Weather permitting, the “Longest day swim” will be hosted on the river Corrib by Galway Swimming Club on June 22nd.
The swim which raises funds for charity Claddagh Watch dates back to 2019, and has grown steadily in popularity.
The route down the river takes in landmarks including Menlo Castle and University of Galway, finishing at Steamboat quay.
Previous competitors have included ex-US Olympic swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Peter Vandekaay and Davis Tarwater.
The Galway sea swim which raises funds for the charity Claddagh Watch dates back to 2019
The timed open water river swim is for participants over 18 years of age, and the club says it welcomes both fun swimmers and elite athletes. A 4km swim starts at Glenlo Abbey and a 2.5 km course starts from the slip at Dangan.
On the following weekend, June 29th, the Atlantic lifeboat swim for the RNLI will take place at Rinville, near Oranmore in south Galway Bay, also weather permitting.
It is hosted by the Atlantic Masters Swimming Club and is supported by Swim Ireland.
Cancer Care West has held two time trials for the Frances Thornton Memorial Swim which is due to take place if conditions are right on July 20th.
Frances Thornton Memorial Swim Time trial organiser Paddy McNamara
The tough transit of Galway Bay involves both solo and relay entrants, with all funds to Cancer Care West.
The 13km course from Aughinish in Co Clare to Blackrock diving tower in Salthill is described as “one of the longest (and friendliest) open-water swims in Ireland” and “the only bay swim crossing on the Wild Atlantic Way”.
It is part of the “Irish Triple Crown” of open water swimming, also involving the Fastnet and North Channel swims.
