Worlds Day 2

We awoke to gleaming sun and the sound of frantic boaters running for the water, 6am and the queue was short so on jumped the lads for some early training,

We went to find the local supermarket Globus this thing compares to the whole of liffey valley in one shop with a healthy breakfast of 3 egg 3 bacon and glass of orange for 2.20e we went to the shops to pick up supplies,

 

Back at camp the things to do are simple

• Sleep
• Go Paddling
• Talk to others about paddling
• Watch Paddling
• Eat
• Drink

So paddling it was, taking advantage of the low numbers most people got 2-3 good sessions. with people on the water right through till dark.

The evening was spent chatting around the small camp fire we made until a downpour sent most people to bed.

ICF World Championships Day 1

 

Today myself and Brian ‘Bowsie’ Cahill left Dublin for Plattling, Germany for the World Freestyle championships,

Brian had a nice early start with a 7am bus to meet me at Dublin airport for 10:30am,

Check in was awkward with both hand luggage and boat all overweight but with some switching of stuff and wearing a lot of kit we got through with no extra charge.

After a short flight we touched down in Germany’s west Munich airport to be greeted by Tom Dunphy our taxi to Plattling,

A dinner stop and a long fuel stop later and we had arrived in Plattling to meet up with the rest of team.

10th June - Day 15

a long day coming to an end.

coming up on the mizen.

We set off early today from just beside Dursey Island. Our next stop was Bolus Head, after paddling for 6 hours, we spotted another dolphin and after we passed the head, a whale rose just in front of Paddy's boat. He was awestruck! It then sank back into the deep. We stopped for lunch in a bay beside Puffin Island, which, as the name suggests, is full of puffins. We end our day in the scenic surroundings of Portmagee, Kerry.

Day 14

We finally get moving again after a 2 and a half day holiday in Crookhaven, due to the gales. The force 4-5 north westerly winds funneled into a good force 6 at the Mizen. However, it felt like a walk in the park after trying to get around in an 8 the day before. We then paddled our largest open crossing yet from the Mizen across Bantry Bay (12 nautical miles) and we were very glad to reach the far side and munch down on some pasta.

Day 13 - Return to Crookhaven

Today we looked out and thought the wind had died a bit, enough, we thought, to make it around the head. We paddled into Crookhaven. The wind was strong, but not so strong as to stop us moving. We got a few supplies and headed for Mizen Head. We got to the bay before it and met a mighty gale. We could hardly hold on to our paddles and were stopped dead even though we were paddling as strong as we were able. We had to turn back. We sailed back, literally, and landed on a beach a kilometre past Crookhaven.

On the way back a fisherman passed us our dinner from his boat and wouldn't take a penny for a huge pollack. We fried up the fish on our camping stove on the beach. It was amazing! So we're still stuck in Crookhaven, but we had a lovely dinner!

Day 12 Tuesday 7th

a windy day at the mizen

We set off about 10 miles from Crookhaven. The morning looked fine and we hoped to clear Mizen Head that day. However, are hopes were soon crushed as we left the bay, a fierce gale blew us away. After trying to battle it for 2 hours we only made it 3 miles and were blown into a small harbour outside the town Goleen. Well we weren't going anywhere. We headed into the town but were soon offered a lift from Billy of Crookhaven, who brought us on a grand tour of the area and bought us lunch. We visited his old pub O'Sullivan's and had a few pints. He even dropped us back to our boats afterwards! What a kind man. We really appreciated it! Thanks Billy

80km Decent of the River Spey Scotland:

I am just back from a 3 day decent on the river Spey, well actually its more like 4 days when you add in the close to 4 hour shuttle do this twice and you have 8 hours of shuttling, its a slightpain in the ass and you are dying to get on the river by the end of it.

My trip started as most of mine do In total melt down when the Jeep I was meant to be driving over in Blew its Turbo the Night before I was due to leave, so I was left running around trying to source a car Cheers to My sister for lending me hers. Its a long old spin up to Glenmore Lodge in Scotland from Waterford the round trip put a cool 1600km on the car. But it is well worth the effort. I was paddling with a group of Instructors from Tollymore Mountain Centre.

Once on the river it is pretty mellow with the snow capped Cairngorm Mountains around you and beautiful wooded valley the whole way we started from Aviemore and went to the Sea at Spey Bay which is about 80km long.

Day one: We paddled for only 1 hour as it was 7pm by the time we stepped on the water however the river was so high we managed to get 10km under our belt and taking it pretty handy. The beauty of Scotland is the access laws so as long as you are acting responsible you can camp where you like so once we spotted a nice looking camp site we grabbed it.

Day 2: We started at 9am and went through till about 6pm the river opened up a wee bit and some nice Grade 2 rapids appeared we covered just over 30km the best bit is that these rapids are fairy continuous so the flat water was kept to a minimum and luckly for us the strong winds where on our backs the whole day. Then right at the camp site we had a perfect wave to surf. Its interesting trying to surf waves with a fully loaded canoe it takes a little bit of getting used to but once you do its all good.

Day 3: Again early enough start round 9:30 and today was mostly going to be Good Grade 3 rapids, Not the most technical of rapids but fast and the river turned to Alpine style and if it had of been a tad warmer you may well have thought you were in France. Today was also the Day of the ICU’s First ever Level 5 Canoe skills assessment and with the way things had worked out I was the only person being Assessed. So I was given 3 of the Guys to lead down the river and do some coaching with so the day went on well stopping at every opportunity to have a play around on the rapids and waves. We found a real nice place to camp up on a hill overlooking the whole valley. After we sorted out camp and food I had a quick debrief with the assessors to my delight I was passed.

DAY 4: Was the final day as we had to make the get off before lunch as some of the boys had a evening ferry to catch, the river again changes in characteristic with more amazing Scenery and the a mixture of Grade 2 and 3 rapids continuing the whole way down to the sea. It was pretty cool to paddle straight from a river onto the sea after starting up in the mountains and rounded off a great few days nicely.

Over all the Spey lived up to its reputation of being a Classic Scottish river and an amazing touring river. I am hoping to organise a trip over to Scotland for Irish paddlers after the summer and hopefully run afew training courses on the rivers. If anyone is interested in a trip over or on any more info on my trip feel free to email me at irishcanoekayak@gmail.com

Happy Paddling

Paddy

2011 Paddling Equipment

As a full time paddler and coach using the right equipment really does matter, I am privileged to have good friends and sponsors to keep me kitted out whatever the weather, For the 2011 season I have chosen to use the following equipment for the majority of my paddling.   

   .Adrian Durrant,

Boat 

Jackson Rockstar M

Having owned 4 allstars at last it was time to step up to the new Rockstar, I chose the elite version purely because I preferred the blue and white colour, this boat has slightly more volume helping me stay afloat! with the lack of water their have so far been few opportunities to get this boat out but the few chances I've had I can honestly say she rocks!

new rockstar

Downtime UnderDawg

I am continuing to paddle my Downtime Underdawg Built so kindly for the last world championships, after a few injuries and swollen ankles I finally fit back in my boat its the same boat with a different set of padding lets hope she still works! 

Dry Wear

At present I am continuing to use the Sandiline range of equipment with both long and short sleeve cag decks and dry cags makes the perfect combination for all boats. The kit is dry, hardwearing and allows good movement, since changing to it I have been very impressed.

Decks

For 2011 I have changed over from my old faithful Playboater work deck to a new NRS Drylander Deck, First impressions were it looks silky smooth and the price tag is much less than I would of expected to pay for a new deck, performance wise this thing is unreal! the waist tube is a lighter comfier neoprene which stretches and moves and avoids unwanted bulk, the deck is 4mm Neoprene with latex layer to really hold close to the cockpit rim, and another latex trim on the top to give some protecting from abrasion. If your after a cheap deck that is high on performance this is the one! the deck is shaped to really fit the boat, I've used the deck on a range of boats and its not failed me for comfort nor performance,

 

Paddles

Over the past year I have used and tested many different blades with my current list of paddles exceeding most people lifetime list so here's a quick breakdown of what I think,

AT2 Standards 194-30 – big powerful foam core blade, Current blade of choice for creeking

Werner Double Diamonds 188-12 – Big play blades good catch and response lots of power transfer.

H20 Team 185-12 – Good grips and stiff shaft indestructible blades bounce off everything

H20-2 191-30 - Good grips and stiff shaft indestructible blades bounce off everything

Mitchell Squirt Bade 185 –12 squirt specific shape smooth and fast entry and exit.

Helmet

Play- Sweet Strutter

This classic helmet offers both protection and style in a lightweight shell,

Creek- Sweet Rocker

The ONLY choice for a full protection helmet if you really like your head, safe as houses this helmet is the daddy worth every penny!

Work- Protec B2 helmet

this lid has a great style fantastic colour scheme and fit lots of ventilation and will bounce all day long!

PFD

For 2011 I have upgraded from my Peak river guide to a beautiful shiny blue Astral Green jacket, after testing one of these over the winter I knew their was no competition great fit with full movement big side pockets gets stuff off your chest and space for the extra mars bar a solid safe choice for 2011

For freestyle I'm still with the Sandiline K1 competition Pro PFD nice and light with a low cut and loads of movement make it great for freestyle!

 

Media

Headphones

Currently using the new H20 Audio Amphibx fit armband as a lighter case weighs less and offers easier access to the phone and touch screen, the case is a perfect training aid both on flat-water and in a feature,

when the water gets tougher I switch back to the older style amphibx case which offers better protection against bumps and bangs.

To pair with these great cases I use either the new flex all sport super hero headphones  or the Surge sportswrap for moving water to guarantee the headphones stay close with no excess cable.

Camera

For 2011 I have received a brand new Olympus T-810 I have only just got this but look forward to taking on my 2011 adventures its the top end indestructible camera with gps and compass

here's what Olympus say!

toughest ever technology, the new TOUGH cameras are virtually indestructible. They’re waterproof**, shockproof***, freezeproof and scratch resistant to an unprecedented degree. A sliding double lock mechanism for port and battery protection and additional lens barrier mean your TOUGH will survive just about anything

• Waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, crushproof to 100kg and freezeproof to -10°C
• 5x wide optical zoom (28-140mm*)
• GPS & Electronic Compass
• Eye-Fi Card compatibility
• 3D photo shooting mode
• 720p HD Movie and HDMI Control

 

Thank you to all current supporters and sponsors for the help, guidance and equipment offered

Thank you to I-Canoe.com for the continued support.

Happy Paddling

Day 11

Day 11 and still wearing the same pair of socks on the water...I think I'll do what my uncle Gerry would say "turn them inside out and you'll get another 11 out of them". Paddling today in the South-West of Ireland. It's already starting to feel wilder! The landscape is changing and there is a greater feeling of exposure here. Wind today ranged from a force 3 to 5 westerlies. And on the wildlife front we had a close experience with an otter swimming about 5 metres away from my boat. At the moment we're camped up near Crookhaven and waiting for the tide to help us around Mizen Head tomorrow. Paddy

Sunday 5th June

We covered 25 nautical miles today from Kinsale to Glandore Bay. Thanks a million to Gay in Kinsale for putting us up for the night!

We battled on for the day with a bit of wind and some swell and found a little island in Glandore Bay to stay the night.

Day 8 Dungarvan to Cork Harbour

Ballycotton harbour:


Full of enthusiasm after fuelling up at Nick's house in Helvick we put the heads down and experienced our best weather yet!It reached about a max of a force 1! The only trouble was trying to avoid getting sun burnt during the day, I soon realised factor 30 was no good and upscaled to 50. Stopping off at Whiting bay for lunch we met a friendly fisherman that recalled two English kayakers stopping off 10 yrs earlier at exactly the same spot also circumnavigating Ireland.

Paddling on we stopped in Ballycotton for a healthy chipper and paddled onto Cork Harbour watching an incredible sunset!...






one of the millions of jellyfish that are swimming around us:

Day 6 and 7

Lets not talk about day 6, it started well but the wind soon increased to a force 6 gusting 7. We got as far as Fethard harbour and spent a good few hours waiting for the wind to die down. We got plenty of good advice off a kindly fisherman called Seamus. We got fed up waiting around and braved the strong winds and headed out again. We made it to Sand Eel Bay and camped there for the night.
Day 7: the weather was beautiful and we left Sand Eels Bay in high spirits. We flew around Hook head in no time and headed straight for Waterford. We paddled on for 5 hours and stopped for a break in Bunmahaon. We then headed for Helvick where a heavy sea fog surrounded us making navigation extremely difficult but we soon we made our way to An Rinn agus stop muid ansin agus gan mhoill bhi muid sa teach taibhairne ag ol cupla deoch i Mooney's, tar éis sin d'fhag muid i dteach Nicoláis ,cara Phaidaí. Maith an fear agus a Thuistí.


cruising in the fog heading into..helvick, visibility was down to about 10mtrs!

Timpeall na Tire (TNT) Progress 2011

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