Barrie and Colum take part in epic swim challenge

Barrie and Colum take part in epic swim challenge

5 August 2020

LOCAL men Barrie Atkinson and Colum Surginor have been determined to continue their swimming training despite the closure of Down Leisure Centre.

They have been seen most days of the week practising in Lough Money along with other members of the Down Triathlon Club.

The swimmers are easily spotted by the brightly coloured swim floats that they use for safety and they also make sure never to swim alone for the same reason.

Keeping each other company led to the hatching of a plan to swim further than they had done so before and decided compete in the gruelling Battle of Carlingford Swim which took place recently.

They increased the distance of their training and included some sea swims to prepare themselves for the challenge. On the day there were 130 stalwarts who turned up to give it a go.

The 7.5-kilometre swim, starting from Omeath Pier and ending at Carlingford harbour, took them two hours and 40 minutes to complete in near perfect conditions.

They were elated with their achievement and paid tribute to the marshals from Infinity Swimming for keeping them on track. It may have been a test of endurance but the scenery was “magical” according to Colum and they are now considering what to focus on next.