Cloghan lifeguard prepares for 15km endurance swim
33-year-old Paddy McDonnell from Cloghan is finishing up the final three weeks of his open water training before he completes the mammoth 15km endurance swim from Shannonnbrdge to Banagher, all in aid of MS Ireland.
The Athlone native is no stranger to the water, Paddy is a senior lifeguard and gym instructor at Birr Leisure Centre for the last eight years and when he’s not pool side, the swimmer is participating in open water swimming events and sprint triathlons across the country.
Commenting on the challenge he has set for himself, Paddy said the idea came about after he competed at a number of open water swimming meetings during the summer months last year.
“I competed in a number of swimming events over the last three years and I knew the river Shannon would be an ideal location to host an endurance swim for this particular challenge. I always wanted to combine my love of swimming with a charity fundraiser so when I was approached by a friend to help fundraise for MS Ireland, I offered to organise a sponsored swim for the worthy charity instead.”
“MS Ireland is a wonderful organisation that provide information, support and advocacy services to the Multiple Sclerosis community throughout the country so I was more than happy to something for the charity.
“I’ve started my training back in January. It consists of long endurance lane swimming in the pool, usually up to 200 lengths in one session and when I’m not training in the water, I work on my strength and conditioning at the gym.
Two months out from the date he was expected to complete the 15km swim, Paddy’s plans were almost derailed when unexpectedly he was forced to call a halt to his training due to appendicitis.
“I had to have my appendix removed three weeks ago and from a training point of view, it could not have come at a worse time in my preparations. I was just beginning to start my open water training at the river Shannon in Banagher when I was forced to rest up for a few weeks.
“It has set me back around three weeks, but I’m confident I will be able to regroup and make up for lost time.”
He thanked Shannonside Sub Aqua Club Banagher who will be providing a cover boat and safety personnel on the day while South Offaly Racing Club will also be providing kayakers who will flank him for the duration of the swim from Shannonbridge to Banagher.
Paddy’s 15km endurance swim takes place on Saturday, July 30. Anyone who would like to sponsor him and help raise funds for MS Ireland, sponsorship cards can be filled out at Birr leisure Centre and the Camann Inn in Cloghan.