Women’s Freestyle Weekend

Women's freestyle in aid of Irish Cancer Society

Freestyle weekend to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society!

To help raise money for Cancer Research, I am trying to get as many female paddlers down to Clifden as possible for a day of clinics and a fun rodeo.

Clinics

Saturday will be a practise day to learn all about your moves and getting to know the other participants. There will be clinics by female freestyle paddlers, tips and advice in the hole and on the flat, and we’ll take some photos and video so we all have something to remember the day by. If you’re not interested in doing the clinics, just come along for the laugh!

Rodeo

On Sunday there will be a sponsored fun rodeo for all ability levels. If you don’t like the idea of competition just think of it as a social occasion where loads of ladies meet up, spend time in a beautiful place and go paddling together to contribute to a great cause.

• Novice Class: if you have never seen a playboat in your life and you want to give it a lash (fun rules)
• University Class: if you’re in a college and feel like going mad (fun rules)
• Expert Class: if you’re in for the big tricks (European Rules).
• Junior Ladies: if you’re between 14 and 18 (fun rules)

There will be no entry fees, but we do ask you to fill out a sponsorship card (send me an e-mail to get one). There will be independent sponsors that will pay a contribution towards the the cause for every point scored by the winner of each class J.

So send me an email and come along! It will be great fun!

Sponsors:  

Total Experience: proud sponsor of the junior ladies class

Munster Dive and Canoe: sponsoring the University Class

Medichem medical supplies: sponsoring the novice class

Outdoor Evolution: Sponsoring the Expert's Class

Great Outdoors: Sponsoring the Bionic Woman-Race

Wave Sport: sponsoring the Big Move

Level 3… The place to be!

Mullingar CC, going for the wave

The last while I’ve been delighted to run several level III assessments with nice groups. Ireland seems to be ready to rock and roll in regards to the ICU Award scheme, which is great because it offers a great opportunity to really get those strokes and techniques right.

Malcolm and Brian: surf kings

There have been some changes on the Syllabus since September I would really like to highlight for people who are going for their level III in the near future: the ROLL and the HANGING DRAW are now in there too so don’t forget to practice those!  Personally I would love to see the Syllabus evolve so it focuses more on the actual understanding of the river flow and moving the boat where it needs to go,  so that solid paddlers that miss out on a few strokes and have different (but technically sound) solutions to get where they want to go can also pass the assessment.

Until then: keep perfecting them strokes and use them where they help you get where you want, but remember the main thing about paddling is fun! Well done to the Mullingar, Tullamore and Lir paddlers that have recently passed their assessment!