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Gaelforce Great Fjord Swim
Derrynacleigh, Leenaun, County Galway, Ireland
Killary Adventure Company, Derrynacleigh, Leenaun, County Galway, IrelandSat 26th September 2020
Starting at 09:00
Organiser's Description
3.9km (full Ironman-distance) route: for experienced swimmers who want to test their training in a new and spectacular location. Wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers welcome.
2km route: cruise to the start line in a catamaran, jump out and swim to shore. This is definitely one to remember! Wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers welcome.
750m route: hitch a lift with a fishing trawler to Co. Mayo and swim back to Co. Galway! Wetsuits must be worn.
Races
-
3.9km Swim
£48.00
CLOSED -
2 Km Swim
£48.00
CLOSED -
750m Swim
£44.00
CLOSED
Book
-
3.9km Swim
£48.00
CLOSED -
2 Km Swim
£48.00
CLOSED -
750m Swim
£44.00
CLOSED
Location
Killary Adventure Company, Derrynacleigh, Leenaun, County Galway, Ireland
How To Get There
Killary Adventure Centre is situated on the southern shores of Killary Harbour, 5km from the village of Leenane, Co. Galway on the N59. Driving time from Galway city is approximately 1hr 15mins, from Westport 35mins.EIRECODE: H91PY61
BY CAR
Travelling from Galway
Follow the signs for the N59 Clifden and after passing through the towns of Moycullen and Oughterard you will arrive at Maam Cross (easily distinguished by Peacock’s hotel complex on your right). At this crossroads turn right following the signs for Leenaun onto the R336. At the next T-junction at Keane’s Pub, turn left. After about 11km this road will bring you into the village of Leenane. You will then go through the village and taking the Clifden Road (keep the water on your right hand side) where after another 5km you will see the sign for Killary Adventure Centre. Our building is on the left hand side of the road as you travel Leenane to Clifden.
Travelling from Westport
Once in Westport look for the Leenane/Clifden road (signposted N59) and follow it for about 30kms to the village of Leenane. Once in Leenane turn right onto the Clifden road (N59) keeping the Killary Fjord on your right and we are 5km along this road on the left hand side. We recommend going via Westport if you are coming from Dublin on a Friday evening to avoid the traffic in Galway City.
Travelling from Dublin
To get to Killary Adventure Centre from Dublin you can travel via Westport or Galway City. The road is mostly motorway and dual carriageway from Dublin to Galway, which makes it a more direct route. To get to Westport from Dublin you will be taking the M4 motorway and then joining the N5 (national route) from Mullingar via Longford, Strokestown, Castlebar and then Westport. As you do not pass through any cities this may be a quicker route during rush-hour periods.
BY BUS OR TRAIN
Public transport is limited in this area but we can advise you on the best way to travel if you would like to contact us on 095 43411 or email [email protected]. Alternatively you can check any of the following websites for more details:
www.irishrail.ie for trains to Galway and Westport.
www.buseireann.ie for buses to Westport, Galway and Clifden (via Leenane).
www.citylink.ie for buses to Letterfrack (20kms from Killary)
BY AIR
Killary Adventure Co. is situated 100km from Knock Airport and 150km from Shannon Airport.
What's Included
Event t-shirt
Event swim hat
Boats to start line for the 2km and 750m
Use of individual electronic timing chips
Post-event food - homemade soup, water, fruit, tea & coffee.
PRIZES
Please note that as there are multiple waves in the 2km & 750m events, you must be in the first wave in order to win the overall prize or to be a category winner.
OVERALL DISTANCE WINNERS
Prizes to the value of €750 up for grabs!
1st male/female in all three events will receive FREE entry into next year's event.
CATEGORY WINNERS
There are also awards for the following categories in 3.9km/2km/750m:
2nd & 3rd overall
1st non-wetsuit swimmer (2km and 3.9km only)
Junior (under 19), Vets (over 40) and Super Vets (over 50)
Other Information
You must be over 16 years of age on the day of the race to enter The Great Fjord Swim
The average water temperature is around 12 degrees Celsius.
What are the locations of registration, start line and finish line for the Great Fjord Swim?
REGISTRATION
- 3.9KM, 2km SEA SPRINTER and 750m Registration takes place at Killary Adventure Centre.
- 2KM KILLARY CRUISES
- Wave 1 - Registration takes place at Nancy's Point
- Waves 2 & 3 - Registration takes place at the Leenane Community Centre
START LINE
- The start line for the 2km and 750m races is from the water in Killary Fjord where competitors are dropped to by boat.
- The start and finish lines for the 3.9km race is on the beach near the Killary Adventure Centre activity site.
FINISH LINE
- The finish line for ALL races is on the beach near the Killary Adventure Centre activity site. It will be sign posted on the day of the event.
Am I allowed to wear fins, booties, neoprene socks and gloves?
We do not allow fins but booties, neoprene socks and gloves can be worn.
What happens if I cancel my event entry?
All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, this includes transfers to other years, events or people. Please do make sure that you can commit to both the event and the training before you enter one of our events.
Can I change my wave or distance?
We cannot facilitate any wave or distance changes after you have entered an event. Please be sure to sign up for your preferred wave and distance when entering an event. If you preferred wave or distance is not listed online, it is sold-out and we cannot add anyone to sold-out waves or distances.
Who should enter the Elite Wave?
If you are a competitive swimmer with your eye on a podium position you should sign up for Wave 1 / Elite. *Note - Wave 1/Elite wave only considered for prize categories.
Guide Time: A sub 40 minute 2km open water swimming time would be considered competitive.
Should you qualify as an elite runner and find that the wave has sold out please email us on [email protected] with proof of your 2km open water swimming time and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What happens if there is an emergency delay or cancellation of the Great Fjord Swim?
Killary Gaelforce, at its sole discretion may delay, modify, or cancel this event if conditions or natural or man-made emergencies make administering the event unreasonably difficult or unsafe. “Emergency" is defined as any event beyond our control, including but not limited to high wind, extreme rain or hail, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, acts of terrorism, fire, threatened or actual strike, labour difficulty or work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, and unavoidable casualty. In the event of a delay, modification, or cancellation of this event as described in this paragraph, participants will not be entitled to a refund of their entry fee or any other costs incurred in connection with this event.
Announcements of any cancellation/postponement in advance will be via email to the address you have provided on the registration form. Notice will also be posted on the Great Fjord Swim website and social media pages. Please ensure that there is a correct email address on your registration form
Spectators: We would ask spectators to park at Killary Adventure Centre and then walk to the finish line. This is the best place from which to support all competitors. Competitors in the 2km and the 750m events will finish on the beach. Those doing the 3.9km route will start and finish on the beach. To reach the finish line/beach, turn right from the gate of Killary Adventure Centre and cross the road. Approx. 200m along is an entrance with a sign for the Connemara Hostel. Walk down here to the Killary activity site and continue to the right through the gate, past the activities and past the green building as far as the water and pier. Continue to the beach where there is a white marquee and the finish line. Approximately 10mins.
Mandatory Kit
- Wetsuit
Competitors in the 3.9km and 2km events can choose to wear a wetsuit or not and must do so as part of their online entry. There are prizes for both wetsuit and non-wetsuit overall winners in each distance.
All of those participating in the 750m event must wear wetsuits.
- Tow float
All competitors in all distances must use a tow float. This is for reasons of safety. Tow floats can be rented or purchased during the online booking process.
- Great Fjord Swim hat
All competitors in all distances must wear the GFS swim hats that will be provided with their race pack at registration. These are coloured by distance and will allow us to distinguish competitors in each distance.
- Timing device
A timing device will be provided as part of the race pack for each competitor in each distance and must be worn around the ankle.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
All competitors in all distances must be 16 years of age or over. All of those who are 16 or over but under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian complete a consent form on their behalf which then must be brought to registration.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
You MUST be able to complete 2km confidently before taking part in the 2km event and 3.9km confidently before taking part in the 3.9km event. If you cannot do this then the 750m event is more suited for you this time.
Cut Off Times
3.9km:
10:00 Cut off point for swimmers to reach half way (1950m)
11:00 Course closes for 3.9km event
2km:
12:30 Cut off time for finishing Wave 1 of 2km event
13:40 Cut off time for finishing Wave 2 of 2km event
14:40 Cut off time for finishing Wave 3 of 2km event
750m:
14:30 Cut off time for finishing 750m Wave 1 event
15:00 Cut off time for finishing 750m Wave 2 event
Anyone who does not meet the cut off times will be picked up by the water safety team.
If at any time our safety team does not feel that you are capable of meeting the cut off times or they are concerned for your safety, you will be removed from the water. This will not be open to debate as these decisions are always made with your safety in mind and we will not compromise on this. The Water Safety Director’s decision is final at all times.
Course may be subject to change or race times delayed should conditions dictate as such. The Race Director decision is final.
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