Athlone women setting off on extreme Lough Ree swim challenge tomorrow

After more than a year of training, Athlone women Serena Friel and Karen Reynolds are about to embark on a gruelling ultra swimming challenge on Lough Ree tomorrow (Wednesday).

Serena and Karen are aiming to complete their relay swim from Lanesborough bridge to Athlone town bridge in support of the new RNLI Life Boat Station at Coosan Point.

They will be starting from Lanesborough at 7am and hope to make it to Athlone somewhere between 6pm and 8pm tomorrow evening.

Lough Ree RNLI said that, while the straight-line distance between the two bridges was 32 kilometres, the swim would actually be longer than that as a result of the current, winds and navigation.

The local RNLI branch would love to see a big welcome for the two ladies when they arrive into Athlone, and is encouraging people to help spread the word about this remarkable challenge.

Serena, from Coosan, and Karen, from Iona Park, are aiming to become the first females to swim from Lanesborough to Athlone.

Not only that, but they are also choosing to forego a wetsuit in favour of togs while completing the swim.

It's being carried out under 'Cross Challenge Swim Rules' which means swimmers must not be assisted by any kind of artificial aid and are only permitted to use goggles, one cap, a nose clip, ear plugs and one costume that must be sleeveless and legless.

You can sponsor Karen and Serena's efforts and donate to the Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat station appeal at the Go Fund Me page here.

Live updates tomorrow will be available on the Lough Ree 32k Challenge Facebook page or on the RNLI Lough Ree Facebook page.