This year’s event had a good entry and very nice to see a lot of newcomers to this distance. With the growth of Open Water swimming especially in relation to the phenomenal growth in triathlons it is very important we nurture and entice as much participation as we can cope with. On Friday evening Declan O’Reilly brought up his rib, Cu na Mara, to the jetty at Carrybridge.

Declan kindly agreed to be the Safety Officer for the swim and has a wealth of experience in all matters relating to safety at sea and open water but especially in regards to diving. We launched the rib, secured her to the jetty and parked the trailer behind the Carrybridge boat hire office with their kind permission. On Saturday, 31st July, we had a briefing in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, where most of the swimmers and their family/support attended. On Sunday morning Paddy O’Byrne kindly bussed swimmers from the Forum, Enniskillen, to the marina, Carrybridge in the mini-bus supplied by Stephen Miller of Dublin Mini Coaches. When we got to Carrybridge we were met with the sight of paddlers from Mobile Team Adventure cooking their breakfast. They had camped overnight and were in great form. The PSNI craft, the Council launch and the rest of the paddlers arrived, Eddie, Stanley, Paul, David, John. Declan and his able assistant, Eleanor, readied their rib and took some people with them. John Hubbucks from Mobile Team Adventure helped us allocate swimmers to paddlers. Bright pink ILDSA swim caps supplied by Dublin Mini Coaches were given to each swimmer. Sheena Paterson then numbered all the swimmers, got them organised and got them in the water. Billy Wallace, President of the ILDSA, started the swim and then boarded the Council launch. The PSNI led the way and the 16 swimmers began to disperse and after a very short time distances appeared between them. Sheena and Irene Blaire were the official timekeepers. We headed to Bellanaleck, about half way, to get a view of swimmers as they passed. There were 10 of us who forced ourselves to visit the tearooms there which serve beautiful snacks and pastries that are immorally scrumptious. The swimmers made great progress and Susanna Murphy led the way with the rest of the group spaced well apart. Declan brought the rib into the jetty and there was a change of passengers. Linda Ashmore swam past but she was on her own, she did most of the swim with support from Declan when he passed by, she did brilliantly and sorry we were short of a paddler. We then headed to the Forum where we set up for the wait. The management and staff of the Forum were more than helpful in opening the showers and changing rooms for our use. The police launch appeared with its blue lights flashing and followed by Susanna. As she approached the finish the launch sounded its siren in celebration of such a great swim on her first attempt. Her Mum got in to join her some distance from the finish and it was a real family celebration! Colm Breathnach was the first man home and again it was a tremendous achievement on his first attempt. His wife and sons greeted him as he got out. All the swimmers finished except Simon who had to retire around the 7k mark. Everyone spoke of how tough the swim was this year, especially those that had done it before. Normally there is a flow around the Killyhevlin that gives you a lift for about 1 or 2k but this was not there. Times were about 10 to 15 minutes slower because of this. There were a couple on incidences where the Waterways launch prevented a potential problem. David as usual was a great help and without their support we could not have this event. Everyone deserves great credit, you made it what it was!!!! Most of the swimmers, support crew, family and friends gathered in the Killyhevlin Hotel on Sunday night where we had a nice meal and presentations were made. Billy Wallace presented Colleen Blaire her certificate for completing the North Channel swim in 2008 – Colleen is one of only 9 swimmers to have completed this incredible swim. All swimmers were presented with trophy, certificate, polo shirt and cap. Talk was flowing, stories exchanged and friendships made – a great end to a really good day. A big thank you to; Christine and Keith from Fermanagh District Council who sponsored the trophies and the 2 new cups The crew of the council launch David from Waterways Ireland who also sponsored the caps Inspector Hoy of the PSNI and the officers on the launch Declan O’Reilly and Eleanor Sheena Paterson Irene & Bill Blaire Paddy O’Byrne Stephen Millar and Dublin Mini Coaches John Hubbucks, Sarah and all the paddlers from Mobile Team Adventure Paul Lyons Eddie & Stanley Officer David, John and the other paddlers The Forum Leisure Centre The Killyhevlin Hotel Anyone who I have omitted, sorry but thank you Yours sincerely Martin J. Cullen, Championship Director.