Garnish – great, as ever.

Posted on June 22, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Another lovely day out for swimmers in Glengarriff on Saturday. It’s getting to be an expectation of glorious weather each year at this stage! It’s a beautiful place to swim and a great place for a night out in the Summer.

Siobhan Russell did her usual fantastic job capturing the atmosphere. She was even in the water early in the day, checking it out for camera angles with Maria and Marion.

Very nice to see a splash of Myrtleville T-Shirts and hats throughout the day. Audrey and Brenda were so put out with Ruth for not wearing hers that there was a bit of a debate about whether they’d let her hang around with them 🙂

Orla Houlihan, Maeve Mulcahy, Bernard Lynch, Carol Cashell and Trevor Malone. You’re in with some speedsters there, Maeve!

Tomás came back from Copenhagen for the swim – but may have wished he hadn’t.

While others got their numbers and prepared themselves mentally and physically for the task, that guy I’ve been warning about who’s often loitering in Myrtleville had followed the crowds West and was on another recruitment drive – “Why go in there? Come in here with me…..I will tell you about “fresh” water….we have camps….join me, join me.”

Unfortunately, there are always stragglers on the periphery of the herd who can be enticed away from safety. Where, oh where, was brother Pat to protect poor Eoin?

Those who escaped the North Kork clutches moved on to the pier, to get ready to swim. Siobhan got in front of the lens with one of her heroes, Mr. Redmond.

Mr. Elliot set the high sartorial standards for the kayakers.

Agnieszka, James and Gary – getting ready for the 5km. Smiles everywhere.

Well, smiles almost everywhere. Siobhan captured a lovely shot of Angela Harris as she spotted what her dad was wearing. Even Orla was shocked. Love the hat, Mr. Harris. Ciaran O’Connor also eyes it up. They’re in Centra, Crosshaven, Ciaran!

Anne Sheehy modelled the T-Shirt and Hat combo – as well as the eye of the tiger: focused on the swim at this stage.

And finally to some actual swimming! There were great personal achievements for loads of Myrtlevillians right through the field with first-time 3k, 5k and 7k swimmers. Well done to everyone who swam and to Ossi and Imelda for organisation.

Trevor Malone swam a little 4km in Myrtleville on Saturday morning with Eddie Irwin and Jim Shalloo, then travelled down with Bernard Lynch on Saturday evening and was the fastest around the 7km. He was so fast (1hr 34 mins) that a kayaker told him he’d miscounted and to head off on his third lap. Trevor’s reply was to the point, shall we say. He did a great job considering that Angela – still a bit peeved about Dad’s hat – actually pointed him on to rocks and steered her kayak in front of him. Ah, Angela.

All the same, I reckon Brenda and Marie would have taken Trevor if they didn’t keep stopping for pictures. Proper Gaddin’ About, ladies 🙂

Entries for our own swim on July 4th started to come in on Saturday evening from swimmers on a high and using the Garnish outing as their qualifier! If you’re not entered, do it now – RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay 2015 Entry form.

Drag weights and smiles.

Posted on June 19, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

God loves a trier and credit has to go to Carol Cashell for working so hard to achieve her qualifying swim for the RNLI Myrtleville – Church Bay Swim on July 4th. After a number of un-ratified attempts, she showed her true character on Monday night last. Not only did she smash the 1500m qualifying distance by doing 4km, she did it while wearing drag weights she had picked up on a jaunt to England, just to demonstrate her strength. Well done, Carol and roll on July 4th 🙂

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Carol and her drag weights. Please, do not try this at home or in the water. Carol is a professional with many years of experience in winning and wearing drag weights of this kind.

Elsewhere on the beach, the temperatures are rising – slowly, it has to be said – and there are lots of people back in the sea and loving it. Liam Maher managed his qualifier swim too and was delighted (his entry under Qualifying Swims was “Plenty” – so the committee tapped him for a real swim).

More visitors from around the country are appearing – a bit further than Tipp this time.

Conal McBride down from Donegal to get some warmer water, with Patrick “The Shadow” McCabe.

Sinead O’Donnell conducted an experiment on what happens if you put a wet foot into dry sand – results below. Imagine that. I wonder if the two guys on the right have any intention at all of “getting down” – as in the old phrase “It’s grand once you’re down”.

Not a lot of people know this, but Bernard Lynch never washed his Speedos. They’ve been living in the back of his car for about five years and drenched in saline or chlorine most days. Imagine his surprise when he reached for them last week and discovered they’d mutated into jammers or been swapped by a family member. I think we’ll have to start an online campaign to bring back the Speedos – he’s not the same without them.

Unfortunately, as we all know, the downside of Summer in Myrtleville is that some undesireables start to turn up on the beach. The dodgy character below on the left was circulating during the week, muttering about “fresh” and “camps” and other lunacies. Just move away if he approaches you. He’s inherently harmless, we believe.

Good luck to everyone in Garnish tomorrow. Remember, it’s a perfect qualifier for July 4th! Enter here for the RNLI Myrtleville – Church Bay Swim.

First swims and claimed swims.

Posted on June 9, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

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 🙂

Summer’s here….maybe?

Posted on June 8, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

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.

Is it Bulman or Bullman?

Posted on June 2, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Sometimes trying to piece together what happened at swims from the pictures taken, can get a little confusing. I thought the spelling was Bulman, but then wasn’t sure if it was Bullman or Bull Man. Siobhan Russell did her usual fantastic job and by all accounts, it was a great event. That wasn’t where my problems lay – it was in the extra pictures I found referring to bulls and swims. Anyway, I worked out the order and what was happening in the pictures – I think.

Firstly, Finbarr reconfirmed his Myrtlevillian credentials and introduced his family.

Finbarr and his gang from Myrtleville. Myrtlevillians Abú, says the Big Man.

From comments on the web, it seems Ned Denison was being unusually lenient in allowing last-minute entrants. The arrival of a large group of same was spotted by Finbarr.

It’s fair to say that there was some concern on the faces of other swimmers when they realised that the new group was being allowed to enter.

Representations were made to Ned by Gary and Landy, but Ned felt he couldn’t turn down the late-comers – although he was a bit dubious about it as he eyed them up.

It’s from here on that the pictures and Bulman vs. Bullman confusion caught me out. I think the shot of the start below confirms the late entrants just took over and it’s Bullman and not Bulman. That’s definitely Rob Bohane leading out – sure, who else?

Safety cover from Tom was superb as always – although it’s a different boat to usual. Lots of drafting going on too.

Hope I pieced this together properly. Here’s a few more nice shots from the day – in no particular order.

Secret training camps in North Korea-Cork

Posted on May 28, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Disturbing rumours have reached Myrtleville of the emergence of a shadowy cult practicing black arts in “freshwater” camps. Original correspondence indicated the location could be North Korea, but we now believe it is more likely to be North Cork.

The motives of the organisers and active recruiters for the camps is unclear, but their targeting of Myrtleville to seek recruits is clearly due to our international fame as the best swim location in the world (unimpeachable source: B. Lynch). Their motives, however, must certainly contain some sadistic tendencies. Sadism is really the only explanation for why anyone would willingly exchange this…..

Myrtleville – where God intended people to swim.

For this…..

North Korea/Cork – where God knows why anyone would swim.

For the public good, trusted envoys were dispatched to the secret location to attempt to capture images of the unimaginable activities being engaged in and to warn unsuspecting swimmers from being lured to the dark side.

Undercover agent at the secret location. Practically invisible.

Clear images were difficult to procure as the subjects took flight, splashing wildly to avoid the lens.

A particularly fast disciple who rumours indicate was returning to the scene for the first time in a long period of time. Other disciples referred to him as "Fish".

A particularly fast disciple escapes the attentions of our intrepid investigators. Referred to as “Fish”, rumours indicate he was returning to the scene after a protracted absence.

One of the ringleaders was snapped from a distance. The Klan-esque hooded cloak was a particularly disturbing image noted at the camp. Referred to by disciples as DonCon, camp followers say he is rarely seen without his bucket.

The most disturbing image from the reconnaissance was of the cruel treatment meted out to our own unsuspecting Anne Sheehy. Anne was tricked into attending the camp by formerly trusted acquaintances who had been brainwashed by the cult. She was pilloried for wearing The Hat and forced to do underwater jumping jacks in the black, salt-free substance known in the camp terminology as “fresh water”.So – a warning. Be careful who you listen to and trust when you’re at the beach. They’re amongst us – plotting, planning, trying to cull unsuspecting swimmers and lure them to the camps to feed their numbers. They’re scheming up competing events to our own “world’s greatest swim” (source, again, B. Lynch) – the RNLI swim. They’ll use seemingly innocuous words like “fresh” water to lure you in – their plausible patter is designed to make you forget that “freshwater” is, like “pool”, a synonym for “THE GATES OF HELL!!!!!” Don’t be fooled.

Be Warned! Be Vigilant! Together, we can defeat this evil cult. Viva Myrtleville!!

Last May Monday

Posted on May 26, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

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 🙂

Paddling in the Park.

Posted on May 25, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Finbarr Hedderman’s Paddle in the Park went off really well on Friday night. Great idea to make use of the river closer in to the city.

Don’t forget the next event – the Bulman swim, this Saturday, May 30th. Click here for entry details. It’s another qualifying swim for the RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay swim on July 4th!

Opem water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Marie Watson follows up her first Fountaintstown-Myrtleville 2km with an evening at the Paddle in the Park.

Kieran Murphy and Audrey Burkley – always so dour: never a smile out of them.

The Hat makes people smile! Brenda Sisk at the Paddle in the Park.

Smiles all round on Friday night. Well, nearly….

Angela – such an inscrutable face. So hard to tell what might she be thinking. (Back off now, Gordon, now, now….)

On Saturday, Gary Frost had great plans and organised a 2km or 4km swim. Really, he organised everything and rounded up the crowds. Didn’t quite go to plan.

Gary’s crowds…..not even a Gary.

It could be that he got lost. Some places are very hard to find. Gary recently drove all over Crosshaven without seeing this small little place.

Get entered for The Bulman swim.

Qualifying swims!

Posted on May 19, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Saturday morning’s swim was fantastic, with newcomers, visitors from Dublin and Australia and several returnees after Winter breaks.

Ruth Deane emerges from hibernation, joining Ann Jordan on her first visit to Myrtleville and Diane Neaves who just isn’t going to let the cold win – going for the wetsuit and cardi look.

A group of fourteen went across to Fountainstown by car and swam back. Several were doing this trip for the first time and more experienced swimmers went along behind them to encourage and support. Just how it should be done. I happened to be standing in the water as Marie Watson touched the beach in Myrtleville and her smile was great to see. It is an achievement and – of course – qualifies you to enter for the RNLI swim on July 4, so get entered! Well done to all.

Are we there yet, are we there yet? Setting off to Fountainstown.

Joshua Wheeler made contact from Melbourne in April to say he was going to be visiting his in-laws in Myrtleville and would like a swim with the group. Thanks to Anders Inglesten who loaned him a wetsuit. Joshua might have been cursing Anders as he put his head in the water for the first time, though. A bit chillier than the current Melbourne temp he said (or “bloody freezing” for short).

Myrtleville local, Jerry, with son in-law Joshua Wheeler

It really was a case of spot the personalities around the beach on Saturday.

Look, there’s Mike Harris, oh and Gwen Burchell and look, look – that’s yer man Lynch. Who’s that other guy with the cup, though?

OK, OK, Fergal Somerville – the Chanimal – was down from Dublin too. If you know anyone in Dublin thinking of doing long swims, point them towards Fergal’s new support initiative here for Dublin Distance Dippers. Keep swimming and always Swim Safe.

Bermuda Hat & Hidey Hat.

Posted on May 15, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

The Hat is still getting around. I think it’s supposed to be a Panama Hat and Bermuda Shorts, but this one is a Bermuda Hat. Modelled by Bonnie Schwartz, this is a verifiable picture of The Hat on tour in Bermuda via NY City. Getting this picture was a welcome relief after the terrible Sean Foley Silicon Valley (Youghal) Fraud.

Bonnie Schwartz in Bermuda.

Bonnie will be back in Myrtleville on August 21st for her first “Married Lady Swim”, just two days after her wedding. She’s bringing a group of US swimmers with her, so mark that one in your diaries for an early swim that Friday morning.

It’s great to see people proudly wearing The Hat. Even those who may not publicly be known for being vocal supporters are still spotted quietly showing their true colours.

The Hat worn on the inside. Is this a “keep your friends close but your enemies closer” Godfather vibe, or is she just coming out as a Myrtlevillian? Looks good on you, Angela!

Viva The Hat 🙂

Myrtleville Swimmers

Open Water – Sea Swimming in Cork, Ireland

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