Carlingford Lough (Loch Cairlinn), a glacial fjord in Northern Ireland, will host back-to-back events in July: the East Coast Adventure 3.5k Swim on July 24th and the Whistledown Hotel Round the Rock Swim will take place the following week on July 31st. Both events include a wetsuit challenge for those swimmers who would like to try out the longer distances who are less confident than their more experienced colleagues.

William Ferguson of the Glenalbyn Masters in Dublin will be back at the East Coast Adventure to defend his title at the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association-sanctioned event.

The Irish Ladies Long Distance Championship Colleen Mallon will face defending champion and cousin Aoiffe Mc Court Lynch. Swimmers from America and Hungary are also taking part, including two-time Olympic medalist Gabor Varga.

The Whistledown Hotel Round the Rock Swim is a creatively structured handicapped event where the slowest swimmers are given a head start over the fastest swimmers. Thomas Murphy from Newry and Brigeen Mallon from Bessbrook will defend their titles.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones