Poulaphouca Paddlers

We are looking forward to supporting this race.

One week and counting until we are all back in Glendalough. Full race briefs, FAQs and swim tips can be found on openwaterswimmer.ie dryrobe Flahavans Good4U

🌊🛶 Kerry Kayak Weekend – Sneem & Kells Bay! 🛶🌊

What a fantastic weekend away for the club exploring the beautiful waters of Sneem and Kells Bay. 🇮🇪☘️

A huge thank you to Enda Prendergast from Caragh Outdoors for guiding, coaching and supporting us throughout the weekend. There was plenty of paddling, learning, laughter and, of course, a few adventures along the way! 🌊😄

We’re delighted that everyone achieved their Level 1 Sea Kayak certification, a brilliant achievement for the whole group! 🎉👏
This is just the beginning, and everyone is now well on their journey towards developing their sea kayaking skills and new adventures. 🛶💪
A fantastic group, great teamwork and plenty of memories made along the way.

Here’s to the next adventure! 🌊🛶☘️

On a Sunday evening, a few women from Ballymore Eustace & Hollywood &O were having a few lemonades…… the BME gals were raving about a night they had with coach Mick on the lake, and a few minutes later Hollywood coach Liam was in touch. In less than 10 minutes we had 15 committed to a kayak session instead of training at the pitch on Tuesday!

A fantastic evening with the women from Hollywood GAA &O and coach Liam.

Now we are wondering if there should be a night where both teams come to compete in some kayak games 🤔

Hollywood GAA Ballymore Eustace GAA and LGFA

We started our Canoe course this evening. Huge thanks to Matt. Looking forward to next week already.

Three Days of Advanced Sea Paddling & Leadership Training in Antrim 🌊🛶 with Caoimhe Connor Coaching.

We asked for dolphins, challenging conditions and to be pushed firmly outside into our adventure zone… and of course, Caoimhe aka ‘Sea Dawg’ delivered! 🐬

Day 1 – Skerries Islands
Straight into action with a lovely spring tidal race at Skerries Island shortly after launching from Portrush. And, of course, Caoimhe summoned the dolphins — and in they came to play in the race with us! 🐬 A brilliant introduction to a long weekend of kayaking around the Skerries, with rescues, rolling and plenty of paddling in the strong tidal flows around the islands. We learned loads about flows, counter-flows and the effects of the islands and seabed on the movement of the water. A serious amount of learning packed into Day 1!

Day 2 – Ballintoy to Dunseveric
We asked to be pushed… and pushed we were!
Launching from Ballintoy, we headed east towards Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. With the low tide, we had to portage underneath the bridge before exploring some caves and then getting stuck into the big action around the headland, heading west towards Dunseveric.
No better place for some rescue practice! We continued with plenty of rock hopping, swimming/coasteering in rocky swell and a whole host of scenarios along the way.
Then, just when a long tow had exhaustion setting in and we thought we were finished… a rocky landing and swim tow! 😳
Some of us definitely felt like we were still on the sea while eating dinner that evening. Bed early for everyone!

Day 3 – Portballintrae to Dunseverick
A bigger sea state greeted us as we set off. We paddled towards the Giants Causeway, navigating some interesting reefs and breakers along the way. After the obligatory tourist photos 📸, we headed to Portmoon Bothy for lunch before tackling the final leg of our training. Managing surges over rocks, finding treasure in tricky conditions, then ‘the game’… followed by a shower in some seriously impressive surge versus rocks! 🌊

Across all three days, the focus was not just on paddling skills but on leadership, decision-making and problem-solving. Lots of questioning, experimentation, observation and plenty of opportunities to practise and learn from each other.
Three challenging, exhausting, exhilarating days on the sea and we came away with a whole lot more confidence, knowledge and skills.
We can’t wait to get back on the water with Caoimhe for the follow-up training!
Thanks Sea Dawg, you certainly delivered! 🐬🌊💪

This type of training is key to developing leaders within the club environment and in turn benefits our members and helps strengthen our clubs growth.