New kayaking course at Kilcullen Canoe Club

Image: Kilcullen CC.

Kilcullen Canoe Club is running a month-long introductory course to kayaking beginning Tuesday, 29 July, writes Catherine Behan. The Canoeing Ireland’s Level 2 Kayak Skills syllabus is suitable for total beginners or for participants who have some previous experience. 

The course will run on Tuesday evenings starting on 29 June from 6.30 pm-8.30 pm, with the assessment on the final evening. Participants will learn basic boat handling skills and safety and rescue skills needed for paddling in flat water. All participants must be able to swim.

Fees range from €150 for Juniors to €600 for full family, which includes club membership for the entire year, as well as Canoeing Ireland membership. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Membership allows access to club boats, paddles, and safety equipment, along with skills-improvement evenings with club volunteers and occasional trips. Members can develop skills in other paddle sports at the club, including slalom, freestyle, polo, racing, and paddleboarding.

Children under 12 must join with a guardian or parent, or as part of a family.

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Canoe Club introductory course to kayaking

Image: Kilcullen Canoe Club.

A reminder that Kilcullen Canoe Club is running a month-long introductory course to kayaking beginning TOMORROW Tuesday, 20 May, writes Brian Byrne. Today is the closing date for registrations.

The Canoeing Ireland’s Level 2 Kayak Skills syllabus is suitable for total beginners or for participants who have some previous experience. The course will run every Tuesday evening up to 24 June from 7pm-9pm with the assessment on the final evening. Participants will learn basic boat handling skills and safety and rescue skills needed for paddling in flat water. All participants must be able to swim.

Fees range from €150 for Juniors to €600 for full family, which includes club membership for the entire year, as well as Canoeing Ireland membership. Tickets are available on Eventbrite with sales closing on Monday 19 May. 

Membership allows access to club boats, paddles, and safety equipment, along with skills-improvement evenings with club volunteers and occasional trips. Members can develop skills in other paddle sports at the club, including slalom, freestyle, polo, racing, and paddleboarding.

Children under 12 must join with a guardian or parent or as part of a family.

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Join Kilcullen Canoe Club: New-Member Course in April 2025

Kilcullen Canoe Club will open our doors to new members this spring, writes Catherine Behan. We are hosting a 1-day Kayak Skills course for complete beginners on April 12. The course will be held at the KCC Clubhouse in Kilcullen. 

Everyone aged 12 and up is welcome to join the fun. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Level 1 Skills Award from Canoeing Ireland.

The course fee includes club membership for the entire year, as well as Canoeing Ireland membership. This membership offers great value and numerous benefits, including:

* access to club boats, paddles, and safety equipment

* skills-improvement evenings with club volunteers

* occasional trips

* and the opportunity to make new friends!

It also paves the way for further skill development within the club and participation in other paddle sports at the club, including slalom, freestyle, polo, racing, and paddle-boarding.

The fees vary depending on age and circumstance; you’ll find further information on the registration pages listed here:

* Juniors (aged 12-18), €130, link 

* Students, €130, link 

* Adults, €230, link 

* Families, €550, link 

For children under 12, permission is required, and they must join with a guardian or parent, or as part of a family. If you wish to enrol a child under the age of twelve, please contact secretary@kilcullencanoeclub.com for further information.

This is a fantastic chance for the community to engage in an exciting and active sport, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships. Make the most of our beautiful natural amenity, the River Liffey, flowing through the town. Looking forward to seeing you on the water!

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Canoe Polo in Kilcullen

A busy afternoon at Kilcullen Canoe Club yesterday during a Canoe Polo game. Pic Brian Byrne/Kilcullen Diary.

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Final 2024 canoe club Beginners Course

Kilcullen Canoe Club are running their final beginner course for the 2024 season on Wednesday 11 September and Friday 13 September, from 7pm-9.30pm. 

Booking is through Eventbrite links which can be found on the club's website.   

To participate in the club, individuals who are new to the sport must complete this minimum Level One Canoeing Ireland Skills course offered by Kilcullen Canoe Club. But anyone who is interested in joining with a prior certification can contact the club directly for further membership information.

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Good day out at Kilcullen Canoe Club

The good weather helped everyone enjoy themselves at yesterday's Canoe Slalom Competition held at Kilcullen Canoe Club, writes Brian Byrne.

The event was a Division 3 and Open Slalom of which KCC hosts four in the year for the national calendar. Club member Oisin Farrell, who has competed for Ireland in slalom and also organises similar events at Sluice sports venue in Dublin, ran the day for KCC. There are six Division 3 and Open races this year, 

The next major slalom event is the Division 1 and 2 scheduled for Clonmel on 23 June.

Pictures courtesy of KCC.

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Newbie kayakers on Kilcullen waters

There were 17 new members of Kilcullen Canoe Club on the water this morning, getting their beginners water safety training, writes Brian Byrne. The cohort included two family groups, and, in a pleasing circularity, two great-grandchildren of the late Paddy Maloney were there, Colm and Moya. Paddy's interest in building canoes led to the formation of Kilcullen Canoe Club. 

Those taking part in today's training — minimum age 12 — learned the different forms of paddling, how to deal with a capsize, and other safety techniques under the guidance of instructors from Canoeing Ireland and a CI Leader. They were also given a tour of the club's facilities, which include a gym, and the event concluded with a group paddle up the river.

They came out of the day with a Level 1 Kayak Skills Award. Over the summer they'll have the opportunity to achieve Level 2, and at a later stage progress to Level 3.

The club, generally accepted as the first official canoe club in the country when it was formed in 1959, has an impressive record of past members doing well in national and international competition.

The current premises was officially opened in July 2008, having been built as part of the Market Square development undertaken by the late Pat Dunlea. It replaced a wooden clubhouse nearby which had been home to the club for decades.

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Kilcullen kayakers in nationwide fundraiser for MND research on Saturday

Four members of Kilcullen Canoe Club will be taking part in a mammoth nationwide fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease research on this Saturday 20 April, writes Brian Byrne. The event will include both a coastal circumnavigation of Ireland by sea-kayakers and canoeists climbing the highest peak in every county.

Sea to Summit for MND has been organised by well-known Inishowen sea-kayaker Adrian Harkin, who is now living with the disease. The target is to raise €1 million on the day.

The circumnavigation of the island will be carried out by teams of kayakers at each part of the coastline, while other kayak enthusiasts will climb the highest hill or mountain in each county.

Michael P O'Farrell (above) of Kilcullen CC will paddle the Dublin Bay section of the circumnavigation, leading a group of sea kayakers on the leg. "When I paddled around Ireland in 2017, Adrian looked after me when I paddled around his part of Ireland, the Inishowen peninsula," Michael recalls. "He not only provided bed and breakfast but gave invaluable guidance on how to deal with the treacherous currents around Malin Head."

Other members of Kilcullen Canoe Club participating are Helen Whiteley who will lead a walk up the highest hill in Kildare, Cupidstown Hill, Oisin Farrell who will travel to Louth to climb Slieve Foy, and Sonja Farrell will go to Longford to climb Corn Hill.

More details on the Summit 2 Sea for MND are available on their website. An account at iDonate.ie is available for those who want to support this incredible venture. 

A live map will track everyone involved on the day.

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Canoe Club summer camp for junior girl members

Kilcullen Canoe Club is hosting a Summer Camp for Junior Girls members which will run for four consecutive days in July.

The camp is designed for girls to advance from Level 2 to Level 3 in Paddle Skills. It's for KCC members only.

The dates are 16-19 inclusive and the event is in association with GoPaddle.ie and sponsored by Her Moves and Kildare Sports Partnership.

Those interested can secure their place through the KCC members WhatsApp group.

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Beginners course planned by Kilcullen Canoe Club

Kilcullen Canoe Club is organising beginner classes in April, aimed at all ages and designed to introduce people safely to kayaking, writes Sinéad Dunleavy. The course will run over an evening and morning on Friday 26 April (7pm) and Saturday the 27th (10am). 

Completion will give participants a Level 1 Kayak Skills Award, which covers essential techniques such as basic safety rules, paddling manoeuvres, and capsize drills.

The fee is €30, which includes instruction and equipment. An option will be to take up club membership at €200 for the remainder of 2024, with renewal on 1 January 2025. Family and U18 memberships are also available. Booking for the course and membership options is available via Eventbrite, for Seniors,  Family, and U18. 

Meanwhile, the club recently marked International Women's Day with a delightful celebration of the women within its community. The event, held at the KCC Clubhouse, was a testament to the club's commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment.

The evening commenced with a rejuvenating session of Pilates led by Lisa from Body Pilates. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in mindful breath-work guided by club member Deirdre Groves, who practices at Balanced Bodies Holistic Centre. This session not only promoted physical well-being but also emphasised the importance of mental health and relaxation techniques. "It was a fantastic night, celebrating the diverse talents and contributions of the women in our club," a club member said. "We wanted to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported."

The festivities included treats for all ages, reflecting the club's dedication to inclusivity and community spirit. Members came together to celebrate the achievements of women within the club and beyond and also the moms looking after our athletes!

KCC has also secured grants from the Kildare Sports Partnership through the Women in Sport and Her Moves campaigns. These grants will support female members of the club in the upcoming season, furthering the mission to empower women through water sports.

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Spring cleaning at Kilcullen Canoe Club

Members in spring clean mode today.

It's officially if a chilly start to spring, and members of Kilcullen Canoe Club got down to a bit of spring cleaning at their premises today, writes Brian Byrne. With in excess of 70 members, the club is also taking the prospect of warmer weather as an opportunity to encourage new membership. 

The club's top-class facility on the bank of the Liffey in Kilcullen makes it an ideal flat-water space for anyone dipping a paddle into water for the first time. According the the 2024 Committee Chair Padraic Reilly, interest in canoeing nationwide is at an all-time high, and it is a particularly attractive sport for young people — a third of the current membership in Kilcullen are Juniors.

"We train newcomers initially up to Kayak 1, which allows them to use the flat water in the Kilcullen area," Padraic says. "After that they can take further training for different types of kayaking, such as white water." The season runs mostly from April to September, though anyone hardy enough for colder canoeing can paddle outside that period if they want.

The Kilcullen club, generally accepted as the first official canoe club in the country when it was formed in 1959, has an impressive record of past members doing well in national and international competition. A section of the river at the clubhouse is devoted to training and practice in canoe slaloming. "There's also a fast-growing interest in canoe polo, especially amongst the younger members," says longtime local member and the club's Equipment Officer Ger Kearin.

PRO Mike Melton notes that canoeing with a club does not require a heavy investment in equipment. "Everything needed for canoeing locally is available in the club, and membership fees include membership of Canoeing Ireland, which among other things means everyone is properly insured."

Most members of the Kilcullen club are from County Kildare, but there are also associate members from other counties, even as far away as Kerry. There's a strong social aspect to the sport, and in addition to actually going on the water, club member events are organised, such as next Wednesday evening's Pilates Night for women members, marking International Women's Day in Sport. 

The current premises was officially opened in July 2008, having been built as part of the Market Square development undertaken by the late Pat Dunlea. It replaced a wooden clubhouse nearby which had been home to the club for decades.

Individual and family memberships are available, and anyone wishing to join can either come down to the clubhouse, or make initial contact by emailing secretary@kilcullencanoeclub.com. 

READ: Kilcullen's first canoes 

VIEW: Canoe Club Opening July 2008 

READ: Canoe Club in New Era 

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Canoe Club Be Active Day on Saturday

Kilcullen Canoe Club is inviting members of the public to come along on Saturday for Be Active Day, September 24th.

There will be opportunities to try out different boats and canoeing disciplines, and to chat with club members about getting involved with the sport.

The event from 10am-6pm and there will be a Barbecue from 2pm. All welcome, including family and friends groups.

Registration to attend can be done here. 

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Kilcullen paddler Helen Thompson brings home Bronze from Spain

Three paddlers from Kilcullen Canoe Club went to Ribadesella International kayak race in Asturias, northern Spain, where Helen Thompson brought home a bronze in the Womens Veteran K1 category, writes Michael P O'Farrell. Helen's third place is all the more remarkable as this was her first time to race at Ribadesella.

KCC was represented on the 84th Descenso Internacional Del Rio Sella (Ribadesella) by Helen Thompson (womens veteran K1), Jonathan Barry (veteran K1) and Michael O'Farrell (veteran K1). KCC is delighted with our success for such a small team.

The KCC team was part of a 36-strong Irish team at Ribadesella. A former member of KCC, Ronan Foley, was also very successful. He took home Gold in the Mens U23 K1 category.

The Ribadesella is more than just a race, it is a festival built around a canoe race that has been run since 1930.  Around a thousand paddlers line up on the bank on the Sella river and, after a rendition of the Asturian anthem, they run to their kayaks, get on the water and race off together in one big melee which will stay chaotic for the 20 km length of the course.

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