Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Canoeing and Watersports => Topic started by: Michelle on November 23, 2011
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Normally a craic of dawn paddle on a Sunday wouldn't happen much any more (due to over endulgences on saturday nights) but this week we were prepared. Boat was on car roof from 7 pm sat night and we were out the door for 10am Sunday morning.
Put it was at Portna, on the river Bann, just south of Kilrea. There was a massive flow when we arrived - the chances of a 3 hour leisurely paddle to Movanagher fish farm was going to be more like a 15 minute flight.
We had 20 paddlers in total with John Wilkinson taking the lead. We snaked our way down the inside banks to avoid being hurtled towards the end point by the fast flow. There were a huge amount of swans about- even a kingfisher popped out past us at one point.
We stopped of at Movanagher forest for a bit to eat before traveling down to the channel beside the fish farm to practice some strokes and other skills :)
it was a lovely day
Pictures can be viewed https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150472685577667.425704.668067666&type=1&l=4e0bf3f662 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150472685577667.425704.668067666&type=1&l=4e0bf3f662)
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Enjoyed the photos Michelle. Really wanted to be there but unfortunately had other commitments. I'm hoping the weather will be just as good for the UUC paddle on the 11th December.
Willie
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Yeah fingers crossed :) I dont mind it when its cold cant stand that rain stuff!
3 weeks ago we were out and had to bale the boat out it rained so much :(
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a grand day out, thanks for sharing, do the swans ever give you bother? must admit i'd be a bit wary being at eye level with them
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Not usually but I tend to stay clear of them anyways. They can be a bit "aggressive" and territorial when they have babies- easier just to stay clear
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Loving the look of (what I as a non-boaty would call) the wooden Canadian. It's got real class.
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John Wilkinson from Valkyrie crafts makes them - they are stunning looking :)