As he swims at 10.30 during the week, many of you may not be aware of the huge following Denis Condon has built up.  It began when he was swimming alone, occasionally. Never one to shirk on safety, he invested in a swim float and deploys it on every swim.

Denis – before the Denisians arrived.

What he didn’t expect was the wave of followers who took his lead. Recognising that if the top athletes like Denis had a balloon, they should have one too, they flocked to the beach.  Known to some as De Boys with De Buoys, they proudly identify themselves as The Denisians.  Some days, you’d hardly get in the water with all the crowds he has down with him.  There are so many, Denis had to give them numbers as he couldn’t remember their names.

Denis and Friends on a quiet Thursday in Myrtleville.  I think someone should check how no. 513 and 552 are getting on.

Of course, no matter how many followers he gets and how exalted his status, there’s still the banes of his life to put up with.  Mnás, Denis, Mnás.

Mnás – in action.  No respect for De Man.

The first year I swam in February was 2012 – in a wetsuit.  I got brain freeze, followed by dizziness, followed by a sharp exit from the water after eight minutes (that had a bit to do with the seals in Adrigole Harbour too, but mostly the cold).  Clearly (looking at the land temperatures table below), I was a total wimp.  On average, February 2012 on land was way warmer than this year – so we can expect the sea was too!

Mean temperature in degrees Celsius for Cork_Airport

My wimpiness in 2012 is confirmed by the many Myrtlevillians who made the decision to swim through the Winter this year and have taken any weather thrown at them.  Dizziness?  Brain freeze?  No problem!!   The coldest month is over and we now have up to twenty new year-round swimmers.  Very well done to everyone.  A few of the many pics Siobhan took during the month….

So now we can all agree – the open water season runs from January 1st to December 31st.  We’ll all be roasted in the Summer.

Now available for €10 from Centra Crosshaven – this year’s must-have fashion item is here.  While most of us mere mortals won’t be able to make these T-Shirts look as good as the top models shown below, we’ll still give it a try 🙂

They’re available at the Centra for convenience, rather than flogging them from a car boot at the beach. €10 is the cost price – not marked up!  Get yours now – they’ll sell out fast. Get a new Hat too 😊

A local audiologist, Mary Duggan of Vita HEAR, has worked with the Phoenix Kayak Club and – I’ve now learned! – a few Myrtleville swimmers, to provide customised ear moulds.  Everyone has been very happy with the service and product.  Since she’s locally based and thus more flexible, we’re going to go with Mary for the moulds.  Also, importantly, the cost is €70, rather than €99 from the other vendor.

For those who have signed up, you’ll get an email shortly about the times for fitting on March 19th (we’re sticking to that date).

The moulds come from Bachmaier in Germany.  They float and the cost includes fitting, a case and a lead.

Here’s some information on Swimmers Ear:

If you haven’t signed up and want to do so, email Damian O’Neill – myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com.

Unfortunately we got late notice that actress, Rose Henderson, was coming down for a swim, so she didn’t get to meet any of our famous swimmers.  She says she’ll come back again with her autograph book.  Rose has lots of roles to her credit, but for anyone who loved Father Ted it’s hard to forget Sr. Assumpta – even though Dougal did, nearly.

She got a couple of pics anyway.  Before and after her swim.  The cold water does wreck with makeup and hair colouring.  Didn’t Siobhan Russell have the same colour hair one time?

We’re looking at getting a sheltered changing area and B. Lynch discovered that there was once a ladies-only changing area on the beach.  Men had to go around to Poll Gorm to change there.  A bit more searching on olden times led him to start thinking that a fixed structure might not be the way to go after all.  Options now being considered are individual shelters – but they still don’t cover your head in the standard model.

The Skreenette – very popular in 1929.

The main interest, though, centres on the much sturdier Bathing Machine.  The only thing it’s missing is a shower.  However, as luck would have it, apparently the Condon Shower Company are very interested in a joint venture with e-brinks, once they can advertise on the removable signs.  That should corner the market, I’d say.

The Bathing Machine – All Mod Cons and then some.

You just wheel it into the water and emerge dry and ready to swim.  Once you get back from the Dutchman, in you go and you will be just toasty.

Model demonstrates how it works – Germany 1893.

Of course, the basic model is never going to do for some people.  We’ll have escalation and keeping up with the Lowrys going on in no time.  Some fellas will have to have the horse-drawn model.  No lugging it down the beach for them.

Before long, it’ll be hard to get into the water past them..

Maybe we should just stick to the concrete one after all.