The Land of Oz Video

The Land of Oz

For the last 8 months I've been enjoying a life free of words like recession, snow, thesis etc etc and savouring words like 30°+, after work beers and Barbie (the BBQ kind!). Unfortunately that life has been free of any sort of paddling, that was until 3 weeks ago. Niall Quinn and Myself decided to head off on a paddling adventure.

The trip kicked off with a 5hr spin to the closest whitewater on the East coast, Nymboida Canoe Centre. To get there drive south on the Pacific Highway for 5hrs until you reach Grafton, turn off here and follow the signs for 25 on Armidale Rd. Bingo! Nymboida is an awesome centre, an artificial course constructed on a small creek into which the turbines of a small local hydro plant spills its water. Frank Whitebrook was the force behind the design and construction of the site in the 1970's. The centre is currently run by Robert Delderfield, it has a massive campsite which runs the length of the Goolang Creek on which the course is built. Powered, unpowered and cabins are available, we were the only customers during our few days there and had full run of the site. The weather was quiet wet and cold so we paddled as much as we could and sank some beers and lite a fire any of the nights we could. We wouldn't have turned down some other paddlers for some company but it was a great couple of days.

Camping at Nymboida is $8 a night per person, use of the course is $6 a day and gear hire (although very basic) is $30, you get a boat, paddle, BA and helmet. The water in Nymboida is cold and the river is shaded by trees all along its run so if you are going to bring any one piece of gear bring a cage and rash vest. A roll of duck tape and some caping mat the custom fit some of the boats would also be hand but Rob and the other staff at Nymboida are more than happy to help you source any bits and pieces you need with came in very handy when nail broke his lap strap on his first run of the river.

(Just 2 min. after starting to put up our tents Niall had this little fella sucking on his blood)

(Some beer inspired photography tricks were in order)

(A random sign post on the back road from Nymboida back to the Highway, we nearly crashed the car when we saw it!)

The awesome Dangar Falls in Dorrigo, NSW. We spotted a signpost for this beast by chance as we drove through town and we veered off to investigate. It's 70ft of vertical awesome. Some creekers, a few throwbags and a little more water might have seen us make some attempt but we still had 9hrs driving ahead of us to Sydney. We'll be back! If you're around here you go, Latitude: 30°19'23.35"S Longitude: 152°42'54.56"E

(Niall checking out the boat hire fleet in Penrith, plenty of C1s!)

(Here comes the water, the pumps in Penrith could fill an Olympic swimming pool in 55seconds!)

So we arrived at Penrith Olympic Whitewater Stadium (home of the Slalom for Sydney '00 Games) on the Saturday morning in time to see the water come on for the Australian Slalom Team's Morning Training. We stuck around for a few hours and watched in awe, I arranged my Boat hire with HorizonLines Kayak Shop up at the Regatta Centre for the following day and then we headed off to the campsite in Emu Plains.

When we rocked up at 1030am the Sunday morning the water was already flowing and we wasted no time and hit the water. God bless the invention of conveyor belts which mean you can keep paddling all day without every needing to leave the water.

So entry to the course cost $35 a day and you must pay a $20 deposit for the numbered bib you have to wear. Boat hire from HorizonLines was $60 a day and you gear a boat, paddle, BA and helmet, if you are there for more than a day they do a discount for your second and subsequent days of $30 a day. The gear is basic but the boat I got was an almost brand new Jackson Rockstar, we likey by the way! Camping at Emu Plains was very basic (as in just some random waste land on the side of the caravan park but cost $38 a night.

(Super-niall)

(Plenty of raft carnage)

An awesome 2500km+ round trip for some paddling that after 7 months was a welcome little spin, I'll never ever complain about a shuttle or the spin to the river ever again. See you all on a river at home soon, Mike.

Italy

We arrived in Campertogno to glorious sunshine and celebrated our arrival with a quick dip followed by a quick spin on the river from campsite down. The first few days saw enjoyable runs in the sunshine. However this was to change as the rain set in for a few days with a plus of bringing levels up.

Due to the rain there was plenty water available and we jumped on the classic raft run. It was a great run tons of water making for super waves to play on the whole way down!! Paddled the Gronde for a perfect end to the day. The Gronde is a super run with many fun drops and slides to keep you on your toes.

Enjoyed one last coffee before hitting the road for France. The highlights of Italy is of course the paddling, the friendly people and the great ice cream!! I look forward to returning to Italy next year. J

Thanks to Muirs for the photos.

See you on the water.

Ais J

Cork Rodeo 2010

At long, long last I got around to narrowing down two and a half hours of video into about 5mins of footage with some music. Here we have it. It was recorded using a home made Jib arm attached to my tripod during last years Cork Rodeo. The video is also available in HD. The main track on the video is from Irish rapper RíRá, as we made our way to the event in Tony's car that morning the track came on as part of an interview with Tommy and Hector on RTE Radio 2! The credits tune I stole from the Young Guns Productions movie New Reign, Its Try by the Sweatshop Union. Any ways hope you all enjoy the video sorry it took sooooo long!

Surfs Up - UCC Paddlesurf Intro Day

We got the sun, we got the waves, the people turned up :)
Last Sunday, UCC Kayak Club held a Surf Training day for the club members.
It was a great opportunity for the club to use their shiney new plastic surf kayaks, a Mega Neutron and a Mega X-ray and also to get some waves in the clubs new Wavesport Project X.


Top Waveskier Marty McCann left the Arctic Climate of Donegal for his first tropical trip to Cork to help coach everyone, don't worry, he as only granted a temporary Visa :)


We started off with some on the beach work, a quick run
through the basics and then the mayhem and fun began, all to the water to grab some waves.


Smiles, screams, fear, delight, all happening almost instantly as people grabbed some waves.
Some more coaching, tips and general banter followed and then a big freesurf to finish off a sweet day.


So whats next?
More waveski, kayaksurf days anyway hopefully.

Are you interested?
Check out www.paddlesurf.ie for event days, or ask in the shop about equipment and local surfers who could give tips and pointers.

All pics courtesy of DaveP, thanks Dave :)

Curragower Event 3

We got up bright and early and made our way to Curragower for event 3 of the IFS League. There was a good turn out on the day despite the overcast cold weather. It was great to see a good turn out from the ladies too!There was time for a few quick practice runs before the comp. Had been really looking forward to see how the project x was on a wave. I was not disappointed, it was great supper fast and so nice on a wave :) I am already looking forward to the next trip to gower.

Thanks to Tom D for organising the event and thanks to donie for the photos

Paddlesurf.ie League Event 1: Tullan, Co.Donegal

Paddlesurf.ie Comp 1 - Tullan, Donegal

The 2011 Irish Paddlesurf year kicked off at Tullan strand with small but super clean waves.
The day started early with everyone making the trip down the beach with hooters, tents, flags, waveski's, HP and IC boats.

Heats, Reps and Finals all went off quickly with a noticeable improvement in surfing from all regular competitors and some great surfing from some newcomers.
Even on the small waves, it can be seen people are hungry for airtime.

Sunday was a training day with Waveskier Marty McCann providing tips to anyone who wanted them and giving feedback and lessons for people to take home and practice.

Great weekend, good surfing and excellent training for all.
There was a great showing in the results from the Cork crowd as can be seen below. :)

International Class
1) James O'donnell (Donegal)
2) Paddy McGovern (Dublin)
3) Mickey Barry (Cork)
4) Aisling Griffin (Cork)

High Performace
1) Mickey Barry (Cork)
2) Brendan Barry (Cork)
3) Conor O'Donnell (Donegal)
4) Kieran McDyre (Donegal)

Waveski
1) Marty McCann (Donegal)
2) Mark Taylor (Fermanagh)
3) Brendan Barry (Cork)
4) Declan O'Donnell (Donegal)