Support your beaches and turn out for the Big Swim

Support your beaches and turn out for the Big Swim

13 July 2016

SWIMMERS are being urged to turn out in force on Saturday for what could be the last opportunity to secure a prestigious European designation for three local beaches.

A co-ordinated campaign which has been building for several years will come to a head at Killough,  Ballyhornan and Kilclief beaches when swimmers take to the sea seeking EU Bathing Water Status for the three local strands.

Securing the designation would force the Department of Infrastructure to introduce enhanced sewage treatment which would contribute greatly to improving water quality along the Lecale coastline.

However, to get EU Bathing Water Status the local community has to show the beaches are used regularly so on Saturday, at the start of the summer season, swimmers from across the area are coming together to promote the campaign.

It is hoped the mass swim will spur on many local people to use the local beaches throughout the summer, take photographs of swimming, sand castle building or barbecues and post them on dedicated Facebook pages.

Event organiser, councillor Cadogan Enright, is encouraging as many people as possible to turn up on Saturday and to continue to use the beaches throughout the summer.

“This is our last chance to win official EU Bathing Water Status for our local beaches before Northern Ireland is taken out of the EU,” he said. “This status will boost local tourism and jobs and give us new safeguards for local water quality.

“We all love summer time so why not show it by taking your family to the beach for some fun in the sun. Put together a picnic, a barbecue and some beach games and head to either Killough, Ballyhornan or Kilclief beaches before the end of the summer.

“Take some photos and post them because to secure the status we have to prove that people are using the beaches and what better way than a host of photos on Facebook,” he added.

The Facebook pages are — Killough Beach Needs EU Bathing Water Status; Kilclief Beach Needs EU Bathing Water Status; Ballyhornan Beach Needs EU Bathing Water Status.

Last year over 300 swimmers took part in the big swim event and it is hoped the number will be even larger this year.

A lot of swimmers made the trip from Newcastle in 2015 and this year a bus has been laid on to transport the swimmers from the resort, leaving Donard Park at 10am.

The first swim will be in Killough at 11am, followed by Ballyhornan at 12noon and Kilclief at 1pm. Those 

travelling to Kilclief should park at nearby Cafferty’s beach as the council car park will fill up quickly.

If the weather is good Ballyhornan village will have a bouncy castle and other events for their big paddle and swim. And for those who make it to the final swim in Kilclief there will be a barbecue for those who have taken a dip at all three strands.

The campaign has been supported by Strangford Community Association, Strangford Festival Committee, Kilclief Residents Association, Ballyhornan Development Association, Ballyhornan Community Association and family centre, Dunsford Community Association, Ardglass Development Association, Ardglass Festival Committee, Coney Island Forum and Residents Association, Killough Surf and Sea Swimming Club, Killough Community Association, Newcastle Sea Swimmers Club and Downpatrick Community Collective.