Swimming

From around Mid-May to September, the club runs a kayak-supported open water swim session every Wednesday from 7pm. We start at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill. You do not need to register in advance, but we will take a roll call of who gets in the water and ensure that everyone exits the water safely.

The club open water sessions are generally split into groups depending on the distance you want to swim. Wetsuits are mandatory for all club sea swims and we recommend you bring warm clothes for afterwards as it can get very chilly if the wind is blowing / sunset in the later months.

There are normally swim distance markers setup between May and October of each year and they are located at 100m, 250m, 500m, 750m, and 1km distances from Blackrock Tower. It is a fantastic opportunity to get more confident in swimming in open water with the support of club members and kayakers.

As per Triathlon Ireland Guidelines, the water temperature needs to be above 13.5 for us to start swimming and as soon as we get above this the open water swims will begin on the first Wednesday. Swims are weather dependant and could be cancelled if any weather warnings are issued by Met Éireann or the Life Guards on duty.

Location

Blackrock Beach And Diving Tower, Salthill Road Lower, Galway

NON-CLUB OPEN WATER SWIMMING

In addition to the weekly club swims at Blackrock, club members regularly organize non-official open water swims at Blackrock and Grattan beach via the Meet and Greet WhatsApp Group. Please keep an eye out if you are interested or post up if you are heading out.

If you are swimming outside the safety of a club session, please familiarize yourself with these safety guidelines before doing so and never swim alone.

If you have any questions regarding Open Water swimming, please contact our Swim Coordinator Carrie Budds.