LAOIS KAYAK & CANOE CLUB: Liffey Descent Gold Medal – Members from Laois Kayak & Canoe Club paddled their way to the gold medal at the 2018 Liffey Descent, a first Liffey Descent gold medal ever for any Laois club in an exciting race which saw carnage on the big weirs for the less experienced. The team of Brian Ogilvie, Finbar O’Donovan and Jim Tierney who entered the Canadian Triple class are all members of the successful Durrow based club. The gruelling 32km long race with 11 weirs and one portage is now a major event on the International calendar and the trio were aware that they were up against strong competition. With a winning finishing time of 3 hours 50 minutes, it was by far the toughest race that the team had paddled, but this made winning all the sweeter. Congratulations also to club members Seamus Byrne, Matt McGrath, Patrick Marshall, Catherine Byrne who finished the race with good times.
Junior Paddlefest – Congratulations to all our junior paddlers who partook in Junior Paddlefest last weekend in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. Great experience for all and great help from our instructors at same.
Winter Paddling – With the shorter evenings, paddling and events are now only at the weekend, please have a look out on our Facebook page for events. All paddler training and progression follows Canoeing Ireland’s skills award programmes and the club can certify to this standard. See www.laoiskayak.com or facebook.com/laoiskayak or contact: Brian Ogilvie, mobile (086) 1739029 or info@laoiskayak.com by email.