Time and Date?
Monday 28th December 2009, aim to be at Marlogue Inn, Marlogue Marina for 10:00hrs, briefing 10:15hrs with people on the water for start at 10:45hrs.
Who can take part?
Anyone proficient in paddling on open water and the sea, participants are expected to be able to look after themselves on the water without reliance on outside parties. There will be a safety boat on the day keeping an eye on things but people will ultimately be responsible for their own actions and safety, and should take into account their own ability to deal with the weather and sea condition's on the day.
Over the last four years we have experienced everything from perfect flat calm water right in the middle of a week of storms during the first race in 2006, up to near artic conditions in last years race where the weather forecast looked to be the best condtion that we had seen leading up to the race. As we always state, check the weather, come along on the day and use common sense to make a judgement on your own capabilities to paddle in the conditions. There is a short course planned to the back of the island and no one should feel complled to paddle the full course. The main aim is to hold a safe and enjoyable paddle over the xmas period and meet up with a few fellow paddlers, some people come to race, some to paddle, its your choice.
What is the distance?
The full circumnavigation of the Great Island is approximately 25.5km, as long as you don't get lost in the marsh at Belvelly, and you cut the corner at the old IFI plant and go under the pipes. Dave Walsh's excellent book Oileáin describes the route as 27km which is the distance originally stated, its sound's better too, but its generally accepted to be slightly shorter. when your looking for all the shortcuts (tip check out Daves description for the Great Island). This year we will have Junior and Beginner classes, with a course of 11km that will be from Marlogue Marina to a marker buoy under the pylon lines that span the water to the North of the island and back to the marina.
Registration?
Register on the day, the race is €20 adults, €10 juniors.
Classes?
These are Elite, Touring, Doubles and new for 2009 Junior class and Beginners class. Participants will enter their desired class on the day and this will be dependant on the type of boat paddled.
Do you have to race?
The main idea is to get people on the water, so if you want to come along and just paddle the course then why not head away before the start, take your time going around and join us for the BBQ and prize giving afterwards. Anyone new to the sports can enter the beginners class which will be same course as Juniors.