IF you are wandering around Ennis on the afternoon of St Stephen’s Day, you might see some heads bobbing in the Fergus.

Don’t worry! That will be members of the Ennis Sub Aqua Club taking part in the annual sponsored Fin Swim.

Gerry Gilroy, chair of the club said, “The annual Fin Swim been going on for over 20 years, and is always great fun. All funds raised from the activity go to support the search and recovery activities undertaken by the club.”

The swimmers enter the chilly river at Droichead na Gabhar near Lees Road, float along the quiet stretches before rounding the bend to Victoria Bridge on the Lahinch Road.

The rapids at the Mill have torn a few wet suits over the years so they get out upstream of the Mill Bridge and jump back into the dark waters at the Mill wheel.

The ducks and geese of the Post Office field look on in surprise at the whoops and hollers of the strange mammals in the water before the swimmers reach the final stretch under the Post Office Bridge and Club Bridge.

They clamber out at Steele’s Rock and get a well-earned cup of soup prepared by chef and club member, Jorg Gerlach.