Liffey Descent 2010

After what had to be one of the driest summers on record, the annual highlight of the Irish marathon racing calendar rolled around again with the 51st Liffey Descent taking place on Saturday the 4th of September 2010.

With a slightly lower turnout than recent years (but still at least a healthy 700+ competitors), slightly lower water levels and pretty much everyone admitting total lack of moving water training (there being no moving water in the country to train on!), it was obvious there were more than a few nervous participants making their way upriver to the start line.

This would be the 3rd consecutive year myself and the Good Wife (Wai Har) had competed in the Double Open Canadian class.  Paddling as a husband and wife team is a good test for any marriage but after getting the first one under our belts, it has been plain sailing since;-)  This year we got some minor flatwater training in a week or two before the event along with the Lower Liffey Ranking Race which freshened up our moving water paddling and re-affirmed we could still do it.

Our Liffey Descent performance (as with most C2s) tends to be rated by number (and quality of swimming) than anything to do with time.  For instance in 2008 (our 1st year) we had a good race but swam at Palmerstown (and finished 20th).  For 2009 we had a nasty swim at Straffan (nasty = time consuming) and struggled to regain all the positions we had lost (finishing 27th***).

Being a C2 in the Liffey Descent “Race” is always a surreal experience imminently preceding the “start” and fraught with danger; be too aggressive and keep with the front of the pack and risk getting sandwiched at the weir in Straffan or, being too cautious, keeping to the mid or rear of the pack and you can lose the race before even crossing the “start line”.  I say “start line” because, being the last (and arguably the most entertaining) class to start the Liffey Descent means that once the aftermath of the G.P. class has been cleared, the Canadian Canoe start is something like: “5,4, just Go!” (with most of the starting pack having cleared the line before “5” being called).  Upon reaching Straffan Weir, the huge crowd amassed on the bridge and riverbank, rather than urging the competitors on with a successful race, are thirsty for blood and carnage, resulting with competitors who negotiate the weir upright getting boo’d and heckled by the commentator!

After reconsidering our line over Straffan weir, we eventually decided to stick with what we knew best, going down the boxes on hard left.  We ended possibly a little TOO hard left, giving the divers on standby a fright, but we got through cleanly with minimal water onboard.  We dodged the boats and bodies of those being rescued below the weir and charged on to make up some time in the Jungle.

Initially we managed to make up a good few places – passing swamped canoes and recreational GP kayaks.  Thankfully we didn’t have any mishap in the Jungle and weaved our way downstream towards Celbridge and Templemills and Vanessa weirs.  These didn’t prove any trouble and we bounced down Celbridge rapids getting to the lake still with some energy in the tanks.

Thankfully the wind on the lake was light allowing for steady paddling without correction.  We had hoped to make up a few extra places on the lake, which we did, but there were at least a couple of other  very fit C2 teams with the same idea meaning we probably held the place we had.

Our mountain-board wheels proved the fastest and most reliable method for the portage and gave us an edge over some of the faster teams on the water.  After a short queue to get back on the water, we cleared Leixlip Bridge and powered on towards the Sluice.

We had ran thru the Sluice on the Lower Liffey ranking race without issue but we did take on considerable water meaning we had to stop and empty at Lucan.  This time we took the safer, but slower, option of going over the chicken shoot but this meant we had a drier boat and no need for bailing.

At Lucan we again ran the chicken shoot but didn’t get as far left as intended and landed too straight which meant we took on more water than intended.  After some bailing we ran the fish slide on Anna Livia weir and kept the pace up for Wren’s Nest. 

At Wren’s we ran the left hand wall to avoid any chance of ending up in the right hand stopper and gained a couple of places from those who weren’t so lucky!  Over the next couple of Km we tried to hold a clear position but we were well aware that there were some faster crews closing in on us. 

At Palmerstown we had intended to run diagonally down the left hand wall but a recently washed down try had obstructed that line.  Having a poor track record with running the centre line, we drifted wide on the left before powering in at the V to cross the top of the left hand stopper and continue right down the centre flow.  Having been so delighted with clearing the stopper successfully (and seeing a couple of our competitors taking a swim) we straightened up to early and took the full force of the wave straight into our boat.  We ended up being swamped up to the gunwales but even without a centre airbag, we managed to hold our balance.

We stopped to empty at Rafting.ie’s ramp and kept going with an empty boat through the Broken weir, Chapelizod weir and then the final flat section towards the finish.  No matter how many times you paddle this section, it always seems to get longer.  We called on every ounce of energy left in our bodies, chopping and changing positions with a couple of other canadians, trying to capitalise position for the finish.  Eventually we rounded the final corner and the finish line came into sight which we crossed in 20th place and with the time on the clock just over 3 hours. 

We got changed quickly, grabbed soe food and swapped stories with fellow competitors of a great race run.

Wave Sport Project X – Press Release 17/09/10

Let the hype begin!

Playboating Hits the “X” Level with the Public Debut of
Wave Sport Project X
Easley, S.C. (Sept. 17, 2010) – Identified as an international competition fiend and a longstanding leader in playboat design, Wave Sport expands for the 2011 season with the fully redesigned and much-anticipated premier of the new Wave Sport Project X. The Project X’s highly refined design, new volume distribution
and outfitting system make it the ultimate in performance and visual excitement.  Created to drive the evolution of freestyle paddling, the Project X will make its public debut this weekend at Gauley Fest, Sept. 17-19, 2010 in Summersville, W. Va.

“The Project X represents a half-decade of freestyle research from the world’s top kayak design team,” explained Bryan Kirk, team manager for Wave Sport and top-ranked world freestyle championship competitor. “We have truly discovered a
new benchmark in paddler control both on waves and holes, with absolutely no sacrifices,” he added.

The new boat is a major evolution of the original Project and homage to the legacy of the X, however it is not a melding of the two popular designs. With a completely new look, new aggressive performance features, and a blazing white outfitting system, this boat delivers the extreme whitewater performance for
which Wave Sport is known.

According to Wave Sport’s lead designer, Robert Peerson, the progressive rocker shape of the Project X hull, combined with the new volume distribution, puts the Project X in new territory for performance and comfort. “The Project X is finely tuned to maintain speed, give explosive pop, offer easier release, and
provide smooth control over any wave for easier execution of moves,” he said.

“More volume has been added around the knees, which allows for control, maximum comfort, and a slicier performance at the ends.”
In addition, new sizing options, combined with the improved volume distribution, give a broad range of paddlers even greater comfort and control. “It delivers in all whitewater conditions,” Peerson said, “with a seat at the core of the system that allows a paddler to dial-in unlike any other on the market,” he added.

The stunning “White Out” outfitting system is a fully redesigned, welded-in seat with new ergonomic contours, tool-less seat adjustability, and an innovative new leg-lifter. Additionally, the new waterproof vinyl material means less slip, shorter dry time and better mildew control.

Wave Sport’s new Project X will be available at specialty retailers nationwide in the US in January 2011, in Ireland February/March 2011.

Specifications:

Model	Length	Width	Weight Range	Boat Weight	Price
Project X 48	5’9”	25”	100-170 lbs	31 lbs	TBC
Project X 56	5’11	25.75”	140-210 lbs	32 lbs	TBC
Project X 64	6’11	26.5”	180-250 lbs	34 lbs	TBC

Paddy McGovern’s Euro Road Trip Report (10/06/10)

Just off the river now after another fantastic day’s paddling in the Soca valley. And this is definitely one of my favourite places to paddle, the river is amazing, there are runs for paddlers of every level and the food and beer are cheap (€2 for a pint)! Today we hit the classic section, the slalom course, siphon canyon and the Otona run. This contained a healthy mix of Grade 3 and 4 and the very interesting Grade 5 Siphon Canyon. Which keeps you on the edge of your seat as you sprint to hit the must make moves!

The view:

Little Laura popping a boof:

A freestyle session on one of the many holes on the classic section:

Tucking up for a loop, in my rented diesel 80:

 

Damien Murphy:

During the past week we have been paddling in Italy and Slovenia and have covered about 2000 k on the road. The swim count currently stands at 3 to Laura (I’ll let you ask Laura about them). And so far I’ve broken 1 boat. A rather large hole appeared in my boat about 10 mins after this photo, during a run on the very beautiful Egua river. This is a must paddle if you visit the area of Val Sesia in Northern Italy!

A fantastic wake up hit in the morning!

Sean Mac T:

Kevo Egan:

Val Sesia is an amazing place to paddle for the intermediate or advanced paddler. There are a huge amount of runs to choose from with plenty of amazing slides and drops to paddle. The majority of the runs are Grade 4+5 and some of the memorable runs include; the Sermenza, Sermenzina, Sorba, Egua, Mastellone and the many sections of the Sesia river.

Laura on the last of the Sorba slides:

Next week we move onto France for some work with the I.C.U. in Bourg and some personal paddling in Briancon. And finally in July we will be hitting Norway for a month and checking out the Sjoa festival along the way.

A little bit of travel info for Italia and Slovenia:

Italy- Closest, cheapest airport is Bergamo close to Milan.

A really cool campsite to base yourself in is at Campertogno, here you will meet many other European boaters.

Info on the river get ins, etc… are available on a fold out map of the area at the campsite.

Slovenia- Venice is the best airport to fly to, about a 2 hour drive will get you to the Soca.

Here there are loads of cool campsites dotted along the valley, Kamp Koren in the town of Kobarid is well worth a thought with a fantastic Sauna to end your day.

Alpin Action is the main kayak shop in the valley, where you can also rent boats if you don’t want to fly with your own. This is located in Tronovo.

European Championships Report 2010

In June 2010 Irish Freestyle sent a team of 14 to the European Freestyle Championships in Lienz, Austria. The team had been training hard for what was to be their biggest event of the year.

Freestyle is a discipline of white water kayaking or canoeing where the paddler performs various technical moves in one place by using a feature to move their boat over 3 different axis to score points for different tricks. The boats are designed to pop and bounce out of the water usually under 6feet in length the boats rotate quickly around themselves to score maximum points.

The Competition this year took place on the River Drau, a large river, running through Lienz, a quiet town in Austria. The feature was a river wide hole which was deep, fast and steep making it a composite boats dream feature.

Being that the Irish summers are known for their wet and overcast weather the team fled the emerald Isle in search of sun and crystal blue water of mainland Europe. With people travelling from all around Team Ireland met up on Sunday 12^th June this was the first time we had managed to get the whole team together and was a special moment for everyone.

Team training was due to start on the Monday with free practice time beforehand and the competition set to kick off on Wednesday.

The team Comprised of

Team Manager/ Coach/ Physio/ Masseuse/Anything else

Adrian Durrant

K1 senior Men

Thomas Dunphy, Barry Loughnane, Brian Cahill, Rónán O’ Braonáin, Paul Lydon

K1 Senior Women

Jackie Ferguson, Dee Ni Dhroighneain, Siobhan Mcgriskin

K1 Junior Men

Neil Slevin, Daniel O Broin, Eoin Keyes

C1 / OC1

John o Rourke, Kevin Mccabe

Squirt

Adrian Durrant

Overall we had taken the 3^rd largest team behind only GB and Spain quite an accomplishment for an Island less than half their size

On the Sunday we took the opportunity to flood the feature with the Irish team getting every paddler we have on the water, this worked as a successful tactic with only a couple of stray paddlers from other countries staying on the water. This gave us the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on where people’s levels were, as since selections there had been no real coaching sessions so it was a great opportunity to see everyone together.

We would video every training session this would give a point of reference to the athletes initially it would be used to work on individual moves and techniques and see where each person is going wrong and how they can improve, then during the team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday the athletes would look at building rides from their individual moves knowing what will score to include and what wouldn’t score to scratch then by practicing these rides as a whole would give the athlete the confidence to perform them in a competition.

During the prelims the athlete only has 2 rides and the combined total of the two rides gives them their score with the top 20 moving onto the quarter finals or the top 10 move to the semi finals.

Tuesday night saw the opening ceremony an official affair with organisers and leaders of organisations in attendance. This was to be the largest European championships with over 170 Athletes from 19 Nations across Europe.

The Wednesday morning, The first day of competition and up first Irelands own Kevin McCabe to be the first ride of the 2010 championships with John o Rourke in the 2^nd heat of OC1.

OC1 is a cross between a bath tub and a canoe the idea is to move your craft through various axis with a single blade to score points before you fill up.

Both lads went out with fierce competition and unfortunately neither got onto the score sheet but there were no swims, breakages or loss of dignity making the first event a true success!

Next up were the Senior women this is a category where Ireland are very strong with some of the world’s best ladies paddling in Ireland. This year was no exception with Jackie a veteran of both Freestyle and Surf world events , Siobhan competing at European and world championships and a new face on the team this year Dee who is a girl with motivation she trains hard but had a rather close encounter with a few rocks earlier in the week bounced back with a big smile.

The girls were up with unfortunate flushes and harsh but fair judging leaving the ladies way down the order with Siobhan managing to get a solid ride to boost her up to 13^th none of the ladies made the semi final cut.

Junior men were set to go with Eoin Keyes and Neil Slevin fresh from completing their level 5 proficiency awards in Italy and Daniel o Broin showing off his brand new Pyranha Molan.

Daniel put down his best ride of the competition really using the feature moving around nicely but just not quite scoring leaving him on zero points following this Neil made some silly mistakes and flushing also not getting on the score sheet. But hope was not lost Eoin stepped up to the plate working hard all week on his loops sticking them sweetly in the competition this along with a few cartwheels and spins left him up in 8^th place making the cut for the Semi Final.

Last event of Wednesday was the C1 Competition this is another event where the competitor kneels in a kayak with a single blade. The moves these guys pull are unreal with more leverage and higher centre of gravity always leads to large scores. With the absence of the current European and world champion this was an open event with everything to play for.

Orky was up, landing his spectacular loop we’ve been watching him practice all week. But unfortunately he may have spent too long practicing a single trick, leaving him below the cut off.

Kevin McCabe at his first big event had a couple of disappointing flushes leaving him without a score.

Thursday was the day of reckoning when the testosterone of Europe lay down their rides, man to man. With 60 senior men the cut would be top 20.

Up first was Adrian Durrant as a last minute reserve for Thomas Dunphy who had been training hard all week had to head back to Ireland the day before for family reasons this was a massive loss to the team as Tom had been putting in some massive practice rides really working hard leaving it to the Team manager who’s training had been limited to step up. Adrian worked the hole scoring loops and cartwheels with unfortunate flushes on his second ride leaving him with 100 points a very noble effort.

Next were Paul Lydon and Rónán O’ Braonáin being drawn in the same heat giving them an added motivation to perform well. Paul kicked things off but couldn't make things stick until the last 15 second when he laid down a flurry of ends and loops to get the points on the board. As Ronnie dropped in the pressure was on. The usually cool and relaxed man from Maynooth was a bag of nerves and it showed his first ride was pretty poor by his standards as the heat moved along both lads relaxed and began to enjoy the occasion putting down solid second rides of loops and cartwheels to leave them in the points.

Brian is a veteran of past events and it showed, as he dropped in looking composed he stuck an awesome air loop, the first we'd seen from him all week. Brian paddled as he'd practiced linking ends with clean bonuses and splits to rack up the points.

Last up was Barry, this is a lad for the future he has a fantastic style and loves to go big..... But has issues with stopwatches he hates paddling with limitations. Barry laid a solid ride out but just couldn't bring the boat around for the mcnasty leaving him with a good score.

As the scores came in the whole of Europe held their breath. The competition was tough with none of team Ireland making the cut for the quarter finals.

Brian 210 points, Paul 150 points Barry 136 points, Ronan 111 Points, Adrian 100 points

This left team Ireland with only two competitors left Eoin in the junior k1 men’s semi and Adrian in the squirt event.

In the Semi Finals Eoin paddled superb again really getting his ride together consistently but with the standard improving , leaving him in 10^th Position overall a great result for team Ireland!

With the last day of competition upon us first up was the squirt event

Squirt boating is a form of free ride the athlete must use the river and its features in a specified area to score points through a smooth series of vertical rotations followed by using the feature to submerge the boat and sink, by submerging the boat and paddler the athlete gains a multiplier of up to 2x their score.

The event started bright and early with three runs for each competitor. The water was cold and the skies overcast the event was hotly contested with the reigning European and world champion in attendance there were sweet linking cartwheels and washouts followed by smooth mysteries. Adrian paddled well coming in 4^th place just off the podium.

As a fun event Teva sponsored a cardboard boat race this involved building a craft out of cardboard boxes and parcel tape to get a crew down the river and through the feature. Team Ireland took this event seriously building a huge craft with four crew successfully making it down the river in full view of the gathered crowds. This was an excellent performance from the Irish team paddlers.

The European championships was a successful event for team Ireland with many gaining competition experience while others used the event as a warm up to upcoming events.

Next year the world Championships are being hosted in Plattling, Germany to which Team Ireland hope to be able to send a full squad to compete at the biggest event in Freestyle kayaking.

.Adrian Durrant

Italy – Day 6

• Last day in Italy.
• The less rusty you get the more sore you become… so it was time for some experimental video at the top drop on the Egua.  This involved strapping my normal helmet, which had my normal headcam strapped to it, all onto the top of my normal paddle. 
• The concept worked a treat but I need to get more practise using it.  It’s definitely the most straight-forward way to make an on-the-fly boom cam and give you a 6ft reach to get those floaty tracking shots.
• So long Italy, see you next year!

Colm

European Championships Competition Day 1 Part 2

After the first day of competition we had some solid confident rides laid down, lots of rain smiles and good banter

 

and the C1 will be uploaded later.

Orky finished 14th with 90.00 points

Kevin Finished 16th with 00.00 Points

off all the competitiors so far Eoin Keyes was the only one to make it through to the semi Finals finishing 8th in his heat

Well done Eoin!!

Tomorrow it becomes the turn of the senior men to take to the hole!

European Championships competition Day 1

Early morning the rain is still here! we've had pretty consistent rain for the last 4 days but its still been well over 20 degrees even when overcast and dull.

Today is the first day of competition with OC1 first up and our own Kevin McCabe number one in the proceedings first man up at 10am!

followed by Ladies and junior men and C1  all up today

Good Luck to

Kevin McCabe

Orky

Siobhan McGriskin

Dee Ni gkjytoiltfdtollui

Jackie Ferguson

Niall Slevin

Eoin Keyes

Italy – Day 5

• Middle Sesia – from Campertogno to Scopello

• Jumped on at the Campsite in Campertogno and cruised gingerly down to the portage at Quare.  Amazing how much volume there is in this section, some big wave trains and holes.  Feels almost like Austria.
• Took out river right at Quare to avoid syphon alley. 
• Put in a couple of hundred metres below and we were at the take out in Piode in no time – to inspect the Falls. 

• After watching one of the English lads run it we decided it was relatively straight-forward although the main flow was running deep into the slot and was very aerated.
• Eoin ran first.  I was trying to watch from upstream by my boat.  He dropped over the lip, hard left on the right hand channel as planned, and then seemed to take an eternity for the thumbs up to come from the guys on the bridge.
• Thumbs up, a few deep breathes and off I went…

• After landing in the pit at the base of the falls, I hadn’t a clue where I was – still at the base of the drop or washing through.
• After setting up for a roll and not getting any purchase in the aerated water, I suddenly realised I had much less air in my lungs than anticipated.
• Before I knew it my legs had exited the cockpit and the rest of my body soon followed.
• I then realised where I was – past the bridge but heading for a large boulder in the centre of the river and then two seams running diagonally off of it.
• This lead to some serious downtime and it was only afterwards, on playing back the video that I realised a) a throwbag landed just overhead and, b) just how long the downtime actually was.
• Before long I washed up on shore on the right-hand bank and started the walk of shame back to the van.

Italy – Day 4

• With dark clouds on the horizon, we headed up to Langwasser Torrente.  This is pure park and huck magic – throw yourself off the top of the falls and land in the big deep pool at the bottom.

 

Italy – Day 3

 

• Back to the Gronda today this time with Neil and Eoin fresh from their Level 5 Skills training.
• This time we put in below the portage and started with the really nice boof drop (photo above).
• We took our time and had more cameras than paddlers on the water.  As we had run it 2 days previously we were able to boat scout most of it although it was only towards the end of the run that we realised how much the water levels had dropped compared to the previous descent.

  

• The new Jackson Villain S has been working a charm.  Very quick and with enough rain to carve a turn, not too sharp to catch you out.  Boofs like a dream and resurfaces predictably and quickly.

• We cruised the rest of the Gronda and then pulled out to look at the Sorba Slides and get the cameras set up.
• The Sorba Slides are probably the most photogenic drops in Italy and just pure fun.  Put in at the pool at the top.  Charge for the lip of the first slide,  Take a breathe in the pool at the bottom.  Boof another small drop into the pool above the last slide.  Charge hard right to flare the lip of the last drop.  Fall into a pillow of aerated water.  Smile and take out at the pool at the bottom.

• Check out this short parrot-cam video of me following Mickey Brennanator down the Sorba Slides

Italy – Day 2

View Full Album

• Headed back to the Egua this morning and found it less busy than yesterday.
• Everyone had good lines on the entry slide (Shoulder-cam video below) and then (for me a least) it went downhill from there – figuratively and physically.
• Had a sloppy line through the S Bend and ended up in the recircing eddy only to be joined by Colm S a minute later.
• Intended to go left on the slot drop but lazily petoned the centre rock and ended up going down backwards.
• Finally managed to completely screw up the end of the next slide, losing the tops of my knuckles in the process but it’ll make for great video!

Egua Entry Slide

• After a quick dose of caffeine in Varallo and a parade by the local marching band and dignitaries we headed back up the Sesia Valley to Piode.
• Putting in at Piode, below the main falls, we cruised down to Scopello, skipping Hugo’s Hole but enjoying the bigger volume class III/IV boogie water.

View Full Album

Italy – Day 1

• Took a trip up to the Egua to check levels.  Levels were good but river was very busy so we headed back down to do a quick run on the Sermenza.
• After a quick gelato and expresso break, it was off to the Gronda, checking the Sorba Slides en route.
• Levels again were perfect and we put on at the top of the valley.
• After a bit of bony boulder dodging, some small slides and one portage, things cleaned up and got steeper from there!

 

• The drive to the put in leaves you in no doubt as to how steep and concentrated this river is, but once on the water, it is still hard to believe.
• We breezed through the last slides and drops and even though they were steeper and more impressive, technically they were easier too.
• A well deserved feast of anti-pizza was had that evening in the campsite restaurant with lashings of Grappa to wash it all down.

Italy – Day 0

• Got up at 4am after 2 hours worth of sleep.  Van pre-loaded with all the gear – just.
• Got to the airport by 5.  Unloaded and checked in within the hour.  Happy Wheel worked a treat (more on that later).
• Touched down into Milan Linate 15 mins early and with all gear present and intact.
• Retrieved the rental car and van and after a few laps of the airport breezed up to the Sesia Valley within 2 hours.
• Quick warm up on the Lower Sesia raft run to knock some of the (many) cobwebs off.
• Landed in campsite in Campertogno in plenty of time for pizza and biero’s;-)