Escape from ireland swim

Steroo · 09-03-2015 7:24pm #1

Anyone done this and how bad were the currents?

http://www.howthaquathon.com/escape-from-ireland-swim/index.php

68 lost souls · 09-03-2015 7:31pm

I was thinking of signing up for it this year. Will be interested to see what people say. Couple of guys from the club were talking about it last Tuesday having done it. Sounds like an interesting event.

pot p · 09-03-2015 7:34pm

Yeah I did it last year. Really enjoyed it. Tide was heading in so the tidal rush was heading to portmarnock. Heard the year before was very rough, tide heading out and a load of people had to be stopped cause they were headin for Dublin bay. Plan on doing it again this year

gerfmurphy · 09-03-2015 8:27pm

Was looking at it too. Read the posts form a few years back. Sounded a tough swim.

griffin100 · 09-03-2015 9:04pm

I did it in 2010. Really nice event with getting a boat out to the island a nice touch. Only criticism was the early start!!! The year I did it the current was running north to south so if you weren't careful you were sent miles off course. The following year I think was much tougher with people pulled from the water. I'd do it again this year but it clashes with WOTS. I'd definitely recommend it.

MojoMaker · 09-03-2015 10:31pm

Last year was very easy, tide was pushing everyone in towards the beach. 2013 was tough conditions with an ebbing tide which resulted in a few rescues.

This event is part of the Howth Challenge Series and a bit of craic, having said that Conor Turner and Kevin Thornton showed up to make it quite competitive. Interested finished well last year, might even fancy it this year

stampydmonkey · 09-03-2015 11:03pm

Did it last year. Like everyone has said, it was fairly handy. Weather was great...Current was pushing away from finish towards portmarnock and thankfully saw no seals. Was really relaxed and great craic. ..will be doing it again this year hopefully.

RacoonQueen · 09-03-2015 11:58pm

2 weeks after Ironman...hmmm...

Steroo · 10-03-2015 5:59am

A good pre ironman swim ?

Doeshedare · 10-03-2015 9:38am

Steroo you are doing Dublin 70.3 I think? If so then yes this would be perfect for that because it is likely to be harder than the Dub Laoghaire swim, at least psychologically given that you are not swimming close to shore.

I have attempted this 5 times since the Howth Tri in 2011 and made it across 4 times (I also did a sucessful practice crossing before the tri). Missed it last year as it clashed with Kilkee. In 2012 the wind was a force 4 at the scheduled start time and they delayed the start for an hour. The wind didnt drop too much and the tidal current picked up. About 30 swimmers, me included, were swept east across the mouth of the harbour, we were all picked up without any problems. They marked the route (which is a boomerang out towards Baldoyle/Portmarnock and back to the beach) for the Tri and the next years Oly aquathon (they had to cancel the bike leg) but not mark it for the pure swim. I think after 2012 they learnt the lesson and the swim had buoys in 2013, not sure about last year? My times range from 70mins(Howth tri) to 48mins (2013)

2013 was a gorgeous morning, no wind, sun shining and the swim was a delight. The year we did the practice swim there was only about 10 of us and the local seals thought they would join in which freaked me out (seeing a very large grey one on its back looking up at me while I was in the middle of the swim is a memory I will never shake). I think the seals get put off though when there are 90 of us in the water plus kayaks and boats.

The organiser is a member of Howth Yacht Club and so has plenty of local knowledge of the tides in Howth Sound. If the race starts on time then you can be pretty sure the currents will be slack, but if it gets delayed......There is an article on tides in Howth Sound on the hyc.ie website - go to the 'Race Area' tab though in 2012. After being pulled out and before that Aquathon I wrote to the organiser as I thought what they were saying was contradicted by that site but she explained it and the swim went the she said it would.

Some years there has been a Leinster OW swim race from the island but it stays east of the harbour and lands at Balscadden. The yachties local OW swimmers I know all think the Escape from the Island swim is mad because of the currents but I have always found it well run and with plenty of safety boats.

Anyway you only have to worry about tides, wind, seals and the odd jellyfish so go for it - you will be mentally ready for OW fter it!

Steroo · 10-03-2015 9:56am

Thanks for all that info Doeshedare... I'm far from ready now but 4 months might be doable & if I survive I'll feel confident about Dublin 70.3 as you say.

So am I right to read that if it does not go my way and I freak out half way that there should be a boat around to save me!!!?

mloc123 · 10-03-2015 10:04am

I did this in 2012, it was enjoyable but conditions were tough. I spent 20mins at one stage swimming hard and not moving more than 10 metres.. once I got out of that swell it was okay back in to the beach.

My wife said she would never let me do it again after that year, if I still swam I would love to go back and do it again. It is a fun event.

Doeshedare · 10-03-2015 10:13am

Steroo wrote: »

Thanks for all that info Doeshedare... I'm far from ready now but 4 months might be doable & if I survive I'll feel confident about Dublin 70.3 as you say.

So am I right to read that if it does not go my way and I freak out half way that there should be a boat around to save me!!!?

Sure, there should be a kayak or a boat near you, but even if not your suit will keep you bobbing along until Wales

tunney · 10-03-2015 10:14am

Is there anyone on this thread that can actually swim?

griffin100 · 10-03-2015 10:26am

tunney wrote: »

Is there anyone on this thread that can actually swim?

Now that you're here I would say yes.

Steroo · 10-03-2015 10:29am

tunney wrote: »

Is there anyone on this thread that can actually swim?

ha ha ha.... you love learners

tunney · 10-03-2015 10:36am

Steroo wrote: »

ha ha ha.... you love learners

I do love learners. Hate to see them drown. Probably why they should learn to swim before entering tidal swim races.

griffin100 · 10-03-2015 10:37am

tunney wrote: »

I do love learners. Hate to see them drown. Probably why they should learn to swim before entering tidal swim races.

I actually would agree with Tunney on this, this can be a tough swim so you'd want to be certain of your abilities before taking it on.

mloc123 · 10-03-2015 10:53am

griffin100 wrote: »

I actually would agree with Tunney on this, this can be a tough swim so you'd want to be certain of your abilities before taking it on.

Same here. It isn't a race for a beginner, I am not a good swimmer but back in 2012 I could swim(like a brick) for 90mins in the pool without issue.

Steroo · 10-03-2015 11:14am

I know I know.... that's why I'm seeking this feedback from those who've done it. No harm weighing up the options. But I'll put it in my diary anyway & decide closer to the event whether to do it or not.

Doeshedare · 10-03-2015 11:18am

It is a tough swim particularly if it is windy (ie choppy water). I was definitely a learner when I did it first (my first 'season'of swim training) I would strongly recommend doing the 2 available Howth Aquathons before hand (the Long option, 1k swim) and the Bull Wall ones too. You wouldnt want it to be your first taste of OW (it was my third ever race, 1 aquathon, Skerries Oly then Howth Oly+)

Everyone who has stood on that beach on Ireland's Eye on the morning of the race has done so for the 1st time at some stage and judging by the bad jokes and nervous laughter most of the people are scared every time they do it.

peter kern · 10-03-2015 11:26am

tunney wrote: »

Is there anyone on this thread that can actually swim?[/QUOTE

SCOL · 10-03-2015 11:30am

I did it a few years ago. They held the start a hour or so because of the wind this had a knock on affect and the tide had changed. 1/2 the people were pulled out
of the water by the rescue boats and I can say it was a vert tough swim and i have a few Sub 5 1/4 70.3 Iron man's under my belt.

It would be great if you could pay on the day as conditions were bad that year and I think alot of people were not able for it.

It was a tought swim and very well ran event hopefully the weather is better this year.

68 lost souls · 10-03-2015 12:12pm

Bit the bullet this morning and signed up. Been debating a long open water swim the last couple of years, wet the feet with this one. One day I'd love to be able to do the Galway Bay swim.

paddyh117 · 10-03-2015 4:04pm

Haven't registered yet, but planning to do this and the Howth Aquathons this year for the first time - I can see Ireland's Eye from my house so would be a bit rude not too - also there's something appealing about swimming to Ireland for race

paddyh117 · 10-03-2015 4:06pm

tunney wrote: »

Is there anyone on this thread that can actually swim?

Will they not be handing out noodles at the start??

tunney · 10-03-2015 4:55pm

paddyh117 wrote: »

Will they not be handing out noodles at the start??

Yeah, one organiser did similar once for one of their races with a neutralised bike. A tad touched so a few people drowned when they were given these

paddyh117 · 10-03-2015 5:03pm

Should have left them in the packet - probably float fine!!

MojoMaker · 10-03-2015 11:14pm

Btw Steroo - if you're eyeing up the Escape swim you might also be interested in the Great Dublin Swim on July 18th. 2nd year for this event, last year won by Conor Turner but a huge range of abilities on the day and 4 waves from beginner to elite. Well worth a look IMO. River vs open sea but a good chance to race a fast flowing tidal current in relative safety and with a lot of fairly experienced open water swimmers.

https://www.facebook.com/greatdublinswim

cjt156 · 11-03-2015 8:47am

Is Swim Ireland membership a prerequisite for the Great Dublin? I take it it's not required for the Escape.

I'd also recommend the Glendalough Openwaterswimmer Events. 750, 1500 and 3.9k in a spectacular location.

MojoMaker · 11-03-2015 9:42am

You pay a small fee at registration to cover it if you're not a SI member. Bit like a one-day licence in Tri I guess.

gerfmurphy · 11-03-2015 9:53am

I cant see a date when the great dublin swim in on

Kurt Godel · 11-03-2015 11:59am

Steroo wrote: »

Anyone done this and how bad were the currents?

http://www.howthaquathon.com/escape-from-ireland-swim/index.php

"Openwater Swim for Experienced Swimmers Only

Swim Route subject to Strong Tidal Currents!"

Given your beginner swim ability, its reckless that you're even considering this. There is a massive difference between being far offshore in chop, and swimming a few lengths in a pool.

tunney · 11-03-2015 12:25pm

Has the OP ever swam in open water or will this be their first foray into the cold, blackness?

gerfmurphy · 11-03-2015 12:32pm

http://www.fitmagazine.ie/events/race/j.f.dunne-insurances-great-dublin-swim-2015
found this with date times prices etc, seems like a great event for all levels, thanks for the heads up mojomaker

68 lost souls · 11-03-2015 12:44pm

Kurt Godel wrote: »

"Openwater Swim for Experienced Swimmers Only

Swim Route subject to Strong Tidal Currents!"

Given your beginner swim ability, its reckless that you're even considering this. There is a massive difference between being far offshore in chop, and swimming a few lengths in a pool.

I wasn't aware of the OPs lack of OW experience, I would definitely say its not for some one of that level. I have signed up but have years of experience in OW swimming and am still a little weary of this one.

Steroo · 11-03-2015 3:35pm

I'd say I could win it

standardtoaster · 29-06-2015 12:20pm

Just signed up to this earlier today before I read this thread! Some scary aul comments.

If the weather is good and the conditions are more 2014 than 2012/2013, how much more difficult is this compared to OW swimming in a lake?

Bit of background, can comfortably swim 2.5km - 3km in a lake in 55 - 70 minutes.

I'm thinking I should be ok, anyone got a view on this?

Doeshedare · 29-06-2015 1:05pm

standardtoaster wrote: »

J

Bit of background, can comfortably swim 2.5km - 3km in a lake in 55 - 70 minutes.

I'm thinking I should be ok, anyone got a view on this?

Sounds like you would be physically capable alright. In the best conditions (2013 I think) it was a lovely swim and they laid out the course with buoys to counter act the current and so not much different to a lake swim (except for the sea life:eek:). However those sort of benign conditions dont happen very often and so you'll need to be comfortable in waves/chop. It also feels very exposed half way into it as there is no quick exits!

Do you have much sea swimming experience because I reckon it could be more of a mental challenge for you than physical?

standardtoaster · 29-06-2015 1:28pm

Funny you should say that, did a sea swim for the first time about 6 weeks ago down in Bournemouth , weather conditions were great, took a bit of getting used to, but would have been fine, if it weren't for the unexpected surprise of 6/7 barrel jellyfish in the space of 800 metres. They freaked the bejayzus out of me.

Anyway cue far, far too much leg kicking, breast stroke made an appearance, followed by the on set of cramp simultaneously in both calfs and a DNF.

As I say can do lake swims comfortably, yeah mentally then I guess its just been able to push on through in spite of not always being able to get a consistent stroke going.

Escape from ireland swim

Comments