Epic crossing for Lough Mask Swimmers

The First inaugural Swim across Lough Mask turned out to be tougher than expected, when taking part in an event for the first time there is always the unknown of will I make it, could I drown etc, this was especially true for the 25 brave swimmers that started on the Shore, at Cushlough Bay near Ballinrobe.

Turbulent waters across the 7 kilometers to Paddy’s Bar Gortmore Tourmakeady were too much for 11 of the swimmers with 14 making it across.
Every swimmer that started deserves the highest of praise and admiration for the courage to have a go regardless if they finished it or not.
Waves of 1.5meters and windy conditions made life difficult for the swimmers and Kayakers and only the strongest made it.
Water temperature were a cool 15degrees but no one was really affected by the cold as all the swimmers had prepared well for the cold by spending a lot of hours training in the lake and by wearing under layers and Vaseline and Goose grease on their skin under their special swimming wet suits to help keep them warm.
Tom Tracey Pharmacies Westport and Castlebar sponsored bright yellow swim hats so that all swimmers were easily visible and The Mc William hotel Claremorris sponsored all participants a special edition T shirt.
The Mask/ Corrib rescue crews had 3 life boats on the lake for the day over seeing events and with each swimmer also accompanied by an experienced Kayaker making it one of the biggest safety operations ever held on Lough Mask.
All the swimmers made it to the half way point with little difficulty, but when the swimmers passed Devinish Island the strong South Westerly wind put a halt to the swimmers progress sapping their energy and even pushing them back with only the very strongest swimmers making it past that difficult spot, with 2k to go the swimmers were pretty much over the worst of the wind and high swells and made it to the shore where a big crowd welcomed them in.

Kevin O Toole of Paddy’s Bar and Restaurant sponsored soup and refreshments for all the participants.

Jim O Neill chairman of Mayo water safety who over saw proceeding was thrilled to see 2 of his swimmers come in first and second with James Sweeney of Castlebar who is set to represent Ireland at the European life saving championships in Holland next week making the crossing in a staggering time of 1hr 55minutes and closely followed by his Irish teamate Padraig Ratcliff Westport.
Jim’s has a strong stance on water SAFETY and stated “That open water swimming can be dangerous so think safety all the time and take no chances”.
All funds raised during this challenge will go towards the Red Cross and Corrib/ Mask Life boats, and donations will continue to be taken for the next few weeks.

Special thanks to everyone who helped with the event and to all the Kayakers who turned up on the day especially Hugh Lavelle Cong of www.bywater.ie who provided the kayaks.

Swimmers who completed the swim.
Angela Collins Claremorris
Damien (Delgado) Mc Greal Ballinrobe
Kevin Murray Carlistrane
Padraig Marrey Ballinrobe
John Craddock Shrule
James Brady Westport

Tom Tracey Ballinrobe
Eugene Hoade Carlistrane
Peter Tuohy Castlebar
Nick Skehan Tuam
Patricia Tuohy Castlebar
Seb Locteau Loughrea
James Sweeney Castlebar
Padraig Ratcliff Westport

By Hugh Lavelle.(www.bywater.ie )
Conditions were testing to say the least. A strong wind blew from the south west right throughout this epic undertaking. Waves of 1.5 metres and more were encountered by everybody on and in the water. All swimmers had an accompanying kayaker, ready to lend assistance and a sense of direction-given the tough conditions. 14 swimmers completed the challenge in all with the best times recorded at 1hr 55mins by James Sweeney. Although many had to be plucked from the water, none gave up before giving of their very best in this uniquely difficult swim.

By Tim Clesham Chief of Red Cross and Mask Corrib lifeboat. 
The Irish Red Cross were delighted to be associated with the inaugural swim across Lough Mask. Their Corrib Mask Rescue Unit teamed up with Irish Water Safety to look after the swimmers. This was in itself nostalgic as Irish Water Safety was born out of The Irish Red Cross in the 1970's.
 
Conditions were good though a fresh breeze made conditions slightly more challenging. The canoeists who shepherded the swimmers had a job to keep them on course. Open water swimming is some thing relatively new to Ireland but has a good future as long as due regard for safety and mother nature is paramount at all times