March – in like a lamb and out like a….Gary?

Posted on March 3, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Good conditions and almost nine degrees in the water gave a very nice start to March for Saturday’s swimmers.

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Siobhan makes it in front of the camera and poses – of course.

Our daily swimmers have enjoyed the warmer than usual water right through the last few months. “Like a bath”, as Tom says!

Tom & Pat – daily swimmers and an example to us all.

Even though it’s not Ice Mile calibre, cold(ish) water can do strange things to the mind. That’s the only explanation I can think of for Gary’s carry-on in this series of pictures, as he throws off the wetsuit and works on his acclimatisation outside the water.

This is one display Denis wasn’t expecting to have to watch – Gary springs into action.

‘REAL men don’t wear skirts, lads – just togs!’ Gary Frost continues the show.

The Finale – Would you buy a used car from this man? Gary Frost doing…..something. You’ll have to ask him.

More returnees last week with Rebeca Power notably going straight back into the sea in togs. Cold? What cold? Aiming for Thursday at 4.30pm and Saturday at 08.15, weather permitting.

Leaving February and heading for March

Posted on February 26, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

We’ll have our last February 2014 swim on Thursday 27th at 4.30 and then on to March! Saturday’s swim is at a later time of 10.00 this week.

It was getting windy on Monday, but the pictures below make it look worse than it was – there was definitely a calm bit. Siobhan was getting scenic views again and some swimmers drifted into the frame.

Closer to 9ºc than 8ºc in the sea. Very un-February 🙂

It must be Summertime

Posted on February 24, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

8.6ºc the sea temperature is getting to for the last few days – it’s not even a hardship! It did hit 7.9ºc on Saturday morning, but that was only a blip.

We had a few reappearances this week and some more contacts from people shaking off the Winter. Hope to see some larger groups over the next few weeks.

Denis Condon, Siobhan “poser” Russell & Gordon Adair – the Orca Gang.

Gordon Adair, Finbarr Hedderman & Denis Condon – I reckon the Oracas haven’t a hope against Big Fin.

The forecast looks ok for later in the week, so we’ll try for 4.30 on Thursday and see about the weekend.

Still warm(ish) in February

Posted on February 17, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

The sea temperature remained over 8ºc for the weekend and is at 8.3ºc this morning – we can’t complain for February 🙂

Swimming at 4.30pm today and Thursday, with 08.15 on Saturday.

As a reminder of really warm water, here’s a great video of the Lee Swim last year. It’s very well done, with lots of familiar faces.

And here’s something a bit older.

Myrtleville from Fennell’s Bay – from Old Photos of Cork FB page.

Between the storms

Posted on February 13, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

There’s a day off from the storms today and 4.30pm looks good. High tide, bound to be a bit of swell left from yesterday but the forecast is favourable, so make it if you can.

Naturally, Siobhan couldn’t stay away from the sea yesterday!

Times and Trees

Posted on February 10, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

We’re sticking to 4.30pm Monday and Thursday this week and Saturday at 08.15, weather permitting.

There were different groups in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Temperatures remaining over 8c in the water, so the traditional coldest month isn’t biting just yet. Great to see so many people sticking with open water for the Winter.

Still some interesting obstacles being washed down by the heavy rain – wouldn’t like to swim into this one.

Christmas comes early – or late – on Myrtleville Beach. Saturday, February 8, 2014.

Logos, Temperatures & Waves

Posted on February 6, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

We have been a bit delayed in finalising the results of the Logo competition. The judges hope to have this done in the coming two weeks and ready for the swim hats to be printed. Apologies for the delay.

The Ballycotton Sea Temperature Gauge is back in action after a few months offline. It’s confirming that the temperatures remain over 8c in the water, which is very good for February.

We’re going to swim today, Thursday, at 4.30, but Saturday’s forecast is terrible, so that one is cancelled. It might even look like this again..

Myrtleville – February 4th – still four hours to high tide.

Mad maps & lost sheep (or goats?)

Posted on February 3, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Despite the Armageddon forecast for Saturday morning, it was quite swimmable. We had seven swimmers and at 8.4c, nobody felt the need to get out early.

We were surprised when Finbarr Hedderman arrived, as there had been a lot of big talk on Twitter during the week about swimming at 7.30 in Sandycove. Poor old Finbarr turned up down West to find himself alone in the dark – with the Twitterati staying in bed. Ah well, at least he was able to come across to Myrtleville for some company 🙂

Gary Frost’s map for the swim shows there was a bit of messing around and stop-starting going on, but it was really enjoyable. Finbarr and Jim Shaloo headed over outside the breaking waves at the Dutchman, with the rest of us turning at Fennell’s Bay.

Mad Maps – what was Gary doing?

Siobhan Russell swam on Thursday and Sunday – here’s proof:

Toes-eye view – the Dutchman and Roches Point are thataway.

Not the greatest forecast for the week, but we can’t complain for February. Going to try for 4.30 Monday and Thursday, with 8.15 on Saturday morning looking the most dodgy one given the current weather predictions. There’s bound to be a calm bit, though!

Last January Saturday swim

Posted on January 27, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Great to have seven swimmers at dawn in January. A big change from last year.

8.6c on the watches for the sea temp and it was very mild on land, so not bad at all for a Winter swim. We got to the Dutchman quickly, with a bit of a haul coming back into a rising Westerly wind.

Siobhan was following up her Friday swim and brought the camera, of course.

Myrtleville dawn – 25 January, 2014

A less common shot of Siobhan in front of the camera. Apparently the prescription goggles are great for cutting onions too. Good to see that Bernard is shooting up these days – or is he on his tiptoes again?

Siobhan with her specially purchased cheap swimming Uggs. And two passing swimmers.

Gary & Niamh have an ongoing race apparently, but they took a morning off from it on Saturday.

Niamh O’Connor & Gary Frost – no racing today.

No matter what day or time you turn up in Myrtleville this Winter, Denis Condon is either in the water, just out or ready to go in with you. He’s hardly missed a day.

Denis Condon – swimming in Myrtleville more than anyone this Winter.

Swimming at 4.30pm today, Monday and next Thursday, Jan 30th. First swim of February next Saturday morning at 08.15. Denis will probably also be swimming on Tuesday, Wednesday and twice on Friday – but you’d have to check with him 🙂

Swims this week

Posted on January 20, 2014 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Lots of swimming all weekend with various groups using the beach – you’d never know it was January!

It was 8.8c in the water on Saturday morning – a surprise to see the temperature had gone back up again. The word on Friday afternoon was that it was like a Summer’s day – Denis may be getting a bit too used to the water at this stage: he’ll be telling us it’s toasty soon 🙂

There’s a group swimming at 4.30 today, Monday and 4.30 next Thursday, Jan. 23rd, if anyone wants to join us. Usual Saturday swim at 08.15.

Beware of posing for Siobhan.

Myrtleville Swimmers

Open Water – Sea Swimming in Cork, Ireland

Category Archives: Swimming Times