Colm Daly (Ireland, 72, IISA bio here) and Ger Moore (Ireland, 50, IISA bio here) share a common passion for open water swimming – and did something about it.

Together in 2018, they established the Lough Ree Orcas swim group to encourage people to safely enjoy swimming in the open water. The Orcas has grown to over 180 swimmers, both those who can brave such 5°C water in the winter in skins and those who are more comfortable braving the elements in wetsuits.

The Orcas are based in Lanesboro/Ballyleague on the River Shannon and do all kinds of ice swimming, winter swimming, channel swimming, and marathon swimming. In 2023, Karen Molloy, Luke Fannon, Deirdre O’Connor, David Harte, Ger Moore, and Barry O’Connor crossed the 35 km North Channel from Northern Ireland to Scotland with infinity Channel Swimming in 13 hours 28 minutes.

Their Facebook page is here.

© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“

A World Open Water Swimming Federation project.