Islay Masters Swimming Club

Here's some pictures showing us doing what we do best, namely swimming and partying!

We conquered Corrycreckan! For those not in the know, the Gulf of Corryvreckan is a narrow strait between the northernmost tip of Jura and the small island of Scarba. Strong Atlantic currents and unusual underwater topography conspire to produce an intense tidal race in the Corryvreckan channel. As the flood tide enters the narrow area between the two islands it speeds up to 8.5 knots and, in combination with a deep hole and a rising pinnacle on the seabed, creates surface effects such as whirlpools and standing waves. When on full song, the Corryvreckan whirlpool is the third largest in the world and can be heard up to ten miles away.

Given that the likes of George Orwell and his son managed to shipwreck themselves when they attempted to sail across the gulf, the sea conditions seem hardly ideal for boating, let alone swimming! Nevertheless, on Thursday 23rd August 2007 several hardy members of the Islay Masters Swimming Club clambered aboard the Shannick of Islay (kindly piloted by Donny MacKinnon and run by Islay Sea Safari), left Port Ellen and headed up to Corryvreckan for a rendezvous with Swim Trek, the swimming holiday operators. The swimmers then jumped into the freezing waters, touched the rocks on the Island of Jura and swam over the gulf to Scarba. As the tides were turning at the time, it was a race to complete the swim before the currents became too strong. However, all of the intrepid participants coped admirably with the inhospitable waters and were picked up safely after reaching Scarba.

The members of the Club who took part in the swim and lived to tell the tale were Amy Logan, Iain Spears, Jack Glover, James McGregor, Karen Siddall, Louise Gregory, Sandy MacLean and Shona Ramsay. Heartfelt thanks go to Hamish from Gemini Cruises who provided the safety boat, Donnie MacKinnon of Islay Sea Safari who provided the transport to and from the Gulf of Corryvreckan and to Colin Dempster, who stepped in at short notice to help Donny run the boat. All photos by Carl Reavey, reporter and editor of Islay's local newspaper, The Ileach.

The theme for our party was Bond ... James Bond. Outlandish costumes abounded! Thanks to Claire and Iain for the photos.

Thanks to Janie at the Portnahaven Pub for a most excellent meal!

In 2006, the Islay Masters Swimming Club was 10 years old and what better way to celebrate than a great big party?

A great evening was had by all. Special thanks to Libby Morris for supplying a most excellent buffet meal!

We completed a sponsored swim across the Sound of Islay on Saturday, 2nd September. The hardy members involved who managed to brave the tides, jellyfish and a large tanker that sailed unexpectedly through the Sound were Jack Glover, Louise Gregory, Amy Logan, Sandy Maclean, Bryony MacFarlane, James McGregor, Shona Ramsay and Karen Siddall. The swimmers travelled across to Jura and then swam back across to Islay in two groups, the faster of which managed to complete the 800m swim in just 22 minutes.

Many thanks to all those who were involved including Ian and Gordon for their sterling work in providing safety boats, the Coastguard, Waterside Catering Services, Ian and Marion of the Port Askaig Hotel who generously provided post-swim soup and refreshments and to everyone who came along to watch the event. Your support was very much appreciated.

Back again and this time with more t-shirts than ever!

Look! We're swimming! A trip to Stirling to sample the delights of a 50m pool.

This was our Pirate Party, held in the pub in Portnahaven where we had a meal and then at Jack's place, complete with pole.

A regular haul of medals (one, in fact) and a fantastic party. What more could you ask for?

Louise and Bryony borrowed the camera to take some pictures and look at some of the results, but seemed to have some trouble working it!

Everyone dressed up to the nines and the evening appeared to start pretty respectably.

Just to show we do actually go for a swim now and then, here's some hardy souls braving the cold to swim in the sea from Islay to Orsay!

Pictures from past visits to Inverclyde in the days when digital cameras didn't exist. If you know who any of these people might be then feel free to get in touch.

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