The GADD Swim 2018
The 8th annual BISRA Gaddinabtgarnish swim took place on Saturday the 28th of July at 6.00 pm. This swim, around Garnish Island in Glengarriff, Co. Cork is one of the most stunning and safest island circumnavigation swims in Ireland. It is set in a beautiful post-glacial landscape in the sheltered clear waters of the northeast corner of Bantry Bay surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Beara Peninsula and teaming with water wildlife. On the day participants had the option of routes ranging from 1km to 7km, offering an entry level to Open Water Swimming as well as an excellent chance for the Intermediate & Expert swimmers to test their endurance and speed. Established in 2011, the swim raises much needed funds for BISRA - the Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association. The event started in groups with the 7km swimmers heading out first, followed by the 5km group, the 3km group and the 1km contingent. 281 swimmers took to the water on the day and conditions were dry and the water a balmy 19 degrees. There were a number of swimmers from the Blackwater Triathlon Club taking part and they all did very well on the day. Declan O’Keeffe was first home in the 5km skins category. Julian Boeg was first man home in the 3km wetsuit category and Julian’s daughter Alice, was 2nd out of the water and first lady home in in the 1km wetsuit swim. Mary Collins, Frank Hallissey and Dave Mulcahy also performed very well on the day. All in all a great event for a very worthy cause, and definitely one to be added to the open water calendar every year.