Nessie Challenge

WE HAVE MOVED

2009-04-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

Hi and thanks for visiting.

We are taking on more challenges than Nessie alone this year.

As a result we have moved to our new 40 Foot Walruses Club blog.

You can find us here:

http://40footwalruses.blogspot.com/

Tks,

Alan

Nessie Battered By 40 Foot Walruses - Guinness World Records - Fundsraised - Fancy a swim on Sunday? - Next Years Swim(s)?

2008-07-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

Congrats to all 18 40 Foot Walruses who took on and conquered the Nessie Challenge!!! It was long, feezing and very fun swim, and everybody swam through it in flying colours (although mainly blue).

In swimming across the Loch we have raised €10k for charity, gotten super fit and had not just a small slice of craic!

The whole challenge from inception to completion has been a fantastic experience and thats down to you the swimmers so pats on the back all round.

We've sent in an official application to the Guinness Book of Records to be "The Largest Group to swim across Loch Ness". The locals certainly think we are and we hope to hear back from Guinness over the coming weeks.

As regards funds raised, The easiest way for you to hand over your funds raised to us in the club is to lodge them in the club bank account.

it's acc no: 10215834
Sort code: 98-50-30
Tran code(what ever that is) : 71

Account : The Nessie Challenge
Ulster Bank
Lower Camden Street

After lodging it send me a mail with the amount you lodged so I can cross reference it.

This way every euro is accounted for.

Get all your photos/footage of the day to Denny, by way of e-mail or CD/DVD. Then he will put them up somewhere where everybody has access to them.

The Captain of our Boat George has kindly offered to put up a Nessie Challenge Trophy for next year should we want it! We're keen to hear your thoughts on this. It could be a team trophy, or maybe you feel the nessie challenge is about craic not a cup. Dont be shy (as if!), send in a mail with your thoughts.

On the subject of next year. Given the lack of fatalities we are hoping to hold the Nessie Challenge again, just like this year it is impossible without your super support and participation. So we hope you enjoyed it so much you will come back to become part of Nessie Challenge 09, and maybe bring a pal or two too. Any ideas on how we can make the whole experience even better are gratefully accepted.

We also want to add a second swim into our calendar, something a little loopy, you know the style! So we're open to suggestions. So far we've had:

Iceland
Denmark to Sweden
Croatia to Italy
Sardinia to Corsica
Alcatraz
Lake Malawi
The Dardenelles

Remember the swim can be a relay swim if the distances are mad.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

This Sunday should you fancy a swim you have 2 choices! There is a charity swim (not a race) which is always great craic heading from the 40 Foot to Bullock and back, then there is loads of tea and sambos and sausies and bikkies and stuff after. I think its at 11.30 but I'm not sure! Maybe somebody could confirm by way of group mail.

And then there is a race from windsurfers pier at Seapoint. Men 12.30 Women 1.30.

I'm undecided, i'll go with the group.

The Blog will be back weekly again from Jan 09.

Any exceptional news in the meantime I'll update it and blast out a mail.

Congrats to one and all again.

Thanks to you for making Nessie Challenge 08 such a special experience.

Happy paddling,

alfonso

P.S. Did you see the article beside us in the Post and Journal News? Drumnadrochit are experiencing a severe lime green towel shortage.

1 week to go! - Vote on Lake Swim - Iron Man - Sponsorship

2008-07-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

Howdy Folkys,

It is now the final week of training. We jet off to conquer Nessie on Friday week! After next Tuesday don't swim any distances above 1km. Let the body build up its reserves for the Saturday. I'm officially off the booze now until Saturday lunchtime.

There will be 2 more Lake swims before we depart. Sunday in either Mullingear or Loch Dan(we'll have a vote). And then next Tuesday in Lough Dan . The more of these you do the better, there is certainly an adjustment to be made. Lough Dan was a spectacular swim yesterday by the way!

The Tommy Dorgan Sea Swim is on Sat 26th of July. This is the Iron Man of the Dublin Sea Swim Calendar. It's a 5k swim from Seapoint to the Poolbeg Lighhouse at the mouth of the Liffey (the red one with the white wall).
If you are interested let me know. We'll do 1 increasing long distance swim every week between now and then (2.75, 3.5, 4 then Tommy D).

Hows your sponsorship going? I'm even hitting my dentist for money! We've a couple of swimmers who are on the second form. Well done to Denny and Dave who have raised €500 so far selling raffle tickets to drunk people. Well done also to Brian and Brian who have got Vodafone to double all the money they raise. And Well done to Fran who is getting Bank of Ireland to do a double up with her too!

Happy Paddling,

alfonso

2 and a half weeks till the day - Lake Swim - Fundraising

2008-06-25T02:29:00.000-07:00

Howdy folks,

Above is the final draft of our Club Logo. Excellent work Dave D'Arcy, much appreciated.

2 and a half weeks untill we paddle across the Loch. That means that this is the last weekend of serious training. The following weekend will be a gentler swim to ensure your body is primed for the big day.

In order to Acclimatise to Fresh Water, this Sunday our Sunday Swim will take place in Lough Owel which is 4 kms after Mullingar on the M4. Its about an hours drive from Dublin. The Lough is deep with remarkable water quality and visibility of up to 20 feet on a bright day. It is very safe for swimming and there is actually a race scheduled here in August.

There is an island in the lake 500m from the shore. We will swim over to the island and back, and over and back. So it will be similar to the seapoint swim, just in a lake!

Remember how your first swim in the sea was different to the pool. Well there will be another adjustment here. So it is important you make it to this swim. If you need a lift or have spare car spaces send a mail to the group.

We will meet at Seapoint at 11am on Sunday morn and drive up together.

There are a couple of swimmers onto their Third Sponsorship Page. Well done. I have my form folded up in my pocket and it comes everywhere with me. Everytime I leave the house its a sponsorship opportunity, ask the Romas on the street, they've pockets full of cash!

There is a race in Seapoint at 5.45 for men and 6.15 women on Thurs. Should be good craic, I'm pushed for time but hoping to make it. Saturdays race is at Jury Inn in the North Quays, 5.30 and 6.

Happy Paddling

al

3 Weeks Training Left - Lake Swims - Money Raised - Are you the next Bertie?

2008-06-18T01:44:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

We have 3 weeks training and 2x2km swims left before we fly over to wrestle Nessie. This next 2 weeks are the most vital training weeks as the week before the swim the training is lighter to ensure you are in peak condition on the day. Everybody needs to do a 2km sea swim this week, and a 2 km swim next week. The following week is the week before we leave and we will be swimming shorter distances.

So just to ensure the message is perfectly clear. It is massively important that you do a 2km swim this week, and a 2km swim next week. Nobody wants to go all the way to Scotland to struggle, or to not finish the swim.

This Sunday we will swim from Whiterock again! 12.30 as always, and it's a 2k swim. I'm gonna do a 2k there tonight if anybody wants to join!

On Sunday week and the following (final) Sunday we will do a Lake Swim to prepare. Remember when we transferred from the pool to the sea? It took a bit of getting used to! Well there will be a little bit of getting used to again when we get in the a lake. Keep these days free in your diary. We will find a safe lake as close to Dublin as possible. We are currently researching options.

How's your Fundraising going? I have to admit I'm still under the €50 mark, gotta up my game to hit the €500! If we raise €500 each we will have raised €10,000 between us which is phenominal!

A suggestion came from a couple of heads within the club that we should Donate money to the 40 Foot seeing as its our home. Suprisingly they receive no funds from the County Council and it has been maintained for 150 years by private donations! Our initial target was €7,500 and we now have more swimmers, so there could be excess funds. If so we could take a vote and donate anything over the target to the maintenance of the 40 Foot.

Are you "harbouring" ambitions to be the next Bertie? The Dun Laoghaire Co Council is currently seeking public input on their plans to develop the Dun Laoghaire coastline. As a local sea-swimming club our voice should count. If you have any interest in contributing to the public consultation process let me know. The future of our coastline is being decided now and they are asking for your opinion. It's a great opportunity to have a say in something special.

The 40 Foot Walruses becomes political, who'd a thunk it?

Happy Paddling,

al

4 Weeks training 'till we Swim 2 the Castle - Lake Swims - Sunday Business Post - Sandycove Race

2008-06-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

The Leaving Cert might have already started but at least we still have 4 weeks Training left before we conquer the Loch. At this stage it is really important that you are swimming 3 times a week, and doing a 2km sea swim once a week. Keep on Swimming!

Urquhart Castle have generously given us permission to swim ashore on their grounds on the day. So check out the picture above and visualise swimming to that castle every day when doing your press ups in the snow.

We want to do one or two Lake Swims before the day. Does anybody have any suggestions on a good location? Near Dublin, safe for swimming?

We got a great colour snap in our swimsuits on Page 3 on the Sunday Business Post Magazine last weekend, see the top photo above. For bigger versions and more photos check out the 40 Foot Walruses Facebook Account.

http://www.facebook.com/people/FortyFoot_Walruses/1261256458

We had 7 swimmers competing in the First race of the Sea Swim Calender last Saturday. Well done to Denny, Sue, Butler, Jamie, Sham and Simon T, and me who all swam superbly.

Our average finishing time was above the halfway mark, which is a fantastic start! It demonstrates that our standard is already above average when compared with the regular competitors from Leinster's top Swimming Clubs. There is no reason why we cant bring home a trophy or two this season. Had we been allowed start at Go we would have taken first and third, unfortunately we were hindered by handicaps.

There are no races this weekend, but they kick off again at Seapoint on Thursday week!!! Anybody who swam last week will recommend it!

Congrats to Sue who took her sponsorship card to a wedding and now has €510 raised! Drunk people are an easy target!

Please E-mail suggestions for Lake swim location to Nessie Mailbox.

Happy Paddling,

al

Greetings Sunday Business Post Readers!!!

2008-06-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks a million for taking the time to look us up on the "Interweb".

We presume you are here because you are interested in The 40 Foot Walruses Sea-Swimming Club and/or the world famous "Nessie Challenge"!

Our e-mail address is nessiechallenge@gmail.com

So if you wish to sponsor us, get involved or you have a query please don't hesitate to belt us over a mail. We promise we wont sell your details on to penis enlargement spammers.

If you wish to pit yourself against Nessie get your name on the list for '09! Unfortunately the Nessie Challenge '08 is fully subscribed and looming large on the horizon. But once there aren't a discouraging number of fatalities (3 plus) this year we will certainly be stepping up to the challenge again in '09!!! Pre-Training starts in January so its a super New Years Resolution.

For further info on the causes we are fundraising for please scroll down to the Blog Entitled "Info on Charities". It is the blog before the blog before this one.

A Little Bit About Us (excerpt from Sunday Tribune May 12th):

EIGHTEEN Dun Laoghaire dare-devils are preparing to swim the cold and murky waters of Loch Ness this summer - and even tales of old Nessie cannot put them off.

Organisers Alan Coleman and Simon Torpay, both 28, have heard stories of sonar sightings of the legendary beast, and have even had warnings from renowned stunt swimmer “Alcatraz Joe” - but they will not be deterred from the 12 July event looking to raise more than €10,000 for charity.

“Last year Simon and myself did an 11km swim from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, ” Coleman told the Sunday Tribune.
“It was the first time this route had been done, and was quite tough. This time we wanted something that was a bit more inclusive, something more people would be interested in doing, ” he said.

Calling themselves the 40 Foot Walruses Sea Swimming Club, they are the first group from Ireland - including three mums - to attempt the swim.
The 18 brave souls will be swimming in water of 10 Degrees Celcius for around an hour.
“It has been done before but it’s not something that’s done regularly, ” said Coleman.
Initially, there was a group of 30 swimmers, but after speaking to Joe Oakes who swam Loch Ness three years ago - and who was the first man to swim the supposedly impossible Alcatraz to San Francisco stretch - they decided to impose a minimum standard.

“I got in touch with Joe after I bought his book which gave advice and tips on swims like this, ” said Coleman.
“When I told him our level, and that we had some beginners, he bascially said that the middle of Loch Ness is no place for beginners.
“It’s very choppy, ” explained Coleman. “And because it’s fresh water there is no buoyancy.”
A high peat content means visibility in the 800ft deep lake is very bad too.
“Joe said you can’t see your hand in front of you, and he also said it was the coldest water he had ever swam in.”

Currently, the 18-strong swimming club can be spotted on Sunday mornings, in their speedos, at the 40 Foot swimming spot in Dun Laoghaire.
“We are training together once a week at the 40 Foot, but we are all doing extra training - about 2km a week, in our spare time as well. It’s a big commitment, it does interfere with your social life, ” laughed Coleman, who says he is looking forward to a hot drink afterwards.
“We will have hot scotch, haggis and a bagpipe player playing ‘Scotland The Brave’ waiting for us at the far side.”

And the big question - is he afraid that Nessie will make an appearance on the day?
“The more I read about it the more I believe there could be something to it.
“But there are 18 of us, so I will surround myself with other swimmers who are covered in goose fat -Nessie likes to eat geese apparently, ” he laughed.

Thanks again for taking the time to look us up.

Happy Paddling,

Alfonso

5 Weeks Training 2 Go - Names for flights - Swim Ireland Membership - Phantom FM & Sunday Business Post - Sponsorship

2008-06-04T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hola Gringos y Gringas,

There are 5 weeks of training left. The level you want to be at now is 2kms every week in the pool, and 1.6 kms in the sea. Congrats if you are going according to plan. If not dont worry too much, just keep getting the swims in! Swimmers who were finding it tough 3 weeks ago,and have upped their game, are belting through the swims now. Its all about practice. Just keep getting the swims in! The time is now-just do it - live the dream - impossible is nothing - be the ball - etc.

Last Sunday's Swim was a rip roaring 1.6kms. Sandycove to Dun Laoghaire Baths and back.
This Sunday our Swim will take us from Sandycove to Dun Laoghaire Pier and back. Thats 2km!
We will spend the following 4 weeks getting strong over 2km, with a couple of lake swims thrown in. Then its Nessie Wrestling Time!!!

RE: The Flights, I have to confirm our names exactly as they appear on your passport by next Tues, so belt that over to me asap please.

We will be registered with Swim Ireland by Friday so everyone who has filled out a form and paid the fee can compete in this weekends races if they wish. This Saturdays Race is a home fixture for us! It's a 1.2 km swim going out of Sandycove starting at 3pm, a doddle for anybody who has been doing our Sunday Swims.

In your Inboxes also you can find myself and Donal blabbering on Phantom FM, you may find it funny to have a listen? We are hoping to get a bit of coverage in this Sunday's Sunday Business Post Magazine (the swimsuit edition), another one for the scrapbook!

I believe Sue has overtaken Aran on the top of the Sponsorship leaderboard with €110 raised!
I'm still on Zero, better get my begging face on.

Oh and if anybody meets JP and he tells them he swam 3 kms in the pool last week he didnt, time ran out and he had to stop 5 lenths short!!! Just so you know.

Happy Paddling,

Alfonso

Info on Charities

2008-05-30T05:28:00.000-07:00

As promised here's a load of info on the causes to help you with your fundraising.

Aran (Director of Communications and Relations with Schools):

Funds for Underpriveliged Schools

"We are aiming to donate €2,500 each to 2 under-privileged schools in the local Dún Laoghaire area. They are the 'Holy Family N.S.' in Monkstown Farm and 'St. Kevins N.S.' in Sallynoggin. These schools are funded by the Department of Education but like many schools in Ireland this funding only provides for 2/3’s of the basic everyday running of the schools. The remainder comes from parents.

Al and myself met with the principles of the two schools last week and asked them to put together a wish list of equipment the children could benefit from. Holy Family N.S. informed us they wish to start coaching kids Olympic Handball, but the gear (nets etc.) they have now is over ten years old, and a health hazard! St. Kevins N.S. teaches music but has little or no equipment, through buying musical instruments we can help them get a good music program up and running.

From our point of view, as a group, these are great things to be providing for children who otherwise wouldn't have access to this type of equipment."

Donal (Director of Relations and Communications with Wells for Zoe)

The second benefactor of the funds raised will be Irish humanitarian organisation Wells For Zoe (WFZ)

What started out as a small project to provide safe and clean water to a few villages in Malawi in Eastern Africa has now become a growing humanitarian organisation involved with land Irrigation, farming, micro-credit systems and training for some of the poorest people on the planet. Wells For Zoe is now involved with communities in over 80 locations around beautiful Malawi.

Last October some of us had the fortune to visit a few of the villages where WFZ is bringing about such positive changes to communities. To see the work in action, first hand, and to walk past previously baron land now full of vegetable crops is something else.

WFZ operates on a "hand up not a hand out" principle and is dedicated to working within local village structures to promote the dignity that comes with ownership. WFZ views provision of water as being the first step on the development ladder.

We aim, through our nut-numbing malarkey in Bonnie Scotland to raise 2500 Euro.
I asked John Coyne what this amount of money could translate into in Malawi and he sent me this reply:

" When we manufacture the pumps in Mzuzu later in the year we expect they will cost 30 to 35 euro each. When you add the cost of the cement and a little steel fitting a complete well works out at about €100. This can give water to a village of at least 100 people.
Quickly doing the Maths!! its Water for Life for €1.

At Easter 10 DIT students helped a community to build a 3 classroom school where materials cost little over €2500.

€2500 would buy quarter of a million Bananas, 130 bags of Fertiliser, 500 bags of maize in the cheap season.
It could buy 5000 day old chicks.

It could the capital to fund (zero interest) micro credit to 10 villages.
It could enable a village to become food secure and lead to self sufficiency.
It could buy 20 cows, 5000 fruit tree seedlings or plant a small forest.
Give clean water to at least 2500 poor villagers, putting then on the first rung of the development ladder.
Send 30 girls to Secondary school.
Clothe 1500 of the poorest children
Train and equip 150 villagers in beekeeping
Pay 10 farm labourers for a year.

These are some things it could do, but much of our work is based on Inspiration, Education and Challenge and only costs an odd bit of maize, some oil, some fish and some seeds, (which we have started to propagate on our farm), as a gesture.
Their power often comes from here, little cost, some time and huge rewards for all.
It's a long slow process, but we see all that has failed.
Money has its place, but its not the most important

Well done to all of you.
Take a look at http://wellsforzoe.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/not-just-a-good-team-but-a-great-team/
and have a look through the pics. Motivating a community."

Peace out.

6 1/2 weeks - Open Sea Calendar - Club Membership - Sponsorship Cards-

2008-05-28T01:25:00.000-07:00

Sandycove to Dun Laoghaire Baths and Back 1.6 kms

YoYoYo,

6 and a half weeks now untill we Conquer Nessie! I trust your training's going well.

We've been getting half the swimmers down for the Sunday Swims up to now. If you are in the half who is getting down good work keep it up. If you havent been getting down try and get down this Sun, or if Sunday doesnt suit you because of Mass or something like that gimme a mail and we will arrange a regular midweek swim that suits you better.

We'll be swimming 1.6 kms this Sunday, Sandycove to the steps in front of Teddies and back. Check out diagrams above.

The Swim Ireland Open Sea Swim Calender is now out and in your Inbox. The swims are great craic, and will be taking place every weekend this Summer if you fancy it? They are handicapped so the fastest people start last (up to 8 minutes behind) and everyone has a chance of winning!!! It would be great if the Walruses took home a trophy or two.

For Insurance purposes we need to register the club with Swim Ireland. Simon T will have the necessary forms this Sunday in the 40 foot. It will cost €40 per swimmer. We hate asking for money but we cant pay it ourselves. Once registered you are a Swim Ireland Swimmer, you are covered by their Insurance for all training swims and can take part in any or all of the Sea Swims this year! If you cant make it please give the moolah to somebody who will be there, I believe late regos cost more.

Sponsorship Cards are printed and ready to be given out! You can get your paws on them tonight at Seapoint at 7, 40 foot tomorrow at 6 or this sunday, 12.30 at 40 foot. Muchas Gracias to Aran, Donal and Dave for their excellent work on the cards!

Aran is leading the way with €100 raised already! I know Sham is confident he's got a couple of quid awaiting his card too.

I will stick up a Blog with info on the causes this Friday so you have the lowdown for the weekend!

Happy Paddling,

Alfonso

Sponsorship Cards-Training- Phantom FM

2008-05-21T02:15:00.000-07:00

Howrya Folks,

I trust you're looking tanned and feeling fit!

The Sunday Tribune Photo is now in your inbox so you can treasure those moments for ever. It looks fantastic in colour!

We will have your Sponsorship Cards to you by this weekend so you can start raking in the moolah.

Its now 8 Fridays till we fly off so that is plenty of time to raise a few quid.

The Sunday Swims are progressing spectacularly! We had a great 800m swim last Sunday. 11 swimmers all in all. This Sunday we will cover 1.2 kms. Conditions allowing this will be The 40 Foot to Bullock and back, see Google Earth Map above. Come on down for 12.30!

As regards the Training Programme. Its vital that in addition to the sea swims you are getting the 2kms done in a pool! I missed it 2 weeks ago and found it very tough going last week. The Sea Swims are great for acclimatising to cold water, but if you are not doing 2kms once a week you are losing fitness. Besides the Training Programme looks great on your wall with loads of big red ticks on it!

Fair play to Damon and Paudie who ran in The Phoenix Park 10k race last Sun, and also to Trev who completed the Valentia Island Triathalon in Cork last weekend. Much Respect.

Myself and Donal will be on Phantom FM today (Wednesday) about 3.15. We'll be talking about the Nessie Challenge and all that Jazz. Tune in if you're near a Radio.

Any Requests?

Happy Paddling,

Alfonso

Media Coverage-Hotel-Safety Boats-Fundraising

2008-05-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

The Sunday Trib article was deadly! Pats on the back all round. Once I have the photos from the photo taking guy I will forward them on to you. We plan to get more coverage as the swim draws nearer.

Its great to see everybody making the most of the Sun and getting loads of Sea-Swimming in. There were about 11 of us in Seapoint at different times on Tues. There is a good crowd expected again tonight (Wed). If you arent doing 2kms in the sea, make sure and get to a pool once a week and belt it out!

Word of warning, gear does get nicked in Seapoint so dont bring valuables if possible.

Hotel is nearly a done deal. Will confirm in the morning. Best deal is with Loch Ness Hotel. It will cost €100 total for both nights including Traditional Scottish Breakfast (Haggis Optional!), moolah is payable on arrival. The Hotel has a BraveHeart Centre, A Nessie Museum, and Pub next door!

Have a gander on
http://lochness-hotel.com/

The Safety Boats are now booked for the swim. We will have 2 twelveman boats to escort us across and a Rib for the unlikely event of a rescue. It works out at €50 per head, again payable when we get there. Gotta have them.

Donal and Aran are getting the Sponsorship Cards ready, and Dave is busy on the Logo. We hope to have them out to you next week!!!

Happy Paddling,

Fat Al

Pre-Training Preparatons are now Complete. Let the Proper Training Begin!

2008-05-07T01:59:00.000-07:00

MadDog Murphy Completes 1 mile in Seapoint last Sunday

Howrya,

We had our landmark 2kms swim on Sunday. Well done to Denny, Paudie, Sham, Simon, Sue and me who all finished 2kms in under 45 mins. Well done also to Cora and Dave who are progressing rapidly and both completed one of their best swims to date on the day! Here is how the swim table is progressing now!

Al 2
Al's Mum 1
BigP 1
Butler 1.75
Damon 2
DaveD 1.5
Denny 2
Donal 2
Ed 1.6
Jamie 1
Kedders 2
Kedders' Mum 1.6
Madeleine 2
Paudie 2
Sham 2
Simon 2
Sue 2
Trev 2

Fair play to everybody for their work and progress, We'll look like the cast from Baywatch by June!

Well done to the latest addition to the swim table Ed "MadDog" Murphy. Ed did his first sea-swim of the year on Sunday morning. He got into Seapoint in his togs and swam 1.6 kms in 45 mins! Water temperature was 10 C. Legend.

Another well done to JP who cant make it to Scotland beause of the conditions of his parole, but he did make rapid progress and hit the 2km mark recently. (There I said it JP, let the kittens out of the microwave)

The Training Programme is now in your inbox. Print it off, stick it up on your wall and tick the swims off as you do them!

With the fantastic weather its now a great time to get out of the pool and into the sea. Posting comments on the blog with a time and place is a great way to arrange a swim (pool or sea) with others during the week!

Pre-Training Preparation is now over. Let the Real Training Begin!

2k this Sunday - Board of Directors Vacancy.

2008-04-30T01:14:00.000-07:00

Howsitgoin,

This Sunday May 4th is our "Y2k" swim. It takes place in Sportsco in Ringsend at 7pm.

Get there before 7 so you are changed and ready to start swimming at 7. We have the pool until 8 but we have been told its OK if we run over.

The objective is to swim 80 lengths which will be 2kms. Time doesnt matter. We have 6 lanes so everbody will have plenty of space to themselves. Simply swim at your normal pace! Breaks are fine, doing a bit of breaststroke is fine too, its all about swimming 80 lengths.

For directions to Sportsco check out: http://www.sportsco.ie/map-static.html

If you need a lift post a comment below with where you are coming from and we'll sort something out4ya.

If you are out of the country or injured or otherwise and cant make it let me know.

We have an opening on the Board of Directors for a 40Foot Walruses Sea Swimming Club Director of Boats and Canoes. This is an important role which involves organising safety boats for the day. If you have access to a phone, can understand Highlanders and want to join the Board of Directors send me a mail.

We'd a great Sunny Sunday Dip and Swim last weekend. Rambo Denny, Luke, Torpay, Pixie, Trev, Sham my Mum and me. We got wetsuits out and all.

If you fancy a dip this Sunday at 12.30 come on down. Otherwise see you in Sportsco.

Anyone know where you can get a good pint of Guinness in Ringsend?

Happy Paddling,

Alan

Appointments to the Board- Info on Charities- Pool is Booked!

2008-04-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

The Board of Directors

Howdydoody,

The 40 Foot Walruses are proud to announce 3 Appointments to the Board of Directors:

Aran "BigPerm" Byrne has been appointed "The 40 Foot Walruses Sea-Swimming Club Director for Communications and Relations with Schools".

Handsome DaveD has been appointed "The 40 Foot Walruses Sea-Swimming Club Director for Artistic Endeavour and Design" (watch this space for a slick-ass logo).

Donal "TheFishMan" O'Gorman has been appointed "The 40 Foot Walruses Sea-Swimming Club Director for Communications and Relations with Wells for Zoe".

If you have any freakish talents you could lend to the club please let us know, in particular a Director of Photography and a Director of Corporate Fundraising are particularly desirable!

Sponsorship Cards will be printed and distributed in mid-May. In the meantime, here is a word from Aran as to how the funds raised will help Underprivileged Schools:

Aran (Director of Communications and Relations with Schools):

From our point of view, as a group, these are great things to be providing for children who otherwise wouldn't have access to this type of equipment."

Thanks Aran, beautifully put. Next week Donal will give us the low-down on how the funds we raise will be put to use by Wells for Zoe to help poor folk in Africa.

May 4th 2km swim.

"Our Man Sham" booked the best pool in Dublin, the 25 metre pool in Sportsco for May4th, and the legend got it for €40 quid (other pools were quoting €200). The whole 6 lanes of the pool will be ours from 7pm-8pm on the day. Check out link below for details and directions:

http://www.sportsco.ie/facilities/swimming-pool/swimming-pool.html

Who's at 2k?

Fair Play to Kedders, Sue, Trev and myself for reaching the 2km mark since last Wed. Well done of course to Denny, Donal, Madeleine, Paudie and Sham who were already there! The table (found in blog no. 2) is updated every time a swimmer either e-mails me a new distance or posts their new distance on the blog. Updated distance are in green!

4o Foot Sundays

We had a suprisingly good turnout of Hardcore Heads for the Splash in the Storm last Sunday; Sham, Donal, Madeleine, Aran, Simon eile and myself braved it, and it was suprisingly pleasant!
We'll be there again at 12.30 as always this Sunday.

Newbies- Swimming Table- News of the World Page3!

2008-04-16T01:42:00.000-07:00

Rocco swims 2km

Howrya Doin',

We've 2 new swimmers with us Damon and Paudie, you's are both very welcome to the 40 Foot Walruses Sea-Swimming Club and Loch Ness Challenge lads. D&P are gonna swim the Loch with us and they are looking forward to swimming the sea races this summer too. Our group of Nessie Swimmers is now 17 strong and our travelling group is now 20!

Here is a table with where everybody is with distance right now. The purpose is to give everybody an idea of where they stand. The Nessie Challenge is not a race (mainly because we'd be shamed by the mums!) so the table is not for competitive purposes, it's simply a frame of reference for you.
To update/change your distance post a comment with your new distance and I will update the table.

Al 2
Al's Mum ?
BigP ?
Butler 1.75
Damon 2
DaveD 1.5
Denny 2
Donal 2
Jamie ?
Kedders 2
Kedders' Mum 1.6
Madeleine 2
Paudie 2
Sham 2
Simon ?
Sue 2
Trev 2

It is now 3 Sundays and 2 and a half weeks until the May 4th 2km swim. If you can cover the 2kms in under 45 mins on the day that is super, well done. But the priority is to cover the distance on the day! Our man Sham is organising a pool for the swim.

There is going to be a photographer from a Sunday Newspaper down in the 40 Foot to get a snap of The Nessie Challenge Group over the next few weeks! So dont miss "the Semi-Naked to the Nation" photo Opp!!! Come on down for 12.30, we had a smaller than usual turnout last Sunday, so hopefully you can get down this Sun.

Any ideas for a name for the distances table??? If so please post a comment!

Happy Paddling,

Fat Al
Simon "The Torpedo" Torpay

P.S. Rocky IV training clip below, for me there is no better motivator. Pump up the volume and kick back with a mug of raw eggs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Kg_w-0y_w

Nessie Challenge Bloggs!

2008-04-09T02:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first Nessie Challenge Blogg. This will replace the weekly e-mail newsletter as The 40 Foot Walruses Swimming Club swims bravely into the future.

Feel free to add comments, translate into Hindu, or enjoy any of the wonderous futuristic features of Bloggland.

Well done to Chesney "Sham" Hawkes for his solo winter dip on Sunday, he truly is the one and only!

Pics above are of the superduper dip we had 2 Sundays ago at The 40 Foot, thanks to BrianB and Sarah for the photos!

It is now 3 1/2 weeks and 4 Sundays to May 4th 2km swim. If you're training is going well and you are nearly at the 2kms well done! If you are finding it challenging mail me and let me know how you are going and we'll put a training plan together, no hassle.

The message when training is still focus on swimming the distance first. Then when you are completing the 2km, work on time. We can be flexible on time on the day, but you want to complete the 2kms on Sunday May 4th.

As always we will be having a dip and a spot of tea at the 40 Foot this Sunday at the regular time of 12.30, do come on down, weather forecast looks good and its always a bit of craic!

Happy Paddling,

al

alfonso
Simon "the Torpedo" Torpay
The 40 Foot Walruses Sea Swimming Club