Three hardy Donegal swimmers represented Team Ireland in the first European Ice Swimming Championships last weekend.
The novel event took place in Oradea, Romania from 1st-4th February with over 320 swimmers from 27 countries competing.
Sarah O Malley Daly from Ballyshannon, Ann Morrow and Martin Mc Devitt, both from Rossnowlagh, joined 19 other ice swimmers from across the island of Ireland taking the plunge.
Three Cool Cats from Donegal Take a Plunge in Icy European Championships!
Ice swimming is swimming in water temperatures of below 5° unassisted wearing only a silicon cap, a pair of goggles and a standard swim costume.
After many training and acclimatising sessions, the trio entered various events and distances from 50m sprints to the longer endurance event of the Ice 1000m.
All swimming was performed in icy waters of 4° and under at the outdoor Olympic pool along the scenic river side location in Oradea.
Sarah secured 3 bronze medals and PBs (Personal Best) in her events. Her Donegal team mates Ann and Martin performed brilliantly with multiple PBs over various distances in freestyle and breaststroke. Overall Team Ireland achieved a total of 36 medals.
If you’re curious to see these polar plungers in action check out the Irish Ice Swimming Association’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/IISA.IceSwimming).
