A Historical Landmark: 2014 Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. At the 100th anniversary of the Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim, reportedly registered over 500 participants who took to the waters in the centre of Cork, Ireland. With the water in the lower ranges towards 13ºC, the centennial swim offered the typical edginess of tough Irish swims.
The world-famous 2 km swim asks its participants to swim 1,700m downstream and then tackle 300m upstream course direction in the Lee River. The event is one of the World’s Top 100 Open Water Swims and was originally held in 1914.
Most swimmers compete for age group prizes (under 20, 20-24, 25-29…up to 80-84) while others raise money for local charities in front of huge crowds. Following the swim a very social atmosphere continues on the boardwalk outside the Clarion Hotel and various festivities well into the night.
Follow the event on Facebook and see a part of a unique piece of open water swimming history today.
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
Latest posts by Steven Munatones (see all)