Exploring the science of swimming in Lough Ree
Almost 100 brave swimmers dived into a cold Lough Ree on Sunday morning with the water temperature registering a chilly 8 degrees, and it was in the name of Science Week.
The swim and talk that followed were part of an event called ‘Splash – Dive Into the Science of Wellness, as part of the Midlands Science Festival.
The Festival is supported by Science Foundation Ireland as part of national Science Week. Taking place on November 12-19, the theme for Science Week 2023 is ‘Human?’, which asks people to consider what it means to be human in today’s world, and how the decisions we make today will affect the people and world of the future.
The swimmers returned to the Hudson Bay Hotel for hot food and refreshments and then took part in a discussion with Nuala Moore.
Nuala holds two Guinness World Records for extreme cold water swimming and she of her experiences, from swimming at Dingle to swimming in the Bering Strait and around Cape Horn.
Nuala Moore has swum in some of the most dangerous, remote and coldest waters in the world including Drake’s Passage. Her biography ‘Limitless’ was recently published by Gill Books.
Following her presentation, there was a discussion on cold water swimming, the science of it and the health benefits it can promote.
As Westmeath now has a large open water swimming community, participants included members of local open water swimming groups such as the Westmeath Noels and Nualas and the Westmeath Orcas.
Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science, said: “Open and cold water swimming has become extremely popular in Ireland and science helps us understand both how to care for ourselves in the activity and the health benefits it can provide.
“It was an honour to welcome a swimmer such as Nuala Moore to the midlands – she has achieved so much and is an inspiration to us all. She inspires us to think outside of the limitations we may set for ourselves.”
The event was part of the Midlands Science Festival and a range of activities are running across the region until November 20. More details at www.midlandsscience.ie.