The north Donegal swimming community is rowing in behind Team Ireland swimmer Anna Hennessy ahead of the Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships in October.
A ‘crab crawl’ event will be held in Portnablagh this Wednesday to raise support for the skilled Letterkenny swimmer. Anna is currently training for the short course event, having recently qualified in Belfast for the 50m,100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and the 50m backstroke.
The 10th Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships will be held in Albufeira, Portugal on 15-23rd October.
All championship competitors are self-funded, so the Gartan Open Water Swimmers have decided to dedicate this week’s summer evening swim to Anna.
Anna previously competed in the European Open Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Sardinia in 2019, achieving personal bests in the 100m Freestyle and 50m Freestyle. She was awarded a ‘Donegal Sports Star Award’ in the special athlete category in 2018.
All are welcome to join the Portnablagh Crab Crawl fundraiser this Wednesday 10th August, with registration beginning from 6.30pm at the slipway. Swim starts at 7pm. It’s a 1K ‘Predict your time’ swim. The three people who are closest to their predicted time plus the fastest will win coffee vouchers from Revive Dunfanaghy. Entry: 15euro.
To donate online, please visit: https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunding/GartanOpenWaterSwimmers
Everyone swims entirely at their own risk. Waviers must be signed and tow floats are compulsory. Extra kayak support for the swimmers is always appreciated. A few uniquely designed club Tshirts are still available for sale.