Sun shines on West Bay swimmers

A light breeze and hazy sunshine greeted the swimmers yesterday as they arrived for the Annual West Bay Swim in Portrush.

Fourteen brave souls were ferried out to just off the Black Rocks at 2pm.

Race Secretary Jeff Wilson then instructed all swimmers to enter the 10 degree water and form a straight line.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The race then got underway with 16-year-old speedster John Glover immediately setting a blistering pace as he went in pursuit of his first open water swimming title!

Colm Watters and local swimmer Robert Barry followed closely behind and were going well but both just couldn’t close the gap on the ‘Young upstart’ from County Down.

In the ladies race Alison Cardwell and Gillian Armstrong were having a great battle with Cardwell eventually pulling away to become the ladies champion. Ruth Butler and Iryna Kennedy also swam well to finish third and fourth respectively.

The men’s race was won by the impressive Glover who at only 16 is an exciting talent and if he continues to improve could go on and have a long and distinguished career in open water swimming.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Second place went to Colm Watters with third going to local man Robert Barry.

After the swim the presentations went ahead in Portrush Yacht Club with organiser Jeff Wilson thanking the RNLI and the Causeway Coast Kayak association for their safety cover and the Yacht club for their hospitality.

Ladies results: 1) Alison Cardwell 17.43; 2) Gillian Armstrong 18.19; 3) Ruth Butler 20.19; 4) Iryna Kennedy 40.15. Mens results: 1) John Glover 14.30; 2) Colm Watters 16.24; 3) Robert Barry 16.38; 4) Connor McGilloway 16.50; 5) Carl Russell 17.42; 6) Keith Ross 17.58; 7) Alex Curran 18.03; 8) Roy Goodlad 18.57; 9) John Simpson 21.40; 10) Alan Simpson 25.17.

Related topics: