Swimmers take to the waters and the wild!
An estimated 5,000 hardy souls plunged themselves into choppy waters as gale force winds whipped up the waves in Salthill for the annual charity swims on Christmas Day.
Cope’s 27th event attracted by far the largest gang of brave swimmers, with the ambitious aim of raising €30,000 for the charity which helps homeless people, older people and those affected by domestic violence.
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Cope’s communications officer Colette Coughlan said while numbers were slightly down on previous years, the atmosphere was once again fantastic at Blackrock.
“We’re well used to storms so the weather doesn’t really phase our participants. It wasn’t raining but with the high winds it created a real exuberance. The atmosphere was really buoyant and the participants were all gung-ho to get in,” she recalled.
“With waves very high the lifeguards certainly had their work cut out for them. They eventually had to shut off the tower area and direct swimmers to the beach. There were some sore feet as the stones there are quite sharp.”
A huge team of volunteers ensured there was a hot drink of punch, coffee or tea for swimmers leaving the water. Christmas music blared from a van and bells rang out throughout the three-hour festivities to ensure a seasonal feel to the morning.
Some swimmers were dressed in Santa outfits as were many of the dogs who tagged along with their owners. A host of children were also taking the dip
Among the swimmers was Rita Larkin, the wife of Galway City Noel Larkin. The mayor himself declined to take part, citing an afternoon of engagements.
See full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.