Was just looking at the events calendar for next year at www.thewaterisopen.com and was amazed at the number of events that they have in Ireland. Ireland is about the size of Indiana (and only about 75% the size of Pennsylvania), but they have a huge number of events. A nice variety of distances, too.
I think that the Court Without Appeal needs to be surprised with a vacation to Ireland next summer at a time and place that just HAPPENS to coincide with some of the more desirable races.
-LBJ
The land of my ancestors! No wonder I am finding myself attracted to the sport! But my current travel budget is so low budget I may have to swim to get to Ireland. But think of it--wouldn't need to worry about taking my shoes off to go through security... they'd already be off... metal detectors--no problem! (Doiubt that sharks care about stuff like shoes and keys anyway.)
Seriously, how cool would it be to get a chance to do some OW swimming in Ireland--and enjoy a pint or three besides... :chug:
Ireland would seem to be the ideal spot for one of the "swim vacation" companies to try a week+ trip that mixes easy tourist swims on the weekdays with competition on the weekends...
-LBJ
Donal's blog is fabulous, and horrific!
Entry for March 8, 2010:
"Just passed the three-quarters of a million meters point ... since training began in September."
:)
Yes, it's growing fairly fast.
I swim the Waterford Coast (SouthEast), (my OW/English Channel blog is at loneswimmer.wordpress.com)
For visitors, I'd recommend Sandycove in Cork (South) above all else. It's one of the world's great swim spots, 1900metres per lap of the island and plenty of regular and English Channel swimmers here. (The coach of many is the 2nd most successful Channel coach, in the world, after Freda Streeter).
Either the Champion of Champions swim late June (water temp was 11C last year), it's 5mile+3mile+1mile event (but restricted entry) or The Sandycove Challenge (one lap). There are organised swims there about 150 days a year. Turn up and have a chat!
Swims on the east coast tend to be a harder to get into. Southeast to Southwest tend to be the best.
