Round the Head Swim, Clogherhead, Co. Louth

Drogheda Triathlon Club are delighted to announce the return of The Clogherhead Round the Head Swim and Green Buoy Swim. This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of this iconic swim event. What started as a fun swim with 6 swimmers taking on the challenge more to see if it was a viable swim than to set any records and the rest as they say is history. In 2016 we had a record 110 swimmers taking on the challenge and many of those swimmers have completed all 10 swims.

Clogherhead is a beautiful setting for a swim, located as it is with the Cooley Mountains as a back drop and Dunany Head jutting out of Dundalk Bay. The swim route follows the majestic “Clogherhead” from the RNLI Lifeboat Station and finishes 2.5K later at the Harbour.

Swimming around the head provides swimmers with the opportunity to see the superb geological features of the head and magnificent views of the Cooley Mountains to the North. The crystal clear water is full of sea life and if you are lucky you will see common dolphins, seals and on occasion basking sharks.

Safety considerations:

Safety is a major consideration for this event and we will compile a safety analysis and a safety plan that will address all foreseeable safety issues. This plan will be available to our insurance underwriters, Irish Coastguard and any other bodies that require it.

Safety will be coordinated by the local Irish Coastguard who will provide land based personnel before during and after the swim. Water based safety will include a number of mobile boats, kayakers, paddle boards and safety swimmers.

The swim will take place following a safety meeting on the morning of the swim considering all factors to ensure the safety of the participants. An impartial safety agent will have the final say as to whether the swim will go ahead.

Intending swimmers should have completed a swim of at least 1.5K in open water 3 months before taking part in this swim and should be water fit. This is a fun swim however it is taking place in the open sea where the water temp is likely to be between 12 C and 15 C there can also be sea swell and waves to deal with. Unless you are accustomed to swimming in cold water it is recommended that you wear a wetsuit for this swim considering that you will likely be in water temp between 12 and 15 C for up to 1 hour.

During the months of June, July and August Jellyfish are us usually present in the water around the Irish coast. While they are not harmful they do give off a sting which can be likened to a nasty nettle sting. Some people can suffer anaphylactic shock from jellyfish stings. Most people who are stung experience mild pain which passes in a short time following washing the affected area with sea water and taking some analgesic tablets.

Practical information for swim day:

The swim starts at the lifeboat station and finishes 2.5K north at the main harbour. In order to facilitate swimmers we will organise carpooling and also provide transport to move your swim bags and gear from the start to the finish area.

We are very fortunate to have a fabulous fish shop located about 200 M from the swim finish which is well worth a visit for some chowder and sea fresh fish which is caught by their own trawler, couldn’t be fresher.

Jellyfish Stings:

See the link below for the most up-to-date information:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/galway-researchers-find-most-effective-treatment-for-jellyfish-stings-1.3065262

Open Water Swimming is such a wonderful and exciting sport that brings the participants into direct contact with nature. Its only magic!!!