Olympic golden boy Gunnar Bentz star attraction in Galway charity swim

USA Olympic swimming gold medallist Gunnar Bentz will be the star attraction at the Galway Swimming Club Open Water Longest Day Swim on the River Corrib on Saturday (July 2).

The event, organised in partnership with local charity Jigsaw, features two swims — a 4k starting at Glenlo and a shorter 2.5k option getting under way at Dangan.

Last held in 2019 due to Covid, the Longest Day Swim aims to promote the mental and physical benefits of swimming as a recreation or a sport.

Those taking part will swim past some of Galway’s most notable landmarks including Menlo Castle, NUI Galway, and the Quincentenary Bridge.

Finishing at Steamers Quay, Woodquay, the event is a timed river swim for competent over-18 open-water swimmers with two distance options.

Eligible swimmers can enter through Eventbrite

All participating swimmers will receive a customised towel.

The charity swim will be headlined by Gunnar Bentz, a four-time medallist at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships and a two-time medallist at the Pan American Games in addition to his Olympic Gold Medal won with the USA 4 × 200 m freestyle squad at the 2016 Games in Rio. He was also the 2015 USA National Champion in the 400m Individual Medley.

Jigsaw Galway is part of a national network of services for youth mental health aiming to provide tailored community-based help for young people.

Jigsaw Galway is a free, non-judgemental and confidential support service for young people (12-25) living in Galway city and county.

They provide guidance and assistance for young people who are going through a difficult or distressing time. They also provide advice for anyone who is concerned about a young person in their life or work. Jigsaw Galway can be contacted on 091 549252.