Billy Wallace Recalls North Channel History On WOWSA Live

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The venerable Billy Wallace discussed his involvement and entwinement with the history of North Channel swimming and swimming in Ireland with International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame chairperson Ned Denison on today’s edition of WOWSA Live.

Wallace described the following during his interview about his nearly 50-year career as an administrator and steward of the sport:

* his services to the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association
* the life and wide-ranging talents of Jack McClelland
* the 20 hour 46 minute crossing from Ireland to the Isle of Man
* Ted Keenan who completed the Original Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
* the Billy Butlin Cross Channel race of 1956
* the Gunn family including Conor Gunn and Gráinne Moss (née Gunn)
* early slow growth of the sport has transformed to one of the fastest growing sports, including wild swimming
* creation of stunningly beautiful medals and promotion of the Hall of Fame – Marathon Swimming Ireland including inductee Imelda Lynch

Wallace is shown above with Irish Long Distance Swimming Association observer Maureen McCoy, Michelle Macy and Sheena Paterson (left to right) after Macy’s record-breaking North Channel swim of 9 hours 44 minutes in 2014.

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