Moira Fay

It is, David.

So according to the latest Irish Sports Monitor published just last week, swimming continues to be the second most popular sporting activity in Ireland.

That's behind personal exercise, but ahead of both cycling and running.

And we've seen a real surge in open water swimming in particular.

It took off during COVID when people had limited access to indoor pools.

And of course, we all remember the boom in dry robe sales.

And momentum has continued.

So since 2024, more than 1.2 million euro in public funding has been committed to outdoor swimming projects across the country for things like safer access points, changing facilities and improved disability access at lakes, rivers and beaches.

There's also a lot of opportunities now for people to learn how to swim safely in open water.

I went along to Lily Putt at Loch Enel in Westmead last night.

where open water level two instructor Paula Mulcahy was putting a group of swimmers of all abilities through their paces.

I asked her how people should approach getting into cold water safely at this time of year.

They all seemed to really enjoy it.

I spoke to two sisters who, though, even though they live locally, it was actually their first time getting out and swimming in the lake properly.

Yeah, being out in nature is lovely.

And is there any goal with this?

Do you want to just do it for fitness or do you want to do a triathlon?

No, there was another lady out there doing a training swim while her boyfriend kept an eye on her from the shore to make sure she was safe.

I caught up with her after she got out of the water.

How are you feeling about the triathlon?