Bay to the BBQ

Search and Recovery Boat Fun-draising Swim - Sun 26th Sept

Our Fun-draising Drive

It has been a difficult year with the COVID-19 pandemic severely restricting the clubs fundraising abilities and Athlone Sub-Aqua Club is trying to raise much needed funds to purchase a new RIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat) (approximately €80000). The purchase of a new dive RIB for our training and search and recovery missions is a top priority as our current RIB is, with age, becoming increasingly more difficult and expensive to maintain. Athlone Sub-Aqua Club's Search & Recovery unit are available to the local community, Gardai and Irish Coast Guard 365 days a year so a well maintained and reliable boat is an absolute must to ensure the safety of our volunteers.

Bay to the BBQ

The Bay to the BBQ Search & Recovery Fun-draising swim is a public event open to anyone who wishes to take part.

As the majority of the clubs activities are based on the water naturally we have some avid swimmers in the club who "floated" the idea of holding a long distance open water swim in the absence of a lot of other open water swimming events over the summer.

The swim event will take place on Sunday 26th of September and will consist of 3 different distance divisions for levels of swimmers from beginner open water swimmers to advanced long distance swimmers. Wetsuits and tow floats are mandatory for all participants in all distances.

Entrants to the swim will be required to fundraise a minimum of €100 per entrant through the iFundraise platform or have the option to pay the €100 donation amount themselves. On completion of the registration form, Athlone Sub-Aqua Club will create and send the link to the fundraising page to you. You can then share this page to raise the funds for entrance to the swim, It's that simple! All swimmers will receive a free T-shirt and silicone tri club hat.

Please note that places are limited in each division and it will not be possible to change divisions on the day. Due to the changeable weather on Lough Ree the organisers reserve the right to alter the swim route without prior notice to ensure the safety of the participants and volunteers providing safety cover for the participants.

Junior swimmers, aged 14 and above will be permitted to take part ONLY in Distance 3, 1km swim with the consent of a parent or guardian.

A BBQ will be provided for all swimmers at the quay wall and, restrictions permitting, live music and entertainment on the day from local musicians and acts.

Distance 1 - 6km - Hodson Bay to Athlone Castle

Swim Route: Hodson Bay -> Athlone Town (Slip Way @ Athlone Castle)

Participants must confirm their attendance with the organisers in the car park at the Hodson Bay Hotel on the day where they will receive their free T-shirt and color coded swim hat. All swimmers must be present for the swim briefing prior to swim start.

Participants will enter the water at the pier in Hodson Bay where they will be accompanied along the route by swim safety volunteers.

Distance 2 - 3km - Marker 644 to Athlone Castle

NOTE: swimmers will be taken by boat from Hodson Bay to Marker 644.

Swim Route: Marker 644 -> Athlone Town (Slip Way @ Athlone Castle)

Participants will board the Viking boat at the pier in Hodson Bay, from there, they will be taken by boat to Marker 644 where they will enter the water to begin the swim, accompanied along the route by swim safety volunteers.

Distance 3 - 1km - Golden Mile to Athlone Castle

Swim Route: Golden Mile -> Athlone Town (Slip Way @ Athlone Castle)

Participants must confirm their attendance with the organisers at the Diskin Enterprise Centre / Bowling Alley Car Park on the day where they will receive their free T-shirt and color coded swim hat. All swimmers must be present for the swim briefing prior to swim start.

A parent or guardian must be present with all junior members for registration and the swim brief.

Participants will enter the water from the floating jetty at the Golden Mile and begin the swim accompanied along the route by swim safety volunteers.

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