Eight swimmers from Donegal have completed a ‘bucket list’ swim from Alcatraz island, driven by the memory of the late Dara O’Malley Daly in their hearts.
It was a cool misty early Monday morning in San Francisco Bay when the swimmers from three local families, including three 16 year olds, set off on a boat ride towards Alcatraz Island.
Following many months of swim training in the Atlantic waters of Donegal Bay and getting their clearance to swim from local protocol, the swimmers received their pre-swim safety briefing.
After settling in front of the infamous island, they paid a poignant tribute to the memory of Dara O’Malley Daly, a great watersports enthusiast from Ballyshannon who sadly passed in August.
The brave swimmers then jumped into the cool waters of the bay to undertake one of the most famous swims in the world.
San Francisco Bay
The swim is a challenge over 2 miles from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park in choppy waters across strong currents and supported by local experienced safety crew.
Sarah O Malley Daly and her granddaughter Ciara Larkin Meehan from Ballyshannon, Therese Tierney with sons Maitiu and Callum from Bundoran and Martin McDevitt with his children Daire and Emer from Rossnowlagh were joined by experts and family from the Irish Pod swimmers, members of South End Rowing club to support their once in a lifetime achievement!
