New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

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thilo
Posts:4
Joined:Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:05 pm
New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by thilo » Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:16 pm

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

kmck
Posts:16
Joined:Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:12 pm

Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by kmck » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:02 am

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.

thilo
Posts:4
Joined:Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:05 pm

Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by thilo » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:57 am

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

bowsie
Posts:17
Joined:Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:24 am

Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by bowsie » Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:58 pm

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

muirs
Posts:43
Joined:Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:58 pm

Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by muirs » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:36 am

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

thilo
Posts:4
Joined:Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:05 pm

Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by thilo » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:55 am

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

aqualung
Posts:25
Joined:Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:47 am

Re: New to paddling in Ireland - some guidance needed please

Post by aqualung » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:27 am

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

Bernard

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