The RNLI Helvick Swim is a family-friendly, community fundraiser event. Swimmers can choose to swim 4km or 2km along a marked course in Dungarvan Bay, finishing at Helvick Pier to a cheering crowd.

A sponsored swim to raise vital funds for the RNLI

Instead of a signup fee, participants are requested to fundraise for the event by creating their own fundraiser page and accepting sponsorship from within their own network of contacts.

The event has grown enormously in popularity over the years and has become a huge community event, attracting swimmers and visitors to Helvick in the Waterford Gaeltacht on the mouth of Dungarvan Bay from all over Ireland and beyond.

The spectacle of the swimmers accompanied by a safety flotilla of kayakers, ribs and other boats swimming along the marked course in Dungarvan Bay will be quite a sight, and as they swim into Helvick Pier.

Activities on the Pier

More than just an outdoor challenge, the RNLI Helvick Swim also features a range of family-friendly activities on the pier at Helvick.

Burger Cookout — Quench your thirst and fill your bellies with delicious and freshly made BBQ burgers

Dog Show — Does your pooch have what it takes to win the top prize? The dog show is a long standing feature of the RNLI Helvick Swim.

And... Raffle, King & Queen of Helvick, performance by the Dungarvan Brass Band, stalls with official RNLI merchandise.