Swimming Club’s new season – its 76th – kicks off

Wicklow Swimming Club started its 76th year of racing on Sunday, June 4. Weather conditions were sunny and calm, but with cool water at 10C. There was a good atmosphere as 164 swimmers competed in races. Chairman John McCall welcomed Rita and John McAulay to their new role as joint presidents of Wicklow Swimming Club. Rita and John presented the prizes.

Junior challenge: first Kelly O’Neill, second Sophie Leonard, third Abby Copeland. Intermediate Cox cup: first Olivia O’Donovan, second Sarah Flood, third Saoirse Dolan. Youths: first Dylan O’Donovan, second Conor McInerney and third Ava Frazer.

Senior: Mark Byrne Cup: first Ross Beacom, second Niamh Fitzpatrick, third Colm Colohan.

177 swimmers competed in races on Sunday morning, June 11. Conditions were a bit blustery, with a full high tide and a slight improvement in water temperature.

The junior sprints were up first with 53 swimmers competing. Under-six boys: First Dara Mitchell. Under-six girls: first Sarla Hartley, second Olivia Guinan, third Muireann Smith. Under-eight boys: first Kian Copeland, second Owen Traynor, third Stephen Bell. Under-eight girls: first Taelor Sherry, second Niamh O’Neill, third Erica Huilin. Under-10 boys: first David Johnston and Jacob Fry, second Chris Huilin, third Ben Fry. Under-10 girls: first Caoimhe Doherty, second Abby Copeland, third Lianna Bell. Under-12 boys: first John Ahearne, second Joss Huilin, third Darragh Carey. Under-12 girls: first Caitlin Keogh, second Emma Seckington, third Ella Kelly. Under-14 boys: first Kyle Capilitan Joyce. Twenty-one juniors were back in the water, swimming 120 metres in the Junior Challenge; first Caitlin Keogh, second Lianna Bell, third Chris Huilin.

The intermediates had a 400m swim for the Jack Malone cup. First Hazel Bently, second Kirsty Dunne, third Charlie Brennan.

The youths had a course 650m long for the Binions cup. Celine Lennox was on hand to present the prizes. First Mia Christensen, second Conor McInerney, third Emily Clarke.

Ninety-three seniors swam for the Bank of Ireland cup. This was a very exciting finish with Emma Thompson holding on to take first place, just ahead of Scott Morton in second and Ross Beacom in third position.

Wicklow Swimming Club hosts three open sea races every year, as part of the Leinster Open Sea calendar. The first one, the Mid-summer Swim, is on this Friday, June 16, with the gents’ race starting at 6.45 p.m. and ladies’ race starting at 7.15 p.m. This race starts at Travelahawk beach and finishes at the Glen Turn beach, with the presentation in the Sailing Club after the races. The course measures approximately 1.5km. There is limited parking at the start point and finish points with additional parking available at St Patrick’s GAA Club.

Racing for Sunday, June 18, starts at 10.15 a.m. – Junior Sprints; 10.30 a.m. – Junior Challenge; 11 a.m. – Intermediates, Humby family cup; 11 a.m. Youths, Committee Cup; and midday – the seniors race for the Humby family cup (Vartry Garage).