Today I went with the Kayak club to the Inny river about 2 hours Northeast of Galway. Thats right, the KAYAK team. Apparently in Ireland, England, and the whole of the UK is crazy about kayaking. The club shed had close to 40 or 50 boats, both private and club owned. They are well funded, and have a great amount of support, which is awesome, and quite frankly unbelievable to someone from the Midwest. Whenever asked about canoeing, there was always the same lack of response or lack of knowledge - it's just not as big here. There are only a handful of canoes in the entire country, and the club has two trippers from which they only refer to as - "canadians." Luckily one of the guys I emailed is very interested in canoeing and supports have a c-1 be made out of an old shell.
Anyway, today was great! Very cold though, and very basic stuff since there were a lot of beginners. But the river was fun, and I started to get more comfortable in a whitewater kayak. It was a big creeking boat, and hopefully I can find a good playboat that will fit me well. Everyone in the club was extremely nice, and a lot of fun. Overall, a great trip - I fit in nicely, I'm by no means out of my league, and there is some interest in the so called "canadian" way of paddling.
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You show'em how it's done! Canadian...
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've found paddling interest over there. I would drown. Hope that Dublin was a good time.
ReplyDeleteThe burgers at the Twisted Fork give Sobleman's a run for their money! I would still take Sobleman's though.
Keep it real. Keep it fun. Keep it real fun.