Swimmers ready to take on Galway Bay in annual charity spectacular

An impressive 140 swimmers are preparing to take on the 13km challenge of crossing Galway Bay – to again raise money for a most worthy cause.

The organisers of the annual Galway Bay Swim for Cancer Care West are delighted that the live event – as opposed to the virtual swim during lockdown – is back with all the accompanying excitement and fun as the crowds gather along the shorelines at Aughinish in Clare and Blackrock in Salthill to cheer on the hardy swimmers.

The annual event was first held in memory of Frances Thornton in 2005. Since then, it has grown in size and importance and is now one of the most important events on the Galway calendar.

This year 140 swimmers will take on the 13km swim, 75 swimming solo and 65 in relay teams of two, three and four swimmers.

It is always a great spectacle on the day as on the final 100 metres into Blackrock diving tower, paddle boards and kayaks guide the swimmers home along with many more supporters and volunteers on the land.

Covid-19 forced the cancelation of the 2020 and 2021 Galway Bay Swims, replaced by a virtual Galway Bay Swim was held where swimmers were asked to raise money for Cancer Care West by swimming a total distance of 13km during the month of August.

The virtual events raised a staggering €260,000 between them for the charity but the organisers hope to smash this effort this July.

The monies raised will help fund the expansion of the charity’s support services for cancer patients and help greatly with the establishment of a new bereavement service for children.

The organisers gratefully acknowledge the support they receive each year from Oranmore Maree Coastal Rescue and Ciaran Oliver of Galway Bay Boats tours.  As safety is a priority for the swim, each year the event reaches out to the maritime community in the west to support the swim through boat support. Each swimmer needs a boat to follow and track their swim, so the organisers are asking any boat owner to get in contact with either organisation with the hope they can volunteer their services on the day.

The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim will take place on Saturday July 16. People are invited to go down to Blackrock diving tower in Salthill, to welcome the swimmers home from 12 noon.

To volunteer to help at the event, email David O’Donnell. To donate or for more details check out the Galway Bay Swim website or on Facebook.