Paddle Northern Ireland

❗5 days to go

The Youth Start and Discover Paddlesport Programme starts at Moira Lakes in collaboration with County Antrim Paddle Sports on Tuesday 21st July for 4 weeks with spaces still remaining on these!

These sessions will run from 6.00pm - 8.00pm.

🚣Ages: 10–17 years
🚣Cost: £24 for the full 4‑week programme (£6 per session)
🚣Equipment: All equipment provided (boats, paddles, buoyancy aids)
🚣What to Bring: Wetsuits provided, bring swimwear for under wetsuit, towel, trainers/shoes you dont mind getting wet and a warm dry clothes for afterwards.
🚣Booking: To book please click here - https://moiralakes.com/courses/
🚣Programme length: Four weekly sessions every Tuesday from 21st July.

Throughout the programme, young people will:
🚣Make new friends
🚣Work together as a team
🚣Build communication, creativity and resilience
🚣Challenge themselves in a supportive, encouraging environment

Every session is designed to be engaging, welcoming and rewarding

Moira Lakes
Sport NI
Get Wet NI
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

❗Offshore Winds

Offshore Winds are a potential danger that can catch kayakers, stand up paddleboarders, and inflatable users off guard.

As you get further out off the shoreline, the winds can pick up and carry a paddler out to sea instantly. It is the cliffs and sand dunes that provide shelter from offshore winds along the shoreline.

Precautions to take:
🚣Head to a lifeguarded beach
🚣Look at weather forecasts for the day (including the wind direction and strength)
🚣Take some time at the venue to understand what the wind is doing
🚣Stay close to the shore
🚣Wear a buoyancy aid and the appropriate clothing
🚣If stand up paddle boarding wear the correct leash
🚣Paddle with others
🚣Always carry a phone or means of communication in case of trouble

For full article, please click here - https://gopaddling.info/blog/tips-and-advice/canoeing/how-to-paddle-in-offshore-winds/

Poor water quality is affecting paddlers across Northern Ireland and we need your help to build the evidence.

Paddle NI as part of the Clean Water Sports Alliance NI is urging all water users to report any incidents of pollution, sewage, algae, foul smells, or health impacts as the summer season gets underway.

Every report strengthens the case for cleaner, safer waterways.
Read the full update and submit your report here:
https://www.paddleni.org.uk/water-users-urged-to-report-poor-water-quality-as-summer-season-gets-underway

If you’ve seen it, smelled it, had to cancel sessions or been affected by it please report it.

WATER USERS URGED TO REPORT POOR WATER QUALITY AS SUMMER SEASON GETS UNDERWAY Seven of Northern Ireland's water-based National Governing Bodies, united under the Clean Water Sports Alliance NI (CWSANI), are calling on all recreational water users to report incidents of poor water quality this summer, as part of a public appeal coordinated by the NI Sports Forum.

📢 Paddle UK and RNLI have launched their summer safety campaign for paddlers. See their five tips on how to this summer whether you're paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing ⬇️

1️⃣ Always wear a buoyancy aid
2️⃣ Tell someone where you're going
3️⃣ Carry a mobile phone
4️⃣ Check the weather
5️⃣ Know your limits

For more information, visit their website 👉 gopaddling.info/safe-paddle-summer

Paddle NI’s Participation and Development Officer, Mark, travelled to Iceland after being invited to coach at the Iceland Sea Kayak Symposium, an event that brings together sea kayakers and coaches from across the world.

The invitation reflects Mark’s growing expertise and the work he does to support paddlers and clubs here in Northern Ireland. Sea kayaking continues to be one of the most popular areas within our progressive paddles programme and opportunities like this help us keep our development work aligned with the highest coaching standards.

The symposium focuses on sharing best practice, developing coaching approaches, and building the skills needed for safe paddling in moderate and advanced water environments, all of which directly supports our club work, leadership development and participation programmes.

Paddle NI Head of Operations Rodger Hamilton said, “We encouraged and supported Mark to attend because staying up‑to‑date with the latest coaching methods and technical skills directly benefits the paddlers and volunteers he works with throughout the year. He has returned with new ideas, fresh perspectives and useful learning from working alongside international coaches”.

We’re proud to see Northern Ireland represented at an event like this and delighted that Mark has come back with knowledge and connections that will strengthen our local programmes and the wider paddlesport community.

Our next series of progressive paddles will run from September, keep an eye on social media channels for details.

📢 The Youth Start and Discover Paddlesport sessions with Erne Paddlers are now sold out!

💥Still availability on the other sessions💥

🛶 Moira Lakes - Tuesday 21st July

🛶 South Lakes Watersports, Craigavon - Wednesday 5th August

These 4 week programmes are designed to help young people build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy some time on the water. This is your sign to get booked and don’t miss out!

Click on the link to book

https://www.paddleni.org.uk/Youth

Thank you to everyone who registered for this course.

It is now FULLY BOOKED!

Check out all our other upcoming activities at www.ernepaddlers.org.uk/events

With the hot weather set to continue, getting out on the water can be a great way to enjoy the sunshine. However, it's important to take extra care in hot conditions.⁠

These 5 top tips can help you .

Visit for tips on paddling safe this summer: https://gopaddling.info/.../tips-and.../safe-paddle-summer/

Sport NI

The Paddle NI office will be closed on Monday 13th July and Tuesday 14th July. We will re-open on Wednesday 15th July from 9am.

🌊 Youth Start & Discover Programme (Ages 10–17)
Try something new this summer! Our Youth Start & Discover paddlesport sessions are fun, confidence‑building and fully supported — no experience needed and all equipment provided.

💷 £24 for four sessions at each of the venues!

Locations
📍 Moira Lakes – County Antrim Paddlesports
🕕 6–8pm
📅 21st & 28th July, 4th & 11th August
❗Wetsuit Provided

📍 Gortin Lakes – Erne Paddlers
🕡 6.30–8.30pm
📅 27th July, 3rd, 10th & 17th August

📍 South Lakes Leisure Centre – South Lakes Watersports
🕒 3–5pm
📅 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th August
❗Wetsuit Provided

🧣 What to Bring
Swimwear, towel, trainers you don’t mind getting wet, and warm clothes for afterwards.

Please click here for more information and for booking links - https://www.paddleni.org.uk/Youth

Moira Lakes
County Antrim Paddle Sports
Sport NI
Get Wet NI
getactiveabc
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Mid Ulster District Council
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Erne Paddlers

Another fantastic day on the water as we returned to the beautiful River Bann for our latest recreational paddle, setting off from Portadown and making our way upstream onto the River Cusher.

A fresh headwind made the outward journey a little more challenging, but the group embraced the conditions as we paddled upstream to Moneypenny's Lock.

There, everyone enjoyed a well-earned lunch break and a fascinating insight into the traditional craft of blacksmithing, adding something a little different to the day's adventure.

After refuelling, it was time to turn for home. With the wind now behind us, the return journey was a relaxed and enjoyable paddle back to Portadown, giving everyone the chance to soak up the scenery and good company along the way.

A brilliant day combining paddling, local heritage and great company. Thanks to everyone who came along!