Irish Whitewater Forum

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

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.

Yes, I've seen the sluice, looks great. Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

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

Also not all paddling in Ireland needs rain - surf can be good on the west & south coasts through the summer.
Muireann

I never thought lack of rain would be a problem in Ireland

Chech out rockhoppers kayak club, we're always looking for experienced paddlers

Bernard