Displaying items by tag: Kona

7th September 2021

Joe Galeckas of Malahide Yacht Club Wins Kona Windsurfing National Title on Home Waters

The 2021 Kona windsurfing national championships were hosted by Malahide Yacht Club on Sunday, 5th September. Under the direction of race officer Niall Gallagher of MYC, the sailors enjoyed a windward-leeward course in a 10 to 15 knot south easterly on Malahide estuary.

In the final race, Joe Galeckas of MYC dominated to gain victory over RStGYC sailor and 2020 titleholder Robbie Walker.

Fellow RStGYC sailor, Des Gibney, earned a well-deserved 3rd place whilst Damien Dion of NYC placed 4th overall and Miha Rothl came in 5th. The youth category was won by Mika Sacolax, who placed 11th overall.

After 4 races and going into the final race of the day, Walker and Galeckas were on equal points, and the title was up for grabs. A good start and excellent windward beat put Galeckas in a commanding position, and he was able to hold his lead and claim victory.

This is the 9th Year that the National Kona Windsurfing championships have been staged, with the winners receiving the Alan Harris memorial trophy. MYC sailors have dominated the event with 6 winners in the last 9 years. More recently, RSGYC sailors have challenged the MYC stronghold, winning the trophy on 3 occasions.

The sailors extend their thanks and congratulations to MYC for hosting an excellent event and to Surfdock for their generous sponsorship.

A group of the Kona windsurfers on a windward leg in 15 to 20-knot south-easterly breeze on Malahide Estuary

Roy Guinan is in the foreground. The Kona Fleet on a leeward leg of the national championships hosted by MYC.

Des Gibney of the RSGYC, with sail number 2677, finished 3rd overall in the Kona National Championships.

The fleet were challenged with shifty wind conditions at the top mark, close to Malahide village The fleet was challenged with shifty wind conditions at the top mark, close to Malahide village.

David Jullo of the NYC placed 8th overall, participating in the event for the second time.

Winner, Joe Galeckas of the MYC, cruising to victory in the 5th race of the day Winner Joe Galeckas of the MYC, cruising to victory in the 5th race of the day

Published in Malahide YC

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.