#openseaswimming – An Open Sea Swim Competition, as part of the Volvo Ocean Race Galway Grand Finale, was launched by Mayor of Galway City Hildegarde Naughton & Corrib Water Polo Club in conjunction with Galway and Shark Swimming Clubs on June 13th2012 in Galway’s Salthill Hotel.
The 5th Annual Open Sea Swim, which goes from Grattan Road Beach to Blackrock Tower, will commence on Saturday 30th June. The swim is part of the many aquatic activities scheduled for the 9 day Volvo Ocean Race Grand Finale festival.
The Corrib Open Sea Swim is the only national qualifying sea swimming event in the west of Ireland and annually attracts hundreds of eager swimmers to the shores of Galway Bay. The swimming races last year were placed in the top five best-attended races last season.
Andrew Flannagan of Corrib Swimming and Water Polo Club commented "on behalf of Corrib Swimming and Waterpolo Cub I'd like to thank all of our sponsors as well as 'Let's do it Galway' for their assistance in organising the swim and we and the other swimming clubs involved hope that sea swimmers of all ages and abilities come along to enjoy the swims."
The Kingfisher Club announced that they will once again sponsor the Corrib Open Sea Swim for men this year. Managing Director of the Kingfisher Group Joe Cosgrove said: ‘The Kingfisher Club is delighted to be associated with an event of this caliber, and wish all the participants the best of luck in the open sea swim’.
The Women’s race will be sponsored by Mc Sharry Brothers Construction Equipment, Ballybrit.
Each race is a distance of 2200 metres on an outgoing tide, either with or against the wind, depending on the climatic conditions of the day. The races will be at 2.30pm (Men) and 3.30pm (women) on the 30th of June 2012 and can be followed and watched by simply walking the promenade in Salthill.
Corrib Water Polo Club are also running two under-age swims this year; at 2.30 pm a ‘junior’ race from ladies beach to Blackrock boat-slip for younger swimmers aged 12-16 who can swim 400m. At 3.30 pm on race-day there will be a novices swim from the ‘first-rock’ to Blackrock boat slip for our youngest swimmers aged 10 – 14 and is about 100m. Full lifeguard cover will be provided.
Prizes are awarded to the first six in each race, the first veteran home (over 50), and a team prize for the first four swimmers home from one club. The fastest
time recorded in each race will be awarded the Fastest Time Trophies. The prize giving ceremony will take place in the Salthill Hotel immediately after the end of the women’s race on the day at about 7.30pm.
