EIGHT Sheephaven Fin Swimmers took on the “Fin Swim” challenge from Tory Island to Magheroarty on Sunday.
They left Tory Island at 1pm, crossed Tory Sound and on toward Inish Boffin with seven swimmers making it all the way to Magherroarty Harbour.
Tomas Mc Gee reached Inish Boffin in 5 hrs 15mins while Anne Boyle, Eileen Coll, John Joe Rowland, Damien Mc Connell, Ryan Ward, and Kevin Boylan made land at Magheraroarty in a time of 6hrs 14 minutes 11 seconds.
Dearn Mc Clintock was next to reach Magheraroarty in a time of 6hrs 44 minutes 12 seconds.
The “Fin Swim” was the brainchild of Coach Hugo McFadden and the swim party was assisted by a very capable Support Crew.
The swimmers wish to thank Eddie Mc Fadden and his nephew Caolan, Noel Brennan, Louise and Christine Scott, Damien Kelly, Joe Neely, Willie Sheridan, Robin Law and Timmy Boyle.
In attendance during the crossing was the Bunbeg Coast Guard Unit that included Sheephaven’s own Bernie Gallagher.
Weather conditions throughout the swim were mostly good; the sea state was a 1 meter swell from the North West, while water temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius.
Water visibility was poor out in the Sound but good in nearer to the Islands, and to make it even more special to the swimmers were accompanied by a Basking Shark for a part of the journey. 
The Plan was a simple one, take a bearing on Errigal and make it across Tory Sound in 2hr 30 minutes or less so the swimmers could get into the shelter of the Islands and beat the ebbing tide.
Like all simple plans it worked perfectly, thanks to the wisdom of the Tory Islanders who gave the best of advice as to when and where to leave from.
Two of the Fin Swimmers were veterans of the previous Sheephaven Fin Swim in 2003, namely Kevin Boylan and John Joe Rowland, who although the machinery may have been a bit older – still made it across comfortably!
The Swimmers and the Support Crew were hosted by Timmy Boyle in his premises at Peppers Dinner for a celebratory meal and which time all involved were conferred with the traditional T-Shirt, a priced possession indeed.
Coach Hugo Mc Fadden, Club Diving Officer Timmy Boyle and Chairman John Joe Rowland in their speeches afterwards all paid tribute to the Support Crew for their tireless dedication to the event, the Tory Islanders for their critical advice, Eddie Mc Fadden for the use of his RIB and for providing his tractor to launch and recover the dive boats and to the club members who towed the boats to Magheraroarty for the Fin Swim.
The next outing for Sheephaven Fin Swimmers will be the annual crossing from Burtonport to Arranmore, which is normally conducted in July.
This event is always loyally supported as a fund raiser for the Sheephaven Search and Recovery Unit and hopefully this year some sponsorship will also go to Cancer Care West, a key piece of Cancer Treatment infrastructure for Donegal which relies entirely on voluntary donations.
So for those who want to get involved and support the next Sheephaven Fin Swim they should get into the water and start to get water fit now.
