Weather has forced postponement of the Galway Bay sea swim which is one of the largest open water events on the west coast calendar.
The 16th Frances Thornton memorial swim was due to have been held today (Sat, July 15), with some 150 swimmers registered to cross from Aughinish on the Clare side of Galway Bay to Blackrock, Salthill Galway.
Spokesman Brian Thornton said a new date would be set for next month, weather permitting.
About 60 of the participants aim to swim solo, while 90 participants were registered for the relay category.
Named after the late Frances Thornton of Galway, the event is Cancer Care West's biggest fundraiser. Well over 1 million euro has been raised for the charity to date, and this year’s event is set to raise over 100,000 euro.
Swimmers have to undergo a time trial before being accepted, and are accompanied by RIBs from Clare to Galway by a large group of experienced volunteers, including local inshore fishermen, swimmers and sailors, the RNLI and Doolin Coast Guard, Oranmore-Maree Coastal Rescue and Civil Defence.
Updates on the rescheduled swim date will be on the Galway Bay swim website here
