Sandycove Swimmers

Swim season 2016 is officially started. The Bulman To Trident swim in May was the first in the calendar to take place, well done to Eoin, Ned, Angela, Donna and Co for braving the rain and putting on a great first event of the year.

That was followed by the Waterford Crew taking full advantage of the good weather and packing out another great swim 2 weeks ago.

Then we had the first time event, The Rebel Plunge (Blackrock to City). Big numbers took to the River Lee in bright pink!, and finished at the Port of Cork with a fireman shower and a burger! Again thanks to Carol, Liam and Paschal on a great first swim, I think this one will stay on the calendar for 2017.

Next up is the 2km RNLI Myrtleville to Churchbay on Saturday 18th June @3pm. There are NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY, you must sign up online beforehand – please read the details about the swim HERE

On Tuesday 21st June, is the Summer Solstice Páraic Casey Swim from 6pm in Sandycove. Bring your own meat or tofu burger etc, there will be BBQ/grills there to cook your dinner after a swim for Páraic.

The solstice heralds the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2016, the summer begins with the solstice on June 21 (also know as longest day of the year)- Wikipedia!

It is an evening tide on the 21st, so we will aim for a 6pm dip in the sea. Do as much or little as you wish, it is just a relaxing evening to get together and swim, eat, chat/banter! No doubt there’ll be cake on offer, (seems to be a trend for swimmers).

So, mark your diaries now, set reminders in phone to buy the food, and remember, we are out to celebrate all that is wonderful about Páraic and the sport that he enjoyed so much. #SISC

It’s been a while, not a huge amount going on over past 2 months, some ice swims, some masters galas, a little sea swimming and probably a lot of hibernating from most!.

But evenings are brighter, sea temps hit 10deg (on a day with decent weather), so its time to get planning for the next few months.

I have emailed out the Munster Open Water Event Schedule for 2016. The sign up links are included where I have them. Please, help the organisers by signing up early if you know you are doing an event. Most events have Facebook pages too with more information (also included).

Feel Free to print/share the calendar, I will keep updating the version in the Calendar link on this website, with any new swims etc..

In the meantime, here is version 1 – Draft.

Munster_Open_Water_Event_Calendar_2016_V1draft

Munster_Open_Water_Event_Calendar_2016_V1draft – this is excel version – it has clickable links you can use!

Masters swimming galas are for adults only, over 19yrs. They are relaxed, as competitive as you want them to be! and open to all ages, abilities, levels, etc.. there are a few basic rules to abide by, but nothing you can’t be told about on the day. Sandycove Island SC is not exclusively for  Open Water Swimmers, many members swim at Masters pool galas to stay motivated during the winter months. When you pay your annual membership to SISC it allows you to enter pool galas along with the Swim Ireland covered Open Water events. (Click here to renew your 2016 membership, or Click to join Sandycove for first time).

Dates for upcoming Masters galas:

Sat Feb 20th – Sundays Well Masters invite at Douglas Pool, Cork. Follow the link to send in your own individual entries (Here). Entries must be with them by Feb 12th at latest.

Fri 4th Mar / Sat 5th Mar – Limerick Masters gala, UL (50m pool). Click here to send your entries, but time is tight, closing date is soon, 31st JAN.. do these now before you forget!

Sat 9th April – Kingdom Masters invite, Tralee, Kerry. More details to follow, but please pencil the date in your diary for a great day in the Kingdom!

As with last year, you enter and pay your own individual swims, the club will cover the relay entries and costs for those. Please let Carol or Angela know if you enter any of the 3 galas listed above and if you are willing to swim on a relay drop us a note on email or via our FB page.

So in Summary –

• mark the dates in your diary to swim, or come along and support and see what the fuss is all about!.
• Send off your own entries (check closing dates), and let Carol/Angela know if you can swim on a relay too.
• Make sure your membership is up to date, if in doubt, email Angela: clubsec.sandycove@gmail.com
• Go On, it’s worth a shot, give yourself a winter target 🙂

Sandycove Swimmers AGM is on Sunday 6th December at 2pm in Hamlets in Kinsale.

If you wish to put yourself forward for nomination for 2015-16 committee, please email Angela at clubsec.sandycove@gmail.com

Hi Everyone. You would have received a few emails over the last few weeks on things of note:

1 – Annual Membership is up for renewal, if you want to renew now, click on the membership page on the website (HERE). You need this membership for any pool galas you may enter over the winter months, and for some of the open water events next summer.

2 – Mallow Masters gala, Details are on their website (Here), a lovely casual event, ideal for first time masters, or seasoned campaigners who wish to check their competitive times early in the pool season 🙂 If any Sandycove Swimmers are entering and wish to swim on relays on the day, please let Carol Cashell know asap.  (send in your own individual entries, club will look after the relays).

3 – Turkey Swims are back!, I posted earlier in October the schedule of the days/times. Re-read the post HERE. (note…. they start next weekend 🙂 )

4 – Swim Safe. A reminder, to regular users and newbies, please take a moment to read the Swim safe section our website, us swimmers are using a public area, in OPEN WATER, conditions are changeable, temperature can change week to week, a mile is a LONG way round for many of us and especially for newbies of a lap. Do Not encourage first timers to just swim around on their own (you don’t know their ow background), swim safe, swim in numbers, swim with buddies, know your limits, more than anything else, use your common sense, do not put anyone else in danger with your wrong decision.

5 – Finally, huge well done to Aisling Barry for bringing the first Vampire Swim to Cork. With the help of Marie Watson, Denis Condon and John Kiely and many more, over 75 swimmers had a blast last Saturday, MANY swimmers were in costume, and there was plenty of laughs and giggles trying to figure out who people were! (we are adults really!). Thanks to all involved, such a great idea (to promote blood donation) and the swim fees collected on the day went to the CUH Children’s ward. A fantastic €1000 has been raised. Read Damians witty post on MyrtlevilleSwimmers .

Vampire Swim at Myrtleville on Sat 31st Oct.

For the first time the Vampire Swim is coming to Cork, thanks to Aisling Barry, the Vampire Swim is going ahead in Myrtleville on Saturday October 31st at 12 midday.  Swim is a loose term – you can just dip your feet for a paddle if you want.  The goal is to encourage people to donate blood during this month.   If you donate blood, the entry fee is €10 – if not, you can still swim, but it’s €15.

Funds raised will be donated to the CUH Children’s Ward charity.

To Enter and get a cool swim hat (for the first 50 people that pre-enter and do swim on the day) email Aisling Barry for details – barry.aisling08@gmail.com.  For info on giving blood, see http://www.giveblood.ie book your time and date or check the FAQ if unsure of anything.

It’s a great idea and a worldwide event, glad Cork is doing their bit. Thanks Aisling! http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Vampire_Swims

It’s that time of year again, mark your Calendars for the Turkey Swim Dates 2015! Details & Dates below…

Check out the Cork Masters Website for results and photos from the 2015 Sandycove Island Challenge.

Thanks to all involved in keeping the Event in tip top shape!

http://www.corkmasters.ie/new-page-1/

Nominations are now open, looking for the next recipient of the Mike Harris Trophy.

Details, and list of previous winners, of what this super trophy is all about is on the website, see the achievements tab at top of page (or click here)

Please email Ned.denison@corkopenwater.com before 11th Sept with your nomination and brief explanation of why you chose the person.

thanks.

OW Season is well under way now. Sea temps may not be in our favour, but we seem to be used to the 12deg avg temps we’re getting!.

After successful Lee Swim, Courtmacsherry, Thomond swim etc, we are heading for our August Events.

Next up is ARDGROOM 4k. This is on Sunday 2nd August in a picturesque lake in Ardgroom in West Cork (head via Kenmare or Castletownbere).  Entries are NOT accepted on the day, you must email Brian before Sunday and pay on the day (€10). To find further details search the event on Facebook (Ardgroom Swim 2015). ardgroomswim@hotmail.com

Myrtleville to Churchbay 2k swim has been rescheduled for Sat 15th August. If you had entered for the original July date, your entry still stands, but if you can now make the new August date, please enter via the website, NO entries on the day.  http://myrtlevilleswimmers.com/myrtleville-church-bay-2015-entry-form/

The Copper Coast Champion of Champions is back this year on Saturday 22nd August, this is a 5 mile and 3 mile and 1 mile Event on the one day. You enter all 3 distances and your cumulative time counts to the overall prize, or you can enter just 2 distances or even just 1. See the Facebook Event page for timings etc. NO entries on the day. You must be a Club/Swim Ireland member to take part in this event.

http://www.active.com/dunabrattin-munster/water-sports/swimming-races/copper-coast-champion-of-champions-2015

Last event in August will be Gougane Barra on Saturday 29th. No full details available yet, watch this space.!

Ballycotton Swim is moving to September for now. And maybe other events that have not run due to weather/logistics etc.

More to follow when we have details!

Just Keep Swimming 🙂

The solstice heralds the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2015, the summer begins with the solstice on June 21 (also know as longest day of the year)- Wikipedia!

To mark the official start of summer, we as a club are continuing to remember Páraic Casey in our annual celebration swim (Celebrating Páraic & the Start of summer).

It is an evening tide on Sunday 21st, so we will aim for a 6pm dip in the sea. Do as much or little as you wish, it is just a relaxing evening to get together and swim, eat, chat/banter!

Rob will bring his Barbeque, bring your own ‘stuff’ to cook on it, open grill, help yourself to the space (just don’t eat others food – swimmers don’t share food easily!).

No doubt there’ll be cake on offer, (seems to be a trend for swimmers), and maybe dessert might turn up! (Cryptic I know!).

So, mark your diaries now, set reminders in phone to buy the food, and remember, we are out to celebrate all that is wonderful about Páraic and the summer season that he enjoyed so much. #SISC

Summer Solstice

The Open Water season is well under way by now, regular sea swims are becoming the favour over pool swims, and the first few OW Events started smoothly.

The Paddle in the Park and the Bulman swim had great numbers. Swimmers turned up ready, enjoyed the swim and of course the banter!. Keep an eye on the Sandycove Facebook page for updates and photos after the events. A huge thanks must go to the organisers and all the volunteers who make these events happen. A lot of time is spent on the build up with sorting out the admin and of course the safety cover. Remember, organisers are giving up their own time to make sure these events run as smoothly as possible. As swimmers on the day, we can do our bit by being on time, being prepared for the event, following the safety brief instructions and staying safe.

Next up, is the Garnish Island swim in Glengarriff on Saturday 20th June, like the other swims, it is advised to sign up before the event, as once the max numbers are received (for safety reasons) entries may not be accepted on the day. Don’t be left out, if you know you are going, sign up on time.

A weekend off 27th/28th June (or a training weekend!), before a busy July for Events kicks off. Sat 4th July is the RNLI Myrtleville Swim and the Lough Allua swim. Following weekend 11th July is the big one!, the Lee Swim.. and thats only the next 4 weeks!. See Previous post HERE on entry details and links. Start planning 🙂

That’s it for now, keep up the sea swims, word is today the water reached 12deg (for a bit), unseasonably low for June, but if you keep dipping regularly, no matter the distance, it will keep  you acclimatised 🙂

Swim Smart, Stay Safe, Wrap up warm, Tell someone where you are, Bake Cakes!

and finally, for much more regular posts than me, check out myrtlevilleswimmers.com

BRIGHT HATS…. Be Safe Be Seen …

These details are taken from the Munster Open Water Calendar 2015 that has been online for a while now, but as time is getting closer to the events, I will try and post the important details of the swim online for you. In most cases there is more information about the swim when you click on the entry link I have attached. These are links to the Cork swims for now, until I gather more detail for the rest of the Munster OW events.

2 points to note:

• The Majority events require you to register online BEFORE the swim, don’t assume you can turn up on the day, read the details of the event or email the organiser if you have a question.
• If you don’t want to enter an event or are unable to swim on the day, the organisers will always take people to help out, these events are all run by swimmers who have taken the time to put on the event, so the ask is always there, if you are not swimming on the day, can you volunteer, to kayak, Check-in, timekeep, bake! or anything else that a swim event may need assistance with. Let’s share the load out among us all, don’t leave it to the same people all the time, and it’s a great way to suss out an event for next year, if you are unsure about entering this year!.

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EVENT:                                      Myrtleville to Churchbay (Cork)

DATE:                                         Saturday 4^th July @ 6:00pm

DISTANCE:                              2KM (Min requirement: to enter is 1.5k in 2015)

BRIEF:                                        An A->B Swim in Cork Harbour, along the exposed Coast from Myrtleville to Churchbay (next bay to the left of Myrtleville)

OPEN TO:                                 Everyone (not restricted to Swim Irl members). Skins & Wetsuits.

COST:                                         €15 for Crosshaven RNLI

QUERIES:                                 Damian: myrtlevilleswimmers@gmail.com

REGISTRATION:                    Compulsory online BEFORE the event (pay on the day)

http://myrtlevilleswimmers.com/myrtleville-church-bay-2015-entry-form/

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EVENT:                                      Lough Allua (Inchigeelagh, Co Cork)

DATE:                                         Saturday 4^th July @ 3:30pm

DISTANCE:                              7-8 KM (Min requirement: 5k within last year)

BRIEF:                                        Lough Allua is an A->B Swim from Ballingeary to Inchigeelagh. I’m saying 7-8k, if you find the right line, it’ll be 7k, if you take the scenic turns it’ll be 8k! That should prompt you, it’s a bit twisty and windy around parts!. Post Swim Soup is included with this swim.!

OPEN TO:                                 Everyone (not restricted to Swim Irl members). Skins & Wetsuits.

COST:                                         €35 for Bishopstown Lions Club

QUERIES:                                 Diarmuid: herlihydiarmuid@gmail.com

REGISTRATION:                    Compulsory online BEFORE the event via Link, limited Entries.

http://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/LochAlleu8kmlakeswim

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EVENT:                                      LEE Swim (Cork City)

DATE:                                         Saturday 11^th July @ 3:00pm

DISTANCE:                              2KM (Min requirement: none, must complete 2km in 90mins)

BRIEF:                                        An A->B Swim through Cork City Centre, under 7 bridges and finishing outside the Clarion Hotel / City Hall. Huge Numbers (600) enter this annual event, with mighty craic afterwards on the Boardwalk. Swimmers set off in waves of 30, based on your estimated swim time for 2k.

OPEN TO:                                 Everyone (not restricted to Swim Irl members). Skins & Wetsuits.

COST:                                         €45 for Cork Lions Club (Chip Timed event).

QUERIES:                                 Joe: lee_swim@corkmasters.ie

REGISTRATION:                    Compulsory online BEFORE the event. Entries will close when full.

http://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/Leeswim

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EVENT:                                      Beginish (Valentia, Co Kerry)

DATE:                                         Saturday 18^th July @ 11:45pm

DISTANCE:                              6-7 KM (Min requirement: 5k within last year + 3k this year)

BRIEF:                                        This is a 6-7km Open Water swim is anticlockwise around Beginish Island, a small uninhabited island lying immediately to the north Valentia Island, Co. Kerry. As it is so exposed, the qualifying criteria is important. Read the Entry link for full details.

OPEN TO:                                 Swim Irl Club members ONLY. Skins & Wetsuits.

COST:                                         €50 for Charity

QUERIES:                                 Tim: tim@jakera.com

REGISTRATION:                    Compulsory online BEFORE the event via Link, limited Entries.

http://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/BeginishIslandSwim

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EVENT:                                      Courtmacsherry (West Cork)

DATE:                                         Saturday 25^th July @ 12:00noon

DISTANCE:                              1.5 / 3 KM (Min requirement: none, must complete 3km in 60mins)

BRIEF:                                        A Beach start from Blind Strand (outside Courtmac). The Course is 1.5k, the 3k swimmers do a double lap. It is an anticlockwise swim around 2 marker bouys, and back to beach (repeat if a 3k entrant).

OPEN TO:                                 Everyone (not restricted to Swim Irl members). Skins & Wetsuits.

COST:                                         €15 for Courtmacsherry RNLI.

QUERIES:                                 Ray: raymcardle@yahoo.com

REGISTRATION:                    Best to enter online BEFORE the event. Limited Entries allowed on the day.

http://www.active.com/courtmacsherry-cork/water-sports/swimming-races/courtmacsherry-lifeboat-swim-2015

More swim details to follow, but the full list can be found HERE on our website.