A Struggle Upstream And A Joy Downstream

Over 40 open water swimmers competed in the 2K, 4K and 6K swims in the Blackwater River, Fermoy, County Cork in Ireland on June 6th.




The course was a struggle up the Blackwater River as the swimmers swam against the current on the left-hand side of the river in the first half of the course. But, once around a turn buoy, the swimmers flew back down the middle of the river.



It typically took three times as long to swim upstream against the current as it did to swim downstream with the current - a struggle and a joy every open water swimmer can greatly appreciated.

Photos courtesy of Ned Denison.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association