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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Salmon Leap Canoe Club 1000m Winter Indoor League

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After 2 months 93 races with 44 juniors paddling a combined total of 142KM the 1st SLCC Indoor league has finished.
Participants challenged one another to leapfrog up the table, With a high standard from all participants ranging from between 10 up to 16 years old. Comprising of Salmon Leap Canoe Clubs Junior C and D Squads.
THE FACTS
Races 146
Distance 1km Sprints = 146KM or 146,000 metres
Participants 44 Juniors
Fastest Time – 5.18 Minutes – Stephen Hyland
Biggest improvement – Sean o Malley Gannon – 166 seconds
Most raced – Mark Waldron (9) = 9KM
Most Wins – Stephen Hyland (5)
Fastest Loser – Brian O Neil 5.26 minutes

          2011 League Table
Place Name Best Time
1 Oisin Casey 5.20
2 Stephen Hyland 5.18
3 Brian O Neil 5.26
4 Mark Waldron 5.27
5 Mark Slattery 5.27
6 Ryan O Hara 5.45
7 Brian Mcrann 5.46
8 Dylon Flynn 5.42
9 Ben Kelly 6.14
10 Ryan O Connor 6.11
11 Kiaron Kilbane 6.21
12 Thomas Connolly 6.13
13 Conor Keating 6.20
14 Killian Tully 6.09
15 Alex Smyth 6.33
16 Odhran mac Aireinn 6.52
17 Martha Buckley 7.03
18 Stephen Harris 6.21
19 Cahal Brady 6.49
20 Gerard Quinn 6.40
21 Conor Beegan 7.14
22 Brian Loughlin 7.22
23 Karl Doherty 7.28
24 Ciaran Connolly 7.12
25 Mathew Byrne 7.34
26 Sean Kelly 7.45
27 Liam Mcarthy 8.11
28 Rebecca O Hara 8.02
29 Thomas Abraham 8.02
30 Aisling Duggan 8.55
31 Eoin Mcarthy 8.09
32 Thomas Nolan 8.11
33 Daniel Farrow 8.37
34 Michael Bierne 8.38
35 Andrew Tate 7.59
36 Cian Simms Powers 9.07
37 Sean O Malley Gannon 8.22
38 Claire Croc 11.08
39 Ruby Lawlor 9.15
40 Ben Murray 9.37
41 Emma Mullins 9.47
42 Carlos Pancorbo 10.33
43 Sam o Brien 9.54
44 Eoin Sweeney 15.30



2011-12-19 19.51.40

The League champion 2011 was Oisin Casey Who has won himself a Long Sleeve Craft Thermal courtesy of the league sponsor I-Canoe.com
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Well done to everyone who took part.
2011-12-19 19.51.06
(Some of the junior C squad)
.Adrian Durrant (Coach)

Friday, December 9, 2011

Keeping your hands warm tried and tested!

Ok so from the first day people take to the water the first thing is always “I've got cold hands” this is only normal your hands are holding a cold non insulated shaft with exposure to wind and cold water, generally the hands aren't moving too much so the options…..

You need to be able to both grip the paddle and stay warm, lots of people have lots of opinions so here's mine.

As a paddler and coach I spend a lot of time on the water and can honestly say I've tried about every set of gloves on the market here's some of my conclusions

 

The Marigold

Ok so everyone does this at some point borrow your Moms marigolds with good intentions to put them back. But what usually happens is because of the grippyness of the rubber they end up ripping on the shaft. warmth wise they are good to keep the wind off but they have no insulation leaving your hands cold.

Sailing/Kayak short finger gloves

These were the very first glove I ever tried as a new person to the sport these are great for rope work and protection but for paddling in cold conditions the fingers are exposed whilst the material holds water keeping the hands cold also I found these gave blisters due to the stitching on the inside of the thumb.

 

Neoprene Glove thin

Due to the thin neoprene these lacked insulation great grip and movement due to the thinner material. great for rope work and rescue, offering protection and minimal warmth, great for ‘warm’ people.

Neoprene Glove Thick

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Used a set of Gull thick neo gloves after recommendation from a friend, these gloves were bulky with lots of insulation and protection, to really feel the benefits the gloves would have to be wet ‘which meant cold hands’ the neoprene would then quickly heat up ‘giving you that awful reheat phase – which really hurts!’ once warm these gloves were toasty and really nice.

Neoprene Dry glove

The NRS Mavericks are a neo dry glove with the whole glove liquid sealed and a nice dry cuff to keep the water out these again much like the other neo gloves need to be wet the difference with these is usually neoprene traps water between the skin and the neoprene with the dry glove water doesn't get into the glove leaving them cool. The mavericks also have a very rough inner which will really hurt cold hands with lots of paddling. These gloves work great if you have warm hands when you put them on as they will trap the heat.

Pogies Neo and fabric

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Pogies were typically always accustomed to Sea kayakers and K1 paddlers but in more recent years they are at home both on the sea and on the river.

Theirs lots of personal preference regarding neo and fabric, the fabric being slightly lighter usually with a soft fleece lining offering warmth and fast drying whilst the neo being heavier and better thermal property whilst wet.both offer superb protection from the wind and the elements.

Many pogies now offer a short or long option allowing easier access in and out for hands in the event of a swim or rescue. other hybrid style pogies like the motion mambas are a light neo material with a fleece lining offering good thermal properties and the soft feel of the fleece.

Open Palm Mitts

I never really saw the point in these personally a bit silly putting a nice neoprene glove then cutting a hole in them which cold water will flush in and out leaving you with cold hands

NRS Toaster mitts

These are the daddy! absolutely the best glove you could ever need. I can honestly say I can use these into the coldest winter days play boating or creeking with lovely warm hands, the neoprene insulates and allows small amounts of water in which because your fingers are together heats up quickly even from cold to leave you toasty warm. As a mitt compared to the glove some will want free fingers but personally I prefer warm hands, I have set up rescue and thrown ropes with these gloves on and as always as long as you practice no problem at all. worst case just take them off and you've warm hands anyway!

 

With all gloves I think the key is use what you need. A sprint paddler hardly needs big neo gloves same way a freestyle kayaker with lightweight fabric mitts is pointless. another great tip is make sure your hands are warm going into the gloves and that the gloves are not freezing as a cold glove will suck up heat in the same way a cold hand has no way of generating heat.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

IrishFreestyle Calender 2012

As part of Irish Freestyles fundraising effort this year we have put together a calendar after a huge online photo competition the winners were selected and here's the result, A beautiful calendar available to buy.

Whitewater Calendar 2012
All proceeds go to Irish Freestyle Kayaking
Following the Irish Freestyle Facebook Photo Competition, we have put together a Calendar for 2012, which will feature the best whitewater kayaking pictures taken of Irish kayakers at home and abroad.
The calendar costs €15 (incl FREE postage)
All profits will go to support Irish Freestyle Kayaking
Order your calendar now!!
Thanks to:
I-CANOE for the help in making this happen
Sponsors of the calendar include: Wavesport, NRS, Sweet, Craft, Riot Kayaks, Liquid Logic, Kokatat, Big Dog, Peak UK, Elephant, H20 Paddles, Astral, Werner Paddles & Shred Ready.
The winners of the photo competition who allowed us use their pictures in the calendar.
All those who shared their best kayaking photos with us.

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CLICK HERE