FLOWSTATE Issue 1

GRAIGUENAMANAGH
CANOE CLUB
& the River Barrow
The River Barrow is one of the finest sections
of rivers in the Country. From Borris to St
Mullins it is a very gentle slow moving river
wrapped in stunning beauty. Visually along
the path of the river there is woodlands and
ruins all set in a valley. The area is surrounded
by Mount Lenister, the Blackstairs Mountains
and Mount Brandon, and there is wildlife in
abundance with birds, otters, deer and a wide
variety of fish.
The section from Clashganny to
Graiguenamanagh is roughly a distance of 4
kilometres taking in 3 weirs varying from 4 foot
to 10 foot in height and a grade 2 rapid, which
makes it possibly the best run of river for the
white water paddler. It’s also a renowned area
for instruction and assessments for both
Kayaking and Canoeing. Depending on water
levels these weirs and rapids can become
more challenging and its always a great
section to practice your skills, from catching
eddies to ferrygliding and rescues.
Graiguenamanagh Canoe Club was founded
by 6 individuals from the area who discovered
that kayaking was an exciting fun way to get
out on the water and meet other like-minded
people. A committee was established in 2015
and with some funding from the Kilkenny
Leader Programme our club was formed.
Our members ageing from 12 years to 60
years plus with a focus on having fun, learning
new skills, making new friends while being safe
on the water. At present our club has evolved
so much that our activities extend to camping
trips, coast steering, surfing, family days,
beach barbeque evenings, hill walking as well
as kayaking and canoeing. And with a lot of
these get togethers follows the banquets of
much loved home baked cakes, buns and
sambos, washed down by that all important
cup of tea!
We love to entertain and show our hospitality
to any paddler who drops in to visit us,
everyone is welcome. Every day is a good
paddling day in Graiguenamanagh Canoe
Club and we look forward to our clubs future
growth.
Our club runs from April to the end of September
with weekly paddles and Sunday trips. We
love the fun social element that comes with
paddling but we also strive to progress our
members skill levels with ongoing training
courses from RSR 1 & 2 and Level 3 & 4 skills
training which always helps to make learning
easy. Games night has become one of our
main events on the calendar, it seems to bring
out a very competitive streak in EVERY
member and it’s the one night of the year that
everyone manages to attend without fail.
Our sub members group the “Winter Paddlers”
definitely cannot be referred to as “ fair weather
paddlers” as they take to the water at every
opportunity whatever the weather hail rain
sleet or snow. Throughout the winter they take
on new rivers with new challenges, find adventure
on the seas and develop their own skill
level paving the path for the new summer
season in the club. So when it comes to the
clubs 1st night in April the agenda is always
jammed packed with new adventures and
events already planned.
New members are always welcome once you
have completed a Level 2 river skills course,
we run courses at the beginning of the club
season, with a Canoe Ireland Registered
Instructor. All equipment and gear being
supplied.
NEW BEGINNER COURSES FOR ADULTS
CAN BE BOOKED ON EVENTBRITE.IE
LEVEL 2 KAYAKING: fully booked
29th May - 1st June / 7:00pm - 9:00pm
LEVEL 2 CANOEING: places available
5th June - 8th June / 7:00pm - 9:00pm
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/learn-to-canoebeginners-course-tickets-44519019586
LEVEL 2 KAYAKING: fully booked
25th June - 28th June / 7:00pm - 9:00pm
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/learn-to-kayak
-june-course-tickets-44519314468
Junior Courses will be advised at a later
date: Juniors must be aged 12 years+.
Course fees are €130 which includes a
years club membership and CI Insurance.
Make sure to keep up to date with our events and paddles by following us on Facebook
@ https://www.facebook.com/graigcanoeclub/
31