Along the lines of the competition for the Hat, we initiated a search for the best design for a new t-shirt for Myrtleville Swimmers. However, the first received entry was so good and so clearly captured our humility and quiet shyness that we have suspended the competition and put in a first order for 15,000 shirts.
Now, that should make us lots of new friends. Keeping the feet on the ground, that’s us. We’ll have to get Brad back to sign the shirts now. He only just finished the hats.
The third course is now scheduled for March 12th in the Coastguard Station in Crosshaven at 6.30pm. With a waiting list from the last courses, there are already eight places booked for March, leaving just FOUR places available. Email myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com if you want to book one of the four places.
Everyone who has attended has found this course invaluable, and Ger Venner put the skills to use in assisting a choking child just last month. Pat Lowry also intends to organise some shorter refresher evenings for the earlier graduates.
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE:
The increase in numbers swimming in Myrtleville is great but with this in mind, there is also an increase in the risk of an adverse event such as Heart Attack or Sudden Cardiac Arrest. These conditions, as you may know are closely linked with sudden adult death syndrome, (SADS).
Like every sport it is important to have some trained responders to facilitate simple rescue efforts to help resuscitate somebody whose heart has stopped. We now have a defibrillator in Myrtleville. We need to have trained users.
It is easier than you think to be able to help someone in this situation. The answer is a simple 3 & 1/2 hour course. Pat Lowry – Advanced Paramedic in the National Ambulance Service – has offered to provide a certification course covering all aspects of CPR for adults and children. The only cost will be €7 for the certification card provided as part of this course.
HEARTSAVER CPR/AED COURSE
This is a comprehensive 3½ hour Irish Heart Foundation, in association with the American Heart Association certification course which covers all the essential aspects of CPR for adults and children.
The Heartsaver AED Course teaches you the basic techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and the relief of choking for adults and children. An AED is a computerised defibrillator which analyses the heart rhythm of a person in cardiac arrest and uses voice prompts to advise you if a shock is needed. The AED is an important link in the chain of survival and this course teaches you how to use them effectively. The Heartsaver AED Course takes approximately 3½ hours to complete.
The course carries International accreditation and certification. All participants receive a wallet size certification card from the Irish Heart Foundation, valid for two years.
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With the drop in sea temperatures, we’ve taken the opportunity to run some tests under lab conditions. First, there was the “Do wetsuits stop your eyes from freezing closed?” Test. The results were inconclusive. It seems that 50% of swimmers can avoid frozen-eye-syndrome by wearing a wetsuit, while 50% can not.
50% frozen-eyed in the wetsuit sample of Dave and Brian.
100% of togs swimmers contract it, though.
100% of togs swimmers contracted frozen eyes in the Bernard and Jim sample.
The second test was the Riana Parson’s “What would happen if two feet went swimming alone?” test. It appears they would cause the sun to come up and then trigger an argument of the “Mine! No – Mine!” kind.
Feet point the way for the sun.
I found a foot!
Further experiments are planned.
February is the coldest month of the year for sea swimming, but you couldn’t tell with the numbers who have kept going this year through the Winter. A big gang in early on Saturday morning and three groups during the day on Sunday. Why not, when it looks like this as Siobhan Russell captured..
Myrtleville dawn: February 7th, 2015
Lisa Cummins, as the only Irish person to swim the English Channel two-way, is a bit of a legend and a world-class cold water swimmer. It’s fair to say it gives everyone a bit of heart when you see her dipping her toe in and saying “eeeeeeekkk” – quietly. Carol Cashell made sure she didn’t miss the moment for a good smirk too!
You have to grab your chances with a visit from someone of Lisa’s experience, so two Myrtlevillain channel aspirants – Kieran Murphy and Anne Sheehy – seized the day and swam the sand channel under Lisa’s guidance.
Lisa carefully coached them in the finer points of the channel-swimming stroke while they crossed the great divide and Riana got it on film.
Kieran was celebrating with everyone afterwards. A lifetime goal achieved. 
BÍ ANN, GAN TEIP 🙂
There’s always a few sub-plots going on at any event. You just have to look carefully.
All the top athletes know that it’s important to take a break from training every now and then. I think we can all safely assume Denis decided it was time for a break on Saturday night. I’m not 100% sure what Anne is reacting to, but I can’t see Denis’ other hand either.
Mr. Cregan-Condon – on a break.
In fairness to him, he still has all the moves, though – once he puts on that jacket, there’s no stopping him – irresistible charm.
Finbarr Hedderman won an award for his North Channel swim. People were amazed when he went up to collect it. I can see why. Honestly, I’ve never seem him looking so good.
Finbarr went all out to prepare for the night.
The night went on, as they tend to do. One of the organisers thought the Myrtleville table was getting unruly so he tried to remove the source of celebration.
Ger Kennedy tries to take it back but Siobhan has both hands on the award.
Kieran Murphy soon won him round to our point of view.
I just hope Ger didn’t see what Kieran was doing with the hat just before he put it on…I hear Tea Tree shampoo is very effective, Ger.
And so to the morning after the night before. Lots of big talk about the swim at 12.00. How many of our crowd showed up?
Must have been a good night. Two of them managed to make it to the swim. Two!
Still, the two who made it soon had reason to think the others might have got it right.
Delicate as a butterfly, practicing how to slide and glide in the waves in Bray.
A night to remember. Just to be fair, here’s some really nice pictures of everyone in their finery – Mermaids et al.
Siobhan gets the speech done – with support.
Diarmuid and award-winning Rian Herlihy.
Carmel Collins & Coleen Mallon.
Winning an award is great, but accepting it and having to give a speech is nerve-wracking for anyone. Siobhan Russell did a fantastic job on behalf of us all last Saturday night in Wicklow. Her short, perfect speech is below.
“Thank you for awarding this honour to Myrtleville Swimmers for promoting Open Water Swimming in Ireland. We are thrilled to bits to accept this award on behalf of all Myrtleville Swimmers!
Swimming in Myrtleville has transitioned from small beginnings to one of the most popular Swimming Groups and places in Ireland.
Myrtleville Swimmers Philosophy is Inclusion – from the Newest Open Water Swimmer to the seasoned Long Distance Swimmer and from the Youngest, to the not so Young!
Myrtlevillains welcome you all to swim in the Real Capital of Ireland and enjoy coffee, cake and a chat with us and who knows your photo may even appear on Damians Blog – if I have anything to do with it!
We are looking forward to swimming with Ger, Alice and all of you tomorrow. Thanks so much again.
UP CORK!”
I’m delighted to see that all present responded appropriately to the last shout….
Rouse the Rebels!! Up Cork!!
Fantastic work by everyone. 
Up the Rebels and Viva Myrtleville! 🙂
Announced tonight at the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association Awards Dinner. Thanks to everyone who voted for us to win the ILDSA MARGARET SMITH AWARD – for a group who increased the profile of open water swimming.
NOTE: All future references to us – online or otherwise – must now be to:
“The Award Winning Myrtleville Swimmers ™ ® ©.”
Licence fees for use of our name, images and overall aura and mystique will be collected by Condon Credit Control Ltd. (slogan: “Pay up or we’ll shower you in s**te.”).
Keep swimming and increasing the profile 🙂
Great plans are being made for a swim from Graball to Crosshaven during the Summer. Lots of us have been to Church Bay – if you continued on you would round Weaver’s Point and be at Graball. From there you swim past Camden and around the corner into Crosshaven. A nice swim with the tide coming in, to push you along.
Graball to Crosshaven – aerial view.
Swimming in Graball has some considerable history. The picture below is from 1934.
Ocean swimming in Graball Bay in 1934. The winner of this race, held under the auspices of the Munster Branch of the IASA, was Richard Jones, captain of the Dolphin Swimming Club.
There was a swimming club and changing rooms there in the 1920s and 30s.
Image of decline. The remnants of the former Crosshaven Swimming Club at Graball. It went into disrepair following the closure of the Cork – Crosshaven railway line. Pic. F. Schoonbaert
Of course William Lawrence included it in his collection around 1905.
Nice to see Myrtleville Swimmers making plans to bring some swimming back there again. Roll on the Summer!
I know for real historians and locals I am glossing over the history of swimming in Graball / Crosshaven. If there are other pictures or information that anyone has, I’d be delighted to get them and share them.
Myrtleville Swimmers 