Salmon Leap National Marathon Championships 2011

To mark the clubs 50th birthday Salmon leap took the opportunity to host the 2011 National Marathon Championships, a prestigious race with Irish titles at stake.

For 2011 Salmon Leap set about inviting top European paddlers to attend to really make this a special event. in response World Champion Ben Brown, Rene Olsen, Mark Childerstone and Jon Simmons made the hop across along with other British teams for a great weekend of racing.

Saturday saw the K1 events with a fun race for juniors over a short 2.5km course with 25 participants an excellent spectator sport.

The afternoon kicked off with short course and long courses some fine racing and some fast portages kept the races close with World Champion Ben Brown taking 1st place just ahead of Neil Fleming from Celbridge paddlers

Saturday K1

Sunday went ahead after a night of BBQ and dancing, with the K2 crew boats in action some very noble performances today once again Ben Brown and Rene Olsen just sneaked 1st place by a metre from Irelands powerhouse of Neil Fleming and Peter Egan,

Sunday K2

Once again it was a fantastic weekends racing with some very close races,

Thanks to everyone for taking part, here's a few images captured by Mick Feeney.

2011 Paddling Equipment

As a full time paddler and coach using the right equipment really does matter, I am privileged to have good friends and sponsors to keep me kitted out whatever the weather, For the 2011 season I have chosen to use the following equipment for the majority of my paddling.   

   .Adrian Durrant,

Boat 

Jackson Rockstar M

Having owned 4 allstars at last it was time to step up to the new Rockstar, I chose the elite version purely because I preferred the blue and white colour, this boat has slightly more volume helping me stay afloat! with the lack of water their have so far been few opportunities to get this boat out but the few chances I've had I can honestly say she rocks!

new rockstar

Downtime UnderDawg

I am continuing to paddle my Downtime Underdawg Built so kindly for the last world championships, after a few injuries and swollen ankles I finally fit back in my boat its the same boat with a different set of padding lets hope she still works! 

Dry Wear

At present I am continuing to use the Sandiline range of equipment with both long and short sleeve cag decks and dry cags makes the perfect combination for all boats. The kit is dry, hardwearing and allows good movement, since changing to it I have been very impressed.

Decks

For 2011 I have changed over from my old faithful Playboater work deck to a new NRS Drylander Deck, First impressions were it looks silky smooth and the price tag is much less than I would of expected to pay for a new deck, performance wise this thing is unreal! the waist tube is a lighter comfier neoprene which stretches and moves and avoids unwanted bulk, the deck is 4mm Neoprene with latex layer to really hold close to the cockpit rim, and another latex trim on the top to give some protecting from abrasion. If your after a cheap deck that is high on performance this is the one! the deck is shaped to really fit the boat, I've used the deck on a range of boats and its not failed me for comfort nor performance,

 

Paddles

Over the past year I have used and tested many different blades with my current list of paddles exceeding most people lifetime list so here's a quick breakdown of what I think,

AT2 Standards 194-30 – big powerful foam core blade, Current blade of choice for creeking

Werner Double Diamonds 188-12 – Big play blades good catch and response lots of power transfer.

H20 Team 185-12 – Good grips and stiff shaft indestructible blades bounce off everything

H20-2 191-30 - Good grips and stiff shaft indestructible blades bounce off everything

Mitchell Squirt Bade 185 –12 squirt specific shape smooth and fast entry and exit.

Helmet

Play- Sweet Strutter

This classic helmet offers both protection and style in a lightweight shell,

Creek- Sweet Rocker

The ONLY choice for a full protection helmet if you really like your head, safe as houses this helmet is the daddy worth every penny!

Work- Protec B2 helmet

this lid has a great style fantastic colour scheme and fit lots of ventilation and will bounce all day long!

PFD

For 2011 I have upgraded from my Peak river guide to a beautiful shiny blue Astral Green jacket, after testing one of these over the winter I knew their was no competition great fit with full movement big side pockets gets stuff off your chest and space for the extra mars bar a solid safe choice for 2011

For freestyle I'm still with the Sandiline K1 competition Pro PFD nice and light with a low cut and loads of movement make it great for freestyle!

 

Media

Headphones

Currently using the new H20 Audio Amphibx fit armband as a lighter case weighs less and offers easier access to the phone and touch screen, the case is a perfect training aid both on flat-water and in a feature,

when the water gets tougher I switch back to the older style amphibx case which offers better protection against bumps and bangs.

To pair with these great cases I use either the new flex all sport super hero headphones  or the Surge sportswrap for moving water to guarantee the headphones stay close with no excess cable.

Camera

For 2011 I have received a brand new Olympus T-810 I have only just got this but look forward to taking on my 2011 adventures its the top end indestructible camera with gps and compass

here's what Olympus say!

toughest ever technology, the new TOUGH cameras are virtually indestructible. They’re waterproof**, shockproof***, freezeproof and scratch resistant to an unprecedented degree. A sliding double lock mechanism for port and battery protection and additional lens barrier mean your TOUGH will survive just about anything

• Waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, crushproof to 100kg and freezeproof to -10°C
• 5x wide optical zoom (28-140mm*)
• GPS & Electronic Compass
• Eye-Fi Card compatibility
• 3D photo shooting mode
• 720p HD Movie and HDMI Control

 

Thank you to all current supporters and sponsors for the help, guidance and equipment offered

Thank you to I-Canoe.com for the continued support.

Happy Paddling

Club Freestyle Day–Rockhoppers

 

Today I took out rockhoppers as part of my push to introduce freestyle basics to clubs and groups.

We headed up to Templemills Weir Affectionately known as Bernies Hole after its discovery by the famous Tricky Woo of www.walshyway.blogspot.com

The group arrived 11in total we spent the first part of the session discussing boat outfitting before getting everyone snug in their boats

bum- hips- feet- thighs- backrest…

we then worked together to float test the boats and look at trim.

 

Once on the water we went through basic skills and techniques to develop including, spins, Stern squirt, supercleans, bobbing the boat, edge control and looking at the fun scoresheet, before dropping down the weir to have a play in the stopper

in the stopper we used what had previously been learnt to have fun and use the feature.

heres the video and a few photos.

Rockhoppers Freestyle

more photos here!

Pol an easa Waterfall, Co. Leitrim 1st Descent?!

Since finding this drop whilst visiting the area every visit means a trip to have a look.

This day was different all set to walk the river to see what was upstream. As we arrived we noticed a little more water than expected so today was the day!

A little more water would of been nice!

1st video was not saved (Camera girl still training)

Heres the 2nd Attempt!

Top Drop

Top Drop

Bottom Drop

Bottom Drop

Thanks to Fiona, the Camera girl in training!

Happy Paddling.

 .Adrian Durrant

Nottingham April Sprint Regatta,

News from sunny Nottingham where temperatures reached 22 degrees and for once the wind blew the right way (on Sunday only).

Salmon Leap was the biggest club at the regatta, represented by 17 juniors and 5 seniors.

Well done to Fergus and Tadhg McTiernan, Kate McCarthy, Juliet Sweeney, Adam Kenny, Brian McGuinness, Míceál Cróc, Jack Seery and (a late starter) Sean O Casaide, who were all competing in their first Nottingham regatta and represented the club extremely well. Indeed, everyone who competed for SLCC were a credit to the club.

Many thanks to all those who helped out over the weekend: A Durrant, A Egan, S Sweeney, S O Casaide, A McGuinness, B Devenney, P Grimes, C O Reilly, G O Hagan, F McTiernan S McCarthy and I McCarthy.

Results: Saturday’s Finals

Boys D K4 1000m Final:

1^st. C Cróc/R Brady/F and D Devenney.

2^nd. J Seery/A Kenny/B McGuinness/M Cróc

Girls D K1 1000m B Final:

8^th Juliet Sweeney

Boys C K2 1000m Final:

2^nd. J O Hagan/D O Reilly.

Boys B K1 1000m B Final.

3^rd Iomhar Mac Giolla Phádraig.

Boys D K2 1000m A Final

1^st C Cróc/D Devenney

2^nd. F Devenney/R Brady

3^rd. M Cróc/J Seery

5^th. B McGuinness/K O Neill

Womens A/B K1 500m Final 1

7^th J Egan

Boys C K1 1000m Final

1^st B O Casaide

3^rd D O Reilly

7^th D Grimes

Masters K4 1000m Final

2^nd Sean O Casaide/V Pierce/B Buggy/L McCarthy

Boys B K2 1000m Final

4th I Mac Giolla Phádraig/A Forristal

Mens A/B 200m B Final

2^nd P Egan

9^th A Strevens

Boys D K1 1000m Final 1

1^st D Devenney

2^nd C Cróc

5^th F Devenney

6^th R Brady

8^th A Kenny

Boys D K1 1000m Final 2

3^rd M Cróc

5^th J Seery

8^th B McGuinness

Womens A/B 200m Final 1

9^th J Egan

Boys B/C K4 1000m Final

2^nd I MacGiolla Phádraig/D Mitchell/A Forristal/S McCarthy

5^th D Grimes/J O Hagan/D O Reilly/B O Casaide

Mens A/B K2 200m Final

4^th P Egan/T Brennan

Results: Sunday’s Finals

Mens A/B K1 200 Final 2

3^rd P Egan

5^th T Brennan

9^thA Strevens

Boys D K1 500m Final 1

1^st D Devenney

2^nd F Devenney

4^th R Brady

7^th C Cróc

Boys D K1 500m Final 2

1^st M Cróc

3^rd A Kenny

8^th B McGuinness

Boys D K1 500m Final 3

1^st J Seery

Boys B K2 500m Final

4^th I Mac Giolla Phadraig /A Forristal

Boys C K1 500m Final

1^st B O Casaide

6^th D Grimes

8^th J O Hagan

Womens A/B 200m Final 1

7^th J Egan

Mens A/B K2 200m Final 1

6^th P Egan/T Brennan

Boys B/C K4 500m Final

2^nd S McCarthy/J O Hagan/D Grimes/D O Reilly

Mens B K1 500m Final 1

2^nd T Brennan

Boys D K4 500m Final

1^st. C Cróc/R Brady/F and D Devenney.

2^nd. J Seery/A Kenny/B McGuinness/M Cróc

Girls D K1 500m Final 2

3^rd J Sweeney