Sunday the 15th of July saw the third running of the Moby Dick Aquavelo, run by the South Coast Triathlon Club, in Youghal. A total of 76 competitors lined up on the beach beneath the Youghal Lighthouse for the event. Amongst those on the start line were 9 members of the Blackwater Triathlon club: Shane Collins, Eddie O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Deirdre Morrisson, Stephen Collins, Joe Scanlon, Brian Baker, Julian Boeg and Conor Bartley.  An aquavelo consists of two of the three disciplines that make up a triathlon, the swim and the cycle. The event on Sunday consisted of a 1500 metre swim across the bay and back, followed by a 26.6 km cycle. The cycle was out to Killeagh and back to the town centre, with the added bonus of a long and challenging climb on the Youghal bypass on the way home. Following our recent long run of good weather the day was a little damp and drizzly with a tough swim and strong winds on the bike section. Having survived the swim it was out on the bikes along the flat and fast N25 to Killeagh, fighting the headwind all the way. Having turned around in Killeagh, and with the wind now behind them, the cyclists headed back towards Youghal and the aforementioned long, hard climb up the Youghal bypass. This was a good workout for everyone involved and a nice addition to those who had done our own aquathlon just a few days earlier.

Well done to all who took part and the South coast Club for a well organised event.