Displaying items by tag: Oltmpic medalists

22nd August 2010

43 entries for Etchells Worlds starting at Howth

The Etchells World Championship starts at Howth Yacht Club on Monday (23rd August) with 43 boats from nine countries confirmed to contest the 9-race series.

Some of the world's top sailors, including Olympic medallists and former World Champions, will be in action in the event supported by the Fingal County Council, Dublin Tourism and the Irish Sports Council. Over 130 Etchells sailors will participate and in addition to the 12 Irish boats which qualified for the event, entries have been received from Australia, USA, UK, Holland, Italy, Singapore, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

Among the overseas entries are America's Cup winner John Bertrand from Melbourne; last year's runner-up Damien King from Sandringham YC, Australia; former US Rolex Sailor of the Year Jud Smith from Marblehead; US Winter Series winner Marvin Beckmann from Houston; and Argyle Campbell from Newport Harbour.

Fifteen of the overseas entries participated in last weekend's Irish National Championships, sponsored by Euro Car Parks, to familiarise themselves with the Howth waters, with former World Champion Peter McNeill from Sydney, Australia winning the title ahead of Britain's Julia Bailey. Ireland's top qualifier, Dan O'Grady and his crew from Howth, finished 3rd overall.

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.