Prom Swim Challenge

This Saturday, 20th September @ 4.15pm, David Tarpey and David Kennedy, will set off on the challenge of swimming the 2.2km open water KingFisher Corrib Prom Swim from Grattan Beach to Blackrock. Both men, who are paraplegics following separate accidents, are members of the Octopus Swimming Club which is for people with physical disabilities. They have been training hard since February and are looking forward to the event, in which they will be competing against the abled bodied swimmers.

David Kennedy explained that “when the swim was first muted I could swim a length of the pool now we are about to embark an open water swim of 2.2km. I never thought that I would be able to do this as an abled bodied person, never mind someone who was no use of their legs!”

David Tarpey added that “it’s been great to have something to aim for and focus on over the past 6months. The training has gone well and we’ve really enjoyed the sessions in the sea. It just shows what you can achieve when you set a goal”.

Andrew Flanagan, from Corrib Water Polo who are organising the swim, stated “this swim has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008 and this year we’re happy to welcome more swimmers, from more clubs than any other year, including David Tarpey and David Kennedy, paraplegic athletes from Octopus Swimming club in Galway”

The KingFisher Corrib Prom Swim, from Grattan Road to Blackrock, is open to all Swim Ireland competitive and special members. Registration is at 3.00pm at Grattan Road Beach, and at Ladies’ beach for under 12, 14 & 16 swimmers for the shorter junior race. For further information contact Andrew Flanagan on .