Things are getting busier, with well over fifty swimmers in last night in a steady stream from 5.00 onwards.  Sea temp was clocked at 11.7c and certainly was very warm close to the beach.

Cousins, Drew and Abby Lynch did their first ever swim to the Dutchman.  They said they’d have been much faster if they didn’t have to keep stopping to let uncle/dad, Bernard catch up.  However, they were very definitely not happy girls afterwards.  After everything they’d heard about Myrtleville there were —- NO CAKES!  Disaster.Trevor Malone continued his preparations for his Channel swim in a couple of months.  No doubt he’s feeling much more positive after getting a bit of technical advice on his stroke from Gary Frost.  Dowtcha, Gary.

Following the guidance on swim entries, one applicant decided last night was the night to appear to set the record straight and get a 1,500m in the sea ratified.  Prior to actually doing any swimming, she forcefully put her case to Irish Swimmer of the Year 2015, Ciaran Byrne and Bernard “I’m looking at something else, not listening” Lynch.  She talks a great 1,500m, does Carol.

Following her swim with Trevor Malone – of undetermined and un-ratified distance and direction – the following form was submitted this morning.

To be frank, the form raises more questions than it answers.  The Reasons for Signing are “She was in longer than me” and “I was with her in the water”.  Neither state that they actually witnessed or can ratify a 1,500m swim from yesterday.  I mean, if she’d just tried to keep up with the Lynch girls going out to the Dutchman, that would have been it – job done.

While the revised application will be put before MINACABSITWEVSC, I’d say she’ll have to go again – perhaps with a video camera and GPS system this time for verification and ratification purposes.  Maybe after that ould British Masters pool thingy at the weekend, Carol will be able to give this challenge the attention it deserves.  We know she can do it!  Go, Carol 🙂

Looks like we can expect some rise in the sea temps over the coming week.  Even as they’ve stuck under 11c, it’s fantastic to see eleven swimmers doing the 4km over and back to Fountainstown on Sunday.  Mike Elliot obliged with safety cover, as he so often does now.  Well done to everyone – huge strides forward from last year.

Siobhan Russell is back in the sea herself, but she followed the swimmers across to get some beautiful scenic shots yesterday.  Seriously, who’d swap this for North Korea-Cork’s “freshwater” camps?   Sadists – I’m tellin’ ya.

She wasn’t the only one keeping an eye in the sky as our daily swimmers, Tom and Pat, followed them over too.

Back at the beach, we had a visit for a pose swim by Sham “The Body” O’Riordan – seen here sucking it in standing naturally beside Peter O’Mahony.  Sham’s lost all unnecessary body weight with all the marathons he’s running.  He can’t even fit in his wetsuit any more.  Peter’s looking fit too – must be all that rugby!

The busy beach continued after the earlier swims with locals, regulars and visitors from Clonmel.

Hopefully we’ll see 13c and over soon – roasted, we’ll be.  Usual swim tonight 6pm.  Bí ann, gan teip.

Sea temp was down at 11c, which is a bit cooler than the same night last year.  In May 2014, we had gone past 12c and were heading for 13c and over.

Still, it didn’t stop over forty swimmers last night, with lots of smiles.  It might be slightly chilly, but it’s still great.  Our fantastic Siobhan Russell was down again for the pictures. Looking forward to seeing her recovered and back in the sea very soon.

I know it’s unfair to pick on people on this site and I really shouldn’t do it.  Having said that – Gary, seriously, have you even taken to drawing lines on the sand to ensure you get just the right stance width?  All of the Orcas in the picture – excellent work. Gary, though?

Lots of the triathletes are getting their OW training done – chilly or not – as their season really kicks off.  I have to mention the new Orca Open Water suits again – great visibility.

The McCarthy brothers weren’t just getting a swim in, but having a healthy big vs small brother race.

Ronan’s just smiling as younger brother Conor insists he won.

James Makin – looking just a tad embarrassed as Agnieszka Swiatkowska practices her swooning!

Eleanor Fennessy and Rory Coughlan – becoming regulars.

Keep swimming & Swim Safe 🙂

There’s a steady stream of returnees at each session now.  There were a few down on Saturday and more last night.   Just as an aside, Sean Foley is 100% committed to coming down for his first sea swim next Saturday.  He promises.  No pressure.  He did promise, though.  He wouldn’t lie.  Or back out.

Myrtleville Monday – April 13, 2015

Rory Galvin was back for his first swim – note innovative use of finger to denote said first swim.  He’s sorted for the next nineteen, but not sure what he’ll do then.

Diane Neaves reckoned her first dip of the year was a double-thumbs-up effort.  Can’t beat enthusiasm 🙂

Bernard and Carol were also encouraging a newcomer who needed a bit of guidance. He used to swim in some other place but there’s nobody left there now, he said.  He was a bit fed up when they left him alone last night too – bloody speedsters.

Ms. Cashell, Mr. Lynch and Mr. Finbarr.

The sea stayed in double figures at about 10.2c.  Good conditions to get back in.  Although, with an Easterly forecast, it will probably go back down again, so swim quickly to stay warm.  No Selfies.  Gordon.