Confusedious, he say: “If a swimmer swims in the sea and there is no Siobhan to take a picture, does the swimmer really swim?”.

Consternation reigned in Myrtleville this weekend.  Would-be swimmers were lined up on the slipway or huddled in groups around the beach, unsure how exactly to proceed, or if the beach was closed.

All Myrtleville regulars know how a swim session at the beach goes.

1. You get changed
2. You walk to the sand – holding your breath
3. Siobhan takes your picture
4. You exhale
5. You enter the water.

What if there is no Siobhan?  What then?  What if Stage 3 can’t happen? How do you proceed?

For many last weekend, it was like being one of those unskilled action figures in Call of Duty or something – hopping up and down vainly in one spot, unable to progress.  Many gave up and went home.  Some swam, but did it with a heavy heart – knowing the swim just didn’t count.  No pic, no swim.

Myrtleville swimming last weekend – without the Russell lens.

Rumours abounded about the Russell absence.  Many believed she was riding the crest of her recent competition success and was gone to Hollywood.  Some scurrilous gossips suggested she was on the tear and Mojitos were involved.  Perish the thought.  Whatever the reason, we must begin an immediate campaign to get her back.

“Return the Russell”, we say!!

Siobhan Russell is the winner of the June/July H2 Open magazine photo competition!  Looks like the rest of the world is realising what we’ve all known for a while in Myrtleville – Siobhan’s brilliant 🙂   Watch out for the  magazine when it’s published.

Love Heart Swimming – Myrtleville.

Models are Caroline O’Leary and Maeve O’Connor – two more of us who know to pose when Siobhan says so!  Well done, Siobhan, Caroline and Maeve.

A man called Jarek Sowinski was using a drone on the beach on Saturday.  I’m posting his video here for those who haven’t seen it on Facebook.

Not to be outdone, Glen Barton was in for a 6.30am swim and then quietly filming as the other groups arrived.  Great work.

After a fantastic weekend, it’s going to be nice again today and then a bit iffy for a few days.  It’s already busy on the beach, with swimmers in from 05.30 and Liam Maher getting this lovely shot.

Myrtleville, May 16 – 05.30

Liam was in with Bernard Lynch, who’s enjoying the good weather so much he’s offering crazy prices on his ice lols down Crosshaven way.  You’d think it was 1979 or something – when lol meant one of these and not text-speak.

Enjoy the sea but swim safe – watch out for boats and jetskis and be visible.