Conditions were ideal for the annual Island Dhu swim that took place on Sunday in a hot and balmy Portrush!!

12 swimmers turned up hoping to make it from the Harbour across the West Bay and back, a distance of 2k.

After the obligatory safety briefing the swimmers entered the water at 1420 and lined up in an orderly fashion just to the left of the slipway near the harbour mouth.

Once all were happy, our President Mr Billy Wallace got the swim underway and with a flurry of arms and legs the swimmers headed out of the harbour towards a large buoy positioned just off the Black Rocks.

In the ladies race Marieanne Day and Alison Cardwell went off together with Day gradually pulling away from Cardwell as the race progressed.

Ruth Butler settled in well to 3rd position with Iryna Kennedy in 4th.

These positions wouldn't change throughout the swim with Marieanne Day crowned Ladies champion for 2010.

Alison Cardwell (Who seems to be getting faster with every swim!!) nabbed second with Ruth Butler and Iryna Kennedy in 3rd and 4th respectively.

A special mention must go to both Ruth and Iryna....Ruth because she choose to compete even though her damaged hip told her not to and Iryna for her sheer guts and never say die attitude.  

In the mens race Richard Yam-ninali (The mens 2008 champion) immediately took the lead with Robert Barry in
hot pursuit closely followed by Ian hutchings and Alan Laverty.

As they made their way across the bay Yam-ninali was swimming at such a ferocious pace that he gradually pulled away from the rest of the field to leave Barry, Hutchings and laverty fighting it out for second.

As the race entered the final third Barry slowly pulled away finishing in 2nd place with Ian Hutchings finishing in
a commendable 3rd and Alan Laverty (In his first ILDSA swim) 4th.

After the swim the presentations were held in the Portrush Yacht Club where race organiser Jeff
Wilson as always thanked the Causeway coast Kayak Association for their ever dependable saftey cover and the Yacht Club for their Hospitality. Jeff would also like to personally thank Tony the Yacht club barman for opening up early to facilitate the swimmers and for his help in keeping the sandwiches cool and the soup hot!! Thanks Tony.