Meet at the Marlogue Inn, Marlogue Marina, Cobh, for briefing at 11:30hrs.

HW 14:09hrs with a 3.6m tide

Briefing 11:30hrs
Touring class / Doubles class start 12:00hrs
Elite class start 13:00hrs
Junior / Beginners class 13:00hrs (11km course, to yellow marker buoy laid under the pylon lines that are marked to north of the Great Island across from Ballydaniel Beg and back to Marlogue Marina, see map below)

Mass start at the Marlogue Marina heading North upriver. Hug the wooded left bank and the land will take you around the point to turn to the West. Stay more out into the channel and head for large electricity pylons to the North of West. Not too much to keep the interest on this section so keep the head down and make as much progress as possible whilst still slack tide. Pass the pylons leaving the oyster barge on the port side. Belvelly Castle will come into view but don't head straight for it - you need to keep to the North to pick up the channel through the reed beds. (Canny racing types will have stopped at Belvelly castle on the way to the race to check out the channel)

Continue under Belvelly Bridge and on the other side follow the land on the starboard side, spot the Martello tower and the railway bridge to it's right. Head for the bridge but not too close to the bank to keep the water under the keel. In anything other than full tide take the bridge under the middle span as Bob the Builders left plenty of junk under there after the restoration works.

Head full bore for Marino Point and the Dynachem plant at the end of the IFI site. You can pass inside the deep water berth and once clear of the berth you can drift out to the edge of the shipping channel to pick up any available flow from the falling tide. Take some care with the cross river ferry - the guys on the ferry are excellant and will cut you some slack - and head for the floating dry dock at Verolme dockyard. You can stay inboard of the floating dock and duck under the pilings and you will see Haulbowline island and the end of the Naval Base. Stay to Port - don't drift out too much, clear Whitepoint you will see the beautiful town of Cobh dipping her toes in the sea as the song goes.

You are now in the busiest part of the harbour - there are workboats and possibly some shipping activites including tugs, lineboats, pilot boat etc around so use the noggin and stay safe. Usually not much yachting activity but most likely a few RIBS. If you are told to change course by the safety boats - then do as your told and don't argue the toss - they are looking out for you and others and we really appreciate the help. Keep going past the town - the Holy Ground and then past the pilot station - if you are inshore and near the wall by the East Camber and Port Operations then watch out for a bit of clapotis if the wind from the south.

Keep the rythym going and push on for the last bit - Whitegate oil refinery and Aghada power station on the right and coming up on Marlogue wood on the left. Aim the boat for end of the Island as you paddle you will come back into the land, looking for the turn to the North that reveals the welcome sight of the Marina, hot showers and perhaps a cleansing ale or two.