Me and the Water’s first members challenge was the May Photo Competition, two top prize winners landing a subscription to Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, and two runners-up getting some Swim Ireland swim-ssentials just in time for summer!
The criteria for entry was that the photo had to feature water and our Special Edition Me and the Water swimming hat, which all members receive as part of their welcome pack.
Our esteemed judges, ocean photographer Siobhan Russell and ocean videographer Clem McInerney were looking for images that were good quality, captured the essence of Me and the Water, and told a story.
We had some wonderful images sent in to us and, even though the competition is now closed, we would welcome many more! Drop them in to meandthewater@swimireland.ie or tag #meandthewater and @meandthewater_ (remember the underscore at the end!) on Instagram. We will select the best ones each month to share with the community!
Now, without further ado, the winners!
WINNER ONE: Justyna Hammon
Me and the Water member Justyna Hammon took this photo of her best swim buddy Wendy Lundy chilling in the serenity of their home beach, proudly wearing her Me and the Water hat.
This photo was judge Clem’s number one pick. He said: “It just reminds me of the silence in swimming. That feeling of laying on your back just floating around!”
WINNER TWO: Karen Crawford
This is Karen Crawford swimming in the pristine waters of Portnablagh in Donegal, captured by one of her swim buddies on her trusty GoPro! The underwater clarity just makes us want to get in the car and head to Donegal immediately!
This photo was judge Siobhan’s number one pick. She said what she was looking for in a winning photo was a good quality image that capture the fun of swimming.
RUNNERS UP: Kornelia Hoelscher and Valerie Stundon
Well done to Valerie and Kornelia for capturing these lovely memories! Judge Clem said that Valerie and her son Josh reminded him of swimming with his folks as a child – and as a surf lifeguard he particularly liked the fact that Josh is wearing a life vest, as that showed Valerie’s good water safety knowledge.
Valerie’s photo is from Tereen Lake in County Clare, and Kornelia’s is from the Vico Bathing Area in South Dublin. Judge Siobhan loved this one!
She said: “It’s the most interesting and captures what swimming is all about, fun!
June’s Me and the Water member challenge is a fundraiser for the RNLI, whose volunteer lifeboat crews save lives at sea 365 days each year. Each member who registers and donates €5 will be entered into a swimtastic prize draw, and gets to download our fun swimspiration calendar!
