Paddle Expo 2012, Day 1

Some quick snaps from our first (busy) day at Paddle Expo 2012.

More to follow tomorrow plus a full write up!

Nottingham summer Training

Last week myself, Tom Galione , Craig Cummins and his dad Eamon headed over to the white water course In nottingham. We went over on the ferry and had the best part of a five hour drive on the other side between stopping off in Liverpool and traffic the whole way, But we had the laptop and the Ipad to keep us going .  When we arrived at the course we headed straight to the campsite and set up base.

Our Home for the week

Once that was sorted out we got our gear together and headed to the course. The plan was to get our act together for team Trials. Its my first year as a senior and Its looking like one of the tuffest years in a while.

heres a few photos from the week to give you an idea how we got on and a short video I made too. Thanks for reading.

Conor

Thanks to Surfplugs, Third Eye Media, Jackson Kayak and I-Canoe for the Continued Support.

Canada the great ottawa river

SO! this summer i decided to get out of boring old Ireland  and head to Canada to work on my paddling and coaching . And what can i say i left with the standard of both so so high thanks to the river and the liquid skills team including Joey Hitchins a legend in freestyle kayaking for the the 2 months i had access to an amazing river with the best coaching on and off the water!!! We worked shadowing for joey and some of his other world class coaches which in itself was an amazing experience .

The River was simply amazing i did not  paddle a mile without running into some top class white water .For the first couple of weeks all we got was corner wave and right side which was still pretty good . I guess what really hit of the summer was Garb this wave is everything you could ask for retentive bouncey and big air !

Just down From Garb  we had another sweet little nook on the river push button which was 2 features a nice fast hole and a mellow little wave just  behind it perfect for the best of both worlds . All in all it was a great trip and already have plans to go back .

Id like to thank my sponsors for supporting me in my trip over . Big Thanks to ( I CANOE , KOKATAT , JACKSON KAYAK , SNAPDRAGON , CORE PADDLES , )

Outfitting a Kayak

So after I spent some time with Muireann outfitting her boat I recieved a number of messages asking for input and help outfitting their boats

So heres a video guide to help outfit your boat

Boat Outfitting Video Guide

I used a Wavesport Project X and then shows The Jackson Rockstar at the end but most of the sections will cross over to most boats.

 

The most important thing is to be comfortable you will learn more and have better control if you you have good point of contact with the Seat, Backrest, hip pads, thigh braces and footrest. If you are missing any one of these you will move independantly of the boat and cause the wibbly wobblies!

Hope it helps

Adrian

 

Paddle4life.eu

Canada is over...

Well we have been back just over a week now and Canada was definitely the best trip of our Lives. Paddling everyday on some of the best whitewater in the world is unbelievable but when we got home It really put Ireland to shame. I think a video and a few pictures would do better than me blabbering on so here it is, our one month trip, 98GB of footage liquidated down in to a mere 400 Mb. Next time we will be off back to HPP, be sure to look out for that video, Later

European Freestyle Champs Lienz Wrap-Up

Lovely cake made by Hedwig!

Footage of Team Ireland’s competition runs.

 

Joaquim Fontane’s amazing winning ride.

 

Cardboard Boating at it’s Best!

 

The Remains of our boat

Mr Kebab – Our Number 1 Fan!

The closing ceremony was a stately affair.

And the Final Results for Team Ireland Were:

Mens K1

Tom Dunphy 26th

Adrian Durrant 34th

Rónán O’Braonáin 35th

Colm Healy 38th

Mens Squirt

Adrian Durrant 7th

Mens C1

Orky O’Rourke 11th

Womens K1

Aisling Griffin 15th

Muireann Lynch 21st

All results can be found at: http://www.euro-lienz.com/index.php/results

NRS 2012 REVOLUTION DRYTOP

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The new 2012 NRS Revolution Drytop is tougher, stronger and DRIER than ever before. 

Having owned the previous model for the past 2 years, I was reasonably happy with it.  That model featured the lighter weight eVent breathable fabric which was great in warmer climes and needed a little more TLC.

This new improved model is certainly more heavy duty, if a little less breathable.  It features the unique Liquid RSeal on the seams to ensure leak-proof performance (as used on NRS SAR suits).  The fabric thickness and cordura re-inforcing adds confidence if and when bush-whacking is required.

 

The fit of the cag is nicely tailored, stylishly designed and is available in black or red.  There is velcro adjustment on the wrist gasket protectors, a punch through neo neck collar (protecting the latex neck seal) and a pocket on the left sleeve.

I look forward to getting plenty of use out of this cag during the rest of the year and it should be especially good during those colder winter months when the thicker material will offer some insulation.

My only criticism is that with the thicker, less breathable material, and the non breathable liquid seams, you need to be more attentive when layering.  I would imagine that in all but the coldest conditions a single thin base layer would be required underneath it otherwise you may find it a tad sweaty.

Lienz, Monday Night Opening Party

So Monday started with our first official team training session - all 28 mins of it.

It went reasonably well but the nerves and frustration were still present.

That evening we attended the official opening ceremony in a local castle dressed in our official team kit supplied by Craft and I-CANOE.

The Austrians know how to throw a party and put on a full free bar which everyone helped themselves to. There was also some kayak drumming and speeches from the local officials welcoming us all to their city.

Tuesday training isn't until 5pm which gives the team plenty of time to recover.

Lienz - Day 3

So the team have finally got into the routine of paddle, eat, pool, ice cream, sun, ice cream, pool, paddle, dinner, beer.

We had a chilled out Sunday with two paddle sessions and on her last ride of the day, Muireann decided to play in the most retentive part of the hole. After many unintentional ends and wha-thunks she bailed out of the boat and went for a little body surf to finish.

We swiftly rescued everything minus a booty and while Muireann was picking the gear up of the bank, she nicked her ankle on a rock. What looked like a small gash, turned into a gushing wound so action stations, call an ambulance. A quick trip to A & E, and 6 stitches later and she is as good as new!

Official team training slots start today (Monday).

Europeans Freestyle Comp - Day 1

Here for 10 days and we've brought the rain with us. Feature is fluctuating massively throughout the day.

Everything went surprisingly smoothly so far with flights, etc although we had some interesting times sorting out the roof rack.

Weather (was) fantastic and scenery is awesome. The town in Lienz is very friendly too.

Video footage of the Source of the Liffey in JUNE :)

The Source of the Liffey

Eye Feel Good Open Canoe Expedition

After a short 3 days to recover from the marathon I was back on the road, this time headed for Northern Ireland and the town of Antrim. I arrived Thursday afternoon to a clear view across lough Neagh. The sun was beginning to set as the familiar freelander rolled up to greeted by Sonya and Kevin to unload boats into the eye feel good container.
After a quick bite we then set off headed even further North to the Atlantic coast which would mark the end of our trip. with the shuttle done we hit the hay for a few hours sleep before setting off early Friday morning.
As the dawn broke we greeted the participants at the lake we packed up the boats with barrels and bags of all our needs for the next 3 days.

The trip was a charity fundraiser to paddle from Antrim across lough Neagh to Toome before heading onto the River Bann through Lough Begg and all the way to the Atlantic in Coleraine.
As the group gathered for pre trip photos and smiles the craft were launched with a selection of boats, mad river canoes, Legend, explorer and journeys in a selection of materials along with a fleet of Venture Prospectors made up the majority of the flotilla. 2 Dogs, 39 paddlers in 20 boats plus a small rescue rib made up our trip.
As we set off with the wind in our sails or umbrellas we made a good start heading around the Lough headed for Toome. As we hit the dog leg into Toome the wind decided to hit us with a nasty headwind slowing the hole group to a slow crawl. A few boat changes and we made the trip to Toome with no dramas. At Toome we hit the first of 5 locks we would descend as we paddled into the lock and the water started dropping the group disappeared into a lonely basin away from the wind above a moment of rest before emerging onto the River Bann and around into Lough Begg. As we pushed on the wind battered the boats creating small waves spilling into boats. The group pressed hard working to keep the boats straight and moving with the rafter Canadians struggling with the wind pushing harder to keep the extra weight moving. The safety boat really made its money worth, towing canoes back to the front of the group to stop them being left behind. As we turned at the end of the Lough the faces painted the picture grimacing and frustrated the group were battered but not beaten as we took to our first nights camping the sun withdrew from its cloud to give us a beautiful evening sun to set up camp and enjoy our first evening of camp food and tales.

The next morning we arose to the sound of sizzling sausages and boiling water. The morning broke with frost on the ground to give everyone a slight chill as we packed up camp and got set for the off knowing the hardest day was now behind us, all we could hope was that the wind would be good to us.
With a slight headwind we made our way along the Lower Bann headed for the promised land of Pub soup and sandwiches only 6km away. We wound our way along the meandering river with green fields and trees lining the banks with no other water users we were secluded calm gracefully paddling along our way.

As we reached the pub ahead of schedule everyone was looking in anticipation a warm pub filled with tea, coffee and a log fire lay behind the large wooden locked doors, as we waited patiently we looked at each other looking for expressions and signs of movement from within. As the clock struck 11 we heard the large metal bolt pull open and like the lock gates we all flooded in.
The warm food was just what the doctor ordered, with warm drinks and food to fill ourselves up ready for the next stage of our journey. As the group peeled themselves from the warmth of the pub for the cooler climate outside knowing we had plenty of miles ahead of us.
Back in the boats and with another change of crews to keep things social we paddled our way on. With the group making great progress the powerhouses of Ole and Elizabeth taking the lead pushing hard at a great pace leaving others in their wake
With Kevin excited by the game of Margery kept everyone in great humour and well motivated. With more locks to negotiate the feeling of achievement was starting to set in with half the trip already in the bag the group were running at a good pace and eating up the kilometres.

As we reached the Movanagh Fish Farm we knew we were finished paddling for day 2.
As we pitched camp we already had a gathering party collecting firewood ready for the cool evening ahead. The tents were pitched and the group fed as we sat around the campfire sharing stories and chatting till the early hours the tarot cards even made an appearance. This was the part of the trip which really pulls the group together motivating and relaxing. With future trips and ideas being planned even before this trip is finished.

As the group packed the kit into the boats for the final time knowing the distance to the finish line was ever closing we got underway after a slight delay as the Lock doesn't open until 10am we pushed on with the group refreshed and revitalised we caught up the time.
On the trip we had a couple of dogs bounding boat to boat exploring each persons craft except for the odd leap of faith into the water they were great company and happy to go with the flow.

As we approached the cuts we knew the finish line was in sight, with only a few kilometres to go.
On clearing the lock at the cuts the flotilla took to formation being led by flagship (a rafted Canadian with the eye feel good banner proudly waving in the wind.

As we passed the RNLI Atlantic lifeboat our goal was in sight the slipway at marina with parents, friends and family awaiting our arrival.

As we reached land their were hugs kisses and hand shakes all round their was a massive sense if achievement from everyone with the devastating headwind from the first day all but forgotten as the boats were pulled up and the final talk given from the expedition bosses Richard Fee and Mark Kennedy the trip was over.
Well done to everyone who took part paddled, supported or sponsored their was a great deal of support to make the trip possible.

Thank you to Richard Fee and Mark Kennedy for organising a very successful safe and professional trip for all.

Eye Feel Good is a charity foundation based in Northern Ireland. Our aim is to raise money through organised events donating to those living with cancer within the community.

Click the logo to find out what they are upto!

For anyone looking to do the trip their are a great series of open canoe trails which have been produced by CANI, this trip would be excellent for both sea and touring kayaks as well as open canoe.
They can also be found online

http://www.canoeni.com/

.Adrian