Certain competitors involved in tomorrow's annual Dun Laoghaire Harbour swims, sponsored by The Irish Times, may give the impression that a serious surveillance operation is in progress. If a plethora of gardai and RTE crime reporter Paul Reynolds are conspicuous by late afternoon, the only motivation for their presence will be to win the gruelling events.

The Garda is well represented in both men's and women's races; Reynolds is a dedicated competitor who is hoping for success off a nine minutes 20 seconds handicap.

The men's event over one mile and three quarters, from the boat slip to the light house and back, has attracted an entry of 154, among them some of the most seasoned campaigners. The list includes Jackie Kearney (65) and George Mongey along with his two sons Mick and Brian. The Morton family of Wicklow - Gary, his wife Joan and sons John, and Scott (at 11 years, the youngest competitor) - will also be in action. The women's race, three quarters of a mile approximately, has attracted a huge entry of 80.

Terenure College dominate the back-mark positions in the main event with Stephen Saunders, the last man off, on a handicap of 18:45. His club mates, Kevin Williamson, a former winner, enters at 17:00 and Tony Cruise at 16:15. A King's Hospital backmarker, Ciarain Cassidy, who sets off with Cruise got a credible fourth place in the recent World open-sea four miles in Spain.

Among the former winners are Paul Emmett, Bert O'Brien, Arthur Dunne, Frank Carroll, Dave Turner and Larry Mooney.

Julie Ann Roche (Wickow) Rachel Lee (Eastern Bay) and Niamh Campbell (Terenure College) have 11 minutes to make up from the back marks in the women's race. Former double winner Sandra Trappe of Dublin is on 8:30, but Heidi Kinsella of Glenalbyn Masters looks poised to strike well from the 10:45 mark.

Joe Browne's handicapping makes for a interesting men's race and the same would apply to Tommy Dorgan's judgment of the women's standards. Predictions are difficult.