About loneswimmer

Who Dares Swims©

I’m an open water swimmer living in the South-East of Ireland. I’ve been swimming open water for some years, mainly on the South-East & South Irish coasts. I’m an English Channel Soloist, who swam with the Channel Swimming &Piloting Federation. My Channel Solo was described by King of the English Channel Kevin Murphy as “the scariest I’ve ever been involved in“! My own tiny piece of Channel history is the unprecedented one hour swim back to the plot boat… after the swim was over. I also like the makey-uppy term coldologist, for my writing on cold water swimming.

Dawn in the Channel – Before I was caught between the hammer of the wind and the anvil of the Strait’s tidal currents

The loneswimmer title arose because contrary to Rule Number One, Never Swim Alone, most of my swimming is by myself. I never imagined that a two-minute decision in the middle of a winter afternoon would lead so far or that I would become known far and wide as the loneswimmer however I do not think of, nor describe myself in the third person! :-)

TheGreatCthulhu Spring 2011_Fitocracy Profil PicI’m also a member of both Sandycove Island Swim Club, and  Newtown and Guillamenes open water swimming clubs. Amongst my goals are make Irish Open Water Swimming, Sandycove and Ireland’s stunning Copper Coast known around the open water swimming world.

My other goals for the website are to educate and entertain and help swimmers and aspirant swimmers. In 2012 I appeared on the list of 2012′s Global Movers  and Shakers in Open Water Swimming. I’ve also crewed on English Channel solos including 2012 FINA World #1 Trent Grimsey’s English Channel World record. In 2013 I’m also an official observer for the world’s toughest swim, Ireland’s North Channel.

With multiple record-holder Evan Morrison, I’m a co-founder of marathonswimmers.org, the premier open global forum for marathon swimmers and aspirants and the Annual Global Marathon Swimming Awards. LoneSwimmer.com has also been selected as Winner, 2012 Best Irish Sports and Recreation Blog. In a poll of marathon swimmers in the spring of 2013, marathonswimmers.org was selected as the favourite site for open water information and loneswimmer.com came joint second.

Among my swims are the 2012 28 1⁄2 mile Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (MIMS) and one of a 5-person National record setting Two-way English Channel Relay. Also Clew Bay, Blackrock to Cobh, 8 hours around Sandycove Island, 6 hours around Sandycove Island in water under 11 degrees Celsius, both Beginish Island routes, Tramore Bay over-and-back unescorted, Guillamenes to Brownstown Head and back unsupported, Irish Champion of Champions, Sandycove  to Speckled Door and back, Roches Head to Power Head and back, and the first person to swim the entire length of Ireland’s Copper Coast in a series of solo unsupported out-and-back swims.

I would never complete any swims without the help and assistance of family and friends to whom I owe so much. There is no such thing as a Soloist.

Most of everything about open water that I know, I’ve learned the hard way, by doing it. Where I didn’t learn something myself, I’ve tried to learn from experts and some of the world’s great marathon swimmers. Therefore what I write here is that of an practitioner, rather than a watcher. Life is lived by doing, not by watching.

I like to share what I’ve learned and maybe help someone. Mostly therefore, I write about what I know and have experienced.

If you wish to contact me privately, please just leave a comment. If you are a new commenter here your comment will not appear if you wish it kept private.

Open water swimming is an individual expression of freedom which hurts no-one (else) and does no environmental damage.

                                                  Seek freedom.

Related

{All original writing on this website; Copyright Donal Buckley, 2009 to …2099. No writing or images or other content may be used without express prior content of the author.}

I’m an Open Water swimmer living in the South-East of Ireland. I’ve been swimming Open Water for 4 years, mainly on the South-East & South coasts. I’ve completed an English Channel Double Relay, as part of a 5-person team, where we set a National record. I don’t have lifetime of pool swimming behind me and almost everything about Open Water that I know, I’ve learned the hard way. When I started I found it hard to gather useful information, and I always remember that. Mostly therefore, I’ll write about what I know and have experienced, rather than what others say. Your mileage may vary. You may have conflicting opinions. I’m heading back to the English Channel this year for a solo attempt. This blog is intended to help raise money for charity. Remember, for open-water, it’s all about the mind, not the speed.

36 thoughts on “About loneswimmer”

    1. loneswimmer Post author

      Thanks Michael. Hope you followed the updates. I made it but it was …tough. Still recovering but prognosis is good. Weird but good feeling to be a Channel Swimmer.

      Reply ↓
  2. john paul

    go on cousin !!! will you have time for some garlic bread,glass of wine and a few snails when you get there ?!!

    Reply ↓
    1. loneswimmer Post author

      Thanks John. No rest I’m afraid. I had an hour swim afterwards to get back to the boat. Pretty physically damaged from the boat collisions. prognosis from the physio last night is good though. Should be recovered in a few weeks.

      Reply ↓
  3. Eoin O Connor

    Donal,
    Congratulations on completing your solo crossing an amazing acomplishment by anyones standards, thanks for all your tips coaching and encouragement over the last few years that has made me a far better swimmer.
    Live the dream!!
    Eoin

    Reply ↓
  4. Tara

    Hey I love all the quotes on the site! Very inspiring!

    Some people think they need a god to get them through when all others need is a few quotes!

    Reply ↓
  5. Kev Costello

    Hey Donal,

    Love the website. I’ve only came across it in the last few months but now pop in regularly for a read, keep up the inspiring writings!

    As you can probably guess I’am a open water swimmer like yourself and I would really appreciate your opinion on a question I have.

    Previously I would have only been a occasional bather, however since last August my career situation has changed, such that I now swim daily at Salthill Galway.
    I wouldn’t class myself as a great swimmer with regards distance.
    Basically I swim daily for all the many other joy’s of open water swimming that I’am sure you are aware of.

    Any how, whenever there is any bit of chop at Salthill, I find catching breaths of air when swimming much more difficult than on clam flat water days, I seem to end up swallowing many litres of salt brine!.

    Aside from getting stroke correction lessons, which I plan to in the future.
    Could you give me your opinion on swimming with a snorkel and mask.
    Any advice on what I should look for in the line this type of swimming aid?

    The cold temperature of the open water, is something that I have found myself fairly well able to cope with. (For your interest: I sometimes take temperature readings the lowest reading I have got so far were 2.5 Degrees Celsius on 24th and25th of December.) However the rougher sea states, greatly reduce my distance swam and enjoyment. Salthill isn’t a particularly challenging place to swim regards currents and such. I am quite a physically fit guy, and know the range of my swimming ability but the whole mouthful’s of sea water is limiting the conditions I can enjoy swimming in.

    So I’d really appreciate your opinion on going the snorkel route.

    Kind regards,
    Kev Costello.

    Reply ↓
  6. alisonamazed

    I look forward to coming back and reading more of your blog. I’m squeamish about swimming in the sea alone. Today I had a good swim because it was calm and lots of people on the beach. If I’m alone, I never go more than about 25 metres from shore, and swim horizontal to land. Am I a wimp, or just cautious? Wish I had someone who liked to paddle to go with me. :-)

    Reply ↓
  10. Kent Nicholas

    Donal I enjoy what you write and consult it for my own open water training. It’s obviously well thought out and not to judgement or open to new ideas. Nice meeting you in New York at MIMS 2012 this summer. Good luck on all your swims and adventures.

    Reply ↓
    1. LoneSwimmer Post author

      Thanks Jean. You should also check out my friend Karen’s stuff. She’s also a social science researcher, she’s the first researcher working on our tiny minority sport of Channel swimming. Here is her first paper on the subject, and here’s her blog.

      Reply ↓
  12. Tom Mailsports

    Donal,

    Congrats on the Irish Blog Awards. I really enjoyed your “how-to” posts being a swimmer myself years ago and I hope to read more from you in the next months.

    Cheers,
    Tom

    Reply ↓
  13. John Thorpe

    Hi Donal,
    Great to meet you on the Pa’raic memorial trip last weekend which was a big one to remember.
    As mentioned, if you can spare a moment, I should love to have one or two of the photos you took and especially the group going into the water at Cap Gris Nez
    All Best
    John

    Reply ↓
  14. Fullfart Lingsom

    Thanks for blogging and inspiring! I am scared of the ocean and swimming in it, but face that fear every time I jump in (with a wetsuit though, and preferrably in warm water, if I can find it here in Norway). Keep up the good work :-)
    Kari

    Reply ↓
  15. Ion

    Hi there Donal.tnx for blogging ,I’ve been keeping an eye on u page.i live on the east cost and I’d like some private conv,with u if possible only. About training and maybe some tips.
    Good luck and God bles

    Reply ↓
      1. Ion

        Hi Donal, I don’t know your e-mail, but I would love to chat to you. below are my details, please feel free to contact me when you get a chance. Many thanks and Regards. Ion

  16. bridsamoylova

    Hi Donal, Kathleen told me about your blog, I must say I am very impressed by your achievements, fair play to ya.. I also think you blog is very interesting, well documented and love the pics, well done…Slainte, Breda

    Reply ↓
  17. saracfry

    It is my aspiration to one day complete a channel swim. I look forward to following along and learning some of the valuable insight your sharing!

    Reply ↓
    1. LoneSwimmer Post author

      Excellent Sara. With the Channel I think it’s important to take actual steps towards doing it, good slots are now two to three years out anyway. Every Channel Soloist knows the world is full of people who “dream” of it, but never do any more than that.

      Reply ↓
  18. Fiona Smith

    Hi Donal, Just came across your blog, excellent stuff. I am the wife of an open water swimmer and want to buy him a safety aid for swimming alone, so was thinking of one of those lifeguard floats that he could attach to himself in case he gets in trouble. Would you recommend it?

    Reply ↓
    1. LoneSwimmer Post author

      Hi Fiona. I wouldn’t recommend those specifically, I worry that they could lead to someone relying on them and stopping which will cause someone to get cold quickly and possibly get in more trouble. But this is a very personal judgement based on our cold Irish water. There are inflatable tow-aids that swimmers can pull behind but I’ve not seen them used in these waters.

      Reply ↓
  19. Russ Sampson

    Donal,

    Damnfastswimmer here from Fitocracy. I just committed to swimming the 8 Bridges in 2016 (family and previous engagements prevent an earlier attempt.) and wanted to invite you to do it that year too!

    contact me to keep in touch.

    Reply ↓
    1. LoneSwimmer Post author

      Hi. I approved your application on marathonswimmers.org (I’m a co-founder/admin), the user name seemed obvious.

      I know Dave (Barra) the organiser but I’m afraid 8 Bridges is (and likely to stay) out of my price range. Dave reached out to us last year in the hope of bumping up numbers from our club, but with travel from Ireland & accommodation it’s prohibitively expensive for most of us.

      Best of luck, stay in touch, here or the forum.

      Reply ↓
  20. Rob

    Love the blog – really identify with it. Headding to waterford with wife for a few days tomorrow and hoping for the 5K route from Annestown. Having taken up OW a year ago from a rowing background I love it. Taking on Galway Bay (13Km) later in the summer and would love some pointers on amount of training volume & tidal strategy
    roberthenaghan@gmail.com

    Reply ↓
    1. LoneSwimmer Post author

      Thanks Robert. I’m not sure what 5k around Annestown you mean unless you are looping. East to Kilfarassey is 3k, west to Boatstrand is 3k (and you need to be careful). Further on to Kilmurrin is 4k and I’d advise against it unless you know the area well and have the experience, as there can be strong currents around and past Dunabrattin Head.

      For Galway Bay, my initial thought would be to be doing 20 to 25k per week for at least two months beforehand. You have plenty of time so it’s a case of timing against slack and south flowing tide. A peremptory look at charts would indicate leaving at or after three hours and thirty minutes before high tide at Dublin (three hour before Dover high) The charts are based of Dover High Water with Dublin as a secondary reference. You could check accuracy against what sailors in Galway Yacht Club say, or check with the previous Galway Bay swim organisers.

      Reply ↓

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