Lee Swim cancelled for 2020

The Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim has been cancelled this summer in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has seen all sporting events cancelled in the coming weeks and months.

Writing on Twitter the organising committee said: “Unfortunately, having just settled the insurance issue that threatened the Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim earlier in the year, the Organising Committee now has to bow to the inevitable and cancel this year's event due to the COVID 19 crisis.” 

The Lee Swim was first organised in 1914 and was relaunched in 2005 with help from local Cork business Vibes & Scribes.

It is organised by Cork Lions Club and in 2019 more than 550 swimmers took part, making it one of the biggest open water swims in Ireland.

The Swim is approximately 2km in length and follows a unique course comprises a downstream section of 1.7km in the North Channel of the Lee and a short upstream section of approx 300m in the South Channel. Swimmers pass under ten bridges over the course of the Swim.

While cancelling this year’s event, the organising committee said they were confident that they would be running the event in 2021.

“We look forward to seeing many of you swimming and cheering in July 2021.”