Shout out for volunteers for Lough Gill Swim
ORGANISERS of the Lough Gill Swim have appealed for volunteer kayakers and those with suitable boats for safety cover to contact them.
PRO Lisa McDaniel says the committee needs to have more safety support boats and kayakers in place for the 10k swim which will take place on August 12 th this year.
She explains that each of the 36 swimmers will have an individual kayaker for the duration of the 10k marathon.
“There are also two other events on the day - the 1.1mile in either a wetsuit or skins and the 4x500m relay,” she says, “and we still have some places left for these swims and would encourage people to sign up.”
The Lough Gill Swim was first set up by Paul McGarry in memory of his nephew Neill who passed away in October 2010. Before his death Neill used the services of the North West Hospice.
Lisa says: “There is a fundraising requirement for all of the swims all of which goes directly to the North West Hospice. We have had very generous donations and sponsorship from businesses in Sligo which covers all running costs and therefore allows 100 percent of the fundraising to go the hospice.”
Of the 36 swimmers registered for the 10k, 14 are women, 5 of which will be swimming in skins. The average age of the 10k swimmer is 40 - the oldest is 61 and the youngest is 21. All swimmers registered for the 10k are from Ireland while 22 are from Sligo.
Lisa who has completed the swim stresses: “This is not just for elite people. This is an endurance test but it’s about getting your head around the distance and getting comfortable with your environment.
“It is fantastic when you hit the end of the river. The atmosphere after the swim is amazing. It is a huge achievement. It is a marathon swim. You are still doing something that most people will never do in a lifetime. It is not about competition. It’s about raising awareness for the Hospice and fundraising.”