No flood for slalom

There was a measure of disappointment today when no flood was available for a Slalom event scheduled by Kilcullen Canoe Club, writes Brian Byrne.

"We were told right up to yesterday evening that there would be one," one of the club members told the Diary, "but this morning we heard from a fisherman that there wouldn't be, as there was a fishing competition scheduled for down the river. Somebody got their wires crossed."

A less challenging event was set up in the area below the bridge. Paddlers had come from as far as Donegal for the race. "If we had even known yesterday that there wouldn't be a flood, we could have cancelled," the Kilcullen spokesperson said. "It's very bad form."

Meantime, it seems that there may also be doubt about the availability of a flood from Phoulaphuca for next week's annual Ballymore to Kilcullen race. The Diary understands that the reservoir is at quite a low level for the time of year, as there hasn't been the usual amount of rain since Christmas.