60 Canoeists got BANNED !!

On the weekend of 20^th  – 21^st August we held the first Big Bann Canoe Challenge, a 29km paddle along the beautiful Lower Bann from Newferry to Drumaheglis, with a camping area on the Saturday night kindly provided by Portneal Lodge, near Kilrea.

So what was special about this paddle? Our main aim was to introduce both new paddlers and relative beginners to aspects of canoeing which they had never attempted before, hence the word “challenge” in the title. We wanted the event to attract people of all ages and abilities, including families, in a fun atmosphere which would encourage all who took part to continue to paddle.

With the help of Elaine Upton, Countryside Recreation officer in Antrim Borough Council, we were able to secure funding for the event from Waterways Ireland. This allowed us to offer a free “training day” for all who had registered to take part, and we held this in Toome. The turnout was not what we'd hoped but , but may have been something to do with the torrential rain on the morning! After a morning of coaching, we took everyone through Lough Beg to Newferry, and all who took part enjoyed the day – even Alan and Valerie who had a capsize!

On the day of the event we had over 60 people on the water, and it was a great sight, seeing all of those boats setting off along the mighty Bann! With good weather and a wind in our backs it wasn’t long before umbrellas came out to be used as sails, much to the amusement of the novices among us. Another new experience for most of our group was going through the locks at Portna, before reaching Portneal Lodge and setting up camp.

The following day we set off in poorer weather conditions, and a warning from Rodger that the wind was due to turn to a Northerly – ie in our faces. With this in mind, we pushed on before stopping after Carnroe for lunch. Then Rodger’s prediction came true, making the going difficult for our novices. This was when our coaches came into their own, providing great support and inspiring confidence.

As we arrived at the finish point in Drumaheglis, many people had friends and family there to welcome them home, and there was a tangeable sense of excitement and achievement. All of our paddlers got a T shirt with the slogan “I’ve been Banned!”, and we received many comments about what an enjoyable experience the Big Bann Challenge was. That was due to the efforts of all who helped:- special thanks to all of the CANI staff, who went above and beyond the call of duty, and to the coaches who not only helped but provided such great craic! As a result I believe we have gained many converts to canoeing.

The event also raised money for Asterias, a local charity which supports children in Kenya by building schools. Thank you to the Asterias team for their help with organising the event, and to everyone who raised money for such a worthwhile cause.

Finally, many thanks also to the following for their support:-

Waterways Ireland for funding; Carnroe supplies for the T shirts; Scott Hire for the cleanest portable toilets I have ever seen!!; Seven Towers Canoe Club, Causeway Coast Kayak Association, C3 Craigavon Canoe Club and Belfast Kayak Club for the coaches that give a hand on the day and for the loan of equipment; Portneal Lodge; Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Coleraine Councils; everyone who helped in any way.

Entries now open for Tay Descent

The Scottish Canoe Association is now taking bookings for their annual Tay Descent event. The event, which can be entered as either a tour or a race, takes place on Saturday 22^nd October.

There are two courses down the Tay, the longer course (23 miles) starting in Dunkeld and the shorter one (7 miles) at Stanley Mills. Both courses finish up in Perth, and entry includes free access to Paddle 2011, Scotland’s annual canoe and kayak show, just up the road from the finish line at the Bells Sports Centre (where you can also pick up your free soup and sandwich).

All types of canoe and kayak are welcome, and anyone wishing to find more information or enter the event can do so by visiting taydescent.org. 

Liffey Descent 2011 postponed until 8th October due to lack of water.

As you are aware the annual Liffey Descent has traditionally been held in early September. It had been intended to run the 2011 Liffey Descent on Saturday 10th September next.

The main attraction of the Liffey Descent over the years has been that it is a ‘big water’ event. The flood for the event is provided by the Electricity Supply Board through the release of water from its upstream reservoirs. The ESB has however recently advised the Irish Canoe Union that reservoir levels are currently at a 35 year low and that having regard to long range weather forecasts and its own water demand forecasts it will not be in a position to release water to facilitate this year’s event in September. It has indicated that it will be in a better placed in October to facilitate a release sufficient for the ICU to run a satisfactory event.

As a consequence this has left the ICU with a difficult decision – to run the event on 10th September as originally planned but without a flood or to postpone it until early October when there will be a greater possibility of the traditional Liffey Descent flood.

Having considered the matter in great detail and having taken into consideration as many factors as possible including, but not limited to, matters such as potential clashes with other events, mean temperatures in early October and the likely impact of future Liffey Descents in the event of running a ‘dry’ race, the event Organising Committee has arrived at the conclusion that, on balance, the most appropriate course of action is to postpone this year’s Liffey Descent until Saturday the 8th of October.

The ICU regrets that it has been necessary to take this course of action and is conscious that this may not be popular in all quarters. It would however remind canoeists that the release of water is a matter completely outside the control of the Irish Canoe Union and is one solely for the ESB. It is considered that the running of the race in the absence of the excitement generated by a flood would detract from its value as the premier Irish canoeing event.

The postponement of the Liffey Descent, although regrettable, is considered to be in the best interests of the broader Irish canoeing community and the decision to postpone has been taken in this context.

http://www.canoe.ie/

2011 Coaching Awards Nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2011 UK Coaching Awards that will take place at The Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London on the evening of Tuesday 29 November 2011.

What are the Awards?
The UK Coaching Awards provide the opportunity to recognise the achievements of coaches and coaching organisations and thank them for their hard work and dedication. There are two main categories of Award.

• Awards for Coaches: These awards reward individual coaches who have shown outstanding commitment and achieved excellent results.
• Awards in Support of Coaches: These awards recognise the achievements of those who work in the education, development and deployment of coaches.

For information on the awards made within these categories, and their criteria, please view the Nomination Form Supporting Information.

How do I nominate?
Anyone can make a nomination by completing an official UK Coaching Awards nomination form. To download a nomination form please click here and then choose link to Awards for Coaches nomination form or Awards in Support of Coaches nomination form as appropriate.

Completed nomination forms must be received by Friday 30 September 2011 via email to events@sportscoachuk.org  or printed out and posted to:

UK Coaching Awards 2011 Nominations
sports coach UK
Chelsea Close
Off Amberley Road
Armley
Leeds
LS12 4HP

Please note: All entries must be typed and not handwritten.

An exciting challenge for you to take part in !

  

Kevin Downey from Belfast now lives in London and has recently returned from cycling 3000 miles through 13 countries across Europe - just for fun !

Over the past two years he has ran the Belfast Marathon for local charities such as the Ulster Cancer Foundation, and is now planning his next challenge for 2012 to raise vital funds for local charities throughout Northern Ireland.

Kevin is looking to combine running, cycling and kayaking.  Below shows how the challenge will unfold

·         22 April / London Marathon (26.2miles)

·         24 April - 4 May / Cycle from London to Portpatrick via Cardiff & Edinborough (700miles approx.)

·         5 May or 6 May / Kayak the North Channel to Northern Ireland (20miles approx.)

·         7 May / Belfast City Marathon (26.2miles)

·        

Kevin needs support with crossing the North Channel.  Due to the fact that he will be cycling to and leaving from Portpatrick in Scotland he will not have a Kayak of his own and as he is not overly experienced he would really like a few people to paddle it with.

Kevin would love to hear from you if you could be of any help and would just like re-irritate that all proceeds raised will go to local charities within the North of Ireland.  Everyone involved or not in the helping of the event will feel the benefit.  

Kevin Downey

e kevin@influenceanaudience.co.uk

w www.influenceanaudience.co.uk

t +44 7872 301 769

Have fun on the water whilst helping a worthwhile cause...

Real Triathlon organise some open water swimming and triathlon events for athletes.

They raise funds for The Ulster Cancer Foundation and  are always looking for support in the water in the

 form of canoeists or open boats.

 Paddlers are needed for events coming up on

10/08 Crawsfordsburn 7pm,

27/08 Portaferry 12.30pm

24/09 Strangford 11am.

If you are keen to help out your a contribrution towards expenses will be made.

For more information contact  Derek Patterson at http://www.triathlon-ni.co.uk/ or call 07427690050

Northern Ireland Coasting Ahead!

Northern Ireland Coasting Ahead!

This week sees the launch of two outstanding new coastal canoe trails in Northern Ireland; the Foyle Canoe Trail and the South East Coast Canoe Trail.

Both of these trails allow paddlers to explore stunning coastlines at either ends of the country and are a further piece in an extensive network of trails being developed here in Northern Ireland. This coupled with permit free access to the water means experts are claiming that Northern Ireland is striding ahead and indeed setting the standard for canoeing facilities all across the UK and Ireland.

   

The new Foyle Canoe Trail stretches for 33 miles along the River Foyle and by Lough Foyle’s varied coastline and rural countryside. Starting at Lifford in Donegal, the trail passes through the historic walled city of Derry/Londonderry and finishes just beyond the bustling seaside town of Moville on the scenic Inishowen peninsula.  The trail is suitable for open boating or touring kayak with both wild and official campsites available along the route.

In contrast to the rolling landscape of the Foyle trail, the South East Coast Canoe Trail explores rocky bays and long sandy beaches under the breathtaking backdrop of both the Mourne and Cooley mountain ranges. This sea kayakers’ trail, which spreads out more than 50 nautical miles from Strangford village to Newry City, boasts ancient castles at Narrow Water and Dundrum as well as Annalong’s historic harbour and cornmill.

These new canoe trails have been developed by the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), the Lough’s Agency and Down and Derry District Councils respectively and add to the five acclaimed inland canoe trails already in existence.

On the launch of the trails, CAAN Development Officer, Kathryn Callaghan, explained, “We are very fortunate here in Northern Ireland to be able to paddle right up next to some of our coastline’s most stunning attractions. With historic castles, dramatic coastal mountain ranges, rugged foreshores and contrasting rolling countryside both these trails offer a golden opportunity for us all to explore two picturesque corners of Northern Ireland from a unique perspective.”

Kathryn continued, “The use of local expertise is paramount to the successful development of Northern Ireland’s canoe trails.  Putting all this expertise together on a trail guide and CanoeNI.com means we take the hassle out of trip planning for the visitor.  This process has been a key ingredient to success on the trails”

Derick Anderson of the Loughs Agency has welcomed the launch of the Foyle and South East Coast Canoe Trails, and is confident that the trails will attract tourists, benefit local communities and reveal the natural heritage of both regions to more and more people. 

The new waterproof trail guides for both the Foyle and South East Coast Canoe Trails can be picked up, free of charge, from local tourist information centres or ordered online from www.canoeni.com which also includes detailed route descriptions, itineraries and maps as well as information on access points, accommodation options, canoe/kayak hire, packaged trips and transfers. 

Later this year will see the launch of two further coastal canoe trails.  The North Coast Canoe Trail is set to become one of the most iconic sea kayaking routes in Europe passing the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge.  The adjoining East Coast Canoe Trail will allow sea kayakers pass the renowned Glens of Antrim, the maritime history of Belfast Lough and the abundance of wildlife along the Ard’s peninsula.

What did Foyle Paddlers think of clubfest 2011?

Club Festival –  A Foyle Paddlers  view

FPCC members were really looking forward to Club Fest this year. Unfortunately, the dates clashed with the opening of the Peace Bridge where FPCC had been invited to take part in the opening ceremony.

45 of our members had a brilliant day accompanying various other craft in a colourful flotilla to show our support.

In spite of this, 12 adults and kids, representing 3 families did attend Club Fest and a great time. The weather on the first night was disappointing, leaving the camp-site rather muddy. Saturday brought better weather and our crews set off in Open boats and Double sea-kayaks in a scenic trip from Crom back to Share.

 This was the first time out on the water for the younger ones and they thoroughly enjoyed it. The fresh air must have created an appetite as the BBQ food was devoured.

A big thank you to everyone, especially those who organised the Kids Games – The parents got a chance to chill out for a while.

Sunday – Some folks did too much partying the night before! The others were spoilt for choice, getting the chance to try out new skills in lots of disciplines and various boats e.g, Polo, Sea Kayaking and Open Boating (Poling) …

The Buffet Dinner hit the spot and set us up for the journey home. We all headed back tired but a little wiser for next year! Hopefully, more from our club will attend and the weather is a bit better for camping.

I would suggest that at £25 this week-end represents great value, especially for families and those new to camping and canoeing. It provides an opportunity to learn new skills and try out lots of different boats with great instructors. This is all available in a great venue, in a safe environment and with the chance to meet new friends.