Sligo Metalman Swim Series 2011
By Catherine McGlinchey, Swim Series Committee P.R.O.
The waters are getting warmer and the sea beckons – the Sligo Triathlon Club members cannot resist, the desire to swim overwhelms. The Metalman Sea Swim Series begins. Four races, timed to the second, men and women will test their metal to see who is open water champion at Rosses Point this year.
The series begins on Sunday May 22nd, continues on Saturday 28th May, and Saturday 4th June, with a final swim on Saturday 11th June. Distances will start at 750m and will progress to 1,000m and a final 1,500m.
The majority of entrants are in for their second or third year of open water racing. Their experience will stand to them, but the new talent that has emerged in the club this year will keep everyone on their toes.
Lisa Dunne, Lyndsey Dunne and Sheila Ryan will be pulling out all the stops for the women’s outright title. Matt McGarrigle, Shane O’Doherty, Jason McMorrow, Alan Shaw and Scott Reid will be taking to the sea seeking the outright male winner title.
The main event, the time handicap title will be open to everyone and will reward improvements in swimmers’ times. It promises to be exciting again this year, so place your bets early.
New club members and developing swimmers will get the opportunity to experience what is an exciting and challenging race series. It doesn’t come much better than swimming out across Rosses Point beach, sighting the yacht club, steering into a roaring welcome on the beach. The support from fellow competitors is super, everyone wants each swimmer to make the shore! Safety on the day is paramount and the organisers will have done everything to ensure each competitor makes it back to shore safely – and not Coney Island, or beyond! To prepare for the event a pre-race swim will take place on Monday 16th May at 7pm. This race will give novices and anyone who wants some pre-race experience the chance to ‘test-the-waters’, cold as they are. If you have a new wet-suit it’s a great chance to try it out before the first race.
Fantastic support and back-up will be provided once again from Sligo Kayak Club, Sligo Civil Defence Lifeboat, RNLI and Harrys Bar, Rosses Point. This event couldn’t happen without them and the club is eternally grateful for their continued help and support. Other valued sponsors include Chain Driven Cycles and Sligo Credit Union.
Pictured at the Launch night on Thursday last were Tim Fullwood (Sligo Kayak Club), John Foley (Civil Defence Lifeboat) David Kelly (SKC) Gunnar Bojkovsky (SKC) John Fallon (CDL) Donovan McMorrow (SKC) Christopher McLoughlin (CDL) Orla Lee (Sligo Credit Union) Fintan Ewing (Harrys Bar) Scot Reid & Shane O Doherty
