By Eoin McGarvey
A well-known Rosses woman entered the water at the Boatstrand, Carrickfin on Sunday afternoon for the 250th consecutive day of sea swimming.
Pharmacy manager Elaine Boyle O’Donnell, a Mullaghduff native but Ranafast resident, has been involved in sea water swimming for a few years now, having taken it up during the covid pandemic.
Last winter she undertook to swim 100 consecutive days to raise funds for Dungloe District Hospital patients’ comfort fund.
Despite the time of year and often inclement weather, Elaine achieved her 100-day goal and raised in excess of €14,000. She completed the 100th day on February 8 with the support of many of her swimming mates from the Dauntless Dippers group.
Although 100 consecutive days was the initial plan, Elaine figured if she achieved that she could set another target, and anyone who knows Elaine knows she is an achiever.
Again, despite sometimes difficult weather conditions, Elaine ensured to swim in the sea every day for a further 150 days completing yet another milestone. Sunday was a much better day for that special dip as the sun was shining when she went down the slipway, a far cry from some of the wintry mornings she experienced since last year.
Speaking to the Donegal News, mother of two Elaine said sea water swimming has many benefits and she encouraged people to take it up by joining a group or just going in the water with a few friends.
“I swim because it is my ‘me time’ and I enjoy the feelings that I have when I’m in the water,” she said.
“I really love the winter swims because the water is so cold that you only have to think about two things – staying warm and afloat. This means you haven’t time to think or worry about anything else that may be going on in your life or worrying you.”
Most of Elaine’s swims are in the early morning before she starts her day as pharmacy manager at Cogaslann na Rosann in Annagry.
“After that early morning swim, you can tackle anything that life might throw in your way. I would totally encourage others to try it out as it offers so many different benefits for mental health, the physical end of things, or it’s great for the aches and pains associated with injuries and arthritis.
“I would encourage people to join groups like The Dauntless Dippers that we have at the Boatstrand. These groups of like-minded people offer so much friendship and support that it would be impossible for me to have completed the last 250 days without them,” added Elaine.
When asked had she now reached her final target with the 250 days and was it swim retirement time, Elaine immediately shot down the retirement suggestion saying, “hopefully the next 250 days will be equally if not more enjoyable.”
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