Not alone do you need to be fit to complete the Galway Bay Swim – you need to be quick to even make it to the start line, because every place in the annual was gone in a single day!

The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim, for Cancer Care West, is going to be the biggest ever – and that’s impressive in itself.

Because since it was first held in memory of Frances Thornton in 2005, the event has raised over €1.5million for Cancer Care West, with this year on target to exceed the €100,000 raised last year.

A total of 140 swimmers will take on the 13km swim, 65 swimming solo and 90 in relay teams of two, three and four swimmers.

It is always a great spectacle on the day as paddle boards and kayaks guide the swimmers home on the final 100 metres into Blackrock diving tower, while hundreds of supporters and volunteers cheer on from the shore.

The organisers gratefully acknowledge the support they receive each year from Oranmore Maree Coastal Rescue and Ciaran Oliver of Galway Bay Boats tours.

As safety is a priority for the swim, each year the event reaches out to the maritime community in the west to support the swim through boat support.

Each swimmer needs a boat to follow and track their swim, so the organisers are asking any boat owner who may be interested in volunteering on the day to get in contact with either organisation.

The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim will take place on Saturday July 15 – and the public  invited to go down to Blackrock diving tower, to welcome the swimmers home from 12 noon.

To volunteer, to donate or for more details on the event, see galwaybayswim.com