I popped over to Ireland for a few days to visit my friend Ad who was working at I-Canoe.
Spent a couple of days wandering round Dublin and wandering round some large shopping centres. At the weekend we headed down to Colligan near Waterford in Southern Ireland for a day of paddling, with over 200 entrants it was pretty busy. I went and signed myself in, then had to go and get changed it was pretty cold, only just above freezing and there was still frost on the grass. I watched the guys, then it was my turn to head to the top as i walked up i checked the the river it was a narrow shallow gorge, with a drop at the end of the course.
I didn't get the greatest of starts and the first section was narrowed by rocks, i overtook one girl because she swam! Then tried to catch up with the others almost caught them, then hit a rock above the bottom drop and ended up going down backwards, i then just managed to overtake another girl but still ended up third and didn't make it though to the next round.
The team event went alot better, we didn't win but was a smooth run and managed the whole of it forwards!!
We finished watching all the finales and headed back up to the van, just as we were clambering up the bank Ad slipped and managed to hit himself in the face with his paddle and chipped his front tooth. He was feeling a little sorry for himself after that! We watched the prize giving then headed to our Travel Lodge and had a well deserved shower then headed onto the after party at a local club.
Then it was a long drive back up to Dublin, where i cooked a yummy dinner, then flew home again the next day.
Would defiantly go back to Ireland paddling again. There is a couple of events planned for next year so may have to head over again.
