Abi to attempt 22K swim from Gyles Quay to Port Oriel to raise funds for RNLI

By Andy Spearman

Clogherhead teenager Abi McNamara was awarded the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association’s Junior Swimmer of the Year Award in April. Now she is preparing for her longest ever swim, 22 kilometres from Gyles Quay to Port Oriel and she’s doing it to raise funds for the RNLI.

Sixteen year-old Abi could swim long before she could walk and has been swimming for as long as she can remember. According to her Dad William, it was almost impossible to get her out of the paddling pool when she was a little girl!

With some amazing achievements already under her belt Abi is constantly looking for new challenges and she was the first Junior to complete the ‘Marathon Swim Qualifier 2022’ a 6-hour continuous open sea swim in Carlingford Lough organised by Infinity Channel Swimming which she completed in May.

Gyles Quay to Port Oriel is a challenging swim at the best of times but Abi will be attempting it during the Jellyfish season. She will have a support team on a boat indicating the presence of jellyfish and any other hazards she might encounter en route.

***Abi pictured during a training swim this week.***

The swim is expected to take Abi in the region of seven hours but this will depend on sea conditions such as chop, currents and wind which can play a large part.

The swim will be undertaken in line with the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association (ILDSA) rules (swimsuit only / one swim cap, no touching escort boat etc) and will be observed and recorded by an ILDSA observer for submission to ILDSA for ratification.

Abi will be escorted by the experienced Infinity Channel Swimming escort boat, pilot and support crew to keep Abi safe during this challenging swim which is scheduled to take place anytime within the swim window 10^th– 20^th July dependant on weather. The Infinity Channel Swimming escort boat pilot makes the final ‘Go’ decision.

Very early on in her preparations for the ‘Port Oriel Swim’ attempt, Abi, a big promotor for the ‘Respect the Water’ campaign identified this swim as a fundraiser for the RNLI in support of all their volunteers for what they do to keep everyone safe at sea.

Abi has a passion for water safety and is a Water Safety Ireland Trainee Instructor and is about to commence her WSI training this month to attain qualification as a Beach Lifeguard.

Abi also sees the ‘Port Oriel Swim’ as an opportunity to promote Water Safety public awareness due to the connections Abi has with Water Safety Ireland and the Safety Training Centres of Gyles Quay and Clogherhead.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts the Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man as well as on some inland waterways

Please consider making a donation to the RNLI by clicking HERE.

Remember, water Safety awareness counts! Provision of kit counts! Training counts! Every second counts to save a life so every euro/ pound counts. Donations are so much appreciated and gratefully received no matter the amount.

Below is a list of local business who are sponsoring Abi underwriting the cost, providing kit etc which ensures all proceeds raised during fundraiser goes directly to RNLI.