Sophie Ryan - Galway Bay Two-Way

Blackrock - Aughinish - Blackrock
19.8 km (12.3 miles)
7 hours, 26 minutes on 11 May 2024
Observed and documented by Nathan Timmins
Contents
Swimmer
- Name: Sophie Ryan
- Gender: female
- Age on swim date: 46
- Nationality: Ireland
- Resides: Dublin
Support Personnel
- Emily Timmins - crew
Observer
Nathan Timmins
Extensive experience in all of Ireland, particularly Galway Bay and Fastnet. Also pilots a lot of Irish swims and works as an open water coach. Open Water Coach, RNLI responder.
Escort Vessel
Name | Type | Port |
---|---|---|
unnamed | RIB | Baltimore |
Swim Parameters
- Category: Solo, nonstop, unassisted.
- Rules: MSF Rules of Marathon Swimming, without exception or modification.
- Equipment used: Textile swimsuit (Speedo thinstrap), silicone cap, goggles (Zoggs predator flex).
Route Definition
- Body of Water: Galway Bay, Ireland
- Route Type: multi-way (2)
- Start and Finish Location: Black Rock diving tower, Salthill (53.256188, -9.092245)
- Turnaround Location: Aughinish (53.168700, -9.067061)
- Minimum Route Distance: 19.8 km (12.3 miles) (map)
History
Long-running annual event along one way of this course (Aughinish to Blackrock) - Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay swim (LongSwims Database).
Swim Data
- Start: 11 May 2024, 07:28 (British Summer Time, Europe/London, UTC1).
- One-way turnaround split time: 11:25am (3 hours, 57 minutes elapsed)
- Two-Way Finish: 11 May 2024, 14:54
- Total Elapsed: 7 hours, 26 minutes, 22 seconds.
Summary of Conditions
Feature | Min | Max |
---|---|---|
Water Temp (C) | 13 | 16 |
Air Temp (C) | 12 | 18 |
Wind (Beaufort) | 1 | 2 |
GPS Track
Trackpoint frequency: 10 minutes. Download raw data (CSV).
Speed Plot
Observer Log
Swimmer Statement
by Sophie Ryan
It was a really stunning swim and the weather was wonderful considering it was only mid May. My husband rallied some of the people on the beach to clap for me as I finished.
I did a one way Galway Bay last year in August one week after having Covid, this double actually felt easier than the one way from last year!
I love doing Marathon swims in Ireland we have such an incredible landscape and so many bodies of water to train in and explore. Galway Bay never disappoints, it is not your average 10k, it is invaluable having a pilot that knows the area well and Nathan was really exceptional, I am so grateful to him.
We met at Rinville and boated across to Blackrock Diving tower, we started and ended the swim at the tower.
What inspired you to do this swim?
I decided to do this swim very last minute. I had a 2 way fastnet tide booked that I had been training for all year, the water temperature was not at what we wanted it to be. Because I had already tapered I needed to do a long swim. We decided as the weather and tides would work to head to Galway to get one long swim in and then I could go back to tapering before my Fastnet tide. I thought the fact it was a 2 way swim would be good training psychologically for the turn when I went for the 2 way Fastnet swim.
Describe how you planned for the swim.
I trained very hard, this and felt very strong in the water.
How did the swim go, generally? Did you face any unanticipated challenges?
Generally the swim went well, there was some surface texture which was unpredictable at times but I coped well. Vomiting was frustrating as it messed with my energy levels but I was well looked after. It was a glorious sunny day for such an early swim in the season, we really got lucky with the weather.
Photos
Click to enlarge.
Video
None submitted.