Hi everyone,
I'm just moved to Dublin from the US, where I've been paddling for around 7 years. Mostly class 3-4 stuff and lots of mediocre but tenacious playboating. I've brought my gear with me - everything but a boat. Couple of questions:
* Does anyone around the greater Dublin area rent/demo playboats (that would fit someone who's 6'2" and 165 lbs), or if not that, then any sort of river runner? I'll probably be looking to buy a used one eventually, but especially with playboats I'd need to try then first, as I have trouble fitting in many of them.
* As long as I don't have a car yet (working on it), are there any regular or spontaneous pick-up trips I could possibly join to get over my withdrawal symptoms?
Any and all tips for a newcomer to the area are much appreciated!
Cheers,
Thilo
New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
Okay bad news first, paddling in Ireland is a winter sport or more correctly it needs to be raining. Playboating wise there is the sluice in Lucan http://www.irishwhitewater.com/river_gu ... #in_sluice.
Great outdoors and I-canoe do boat demos. I-Canoe is located next to a canal so you can try out the boats beside the shop.
http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/
http://www.i-canoe.com/
Pick up trips, as I said paddling in Ireland is rain dependant. You can try some of the college clubs as they would have boats available to borrow and would have a number of trips during the summer. Try the clubs such as wildwater to see about getting out with them.
Great outdoors and I-canoe do boat demos. I-Canoe is located next to a canal so you can try out the boats beside the shop.
http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/
http://www.i-canoe.com/
Pick up trips, as I said paddling in Ireland is rain dependant. You can try some of the college clubs as they would have boats available to borrow and would have a number of trips during the summer. Try the clubs such as wildwater to see about getting out with them.
Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
Yes, I've seen the sluice, looks great. Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.
Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
For summer boating in Ireland you have to check out Clifden
http://playak.com/article.php?sid=1246
You'll need a car as its 3.5 hrs from Dublin.
Later
http://playak.com/article.php?sid=1246
You'll need a car as its 3.5 hrs from Dublin.
Later
Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
Also not all paddling in Ireland needs rain - surf can be good on the west & south coasts through the summer.
Muireann
Muireann
Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
I never thought lack of rain would be a problem in Ireland
Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please
Chech out rockhoppers kayak club, we're always looking for experienced paddlers
Bernard
Bernard