Canoe Club celebrates

Kilcullen Canoe Club had a celebration evening during the week to mark what had been a very good 2013 for the club, writes PRO David McDonnell.

The club won the Ribba De Sella trophy, awarded to the 'Club of the Year' in the National Marathon Canoe Racing Series. This was a feat last managed by the club only 17 years previously. The long wait for success in the series saw them finish ahead of Salmon Leap Canoe Club from Leixlip and Celbridge Paddlers. The 11-race series saw the club travel around the country in great numbers over a season that starts in late March on the River Boyne and finishes in October on the Grand Canal in Robertstown.

The club had seven Divisional winners within the Racing Series: K1 Division 2 - David McDonnell, Womens K1 – Maria Wilmott, Mens GP - Eamon Moran, Womens GP – Mary Fitzgerald, K1 Division 5 – Ronan Foley and Boys U18 GP – Anthony Whitely.

The year saw the club also win the Junior Marathon Canoe Racing Series. A large crew of junior paddlers from the club placed well throughout the Ranking Race Series to secure the title.

The start of the 2014 Racing Series is just around the corner. Club members have been training hard in preparation and we hope to see continued success for the club on and off the water.

The club is always open to new members with beginners courses starting in early spring\summer. For More information on Kilcullen Canoe Club, check out www.kilcullencanoeclub.com, Facebook, Flickr (Kilcullen Canoe Club) or contact Diane Brown by email secretary@kilcullencanoeclub.com or why not drop down to see us at the club where there is activity most evenings?

More pictures in Tuesday's Kildare Nationalist.