Shooter will be finished her trip next Wednesday
It would be great to get as many people as possible to welcome Shooter back from her round Ireland paddle next Wednesday at Whitehead yacht club. This has been a great achievement for Shooter so let’s make it a great home coming.
All the details are bellow on how to keep an eye on how she is progressing on her last few days and if she will be in on Wednesday, if I hear there is any change I will let you know.
Please circulate this to all your paddling friends and club members and help welcome Shooter back in style.
See you all on Wednesday
Ashley Hunter
Coaching and Development Manager
The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland
Please find below and attached a press release on Elaine ‘Shooter’ Alexander’s Imminent return from Irish Solo Circumnavigation by kayak.
Press Release - Thursday 7th July 2011
Record Setting Kayaker Returns – Irish solo circumnavigation by kayak draws to a close
Elaine Alexander is set for hero’s welcome early next week as she returns from an epic voyage to become the first woman from Northern Ireland to circumnavigate Ireland by kayak.
On current progress Elaine will arrive in Portrush on Friday 8th July evening / Saturday 9th July morning. It is then expected to take four days to reach the finish line at County Antrim Yacht Club in Whitehead (directions below).
Elaine will be available for photo opportunities and interviews along the Northern Ireland coastline between Saturday and her expected arrival on Wednesday 13th July.
Elaine is carrying a tracking device which will highlight her location at the following link http://www.spotadventures.com/user/profile?user_id=70589
Further updates are available at
www.canoearoundireland.com
www.facebook.com/canoearoundireland
Full press release attached and below
Photo attached - Caption - Elaine battles against headwinds on her record breaking challenge
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Record Setting Kayaker Returns – Irish solo circumnavigation by kayak draws to a close
Elaine Alexander is set for hero’s welcome early next week as she returns from an epic 1000 mile voyage to become the first woman from Northern Ireland to circumnavigate Ireland by kayak.
Ms Alexander affectionately known as ‘Shooter’ set off from County Antrim Yacht Club in Whitehead on the 3rd May 2011 launching into a large swell and ferocious head wind; little did she know that these brutal conditions would set the tone for what lay ahead over the next 71 days.
The challenge was never going to be easy with cliffs, headlands and tides to contend with but the relentless bad weather has pushed her to near breaking point on several occasions. Elaine has been storm bound for a total of 21 days throughout the challenge often only with a small tent for shelter.
Ms Alexander is currently off Donegal and is expected to reach Portrush on Saturday. It is anticipated that it will take four further days to reach the finish line at County Antrim Yacht Club, bringing this inspirational challenge to a close on Wednesday 13th July. When asked what home comfort she was most looking forward to, Ms Alexander simply replied “…a proper toilet and some clean clothes.” items we all take for granted every day.
The motivation for the challenge is to raise much needed funds for the registered charity – SHARE. In 2011 SHARE based in County Fermanagh celebrates 30 years of providing outdoor activity programmes which promote the inclusion of disabled & non-disabled people in a wide range of arts, land and water based recreational programmes. This money will be allocated towards a fully accessible bus. Donations can still be made via www.canoearoundireland.com
“I expected and had trained for the physical challenge but I don’t think you can ever prepare mentally. It has been a real struggle coping with the repetition of paddling, getting changed into wet clothes and packing up a wet tent every day. Especially on the windy days it has been hard just to push on that extra few miles each day” commented Ms Alexander
The courageous kayaker’s skills were tested to the limit on several occasions, one such moment was when a severe bout of sea sickness was brought on by large swell during a 12 mile crossing near Brandon Bay on the Dingle Peninsula “I was fully committed with a cliff face on one side and a long paddle to America on the other, so I had to continue despite being severely ill.”
Another such occasion was on a 25 mile crossing on Donegal Bay “…visibility closed into only a few metres so I had to continue on a compass bearing for a few hours until the main land appeared from the mist” explained Ms Alexander.
The challenge hasn’t all been doom and gloom, one of the highlights included being accompanied by a pod of 6 dolphins for over an hour near Easkey on the west coast. As well as sampling extraordinary wildlife and scenery it has been the people who have left a lasting impression “The support from the kayaking community and local fisherman has been great. Kayakers have paddled stretches with me, met me with tea and biscuits, gave me warm beds and hot showers, shared invaluable local knowledge – I can’t thank them enough.” enthused Ms Alexander
Ms Alexander’s trip has certainly caught the imagination; over 1100 Facebook fans have showered her page with messages of support each day. “The Facebook page has really been a lifeline. There is nothing more motivating than coming off the water after a tough day to read so many supportive and funny comments from well wishers” added Ms Alexander
Ms Alexander’s trip has been made possible with generous support from Valley Sea Kayaks, Desperate Measures, Lendal Paddles, North South Marine, River Lake Sea, Yak, Brookbanks Canoes and Kayaks, Signal Signs, Asda Enniskillen, Canoe Association for Northern Ireland and Blackthorn Design.
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For more information on the ‘Canoe Around Ireland’ please contact:
Rory Martin – Share Marketing Officer
+44 (0)28 6772 2122
+44 (0)7909 721 898
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