Are you planning your festive swim this Christmas? COPE Galway is calling on swimmers and dippers in Galway, or wherever you are in the world, to register online for the annual Christmas Swim in aid of their services for homelessness, domestic abuse and senior support.

This year, from 20-26 December, you can swim any time, any place during Christmas week. There is an optional live event at Blackrock on Christmas morning with extra safety measures, including the introduction of time slots. The swim website and registration portal gives options to register as an individual, family or to set up a group and invite friends and family to join your team.

Now in its 32nd year, the iconic Christmas Swim event has moved with the times. Lynia O’Brien, Event Organiser explains,  “Galwegians at home and abroad adapted to Covid restrictions last year, swimming at their own safe location to raise funds for our services. This year, we hope to build on that fantastic sense of community. Whether you brave the cold with colleagues, friends or family, whether you join us on Christmas Day or do it your way during the week, anywhere in the world – you can make a huge impact in Galway this Christmas.”

COPE Galway are delighted to welcome two key sponsors, Genesys and Stewart Construction. Both have strong local connections with swimming in Galway Bay. In fact, Stewart Construction built the iconic Blackrock Diving Tower in 1954 – the home of the COPE Galway Christmas Swim.
For over three decades, Galwegians have demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas by raising vital funds for people who need it through the services that COPE Galway provide.  Since the inaugural swim, the event has grown from strength to strength, bringing thousands of families and friends to Salthill every year. “When I think back to the brave, passionate group of COPE Galway staff who took the plunge into icy waters 32 years ago, I am sure they never guessed that they would inspire one of Galway’s most cherished Christmas traditions. The community spirit has never faltered and the heart of Galway keeps shining through.”

COPE Galway supports people across Galway city and county at a most vulnerable time in their lives; families and individuals faced with the realities of homelessness, women and children experiencing domestic abuse and older people who may be isolated and in need of nutritional support.

To register and for further information please visit swim.copegalway.ie