The initial short term committee priorities are:
1. Create a 5 year development plan for open water swimming in Ireland whether competitive, participative or recreational
2. Promote, communicate with and recruit new swimmers, clubs and events. Open links with triathlon clubs to establish mutual benefits.
3. The Water Safety Officer will nominate the open water swims to be insured by Swim Ireland (and Swim Ulster) by 1 March. The organisers of these events will then supply their safety plans two weeks prior to the event and a short summation not later than two weeks after the event. Any organiser of an open water swimming event not previously insured by these bodies may contact the committee for possible inclusion on the 2009 list.
4. Establish a system, which includes National Open Water Championships (at 5km and 10km distances), to allow top Irish swimmers to compete internationally. We will endeavour to ensure the participation of Irish Open Water swimmers in the 2012 Olympics, in London.
The committee's actions and policies will be available, in the future, on the Swim Ireland (Open Water tab) website. Please contact the committee, or the Swim Ireland office directly to provide input, suggestions and feedback on current or future issues.
The fact that Open Water swims at 5k & 10k are now a recognised as Olympic and World Championship events is tremendous for our sport and the formation of this committee will hopefully contribute to its further success in Ireland.
With the abundance of sea, lake and river swims already in situ we will endeavour to be as inclusive as possible.
Our aim is to encourage safe open water swimming for all.
Your support is essential to the success of this new committee.