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Written by Martin J. Cullen
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No
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Name
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Club
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Paddler
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Time
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1
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Colm O’Neill
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NAC
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Ronan Denning
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2h54m53s
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2
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William Ferguson
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Glenalbyn
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Paul Lyons
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3h02m08s
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3
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Andrew Flanagan
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Galway
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Cathal Stephen
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3h06m01s
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4
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John Ward
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Aer Lingus
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Christine McLoughlin
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3h24m25s
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5
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Fergal Somerville
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Eastern Bay
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Steve Whitfield
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3h29m15s
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6
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John Daly
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ILDSA
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Rochie Tynan
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3h59m34s
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7
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Graham Coleman
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ILDSA
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“ “
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3h59m34s
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8
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John Downes
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Trim
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Tony Burke
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3h59m34s
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9
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Eibhlin Scanlon
Myra Lydon (relay)
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Galway
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Aidan Day’s Boat
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4h11m42s
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10
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Kate Suitre
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London
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Craig Radnitz
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4h13m38s
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11
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Eoin Hughes
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Westport
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Paul Canavan
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4h42m36s
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Â
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SWIM ORGANISER
Martin J. Cullen
BOATS
John Day                       Â
Aidan Day
Pat Neville              Â
Malise Gibney           Â
Martin McCarthy
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TIMEKEEPER
Lucy Nilsson Cullen
SAFETY OFFICER
Paddy O'Byrne
SHORE
Debbie Nilsson
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AMBULANCE
Gerry Moran
Paddy Joe O’Halloran
CATERING
Day’s Bar, Bofin
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Â
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Â
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Â
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Â
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Â
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RACE REPORT
It is 9.30am and what can you expect on Cleggan pier early on this Sunday morning at the beginning of August, Fishermen? Tourists? Boat people? How about 3 lads with large Green Dragon Hats carrying sea kayaks! These are part of the Cleggan to Inishbofin Swim Challenge, one of the toughest, longest sea swims in Europe. 10 solo swimmers and a relay team of 2 took on this mammoth swim on Sunday, 9th August.
When you entered Oliver’s bar at this early time of the day you were met with all manner of individuals from all walks of life and from all over the country, the UK, South Africa and Australia. Some were having full breakfasts others just a cup of tea. Roll call was taken and swimmers were matched with paddlers and an alliance is formed that is so unusual in most sports. The swimmer is basically putting their total trust is someone who they have just met (in most cases). These paddlers are totally imperative to the swim, they are the eyes and ears of the swimmer who also rely on them to carry their drinks and bits of food or snacks. It is a great thing these do as they have to travel, in their terms, slow, get cold, wet and stiff.
It is now 9.50am and swimmers are getting their swim suits on, greasing up and checking they have all their feeds ready. Swimming gear for these swims comprise swim suit (not wet suit), hat and goggles. At 10am you ask everyone to make their way to the slipway at the new pier. There is a double check on swimmers and paddlers, check that everyone knows what to do in case of emergency, contact Coastguard to advise that 11 swimmers, 10 paddlers and 5 boats will be at sea and make sure bags are loaded on support boat. Paddlers hooch their kayaks into the water and make adjustments, check with each other about different things and hope that their swimmer will be the fastest!
10.25am you give everyone a five minute warning and swimmers tentatively make their way into the ocean. Gasps of breath, the odd shriek and maybe even a curse can be heard. 10.30am – “are you all ready, steady†and then the siren is sounded. The lead boat, Dingle Dawn, with John Day at the helm guides the paddlers out of the harbour. Francis Day and Nina O’Neill are on board to keep an eye on everyone's progress.Â
The relay team of Eibhlin Scanlon and Myra Lydon were accompanied by Aidan Day in his newly refurbished diving boat, the Skellig Dawn. Also on this boat were Paddy O’Byrne, Safety Officer with the ILDSA, Elisha Lydon, sister of Myra, Chloe Day and Martin Cullen, Swim Organiser. Paddy is an ex naval officer with a wealth of experience and a great interest in swimming.
What started off as a group of swimmers, paddlers and boats soon becomes a line and then after half an hour there are swimmers/kayakers scattered all over. Pat Neville, Gemma and Aime are on one of the support ribs whilst Martin McCarthy and helper are on the other one. They ply back and forth trying to keep everyone somehow on the right course.
The weather was kind to us and the tide was flowing out of Cleggan Bay into the wide Atlantic. Everyone made great progress as far as Cleggan Head and then the “real†swimming started. For the next 4 miles it was a steady swim with the wind freshening slightly but it was dry and the occasional glimpse of the sun. Most of the swimmers report meeting jellyfish in varying quantities from “loads†to “millionsâ€!
The next mile on the outside of the island has the current is running very strong. All the swimmers reported how difficult this stretch was, most of them conveyed that they spent at least half an hour getting nowhere. Malise Gibney had joined us with his boat and he offered great assistance escorting a couple of swimmers who were slightly off course and getting them around the tower.
As each swimmer rounded the tower at the entrance to Bofin harbour they experienced a whole mixture of feelings, relief, ecstasy, joy but most importantly a belief that they were actually going to finish this mammoth swim.
At the new slipway at the old pier locals, visitors, family and friends waited anxiously. Colm O’Neill added another record to his growing list, setting the fastest time of 2 hours 54 minutes. Colm is one of only 9 swimmers that has successfully swum the North Channel (Scotland to Ireland) and the only one to do it on his first attempt. He has also completed the English Channel swim and the Manhattan swim. He was followed home at various intervals by all the swimmers all of whom were delighted by their achievement. William Ferguson, Andrew Flanagan, John Ward, Fergal Somerville, John Daly, Graham Coleman, John Downes, Eihlin Scanlon/Myra Lydon (relay), Kate Suitre and Eoin Hughes did so well in accomplishing their personal goals.
The kayakers from the K2 Centre, Killary, Galway, Mayo and Dublin who paddled did so well and we owe them so much. Lucy Nilsson Cullen was the timekeeper and along with Debbie Nilsson made sure swimmers were clocked in and out accurately, left the water safely and got their gear.Â
Gerry Moran, Paddy Joe O’Halloran and Margaret Lavelle provided the ambulance to transport the swimmers to the showers in the community centre. Michael Joe O’Halloran made sure the same showers were on and working. Olive and John Francis Day and their family provided much appreciated beverages for all the swimmers/paddlers and support crew. They then provided food for those that had to leave on the 5pm ferry and later for everyone plus organised music in Day’s Bar. Mary Day Lavelle was in the background offering support and arranging the “bitsâ€. Anne Day as usual made all the phone calls and put up with Martin and family yet again.Â
On Monday morning it was funny on the pier on Bofin when people were trying to board the ferry and were asked for their return ticket to which they answered they did not have one. “So how did you get over?†“I swam over!!†Pat Concannon, the captain of the ferry, graciously then offered everyone involved free passage back to the mainland.
Yet again we see what people can do if they set their minds to it and how much people are willing to give of themselves to support us. Thank you so much to so many for all the help.
Martin J. Cullen
Swim Organiser
PRO I.L.D.S.A.
Secretary, Open Water Swim Committee   Â
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