A Co Donegal man is to lead a unique attempt to swim around the coast of Ireland.
Round Ireland Finswim Expedition (finswim2020-21) is one of the most inspiring, unique and challenging marine projects ever attempted in Irish Coastal Waters or in The Wild Atlantic.
Expedition Leader and Finswimmer Henry O’Donnell ( Anrí Ó Domhnaill) from Carrickfin is the architect and creator of this pioneering project.
The idea and concept of solo swimming around the Irish coast was conceived by Henry as far back as 1990.
Henry O’Donnell ( Anrí Ó Domhnaill ) will attempt an expedition to Finswim around the Island of Ireland in an effort to become the first person in history to circumnavigate a country by Finswimming. Photo: Rory ODonnell
He recovered from a life threatening sports accident (which left him paralysed for some time) in 1992 and went on to complete a number of challenging land based expeditions and sea swims to raise funds for charities and other worthy causes.
He loves sport in general, healthy living and has a close affinity with the sea and nature. He successfully completed demanding expeditions around the world in recent years including lowest to highest points on four continents; Africa, Europe, America and Australia – he is certain that finswim2020-21 will be equal or more challenging than many expeditions and adventures previously undertaken.
The event was scheduled to start in June 2021. However, due to the covid crisis, work situation and other factors it was necessary to reorganise. Henry decided to bring the expedition forward to 2020.
As a result, the sponsorship plan had to be changed. He is appealing to Individuals, Businesses and the corporate sector to get behind the charity focused expedition to help from a sponsorship/financial perspective.
The event will start and finish on Carrickfin Blue Flag Beach around mid-September 2020 (subject to Covid 19 Situation and Weather and Crew / Swimmer Safety Considerations) and will progress clockwise around the coast of Ireland – towards Tory Island and Malin Head.
Henry O’Donnell ( Anrí Ó Domhnaill ) in training off the coast of Tory Island in preparation for his expedition to Finswim around the Island of Ireland. Photo: Rory O’Donnell
So what is a Finswim or Finswimming?
Fast becoming a popular around the world, it is a sport activity involving swimming with the use of fins on the sea/ocean water’s surface using a snorkel and mask. Finman – derived from Carrickfin where Henry is from, hence the name Finman also fits with a swimmer using fins…finswim …finswimmer etc.
What Finswim Gear will the swimmer use?
Henry will use a variety of long and medium fins depending on sea conditions and will swim with goggles, fins, swim hat and swim togs only combination as required. He will wear a custom made triathlon suit as required when off shore and when water temperatures decrease.
Other devices/equipment to be used by the swimmer for safety and finswim verification includes a personal swimmer tracking device (monitored by specialist expedition experts ), modern mobile phone and smartwatch with special functions for simultaneous tracking and live feed to website for public to check finswim progress.
Expedition A Quest and Pioneering Journey of adventure and exploration Beyond the Wave with a number of Research elements to be logged for future reference in terms of finswimming statistics, human resilience and other.
Henry was selected to participate in the PIER Project (Public Health Impact of Exposure to antimicrobial Resistance in Recreational Waters) at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) .
The PIER project will investigate whether people who regularly swim, surf or do other in-water activities in Irish rivers, lakes and coastal seas are more likely to pick up and carry Antibiotic resistance (AR) bacteria in their gut.
PIER will also identify and map the barriers and facilitators to people using natural waters for recreation, creating a “systems map” where we can target future change interventions to maximise our use of natural recreational waters https://www.nuigalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health sciences/medicine/disciplines/bacteriology/ research/pier/
Safety is the number one priority for All Involved the finswim2020 expedition.
The swimmer and crew are trained, very experienced and well prepared. Henry, now in his 50’s, is a qualified beach lifeguard, specialist diver, swimming teacher and holder of the International Certificate of Competency (ICC) – Power boat license.
Henry O’Donnell ( Anrí Ó Domhnaill ) in training off the coast of Tory Island in preparation for his expedition to Finswim around the Island of Ireland. Photo: Rory O’Donnell
He started sea swimming at the age of four and has over forty years’ experience finswimming in the sea and other aquatic environments.
The safety boat is fitted with relevant safety and navigation aids, devices, life raft, lifejackets, first aid, MOB device(s), and communications systems & other. Finswim2020 is COVID COMPLIANT and The Team will abide by all covid guidelines to help protect the swimmer, crew and others involved.
Special Covid Protocols are in place in line with best practice for land and sea operations. Covid Risk Factor may be described as Negligible to Very Low in terms of risk to the expedition team because of the geographic location (marine-off shore) and operational nature of the event.
The expedition will maintain close contact with The Irish Coastguard, Maritime Coastal Agency and other relevant agencies as required.
For all further information see www.finswim2020.com
