The competitive squads of Shark Swimming Club, Galway, are holding a fundraising swimathon on Saturday from 6pm to 8.30pm in Leisureland Salthill.
Under the direction of head coach Eduardo Santos, the swimmers are undertaking the challenge of swimming 207km in 2 hours and 14 minutes - the distance and time it takes to drive from Leisureland to the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin.
“We are raising much needed funds for our swimming club and in the process will be donating a portion of the funds raised to Jigsaw, Galway, which is a free and confidential support service for young people,” says Shark Swimming Club chairperson, Tommy Naughton.
The squads will be joined by guest swimmers, including Olympic swimmer and European silver medallist Grainne Murphy, World champion Irish dancer Claire Greaney, Operation Transformation winner 2011 Ronan Scully, Galway Special Olympics swimmers, along with some rugby and football legends.
“This swimathon event is a true celebration of competitive swimming at every level from beginners to Olympians,” Naughton says. “ It is also an opportunity for the general public to support our swimmers and for our swimmers to show how much they love their sport.”
The event will also be a good training session for the club swimmers as they prepare to compete in the National Irish Age Groups and Youth and Senior Irish Swimming Championships on June 28 and July 18.
The club is also seeking sponsorship from local businesses and companies to pledge an amount per kilometre swum.
For further information email [email protected].
