About Open Water Swimmer

Started it's swim series way back in 2012.

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Johnny and Wayne of Open Water Swimmer at the inflatable start line.
The Open Water Swimmer team with Wayne and Johnny.

Open Water Swimmer Ireland started it's swim series way back in 2012.

With a background in event management and a personal passion for open water swimming we set about running events open to EVERYONE and in beautiful and unique Irish locations

Fun, safe, professional events for everyone

If you love your wetsuit, you're welcome at an Open Water Swimmer Ireland event!!!

It doesn't matter if you love your wetsuit, are a skins advocate, club affiliated, complete beginner, young or not so young, wild swimmer, racer, triathlete, some governing body member or not - you're welcome at an Open Water Swimmer Ireland event!!!

Ireland's safest open water swimming conditions

Open Water Swimmer does extensive event management plans leading up to all our swims to ensure the safest conditions for those involved. We have spent a lot of time scouting the country to ensure our swims are in stunning and unique bodies of water. We also have an extensive green and minimum impact policy both with our day to day running and while using the waterways.

Open Water Swimmer's swim routes and courses

All the courses are swam by ourselves prior to race day and are actually depth sounded using sonar. The course distances are laid out using GPS for complete accuracy, so don't worry the distances are what they should be, how straight you swim will dictate if you do more.

Wayne and Johnny preparing the routes. Open Water Swimmer's swim routes are laid out with the greatest consideration for local wildlife and fish stocks.

Open Water Swimmer's swim routes are laid out with the greatest consideration for local wildlife and fish stocks.

We work with the national park rangers and fishing clubs to ensure there's no ill effect on the wildlife . Powercraft are necessary for safety but their use is kept to a minimum. We are very conscious of the introduction of pest species from one water way to another via boat hulls and steps are in place to ensure this doesn't happen. Our own company vehicles are carbon off set and our staff are qualified beach lifeguards, powerboat licensed and first aid certified.

Join 8000+ swimmers who have competed with us since 2012

When you come swim with us you'll see our ethos  from the beginning has been openness.  So you'll find yourself swimming with juniors, die hard skins, wetsuit lovers, towbag users and not, triathletes, wild swimmers, racers and 'just finish' mentalities. You'll become part of our friendly swim community. So take your place at the water’s edge and challenge yourself! You choose the location, the distance and what to wear - we will take care of the rest.   See you in the water!!

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Open water swimmers celebrating after completing their races event with Open Water Swimmer
Ecstatic Open Water Swimmer competitor coming out of the water after completing a race
Open water swimmers celebrating in the water after completing their swim.
Happy Open water swimmer with a green swim hat smiling in the water.
Happy Open water swimmers in the water during their race event with Open Water Swimmer
Two Open water swimmers embracing in the lake after completing their races event with Open Water Swimmer

"We are extremely proud that our swim series is now Ireland's largest and our Glendalough event is the biggest weekend of open water swimming in the country.."

Wayne