc. NED DENISON.
My first time swimming in Myrtleville was last April. Bernard Lynch swam very slowly with me as I struggled out to the rock (nearly) and back. Getting out, I fell gracefully in the hole made by the spring on the beach. I now warn every new swimmer to watch the spring hole. I’ll come back to that.
Shortly after I started swimming with him, Bernard said he had an idea that it should be possible to swim from Sandycove to Myrtleville or the reverse. About 24k (maybe 23.5 in a very straight line!) around lots of headlands in real open water. It would be a real challenge. Over the Summer I was improving, so I reckoned I’d give it a shot and go with Bernard. In my wetsuit. Not in togs – my swimming hasn’t come on that much.
Bernard did all of the organising and I just tagged along. Two RIBs, five fantastic crew (Tom McCarthy, Frank Lynch, Billy Kelleher, Aidan Foley and Dominic Baxter) and a planned Sept. 15 start. This then moved to Sept. 19 as the weather wasn’t right. August would be the plan for next time – the water was getting colder for the last few weeks. Under the master guidance of Tom McCarthy, the route was chosen as Sandycove to Myrtleville rather than the other way, with Westerly winds forecast. Tom not only viewed the route by water, he walked it to try to judge tides. Fantastic support.
We started at 1.15, with one hour to low tide in Sandycove. It’s the first time I was ever in Sandycove. I’ve never done one of the famous laps!
The water was flat calm for a few minutes behind the island, then into the chop of wind against tide as we began to cross the mouth of Kinsale harbour.
First feed was after an hour and Tom said we had 3.5km done, which was good, as we expected to get some benefit from the tide after another couple of hours. It was rougher than I expected. The wind was on our toes and the swell made it hard to stay on line. If I’d known that was one of the easier parts of the swim, I’d have been considering my options! I had 30 minutes of cramping in my knees and calves but this didn’t go full blown and went away from then for the rest of the swim.
Bernard Lynch crossing Kinsale Harbour
We went inside the Sovereigns towards Blinknure point, just past Oysterhaven, then across Newfoundland Bay towards Barry’s Head and on to Nohaval Cove at around three hours. We got separated for a bit, but then swam side by side for an hour or more. Feeding every 30 minutes, Bernard was feeling the cold after three hours and wisely went for Nohaval to finish in 3 hours 30 minutes. Frank, Dominic and Aidan took the RIB in with Bernard and I continued with Tom and Billy, towards Reanies Point next.
The next hour was with full tide but the swell had come up and there were lots of waves going from my toes over my head. This meant I didn’t get as much of a benefit as I had hoped, but still covered 4km. At feed eight, four hours and thirty minutes in, Tom told me if I kept going I’d finish in another two hours and twenty minutes. I spent the next thirty minutes trying to figure out how he could be so precise. Then I gave up and just kept swimming. I had a couple of Gu gels with the feeds (thanks, Carol Cashell) and also tried a choc roll. That was a mistake. Hard to open, bitty in my mouth and stayed stuck on my teeth. Didn’t happen on dry land! Still, the feeds worked well.
Feeds
I was going from headland to headland, across the bays, Newfoundland, Reanies / Nohoval, Man of War, Rocky Bay, Roberts Cove. Each time I got close to a headland I was reminded of Ned Denison’s advice to Bernard that you couldn’t be sure what you’d come up against at each one, with unpredictable currents, swirls and eddies. Not surprisingly, Ned was right. I spent my time pushing to reach each headland then dreading it as I did. The worst was Rocky Bay. I seemed to spend a long time admiring the stones at the end of the point and feeling like I was going nowhere as the waves rolled up my body and over my head. Fortunately, I could regularly see Tom doing his crossword so I knew things couldn’t be that bad. If he wasn’t worried, I wouldn’t be. Billy’s hand signals to move out or in were a great contact to have also.
Nautical Chart – Old Head of Kinsale to Power Head
Around Roberts Cove and Cork Head, I could see Roches Point and the houses at Myrtleville. This sounds great, but the bloody things didn’t seem to get any closer for a long time. However, as Billy said, the sun came out to brighten things up (as it began to set!) and it was definitely calmer for the last hour. My last line was on the water tower over Fennell’s Bay, but it started to get dark and was grey on the skyline so I watched the RIB lights and finally could see Bunnys’ lights go on. I stopped for a last feed then headed for the beach. Each feed from five hours on, my shoulders hurt a lot getting going again. Four hours was my longest swim before this one, so not a surprise.
I reached the beach in 6:55, two hours and twenty five minutes after Tom told me two twenty was left. His knowledge of the sea is incredible. To my surprise there was a small group waiting so I got a round of applause and promptly fell over in the spring hole. Very gracefully, of course. Brought me right back to April and Day One.
So that’s it: the Myrtleville Challenge. 24k, open water. Bernard is going next August. If you can supply a RIB and crew, take the Challenge with him. I don’t know if I’ll have improved enough to try it in togs, but it’s something to work for.
The second annual Courtmacsherry swim took place on September 8th on Blind Strand just outside Courtmacsherry. The swim grew to 77 swimmers this year.
The swim had a 1.5K option (1 lap) or a 3K option (2 laps), with 39 of the 77 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, Ria Meulmeester, David O’Donovan, Richard Murphy, Dave Fleming, Kieran Griffin, Billy O’Donovan.
Additionally, we were provided boat support by some of the local boating enthusiasts and the lifeboat was also there to lend a hand (which wasn’t required, thankfully).
After the swim the RNLI volunteers had prepared warm welcoming soup and sandwiches for the swimmers (which they devoured). All the swimmers were provided with water and Lucozade after the swim, which was donated by friends of the Courtmacsherry lifeboat.
The swim was won by a female for the second year in a row. Big congratulations to Caitlin Desmond who had a very strong finish to narrowly defeat Ned Denison.
For the majority of swimmers it was a fun day out and an opportunity to test themselves in a 1.5K or 3K distance swim.
Well done to all participants and thanks to everyone who assisted in making this happen: Carol Cashell, Frances Lucey at registration. Dave Maxwell with parking. David Lucey with the signs. Ken Cashman for all the assistance, including the markers and rounding up boat support. Liz Murphy for assisting with boat support and the lifeboat volunteers for the food. Finally thanks to Derek van der Byl for the excellent photos.
Carol Cashell and volunteer helpers did a fantastic job by all accounts last Friday night in Ballycotton. Her note:
Well Done to all 40 swimmers on completing the Ballycotton Swim on Friday. I’ll be calling it Ballycotton Lighthouse swim from now on instead of ‘Around’ Island swim!.
The importance of handicapping proved worthwhile – all swimmers were home within 18mins of each other from 1st to 40th – which meant the safety cover was not stretched out on the course.
I have heard all good words from the swimmers about the Boat Crew and Kayakers – a HUGE thanks to them all for taking the time to volunteer on Friday night, without them events don’t run so well. (Liam, Frank, Ray, Owen, Alan, Barry, Lena, Emily, Rob, Sean, Joan, Eddie)
I have attached the results on a spreadsheet – there are 3 versions of the results *by group *by time *by category — check the tabs at the bottom of the sheet.
Thanks to everyone involved – on the water and on land, I had MANY Volunteers helping the make the event run so well. (Liam, Ray, Maeve, Helen, Mike and RNLI to name a few.)
Finally – The Ballycotton RNLI received €750 from the swim which is brilliant. Well done again and I hope to see you next year.
Saturday September 01st sees the 10th annual Crosshaven Triathlon take place and by all accounts this year is expected to be the biggest and best yet with a large number of entries received by the organisers.
‘There’s going to be a real carnival atmosphere in Crosshaven during the triathlon’, remarked event chairman Bernard Lynch.
The event covers a 500 metre swim from Currabinny Pier to Hugh Coveney Pier in Crosshaven, a 10 kilometre cycle to Leary’s Cross and back and finally a 5 kilometre run around the centre of the village with the finish line situated at the Centra Supermarket along Strand Road.
Teams of three – one for each discipline – along with over 80 individual competitors will take part this year in what has become the largest sporting event in Crosshaven in recent years. Hundreds of spectators are expected to line the route cheering on the swimmers, cyclists and runners as they take part in each event, with a huge number expected in the centre of Crosshaven and towards the finish line.
Amongst those competing this year will be a number of Irish International swimmers, English Channel swimmers and local politicians with Minister Simon Coveney, a regular participant and supporter, scheduled to take part. Members of clubs, schools, groups and local organisations are also taking part, adding to the local aspect on the day – many hoping to improve on last years times and fulfilling a personal accomplishment in just taking part. Funds generated from the event will go towards the Crosshaven Tidy Towns Committee, Crosshaven Development Committee, Crosshaven St Vincent de Paul and the Crosshaven Camogie club. This will bring the amount raised since its inception to well over €120,000.
Members of the Crosshaven Vintage Cycle and Classic Car Club will have a number of their vintage vehicles on show in the main car park in the centre of the village.
The 10th annual Crosshaven triathlon commences at 5pm sharp on Saturday 1st September. Traffic restrictions apply for the event duration.
Myrtleville Swimmers 