Community spirit shines as Oysterhaven swimmers support KYSS

(JJ Hurley)

The ‘Oysterhaven Bunch’ presented €1,500 to Kinsale Your Support

Services (KYSS) after more than 50 sea swimmers recently completed a

lap of Sandycove Island.

The swimmers, who regularly train under the expert instruction of

Imelda Lynch and Breda O’Driscoll at the South County beauty spot,

made a contribution as part of the swim on the night.

In addition, contributions were also made directly to the Kinsale-based charity through an online link on its website.

Imelda Lynch, who herself is a record breaker, holding the title of the first Cork female to cross the English Channel, has brought sea swimming to a new level in the area, having begun the open-water classes at Oysterhaven during Covid.

The regular nightly swims have attracted a huge following, with Imelda and Breda helping many people overcome their fear of the water.

Indeed, the recent lap of Sandycove Island saw many first-time swimmers complete their first lap, some of whom would have describedthemselves as non-swimmers until recently.

Paying tribute to all those who took part, Imelda said, ‘It was a great achievement for those swimming around the ‘Island’, a great credit to their perseverance and courage to take on the challenge.’

Of course, sea swimming has become an important part of many people’s lives as they look for peace and tranquillity, and Imelda sees the lessons as not just an opportunity to keep fit but also as playing animportant role in people’s mental health.

‘Swimming in the sea is not just about keeping fit, it has far more benefits than that and it’s one of the reasons we chose KYSS as the charity the group would like to contribute to,’ Imelda said.

For James O’Mahony, who founded KYSS originally to support young people’s mental health before expanding its services to includeadults, he acknowledged the important contribution of the Oysterhaven swimmers.

Founded to support young people’s mental health and now providing services for adults as well, KYSS aims to empower communities to promote positive mental health through awareness, education and tailored support for individuals and families.

The organisationenvisions a community with an open and positive approach to mental health, where everyone feels supported and enabled to reach their full potential.

‘It is a wonderful thought, to be honest. It is things like this that spur us on. We do need the community behind us, and we do have the community behind us, and it is events like this that are really appreciated,’ he said.

‘More importantly, it is the people who will benefit from this support.’

Admitting it takes huge resources to keep KYSS going, James outlined the cost of providing counselling to those who come looking for help.

‘I think last year we spent €48,000 on low-cost counselling. It is for people who are referred to counselling but can’t afford it, and this is where the money goes,’ he said.