The conditions were almost perfect for the start of the first wave of swimmers at 8.30am from Aughinish with only a light breeze blowing. The wind speed during the swim was 3 – 4 Knots (Force 2) which increased to Force 3 from 1.00pm onwards. There was an incoming tide for most the swim with high tide in Galway at 12.36pm. Although it was a neap tide, this still would have ‘pushed’ the swimmers East towards Tawin on the crossing. (Many of the swimmers commented on the strong current from the halfway point). A Force 6-7 gale arrived later Saturday night!
82 swimmers crossed Galway Bay – (58 solo swimmers, 7 relay teams (24 relay team swimmers)