Synchronised Swimming for the Hospice!

A group of twenty sea swimmers and dippers have come together in Clontarf baths to train for six weeks and put on a unique display performance this Tuesday evening, 28th September.

This is the first synchronised swimming fundraiser in Ireland and is described by the participants as a bit like a ‘strictly come dancing in the water’.

Local Councillor Donna Cooney who came up with the idea and is organising the event said, “So many people have taken to the cold Irish water swimming recently and this could be the start of a new trend; We certainly didn’t have any difficulty signing up a team of twenty for this event, even though we train outdoors in cold water as early as 7 am for up to an hour“

There are 19 women and 1 man participating, so this may be one of the rare sports where women outnumber the men. Participants are all ages and abilities, three duets, a mother and daughter Anna and Emma; or Declan and Siobhan a couple in their 60’s swimming together for over 30 years, and two international synchronised swimmers, Lottie Gray is a student in Trinity and the other Caitlin Hayter is a radiographer in the Bon Secours Hospital in Glasnevin both used to the hotter waters of South Africa and the Cayman islands then the Irish Sea.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland “This is a truly unique fundraising event for hospice taking place in Clontarf Baths and I’m truly delighted to attend as the Lord Mayor of Dublin. The participants and organisers have put enormous dedication into putting on this performance and I’m really looking forward to the event “

Aoife Drumm, who is teaching this event, has been teaching synchronised swimming to juniors for thirteen years, but this type of event is a first for her, she is a great tutor and challenges participants to tryouts and achieve new skills.

If you'd like to support the event in aid of St Francis Hospice you can donate at the link here.