Glenalbyn Masters Swimming Club

The 2026 Open Water Season

Goggles on, swim caps ready. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming open water season and what’s in store for Glenalbyn Masters SC.

A New Season, A Fresh Start

There’s a particular kind of excitement that builds among open water swimmers as the new season approaches. The water is still cold, the wetsuits are coming out of storage, and the calendar of races is beginning to take shape for another summer of swimming around the Irish coast. For us at Glenalbyn Masters SC, the start of a new open water season is one of the highlights of the swimming year.

This season feels particularly special. With our very own Gus Cooney now stepping into the role of President of Leinster Open Sea, we’re heading into the calendar with extra pride and a real sense of momentum. Whether you’re a seasoned racer who’s been waiting all winter for that first start klaxon, a pool swimmer looking to take the leap into open water, or a complete beginner dipping your toes into competitive swimming for the very first time, there’s something on the calendar for you.

What is the Leinster Open Sea Calendar?

For those who are new to all of this, here’s the short version. Leinster Open Sea (LOS) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with swimming clubs across Leinster to put on a summer season of open sea races at a variety of locations along the coast. Glenalbyn Masters SC is one of the many clubs that takes part, supports, and benefits from this brilliant series.

The calendar runs throughout the warmer months, with races held almost every weekend, and the average race distance is around a mile. That distance is part of the magic of LOS. It’s long enough to feel like a proper challenge and short enough that swimmers of all abilities can give it a real go. You’ll find first-timers and seasoned international swimmers lining up at the same start, which is a brilliant testament to the inclusive spirit of Irish open water swimming.

Check the official Leinster Open Sea website at leinsteropensea.com for race details and results, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates and race reports.

Race Series & Events We Love

Our members swim across a wide range of races and events throughout the year, not just the Leinster Open Sea calendar. Open water swimming in Ireland has never been more vibrant, with brilliant events run by a number of organisations across the country.Some of the events and series our members regularly take part in include:

  • Leinster Open Sea (leinsteropensea.com) – the heart of east coast open water racing
  • Swim Ireland events (swimireland.ie) – including national Masters competitions and open water nationals
  • Gaelforce Events (gaelforceevents.com) – including the iconic Gaelforce Great River Race in Lanesborough, where we recently had 15 members compete
  • Open Water Swimmer (openwaterswimmer.ie) – a great resource and event listing for swimmers across Ireland

Whatever takes your fancy – racing, social swims, or simply a quiet adventure swim with friends – there’s an event for every kind of swimmer.

Glenalbyn Masters SC Race at Seapoint

We’re particularly proud to host our own race each season as part of the LOS calendar, and 2026 is shaping up to be a brilliant one. The Glenalbyn Masters SC Race takes place on Saturday 23rd May 2026 at Seapoint, with the ladies’ race kicking off at 4:30pm and the men’s race following at 5:30pm. Once everyone is safely back on dry land, we’ll be heading down the road to Blackrock for the prize-giving and well-earned drinks afterwards, which is always one of the highlights of the day.

As a host club, we put a huge amount of work into making sure visiting swimmers have a brilliant experience, and we love welcoming the Irish open water community to our patch of coastline. If you’re swimming, brilliant. If you’re not, come down anyway and cheer on the swimmers from the beach. The atmosphere is something special.

Racing as Part of Glenalbyn Masters SC

If you’re a member of Glenalbyn Masters SC and you’re new to open water racing, don’t worry. You won’t be on your own. We have plenty of experienced racers who are more than happy to walk you through your first event, from registration on the morning right through to the post-race chats on the beach.Race entries are typically managed through the LOS website, with most events offering on-the-day entry as well as advance entry. Glenalbyn Masters SC members get the added benefit of swimming under a recognised club name and adding to the club’s points total in the Club of the Year standings, which we always have an eye on.A few practical tips if it’s your first time:

  • Get there early. Parking can be tricky at some race locations and you’ll want plenty of time to register and get ready.
  • Wetsuit or skins. LOS races welcome both, just make sure you know which category you’re entered in.
  • Bring more than you think. Towels, hot drinks, dry clothes, snacks, a hat. You’ll thank yourself once you’re out of the water.
  • Stay for the prize-giving. Even if you’re not in contention, the post-race atmosphere is a huge part of what makes LOS so special.

Beyond the Races: Club Swims and Social Events

While racing is a big focus of our season, it’s far from the only thing happening at Glenalbyn Masters SC. Different groups of club members swim together at a variety of locations along the South Dublin coast throughout the year, from sunrise dips to weekend social swims.

We also organise plenty of social events through the year, from post-swim coffee mornings to end-of-season celebrations. Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook pages for the latest details, as these are very much announced as they’re organised.

Get Involved This Season

Whether you’re a current member, a prospective member, or just someone who fancies giving open water swimming a try, the 2026 season is the perfect time to get involved. With Gus at the helm of LOS, a packed calendar of races to come, and our brilliant community of swimmers ready to welcome you, there’s never been a better time to join Glenalbyn Masters SC.

Visit our Get In Touch page to find out how to join, follow us on social media for live updates throughout the season, and most importantly, come and find us at the beach. Whether it’s a club swim along the South Dublin coast or a Saturday morning at one of the LOS races, you’ll always find a friendly face and a warm welcome.

Bring on the 2026 season. Let’s make it a great one.

Share This :

Articles, Races & Resources

Useful links and resources for our swimmers, from race information to our governing body and event updates.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,