Conquering the Irish sea

Oct 3 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

HIGHLAND Perthshire endurance swimmer Colleen Blair waited 12 years to plough her way across the Irish Sea.

So it was a dream come true when a reconstructed shoulder survived the test and the only injuries she suffered were inflicted by jelly fish!

The extraordinary Aberfeldy athlete had already conquered the English Channel and swum round Manhattan Island.

But the Irish Sea was unfinished business.

A glance at 30-year-old Colleen’s breathtaking track record suggested the duty leisure manager at PKL’s Aberfeldy Recreation Centre wasn’t one to throw in the towel.

So when she got 24 hours notice that the 2008 bid was on, she quickly made tracks for Blackhead near Carrickfergus, with landfall near Portpatrick in her sights.

Yesterday, the Highland Perthshire swimmer said: “I tried the North Channel 12 years ago and it was the only challenge I couldn’t complete. I suffered an asthma attack in the water.

“The condition had never stopped me doing what I wanted. I was determined it wouldn’t hold me back.

“But when the attack happened we were well away from dry land. Now I always swim with my inhaler tucked into my costume, just in case.”

Colleen first took to the water as a child and at eight she was open water swimming with her family. The Dundee Bridges event kick started her competitive streak and with big sister Shannon beating her to a cross-Channel swim, the Irish Sea had long been Colleen’s target.

“I swam the Channel 10 years ago and followed it up with Manhattan in 2001. Other challenges have included the length of Loch Ness, Lake Windermere and Loch Rannoch. But the Irish Channel was my personal goal.

“Five years ago I was forced to undergo shoulder reconstruction. It was an injury I had been carrying since I was a teenager. I wasn’t sure if it would withstand the rigours of the latest swim.

“But I did a round-Jersey swim two years after the operation and I’d set my heart on the Irish Sea challenge. It’s only now sinking in that I’ve finally achieved my goal.

“It was 23 miles but it wasn’t the longest swim. Distance wasn’t the problem, it was the weather and the temperature of the water. It was 12 or 13 degrees. The English Channel is 16-18 degrees.

“In addition to training at the recreation centre in Aberfeldy, I swim most days over the summer in Loch Tay. But you’re not bothered by jellyfish there!

“I was stung a few times on the arms and face in the Irish Sea but looked remarkably okay by the end of the swim. It was impossible to dodge them by the time it was getting dark. I just kept swimming.”

Colleen, Dunkeld Street, has always been supported by mum and dad Irene and Bill, sister Shannon and friend Ian Reid.

She laughed: “They are really happy for me and it would have been impossible without all their support. But friends think I’m completely mad!

“I’m not sure what happens now. I had been expecting the North Channel challenge to be next year’s goal so it’s something I’ll have to think about. I’m sure I’ll come up with something!”