Glendalough Swim?

paddlepop

Anyone doing this? I want to do it i think its the first time ever to swim in the upper lake yes?

Kurt Godel

I'm entered a tri that day, but a bad back will probably limit any running or biking, so this looks a tempting alternative. €35 entry is a lot, though they have a 2 for 1 offer, anyone want to split the price with me?

Details

cjt156

Thinking about doing this too. Enjoyed my first proper OW swim at DCT last week & wouldn't mind doing another before the season ends.
35 quid's a bit steep, though no? I assume these are a stand-alone crowd & there's no requirement to be registered with Swim Ireland or Tri Ireland?

Peterx

Kurt Godel wrote: »

I'm entered a tri that day, but a bad back will probably limit any running or biking, so this looks a tempting alternative. €35 entry is a lot, though they have a 2 for 1 offer, anyone want to split the price with me?

Details

Yes, I'll split the price with you. PM for details?

Peterx

from their site -

We always strongly advised the use of wetsuits for safety reasons. However, swimmers will have the option to wear a wetsuit or not as long as the water temperature is 15°C or above.

Kurt Godel

The set temps are only a guideline for people new to open water. If youve swam it before and feel comfortable without a suit then feel free to swim skins. Its actually above 15 in there at the moment and I dont think itll drop much by the 8th.

That's from the organizers on their Facebook page. I reckon I'll use the wetsuit, although I'd be tempted to go primal for the unique opportunity to swim in such a great location. Either way, really looking forward to it! Entered us both PeterX, bring it on!:D

paddlepop

Yes i will also commit to the 750m swim and if anyone wants to join with me PM me.
Come on its a nice way to end the season!!

adamski8

interesting. think i might do the 1500 swim alright

griffin100

Kurt Godel wrote: »

I'm entered a tri that day, but a bad back will probably limit any running or biking, so this looks a tempting alternative. €35 entry is a lot, though they have a 2 for 1 offer, anyone want to split the price with me?

Details

Kurt, you seen this one http://i3swim.ie/events/5km-swim/ - looks like one you'd like. I reckon I'll head on down to it.

Kurt Godel

griffin100 wrote: »

Kurt, you seen this one http://i3swim.ie/events/5km-swim/ - looks like one you'd like. I reckon I'll head on down to it.

Nice looking swim, but have you seen the pricing structure? €50!:eek: No way I could pay that for something with essentially very few overheads. To be honest, I wouldn't have signed up for Glendalough at €35, if they didn't essentially cut the price in half. I reckon I'll be looking at some of the http://www.swimleinster.com/OpenSea/opensea.htm calendar swims for 2013- €10 a pop. (You have to remember, I'm coming from an IMRA background where €7 was the norm!)

But best of luck to you if you go down, its a spectacular part of Ireland!

paddlepop

i am going to register online tonight as you dont get the tshirt after registering the 1st Sep...its ALL about racking up the t-shirts.

If anyone wants to join with me let me know asap!

PM me your name, and predicted time for the 750m swim, emergency contact, and Tshirt size.

griffin100

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Nice looking swim, but have you seen the pricing structure? €50!:eek: No way I could pay that for something with essentially very few overheads. To be honest, I wouldn't have signed up for Glendalough at €35, if they didn't essentially cut the price in half. I reckon I'll be looking at some of the http://www.swimleinster.com/OpenSea/opensea.htm calendar swims for 2013- €10 a pop. (You have to remember, I'm coming from an IMRA background where €7 was the norm!)

But best of luck to you if you go down, its a spectacular part of Ireland!

Yeah agree completely regarding the cost but I still entered.............there's always some suckers willing to pay.

kingQuez

griffin100 wrote: »

Yeah agree completely regarding the cost but I still entered.............there's always some suckers willing to pay.

Hmm.. that looks like fun...

Peterx

Swam in seapoint yesterday at high tide.
It was a little bit choppy but got across OK with a few breaks. The buoyancy of the wetsuit is amazing. Unfortunately my historical weakness in the sea came back and I got nauseous and then physically sick in the water.
I'm just not built for the sea and now I can add getting sick swimming to a list including surfboards, boogie boards, sailboats, SCUBA diving and ferries. Thankfully I'd anticipated this little issue and my good friend had come along on his Stand Up Paddle board which was a great help as I sat on it vomiting in front of him for a few minutes.

Here's hoping my problems are all about the salt water cos apart from getting sick I really enjoyed the swim, sea swimming is cool.

As it was a slightly chastening experience though I'm definitely going for the shorter swim on Saturday - even when I was feeling OK I still needed to take rests occasionally and Seapoint can't be more then 550m across:)
Apart from the getting sick I really enjoyed the swim though. The sea temp. is lovely at this time of the year.

Kurt Godel

This was a great swim- best day of year weather-wise, the lake was cool and refreshing. Absolutely magical to swim in that golden dark peat water. Pretty big turnout, some fast times, and a really relaxed vibe. The race was dear at €35 (although the 2 for 1 helped), but organization was perfect and perfectly professional.

RacoonQueen

Shame I didn't pay much attention to this thread. Would have been a great morning for that swim I'd say.

Peterx

Ditto to all that Kurt Godel said.

A great swim on a fabulous day, the atmospheric mist lifting from the perfectly still lake set the tone for a super swim in clean water. Well organised with easy to follow instructions and there seemed to be spot prizes for half those assembled at prize-giving.

I should have some photos of the 1500m swim once I find the pesky camera and get round to uploading the shots to picasa.

miller82

most amazing setting for a swim i've seen. Loved it

paddlepop

Yes i agree-it was a fab opportunity to swim in the lake. The water was magic. So clean and fresh. And what a day for it! i too thought it was expensive really and also having to pay car parking fee made it a big day out. I was in two minds as to take it easy and just enjoy the swim as a fun swim, or to race....my competitive side kicked in though and i raced. Lots of abilities though which was nice to see too. I did stop once or twice to take a look around and ....ahem....get my bearings but i think im getting better at swimming straight. Was a top day!
I wonder when the results are in....keen to know the time.

Did you do the 1500 Kurt? i really enjoyed the 750 and will do 1500 next year.

Shell to Run

Peterx wrote: »

Unfortunately my historical weakness in the sea came back and I got nauseous and then physically sick in the water.
I'm just not built for the sea and now I can add getting sick swimming to a list including surfboards, boogie boards, sailboats, SCUBA diving and ferries.

I find this works for me
here

tinydave

Are the results anywhere ?
Looked like a great first time event.

Kurt Godel

paddlepop wrote: »

Yes i agree-it was a fab opportunity to swim in the lake. The water was magic. So clean and fresh. And what a day for it! i too thought it was expensive really and also having to pay car parking fee made it a big day out. I was in two minds as to take it easy and just enjoy the swim as a fun swim, or to race....my competitive side kicked in though and i raced. Lots of abilities though which was nice to see too. I did stop once or twice to take a look around and ....ahem....get my bearings but i think im getting better at swimming straight. Was a top day!
I wonder when the results are in....keen to know the time.

Did you do the 1500 Kurt? i really enjoyed the 750 and will do 1500 next year.

Well done paddlepop! Had to be raced really, although I'd like a leisurely re-swim, to take in the surroundings! (I did 1500)

tinydave wrote: »

Are the results anywhere ?
Looked like a great first time event.

Results on their Facebook page

tinydave

tinydave wrote: »

Are the results anywhere ?
Looked like a great first time event.

Results on their Facebook page[/Quote]

Just seen that now, cheers

Peterx

I'll put more photos up on picasa

cjt156

Fantastic swim, beautiful location & the weather was a treat too. Well organised and safely stewarded as far as I could see. Agree its a bit steep on price, next time I'll bring a 2for1 victim along.

Kudos to the young lady who was first female in both the 750 and 1500.

Peterx

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?tab=mq#photos/102361195487000874099/albums/5786598932719621521

hopefully this link works, 41 photos, mostly of the lake swim

RacoonQueen

griffin100 wrote: »

Kurt, you seen this one http://i3swim.ie/events/5km-swim/ - looks like one you'd like. I reckon I'll head on down to it.

Are there any websites that give a good calander for events like this? Was just thinking last night what a waste all the swimming I've done over the last 10 months has been since I only had one succesful swim in a tri. Probably a bit late to be looking for OW swims but be nice to get a few events in next year and get some reward for all my hard work.

No doubt I could swim 5k but it would take me about a month so that would put this one out and the mile is too short.

Be good if a kindly boards member(hi Kurt ) would put together a list of swim events for next year when the net T/D/M calendar for 2013 is being put together.

Kurt Godel

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Are there any websites that give a good calander for events like this? Was just thinking last night what a waste all the swimming I've done over the last 10 months has been since I only had one succesful swim in a tri. Probably a bit late to be looking for OW swims but be nice to get a few events in next year and get some reward for all my hard work.

No doubt I could swim 5k but it would take me about a month so that would put this one out and the mile is too short.

Be good if a kindly boards member(hi Kurt ) would put together a list of swim events for next year when the net T/D/M calendar for 2013 is being put together.

I'd love to see a good list too- I'm as novice at this as you are RQ. Here's some of the web resources I've picked up:

http://leinsteropensea.ie/ Great starting point. Calendar, meet-ups, tips, etc.

http://loneswimmer.com/ The motherload for distance swimming.

http://outdoorswimming.ie/index.html List of OW swim venues, county by county.

http://www.clwf.eu/ Seems to be a decent OW lake swimming festival- There is also a free (yes, free!) Tri there Sept 30th- SWIM 2.7K BIKE 50K RUN 5K (OFF ROAD CAMLOUGH MOUNTAIN) which is a decent length for splashing about. I'm strongly considering making the journey...

And, er, that's all I can offer!

griffin100

Good list Kurt.

There's also the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association -

http://www.ildsa.info/

The content can be a bit dated but the calendar of events is kept up to date.

RacoonQueen

Girl I used to work with was training for this last year http://www.swimireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1964:frances-thornton-memorial-galway-bay-swim&catid=142:headlines&Itemid=280

Don't know if she ever did it but it sounded awesome. Record is 2.5 hours :eek:
13k would probably take me about 7 hours or so if you call it at about 25 - 30 minutes per 1k in the pool in training :eek:

Kurt Godel

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Record is 2.5 hours :eek:

The record holder is Chris Bryan, who just missed out on the Olympic 10k through illness. He's the man Griffin is looking to beat in the 5k Lough Derg swim- here's a clip of him winning last years event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm-v49dieVo

Macanri

See Mikey at 4:38!;)

shotgunmcos

Macanri wrote: »

See Mikey at 4:38!;)

Jesus how did you spot that! Cool event. Bit off more than I could chew last year and swam through cement for the last km. Would be there again this year if it wasn't for some other pesky race!

pgibbo

It's hard to miss that ugly mug!

griffin100

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Jesus how did you spot that! Cool event. Bit off more than I could chew last year and swam through cement for the last km. Would be there again this year if it wasn't for some other pesky race!

Jesus I really needed to read that.......if you struggled then I'm gonna die.....watch this space.....

turniton

Hi guys,
after the let down in Galway bay aquathon, where i did not perform in the way i wanted.. I ve seen this race in September and I m thinking to do it.. 1500
I live in Galway, so i was thinking to take the wife with me on Fri night and stay 2 nights and visit Glendalough / Wicklow area.

About the race. How cold would the wather be?.. compare to a swin in Galway bay?
The few pictures I ve seen are incredible, so I d say the view give you a big morale boost!
did i read about €35 entrance + parking as well?

thanks

ciah

Did 1500m last year in a wetsuit and it was heavenly, cool but not cold.
Many did it without a wetsuit.
Lake is deep, water is clean but dark.
Probably a few degrees cooler than the sea in September.

Shedite27

Yeah looking to do this too. Was there some discount at some stage last year?

paddlepop

I did the 750 and loved it. One of the nicest swims I have ever done. I did have a full wetsuit on but was glad for it- was a little chilly at the start if you're not used to it. Am signed up for the iron man swim(3.9km) so training for that. I got a deal last year where you brought a friend for free(but only 1 got a t shirt) so depending on numbers they may do it again. Was nice casual atmosphere. Some breast strokers, non wetsuit swimmers, young and old. Lets hope we get a stunning day

Kurt Godel

This was a stunning place to swim, did the 1,500m last year, and I'm down for the 3.8k this year. It was overpriced (IMO) at €35 last year, so they introduced a 2-for-1, think its €25 entry this year. There's a pretty good standard at the front, both skins and suits, and mid- and back-packers catered for as well. As mentioned above the lake is colder than the sea, all the more so as its in an often-shaded valley. There's also a river flowing into it which makes it colder on one side.

The swords of sunlight cutting into peat-brown (under)water, fighting with orange bubbles of kicking feet, is an image that will stay with me forever.

turniton

i m very excited now, better calm down.
I ve a few races in August (run) so the 3.9Km swim could be bit 2 long for me.. 1.5 is def my distance..

I m probably gonna stay for friday night only (2 nights is costing me too much).. do they have showers after the race?

thanks guys!

miller82

absolutely stunning swim. loved it last year

turniton

In here they say
"The lake is cold at this time of the year, averaging just 17 degrees"
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/lifestyle/swimmers-ready-for-glendalough-plunge-27654199.html

but I m sure my wetsuit will do a good job as usual!

miller82

turniton wrote: »

In here they say
"The lake is cold at this time of the year, averaging just 17 degrees"
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/lifestyle/swimmers-ready-for-glendalough-plunge-27654199.html

but I m sure my wetsuit will do a good job as usual!

i dont remember the water temperature being an issue last year

hollingr

kurt where did you find the two for one deal, they seem to have concealed it well.. i already signed up having not seen it.


I can swim 1.5k in the sea as the temperatures are at the moment without a wetsuit - do you think i would struggle in the lake temperatures? is it a big difference?

Kurt Godel

hollingr wrote: »

kurt where did you find the two for one deal, they seem to have concealed it well.. i already signed up having not seen it.


I can swim 1.5k in the sea as the temperatures are at the moment without a wetsuit - do you think i would struggle in the lake temperatures? is it a big difference?

The 2-for-1 deal was from last year. It was €25 individual for 2013 when I signed up a few months back, although I see its gone up to €35 now. That's too dear IMO, but I guess its a market and whatever it will bear.

There's a noticeble difference in sea vs. lake temperatures, maybe a couple of degrees colder in a lake. Glendalough is shaded for much of the day too, and is also fed by a mountain river, so will be that bit colder still. Once you get going though, you won't notice. If you can swim in the sea without a wetsuit now, you'll have no problems with cold, wetsuitted in the lake.

RacoonQueen

Mulling over the long swim...but only swimming once a week at the moment and haven't really done much swimming the last while. Doesn't seem worth it for 1.5K...

hollingr

hmm.. I don't own a trisuit, only a winter surfing wetsuit (5/3) which would keep me warm but can barely move the arms in it.

I asked the organisers and they said it will be 16+..

Today's SST @dun laoghaire says it is 15 degrees:
http://www.seatemperature.org/europe/ireland/dun-laoghaire.htm

I think I'll be ok? I guess the nice weather we had this summer makes more difference to lake temperatures than sea temps?

cjt156

I did the Beast of the East in Lough Dan a month ago and the water was very warm; could have easily gone without the suit had the rules permitted it. However that was right off the back of the heatwave. Temps have dropped back a fair bit since then and the Upper Lake is pretty shady. It is hard to know how warm it'll be unless you get up there and stick a toe in. It was bloody freezing last year; I'll be in the wetsuit, just to be sure. Amazing place to swim, all the same.

cjt156

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Mulling over the long swim...but only swimming once a week at the moment and haven't really done much swimming the last while. Doesn't seem worth it for 1.5K...

I was thinking this too; although I'd say the numbers would be pretty sparse on the Sunday. The buzz of the people made the day for me last year; along with the weather and the stunning location.

Edit; actually a number of people did both the 750 and 1.5k last year. I wonder did they use the 2-for-1 deal on that or how did they wangle it. Wouldn't mind doing that but damned if I'm paying double.

mossym

thinking on doing the 1.5k on the Saturday as it's the day before the hurling final so would make a nice weekend in Dublin.