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)

Queenstown Wafting

Just back from a weeks holiday on New Zealand's South Island. I was hoping to get a paddle on a river or two while I was there and while the closest I came was passing four guys getting off a river in the pitch dark in the middle of the night, I did manage to clamber aboard a raft for a spin down the Shotover River outside of Queenstown with Queenstown Rafting. And while the gear definitely dosen't make you look cool and the water was far from warm with the first fall of snow in the mountains for the winter season the night before, the trip was deadly.
The road in to Skippers Canyon was almost as exciting as the rafting, the bends in the road the sides of which were sheer drops off into the canyon, all were named with titles to rival the names of the rapids on the river! Our Guide for the day was Tom a guide from Hokitika on the West Coast, Tom has also worked on the Zam, the nile as well as most parts of the French and Italian Alps, we had alot more than most of the others on the raft to talk about, its a very small community with us whitewater folk!

The river was pretty good there were only about 7 or 8 rapids to speak of but it ran through some pretty cold gold mining country side and the trip is well worth it as a whole. Trips with Queenstown rafting are around NZ$185 and leave from Arthur's Point. If you are looking to paddle in the area without arriving with gear then you best make some arrangements before you arrive otherwise I was advised that the only place to rent gear on the South Island was around Murchison, where the Buller Whitewater Festival was taking place that same week! just my luck eh? Till next time Mike out. PS. I have been reasonably assured that the Cork rodeo footage is winging its way to Australia on a hard drive in the mail as we speak, so the video minus the Expert rounds (thanks Jack!) will be up shortly!