Ultra Man

Posted on September 8, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

As previously recorded on this site, James Slowey has an occasional tendency to leave the water and do some land-based endurance work. As he set off down Kerry way on Friday, he was challenged by various parties to either do a quick swim in the middle of his 50 mile jaunt around the Dingle Ultra-Marathon, or at least wear his Myrtleville hat on the podium. We had complete confidence he’d be on it 🙂

For various – spurious – health and safety reasons, he couldn’t exit the course for a dip. However, he met the second part of the challenge and was suitably attired to receive his second place trophy. 50 miles, 6hrs 23mins – including over the Conor Pass. Give me the sea any day! Full timings here.

Night swimming

Posted on September 3, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

The last few years have seen at least one night swim for small groups of four or five at the most. Last night was the first large scale night swim and one that will likely become an annual event, as everyone loved it. It’s a sign of how popular swimming in Myrtleville has become when you can assemble 31 swimmers – in the dark, lit up like Christmas.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Assembled group at 10pm last night – amazing some concerned local citizen didn’t call it in. Dubious beach activity.

I can never remember all the names of the teletubbies. Always a good quiz question.

Twinky Winky, Dipsy and Laa Laa?

No swim event is complete with a briefing from Bernard or Ned – and lots of party hats.

Why bother? Fun – and to see this – phosphoresence is beautiful!

Honestly – look at the smiles: you can’t beat sea swimming. A legal high.

Of course phosphorescence is well know to stimulate uncontrollable cake cravings. It was fortunate many swimmers had prepared in advance. No shortage of cakes!

The fire was a great idea – nice focal point on the beach.

For those of us who missed it (insert sad face….mine) – roll on next year. There are lots more pictures on Siobhan Russell’s Facebook page.

I have to say – no smart comments from me this time – occasions like this are what swimming in Myrtleville is all about.

Facekinis on order

Posted on August 30, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Siobhan Russell has pre-empted this announcement by promoting these on Facebook, but it’s still very exciting. Rather than just go with another load of hats, I’m delighted to announce that our first order of facekinis with Myrtleville Swimmers logos will be arriving shortly from China. Here’s one of the offerings from the factory before the logos were included. You can see how fantastic they’ll be with the Dutchman added. Edging insanity indeed.

Facekinis are hugely popular in China to protect against UV damage and – most importantly – jellyfish. Jelly Haters, Dave Foley and Denis Condon have orders in, of course. I expect they’ll take off big time in Cork.

Here’s a few swimmers trying out the matching suits also available. Well worth the money to look this good. You can see Bunny’s in the background. Have fun guessing who is who in this picture.

Pat Lowry handled the recent hoodie order so he’s volunteered to take the facekini orders as they flood in. Call him any time.

Finally, to prove they’re not just about looking good and they don’t impede your swimming – here’s an action shot. She’s flying. Again, answers on a postcard for which local is modelling the facekini.

Rough Monday

Posted on August 27, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

A very lumpy sea made Monday evening’s session more about surfing than swimming. It’s a pretty bad forecast all week, so alternative venues will be needed! Siobhan was back to record events and get into one picture herself.

Ruth Deane, Breda Maguire, Audrey Burkley and Siobhan Russell.

Good to see Paschal Horgan of Lee Swim / Red Drive / OW Conference / Lions etc etc fame paid a visit – it’s unfortunate he had to be greeted by your man in the sarong/shirt combination.

Bernard Lynch, Harry Casey, Breda Magure, Steve McCarthy, Ronan McCarthy, Paschal Horgan, Audrey Burkley & Ruth Deane.

I’ll have to try to fix that picture.

Bernard Lynch (Amended), Harry Casey, Breda Maguire, Steve McCarthy, Ronan McCarthy, Paschal Horgan, Audrey Burkley and Ruth Deane.

There, that’s better. Swim Safe!

Jellyfish Info – www.jellyfish.ie

Posted on August 21, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

We’re lucky compared to the Dublin area when it comes to the Lion’s Mane. They have beaches being closed due to the numbers of them. That must be really frustrating for swimmers who went through the Winter and now can’t enjoy the warmer water of the Summer/Autumn!

We’ve seen a reasonable number of Compass jellyfish in Myrtleville (not as many as further West around Beara, though). There have been a few debates about which ones are dodgy and which aren’t, so I’m posting this to give a link to a very comprehensive site on this chosen specialised subject – http://www.jellyfish.ie.

In particular, they have a very good summary of what’s to be found in Ireland and also what to do – and not do- in case of a sting.

Without any personal experience of these products, apparently you can buy some version of sun-block and jellyfish sting protection lotion. – here and here, or there may be lots of others and they may or may not work!

Let’s all just hope we don’t get to see any of these guys!

Myrtleville Weather Station

Posted on August 18, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

With thanks to @corkharbourwx, we learned at the weekend that Myrtleville has its very own weather station. If you are ever planning a swim and want to know what the weather is like at the beach, just click here and you’ll get details updated every two minutes. It looks like this:

Myrtleville Weather station.

For further details on other stations around the harbour, visit the Cork Harbour Weather site.

Holiday Hat.

Posted on August 13, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Lots of people on their travels and a great picture below from Siobhan Russell in the UK. Looks spectacular.

Siobhan Russell with her holiday hat at Man O’War Bay, Lulworth Cove, England.

Where else would you be?

Posted on July 31, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Thanks to Breda Maguire for this fantastic picture of our beautiful swimming location, as a group heads around the corner towards Fountainstown on their early morning swim. Several of the group went over and back – it’s becoming fashionable now!

Good luck to everyone heading to the swims in Glengarriff and Ardgroom this weekend. Forecast looks kind!

The 2km gang and the Jelly Kid

Posted on July 27, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

It’s great to see an ever-growing group of swimmers doing their first 2km swim to or from Fountainstown and others moving on to 4km as well. Breda Maguire did her first swim to Fountainstown last week, guided by local Swimming Sherpa, Denis Condon.

Denis has got very fancy with his gear and he mapped the swim. Unfortunately, his little secret was exposed by the map. Denis has what might be called “a minor fear of Jellies”. Or “a terror-filled phobia”, if you prefer. As you can see from the map below, he spotted a few over near Fountainstown, exited the water sharpish until he was sure he was past them, then hopped back in again before Breda noticed he was gone. Technology – it always catches you out in the end.

Denis & Breda’s swim, complete with quick exit and return by Denis.

Well done, Breda and I know Denis is in demand from other swimmers stepping up their distances. Jokes aside, he’s a great source of encouragement for everyone. Good man, Denis – here’s one for you 🙂

Monday, Monday….

Posted on July 23, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Some of the regulars had good results in the Little Bo Peep at the weekend, with swim times coming down fast. Well done Niall & Steve.

Busy swim – July 21.

They’re not just competitive in the water….

Carol wins the ‘I can fit more hair in my white one than you can in your yellow one’ competition.

Tom McCarthy was back after a week ferrying CBS camera crews around Ned’s Distance camp. It sounds like an incredibly professional operation. Can’t wait to see that programme! Siobhan decided to jump into this picture, but didn’t think through her positioning.

Breda Maguire, Sean O’Farrell, Tom McCarthy, Damian O’Neill and Siobhan Russell. Years of practice getting people to pose in the right places and Siobhan picks to stand in a hole on a sloping beach. Her description – a hobbit among giants!

Myrtleville Swimmers

Open Water – Sea Swimming in Cork, Ireland

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