Saltees Island Swim
4 km Openwater Swim Challenge in aid of the RNLI



This challenge swim raises funds for the hard-working, dedicated RNLI. Thank you to all the swimmers and supporters who have helped raise funds for the RNLI. If anybody wishes to donate to the RNLI, please check out their website here.
The Saltees Island Swim is a deep open water swim (approx 4 km) in aid of the RNLI held in scenic Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford every year. The swim is run by Wexford Masters Openwater Swimming Club.
The Saltees Swim can be a difficult swim to complete therefore swimmers should exercise caution before entering. We recommend all participants train sufficiently in advance. Swimmers can wear wetsuits if they so wish.
























Entry Requirements
Accompanying Kayak/Kayaker
Charity
Schedule (approx.)
Please note that times are approximate.
Facilities & Parking
Everything is close by and convenient!

The carpark, public toilets, meet-up point, registration area, boat launch area and landing beach are all within walking distance of each other. There is also a children’s playground near the carpark.
What to bring for the Swim
Eating Out
Goodie Bags
Questions
If you have any questions or are looking for directions etc. on the day, please contact Maeve on 086-3268645 or email maeve_carey@yahoo.co.uk (or wexfordopenwaterseaswimming@gmail.com).
Previous Swims
2018
2018 Swim was unfortunately cancelled due to rough weather conditions.
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Well done to the 20 swimmers who swam from the Little Saltee (Saltee Islands) to Kilmore Quay on the afternoon of Sunday, 4th August 2013. The swimmers were: Denise, Tony, Sandra, Amanda, PJ, Richie, Saskia, Colin, Peter, James, Enda, Maeve, Dave, Cecile, Hans, Heike, Joan, Neal, Paul and Eamonn.
Colman and Pat did part of the swim. (Pat did the full swim later on in the month (26th Aug)).
We were very very lucky with the weather considering it was blustery the day before. Visibility also was not a problem with the day gradually getting brighter and clearer.
About 12:15 p.m., the group of swimmers gathered by the pier for some photos for the Wexford newspapers. The swimmers were then split up into different boats and the boats, with the kayakers and kayaks on board, ferried the swimmers to the Little Saltee Island. We had a staggered start, with a total gap of about 25 mins between the first boat and the last boat. The swimmers clustered together into six separate groups and were guided back to Kilmore Quay by 1 or 2 kayaks with the safety boats trailing behind.
Group 1 – Heike Coners, Joan Kelly, Amanda Bridges
Group 2 – Denise Underwood, Tony Brazil, Sandra Goldsmith
Group 3 – Colin Wilson, Peter Bolger, James O’Connor
Group 4 – PJ Sinnott, Richie Bridges, Saskia Dodebier
Group 5 – David Carley, Cecile Lambert, Enda Sinnott(skins), Maeve Carey (skins)
Group 6 – Neal O’Grady, Paul Fallon, Eamonn Colfer (skins), Hans Gosen
The water had a gentle wave that did not hamper swimming and it was a matter of putting the head down and swimming approx. 4 km back to land. The average swim time was about 1 hr 15 mins.
A big THANK YOU to Pat and Heike for organising the swim, to the RNLI, Slaney Search & Rescue, the other boats, crew, kayakers and our land-support team. Without your support, the swim would not have been possible.
Thank you also to all the people who lined the pier walls and the beach and cheered us in welcoming us back to land. It was great to have that energy and celebration after the hour plus of swimming.
Thanks also to the ladies at the RNLI station who kindly gave the swimmers tea, coffee and sandwiches afterwards.
Well done to the swimmers for raising €2,700 for the RNLI & doing the 4 km swim from the Saltees.
Presentations to RNLI






Thanks to the RNLI, other boatsmen, crew, kayakers and land support and all swimmers in helping to raise funds each year. We really appreciate your input and absolutely love seeing swimmers and supporters return again and again to participate. Thank you!