ICE Hall of Fame - Honoree

MaleIan Conroy(60)

Ireland

Ireland

Contributor Honoree 2023

Ian Conroy

Summary

·       2015 – 2022: Founded and played various roles for all events held at Wild Water Armagh including Event Organiser, Event Director, Co-Ordinator

·       Founding Member of International Ice Swimming Association Ireland Board

·       Certified IISA Official

·       Attended Murmansk 2019 and Burghausen 2017 supporting swimmers as second

 

Events

·       In 2014 I finished building our natural swimming pond, with all the family enjoying the chance to swim all year round. We quickly found out that it was an ideal spot for cold water swimming and the word got out. I got chatting to Padraig Mallon and Jacqueline McClelland and we quickly hatched a plan to hold Ireland’s first 1k Championships.

·       2015 Irish National Championships, 23 competitors, 6 International (including Henri Kaarma and Alexander Brylin), 2 World Records, 9 Age Group Record (one by my daughter Mollie)

·       2016 Irish National Championships, 37 competitors, 11 International (including Ram Barkai, Christof Wandratsch) 1 World Record

·       2017 World Cup/National Championships, 31 Competitors, 9 International, 2 European Records

·       2018 World Cup/National Championships, 25 Competitors, 6 International (including Fergil Hesterman, Charalampos Theodosis-“Harry the Greek”) 2 European Records (one by my daughter Olive)

·       2019 National Championships, 23 Competitors, 3 International, 2 European Records

·       2020 National Championships, 31 Competitors, 6 International (including Birna Hrönn, Cath Pendleton)

·       Between 2015 and 2020 we had 32 swimmers complete an Ice Mile at Wild Water, we coordinated safety, marshalling and observing of the swims with support from the IISA Ireland Committee.

·       Every season we ran numerous acclimatisation swims, training and introductory sessions.

·       In 2016 Ger Kennedy completed an Ice Zero Mile in water at 0.77c. The same year two distance records were set by Jack Boyle 2.06 mile, Carmel Collins 2.05 mile (Carmel’s record still stands)

 

Other Considerations:

·       I am proud of the reputation that we have at Wild Water Armagh, seen as a safe and controlled environment to attempt difficult and demanding swims. I have the luxury of setting the standards as it is in my back garden, and over the years helped to develop safety and record keeping protocols. With the experience garnered from involvement in so many swims I feel I can coach and advise with some confidence and enjoy watching swimmers progress though the journey of discovering the ice.

·       For the last few years I have been piloting swims on the North Channel, understanding the cold is of vital importance here, and is informed by my knowledge of ice swimming.