Swimming Out to Caves along the Copper Coast, by Breda Joyce
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What does the opening swim feel like and how does the group start their journey?
It's the feeling of release that comes when you take that first stroke from As you stretch your arms through water and pull it towards you like an embrace. It's trusting that it will buoy you up as you surrender your body to calm seas or to the swells that we've sometimes had to battle with this summer. Wet suited with bright orange and pink toe floats attached, we're led safely out to sea by Rachel and her vigilant lifeguards on paddleboards. I'm part of a couch to cave group of swimmers taken on magical voyages along the copper coast in County Waterford during the summer months. From coves and beaches between Tramore, Kilfarisi, and Baliduan, we swim out past seastac and sea stumps, through keyhole arches to explore caves and lagoons.
Rock formations that intrigued me in geography class so many years ago are suddenly all around me. Like a convoy of luminous seals, we make our way around the headland. As we approached the caves, we're greeted by a colourful garden of red, yellow and brown algae.
How do the swimmers describe the underwater caves, algae gardens, and marine life they encounter?
Of golden bladderac and bright green sea lettuce. We push and pull ourselves above a tangle of seaweed and kelp. As we swim above limpets, crabs, sea urchins, and shoals of little fish, the I wonder what they make of us and of the reflection of our tow floats overhead. Like children, we delight in being tossed and tumbled in a gentle spin. Until choppy water whips up more foam and tests our resolve. We weave a thread of orange and pink and Through an arch of slanting light that guides us into calmer waters that And into a cathedral of colour.
What geological history and rock formations are revealed inside the copper‑coast caves?
Looking down, I'm captivated by the blues, the greens, the aquamarines, and that distinctive verdigree. The clarity of the water The pure unsolied freshness of this place is reassuring. I rest back on my tow float and admire the mineral rich veined walls of a towering rock face and The green copper sulfate embedded in glassy white quartz, rhyolite bands of deep red and mauve with blobs of yellow. I marvel at the fact that these rocks are the result of volcanic activity about four hundred million years ago when two continents collided. The rhythmic dripping of water from damp rocks contrasts with the rush and roar of turbulent water pooling just out of sight. As we swim out through a refracted funnel of light, it feels as if we are exiting a sacred place.
When I finally reach the shelter of the cove, I feel refreshed and exhilarated.
How did the host’s childhood experiences shape their love for the sea and swimming?
I travel home with a new perspective on life in all its stormy swells and soothing balms. I wasn't brought up by the sea, but I can never resist it. The smell of seaweed, the crush of pebbles onto the shore, a salty tang in the air. The play of spindrift above the waves always lures me in. When I was a child it was a real treat to be taken by my father to Saltill, twenty miles from my inland home. On warm summer evenings he'd close the shop early. And my siblings and I would jostle for space in the car. My father had an unconventional way of teaching us to swim. A non swimmer himself, he never ventured in beyond knee height.
What reflections and future plans does the host share as the swimming season ends?
Then held us horizontally above the water before lowering us in. When my turn came, he promised that he wouldn't leave me go. and encouraged me to spin my arms and kick my legs. I was off, my heart beating with nervous excitement with the rhythm of the sea. These days my body is not as flexible and I struggle with my wetsuit. But swimmers are a supportive and encouraging tribe. Though some would say mad to be immersing ourselves in the Irish sea at all. But nothing beats that feeling of aliveness that comes as you emerge a wet suited Aphrodite, newly baptized by the sea. Our couch to cave swimming group disbands for the season in September. But when sea pinks frill the cliff tops along the copper coast in May, followed by beach asters and seaside daisies, I'll know that it's time.
Once again I'll resurrect my swimming gear. And follow banks of orange Mumbricia and white bindweed to the shore.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What does the opening swim feel like and how does the group start their journey?
0:00–1:20
2
How do the swimmers describe the underwater caves, algae gardens, and marine life they encounter?
1:20–2:08
3
What geological history and rock formations are revealed inside the copper‑coast caves?
2:08–3:19
4
How did the host’s childhood experiences shape their love for the sea and swimming?
3:19–4:08
5
What reflections and future plans does the host share as the swimming season ends?
4:08–5:20