By Gordon Adair – age 47 🙂
Looking on for years I thought the sport of Open Water Swimming was beyond my reach but over the last few months I have found out differently. Early July, just by chance I met a few guys in Aghada and I joined them for a swim. Afterwards the buzz and feeling of accomplishment was hard to describe. I felt great and just wanted more and as I found out the opportunities are endless.
Over the next few weeks a friend of mine introduced me to people involved with the Sandycove Swimmers who swim almost everyday around high tide. It really is an amazing place.
As I met more people I was asked to join a group in Myrtleville who swim every Monday night and also on Saturday mornings. Myrtleville also had a dawn swim last Wednesday and that was something really special as we watched the sun come up over Roches Point.
In Cork we are spoilt for choice with our coastline, lakes and rivers. Throughout the year there are many very well organised swims that cater for all ages and abilities. I have been lucky enough to take part in 5 events since July and have made a lot of new friends. The atmosphere at the events is something that has to be experienced. It is like a big close family – everyone is there to help and motivate you. There are no closed doors – all involved have the swim bug The really good swimmers are no different from anyone else except they swim faster and go for ever… but that does inspire others to follow.
The big family of swimmers will embrace new comers sharing all their experience and knowledge. Not alone have I made new friends, I have been given technical advice and motivated to just come back the next day and do it again.
If you are like thinking of getting involved and finding out more about this unbelievable sport, register for the World Open Water Conference from the 11th to the 13th of October in the Rochestown Park Hotel. Many of our local experienced swimmers have managed to bring this event to Cork where we will be treated to a host of international speakers.. Check out all the information on the web site.
This event is filling up fast and is a great opportunity for the newcomers to take the first step, meet the gang and be part of this growing sport. I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world and maybe something new will be around the corner.
See you all there…….
Book now on: http://www.activeglobal.com/gl/swimming/cork-ireland/global-open-water-swimming-conference-cork-2013/188179
For more information please see: http://www.globalopenwaterswimmingconferencecork2013.com/
Gordon Adair at the Myrtleville to Church Bay swim registration  – No. 1, so why try harder?
Tom McCarthy promoting the OWS Conference.
Myrtleville Swimmers 