"OPEN WATER"
SWIMMING SPECIALISTS
"Walking and Hiking"
High Tide Galway, founded by Joe Kennelly, is an innovative Open Water Swimming Company based in Galway, Ireland. It also promotes physical and emotional well-being by organising a number of iconic swims, walks and hikes in the West of Ireland. However, High Tide Galway specialises primarily in Open Water Swimming instruction and advice, (Level 2 Open Water Instruction qualifications), safety guidance (fully qualified lifeguard) and swimming apparel. It also hosts swimming events and related swimming activities and recently started to include guided walks and hikes
See details of our Summer Program below,
"Guided Iconic Swims Locations and Guided Walks"
Joe Kennelly, the founding member of this company is passionate, not just about the thrill and excitement of Open Water Swimming, but also about the proven benefits, both physical and mental of Cold Water Immersion. It is his belief that the sea, and indeed all forms of natural water immersion, nourishes the body, soul and mind. As a school Principal, Joe is also very aware of the need to encourage all individuals, young and old, to leave behind the habitual practices of T.V, mobile phones, social media and the many distractions which deny us the heavenly experiences of exploring both land and sea. It is his belief that interacting physically with any form of natural activity connects like minded people, creates friendships, community, appreciation, excitement, joy and love.
Joe has spent most of his adult life competing and participating in long distance Open Water Swimming events, ( He recently completed his 12th solo Galway Bay crossing in support of Cancer Care West). He is also an Ice Miler, a qualified PADI diver, a boating enthusiast, former member of Galway Lifeboat crew and joint founder of Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit. However,some years ago Joe, along with his good friend Dermot O Neill established Gentle Swimming', a concept whereby one benefits greatly from simply immersing oneself and moving gently in this unique environment. This activity caters for all, young and old, beginners, novice and even experienced. In addition, for the much more experienced and eager swimmer, who may wish to increase their distance and participate in Open Water events, Joe, a professionally trained and fully qualified Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach, invites interested people to join the High Tide Galway Olympics, every Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. Joe is also available for both private and group Open Water Swimming lessons, safety advice, use of proper equipment, training programmes and instruction. He also organises walks and hikes with his great friend Des Broders, an experienced ultra athlete, swimmer, cyclist, hiker and runner with a passion for the outdoors.
High Tide Galway also offer a range of swimming related products, including the much sought after High Tide Galway SwimCoat (even Bill Murray purchased one), (SOLD OUT), the Mala Snamha Swim Bag, (containing a branded cotton towel, silicone swimming cap, beanie cap, goggles, silicone ear plugs, hand cream and a thermal flask) high quality Swim Secure Goggles, branded silicone swimming caps and a must have TowFloat.
Would you like to try Open Water Sea Swimming?
Join us for 'Gentle Swimming' Saturday's at 10am (all year round)
Wednesday's at 6.30pm (May - October)
There are lots of people who don't Sea Swim but who are very curious about what it's all about and would like to give it a go. The benefits of Sea Swimming and Cold Water Immersion are well documented and terms / phrases such as Open Water Swimming, Wild Swimming, Snamhaí Sásta, SeaVite, VitaminSea, etc. are part of daily discussion. While some of us are fortunate to have experienced the benefits, (mental, physical, social and emotional), there are several who would love to give it a go and see if it would work for them. Our Gentle Swim includes a safety brief (tides, currents, swells and rips), suitable clothing and equipment, warm up exercises, safe entrance and exit from the sea, acclimatising, gentle movement and breathing. However, much more importantly, it also includes fun, friendship and community
For the love of Swimming
Meeting Point: The Big Beach Salthill, every Saturday morning throughout the year at 10am and Wednesday at 6.30pm (May to October)
All are welcome....and it's FREE.
Come along...don't be shy.
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High Tide Olympics
High Tide Olympics welcomes the more experienced swimmers who may wish to improve their distance, increase their fitness levels, familiarise themselves with ever changing sea conditions or simply join a wonderful community. It is an all year round activity encouraging participants to swim the Salthill buoys, ranging in distance from 110m to 3km Again this is a free every, so just drop down to Blackrock, Salthill and join in.
Every Sunday morning all year round 10.30am
Every Friday afternoon at 4.30pm.
Blackrock Diving Tower, Salthill
Every Wednesday evening at 6pm in Renville, Oranmore.
(in association with Atlantic Masters SC)
High Tide Classes
Swimming Lessons & Advice
Summer Schedule 2024
Guided Iconic Swimming locations and guided walks
This Summer 2024, we are launching our Guided Iconic Swim Locations and Guided Walks. This concept will take place twice weekly, Sundays and Mondays at various amazing locations. Interested participants meet at the proposed locations at an agreed time and bring the required gear, including bathing costume, (wetsuit if you wish), goggles, swimming cap, towel, packed lunch, warm clothing, walking shoes /boots and waterproof equipment.
There is a fee of €25 per guided tour.
Sunday, July 7th. Kilkee, Co. Clare. Swim in the Pollock Holes, (bring goggles for beautiful marine life), followed by an 8km Atlantic Cliff Walk
Monday, July 8th. The Burren. (Fanore). A guided 8km walk / hike through the Burren, finishing with a swim at beautiful Fanore Beach.
Sunday. July 14th White Strand, Miltown Malbay. A 4km Atlantic shore walk, visiting the Blow Hole, followed by a relaxing swim in an amazing natural pool, Kerins Hole, White Strand.
Monday, July 15th Liscannor, Co. Clare. An 8km walk / hike from Clahane to the Cliffs of Moher, followed by a swim in beautiful Clahane rock formation pool.
Sunday, July 21st. Inis Oirr, Aran Islands. (Ferry from Doolin €25). An 8km walking tour of the island, visiting Seipeal Caoimhin, The Plassey shipwreck, (Fr Ted) and Lighthouse,
Monday, July 22nd. Lough na Fooey, Connemara. One of Ireland's few sandy shore lakes set in the middle of the picturesque Partry / Maamturk mountains followed by a hike to the Lough na Fooey Waterfalls
Sunday, July 28th Ballyconneely. Connemara. A swim in beautiful Poll Mhaitu, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely followed by a 6km walk / hike to St Caillins Well, Keerhaunmore.
Monday, July 29th. Connemara National Park. Letterfrack. Climb Diamond Hill. (a walk or hike, offering 2 different routes), followed by a swim at Lettergesh Beach, Tully Cross.
Sunday, August 4th. Carraroe, Connemara. An 8km walk exploring the natural and serene beauty of South Connemara, followed by a swim in Tra an Doilin, (Coral Beach), Connemara,
Monday, August 5th. Tourmakeady Forest Walk followed by a swim under the Tourmakeady waterfalls. This is truly amazing and NOT to be missed.
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Sunday, August 11th Killaloe, Co. Clare. Ballycugguran 8km Loop Hike / Walk of amazing beauty from the highrest point in Co. Clare, followed by a swim in Lough Derg..
Monday, August 12th. New Quay, the Burren, Co. Clare. A 6km loop walk of the Flaggy Shore (made famous by the poet Seamus Heaney), followed by a swim in New Quay beach.
Sunday, August 18th Inis Bofin. (Inis Bo Finne...the island of the White Cow). Ferry from Cleggan at 10am returning at 5pm €25) Swim in Inis Bofin West End followed by a walk of this beautiful Cromwellian Island.
Monday, August 19th. Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo. Climb Croagh Patrick followed by a swim in Bertra Beach, Clew Bay.
To Book;
Call or Text Joe on 0879651498 to be included on the WhatsApp group.
Our Products
If you wish to purchase any of these products, simply call Joe on 087-9651498 for sales and delivery
About Us
Joe Kennelly
Joe, a Clare native grew up on the shores of the wild Atlantic close to Spanish Point and White Strand beaches. His earliest childhood memory is that of his father Mick supporting him in the water with his strong hand under his chin and uttering words of encouragement, "move your hands and kick" He has been swimming ever since and spent several Summers working as Lifeguard in Spanish Point. However, Joe's love affair with Open Water Swimming commenced in September 1983 after he moved from West Clare to Dalkey, Co. Dublin. He soon became a regular in the famous Forty Foot and started competing regularly in Open Water Swimming events. He has been a daily swimmer since. Joe now resides in Galway City where he is very much immersed in the Sea Swimming community. He still competes in several Open Water Swimming events annually, including the Galway Bay Swim, (recently completing his 10th solo crossing) the Lough Derg Swim, Warrior of the Sea, the Slyne Head 10km, The Lahinch to Liscannor challenge and The Killary Fjord Swim to name but a few. He has also gained much respect as an Open Water Swimming instructor having recently obtained a Level 2 Swimming Instructor qualification with Swim Ireland. He is also a fully qualified lifeguard. He was also instrumental in the publication of 'Open Water Swimming, your guide to enjoying it safely', published by Water Safety Ireland. He is now available to share his expertise upon request.
In addition to Swimming lessons, both sea and pool, Joe is well adept to public speaking and provides both safety and wellbeing talks to groups and organisations.
In recent years he has logged well over fifty beautiful swimming locations throughout Ireland many of which are detailed on his Instagram account hightide_galway
While Joe has participated in numerous Open Water Swimming events since childhood, it is still his belief that he is happiest when "Gently Swimming", particularly with friends, in some of his favourite bathing spots, to include Blackrock Salthill, White Strand Miltown Malbay, Tra Chaoil Ballyconneely and Dublin's Forty Foot.
Joe's other passion is Water Safety. He was recently involved with the production of 'Open Water Swimming, your guide to enjoying it safely', as initiated by Water Safety Ireland and is a very strong advocate of proper safety procedures for those who participate in this sport. He recently qualified as a Level 2 Open Water Swimming Instructor with Swim Ireland; has pool lifesaving and swimming instruction qualifications with Swim Ireland and is a qualified Open Water Diver (PADI). Joe has had a lifetime involvement in search, rescue and recovery with Galway Lifeboat and Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit.
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Contact Us
Phone: +353 87 965 1498
Email: joekennelly@yahoo.co.uk
Instagram: High Tide Galway
Facebook: High Tide Galway