Sea, Swimming, and Sustainability: Meet John Lawlor from Arklow’s BADASS Swimmers

Every Saturday at 2 pm, no matter the season or weather, a group of swimmers gathers at the Cove in Arklow. They’re not professional athletes and they rarely talk about work. What brings them together is their love of the sea — and their bond as the BADASS Swim Group (short for Banter And Dryrobes - Arklow Sea Swimmers).

One of those swimmers is John Lawlor, who moved to Arklow from Birmingham over 25 years ago. John’s swimming journey began in the pool — but like many during the pandemic, he found himself drawn to the open sea. When pools shut down, he took to the Cove, met others doing the same, and rediscovered a community that thrives in cold water and wild weather. That’s when the BADASS crew started coming together.

What began as five or six people soon became twenty. The group includes teens and retirees, competitive swimmers and total beginners — all united by a shared love of the water and weekly “handicapped” races, where everyone has a fair chance at winning a tiny plastic trophy. And, of course, there’s coffee, cake and plenty of banter after every swim.

“We talk about everything — except what we do for a living.”

For John, the sea offers more than exercise. It’s peace. It’s clarity. It’s therapy.

“When I get in the water, the first thing I have to control is my breathing. Once you do that, everything else calms down. You solve things out there. It resets you.”

Arklow, John says, is blessed — not just with the Cove, but with hills to hike, forests to cycle and rivers to wander. That connection to nature makes John a strong supporter of Ireland’s clean energy future — including offshore wind.

“Personally, the move towards green energy is vitally important to me and my family. I love the turbines. They’re calm, far away — and they mean progress.”

He sees offshore wind as an opportunity — not just for Ireland to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, but he hopes this will in turn create jobs in local coastal communities where the wind turbines are located and strengthen energy independence for communities like Arklow.

“We have to stop drilling and chasing fossil fuels. We need wind energy, solar, tidal. We’ve got all this wind — let’s use it.”

For John and the BADASS swimmers, the sea is something to protect. And as offshore wind becomes part of Ireland’s coastal landscape, he hopes communities continue to be part of the conversation.

“Offshore wind, if it’s done right, can work with the sea — not against it.”

From race-day laughter to mindful solitude, from jellyfish scares to fresh-baked goods, the BADASS group is proof that community, climate, and cold water can all go hand in hand. What makes their story powerful is not just about the Badass and their swims, but the shared laughter, open conversations and spirit of inclusion that echo Ireland’s potential approach to climate solutions: community-first, thoughtful and deeply connected to place.

Looking Ahead: Offshore Wind and Arklow’s Energy Future

Arklow isn’t just home to a passionate sea swimming community — it is also where Ireland’s offshore wind journey began. Arklow Bank Wind Park was built just over 20 years ago and its turbines - then among the most powerful yet deployed - have provided clean, affordable and secure power to a generation of Irish families and businesses. 

As the original Arklow Bank Wind Park nears the end of its operating life a new Arklow Bank project is proposed to carry on the area’s proud tradition of being at the forefront of Ireland’s energy revolution. This development will bring more than just clean energy. It will also deliver real, tangible support for the local community. Through Community Benefit Funds, offshore wind developers contribute directly to the towns and villages near their projects.

Once operational, that investment in local communities will only increase, empowering people like John to shape their own future, empowering them to design the community of tomorrow with the Power of Tomorrow.

Offshore wind isn’t just about turbines. It’s about energy independence, climate action, and investing in the people and places that make Ireland special.

As the turbines rise off our coast, groups like BADASS remind us what’s worth protecting — and what we can achieve when we come together.