This is the 12th edition of the event, held in aid of Cancer Care West, and this year newly-appointed USA Swimming CEO and president Tim Hinchey is coming to take on the challenge.
Hinchey was a college swimmer at the University of California Irvine and most recently worked as the president of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. He is taking to the waters of Galway Bay as part of a relay team with three of his friends.
The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim is officially one of Ireland’s biggest and longest one day swims, and this year more than 100 swimmers will cover the 13km across the bay to raise funds for Cancer Care West.
Starting from Auginish in Co Clare and finishing at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill, the swim is a distance of roughly 13 kilometres.
“The swim is one of our biggest fundraisers each year and every year it keeps getting better,” says David O’Donnell of Cancer Care West. “Each swimmer, all the boat crew, and everyone who supports the swim has helped to fund our services and helped those affected by cancer.
“This year we have a lot of new faces taking on the relays and more so than ever swimmers from around Ireland are taking part. The news that team USA Swimming CEO will also be taking it on is really just another boost to the event,” he says.
The swim relies on massive support from support boats as each swimmer requires a boat to go alongside. Without the boats, this event could not go ahead. If anyone is interested in being a boat support, contact Cancer Care West. For all information or to make a donation log on to www.galwaybayswim.com or connect on all social media platforms.
