Topic: Foyle Paddlers (Read 8851 times)

eventadmin · « **on:** May 05, 2009 »

In 1981, after attending a kayaking course, a dedicated group of outdoor enthusiasts decided to form their own local club and bring canoeing and kayaking to Derry. The original crew were Aidan McKinney, Mike Poole, Les Myers, Joe Rotherham, Ron Smith, Gerry Hamilton, Charlie Cassidy, Kieran Lavery, Janet McGonagle, Helen Black, Roisin Lynch, Eamonn McFadden, Theresa Mallett, Helen McFadden and Adrian Temple, and apologies to anyone we left out! Foyle Paddlers Canoe Club was born. Twenty eight years later, the club is still going strong with over thirty active members paddling the lakes, rivers and coastlines of the North West. From the outset the aim of the club was selfless – to provide quality coaching, rewarding experiences and white water adventure in an affordable manner to the local and wider community.

Foyle Paddlers CC is renowned throughout Ireland for its expert, dedicated coaches and quality of service, and all members work voluntarily to raise standards and promote involvement in kayaking. Instructors are fully qualified and go through rigorous training in kayaking skills, rescue techniques and first aid. Their club mentality promotes the sport of kayaking in a positive manner. All proceeds gained from running courses in various disciplines go directly towards improving boats and equipment to enhance the club for the good of new and existing members.

Our local waterways and coastlines are varied, as is the kayaking we do. Fast flowing rivers provide opportunities to run rapids, scout waterfalls and really get the adrenaline going. We have a range of rivers in the locality that can provide challenges for the beginner to intermediate paddling fraternity, and for the more adventurous we organise annual trips to the white water rivers of Scotland and the French Alps.

Playboating is a relatively new kayaking concept and involves smaller, lighter boats that are used in rivers and on flat water (lakes) to produce acrobatic moves such as spins and cartwheels. We run pool sessions in Templemore Sports Complex and you can see the experts throwing the boats around in the comfort of warmer water.

Sea Kayaking involves sleeker, longer craft designed to handle the waves and choppy conditions we experience at sea. We use these boats to explore our coastlines and offshore islands both inhabited and uninhabited, and this offers unforgettable opportunities to take in the rugged beauty of our rocky shores. Overnight camping expeditions are a feature of summer sea kayaking. Ask a sea kayaker why he crossed Tory Island Sound in a steep swell to explore the rock arches and caves under its north facing cliffs and his reply will help you to realise why the sport hooks you for life.

We also have a very active junior club comprising of some thirty members who learn basic skills on the Foyle and in Lisnagelvin Pool and then transfer these skills to white water, surf and sea.

We organise at both junior and senior club level a range of family oriented trips, camping on islands both in Lakeland and on the West Coast and offer a wide variety of kayak trips to suit all ability levels.

We run courses throughout the year and we started a very successful Junior Club back in Jan 2007, so if you fancy trying something new and a bit more adventurous than a weekend walk in the park why not give us a call?

Chairman - Enda Cummins - 028 71350953
Coaching Officer – Adrian Harkin – 00353 872202577

See you on the water!

http://www.foylepaddlers.org.uk/

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Author Topic: Foyle Paddlers (Read 8851 times)

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Foyle Paddlers

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