*ULKC River Shannon Clean Up* – April 26th @10am
Our AIM is to Clean Up the stretch of the Shannon River running from the UL campus into Corbally. This will only be possible with YOUR help so please save this date! More Details to follow!
Event Page Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/631926786873902/?ref=ts&fref=ts
It’s Friday 15.30 and I’m going back to my house from the last lecture. We finished early. Hooray! I’ll have more time to pack and get prepared for the second weekend trip with ULKC!
Quick snack, quick pack and I’m heading to the UL Boathouse. There we all had a meeting to gather all the gear, put boats in the van, on the van and on the trailor. It didn’t take long and soon we were ready to set off. After two hours we arrived to a beautiful pre-Halloween town of Killarney. I think it’s quite appropriate that we kayakers stayed at the Neptune’s Hostel.
After everybody took their bed, party in the common room (?) could begin. Although we were really quiet, the hostel’s security had a problem with us. After midnight we left the hostel and a bunch of us went to a night club in the city.
The next day the advanced kayakers (and only those of them who were able to wake up) got up at 6.30 to go on the river Flesk. Even though there wasn’t as much water as we’d expected it was a really enjoyable run – despite the constant rain.
Right before noon we joined the rest in Killarney and we all went together on the Lower Caragh where the situation with water was almost opposite. We got on the river on a place which used to be a field. It was perfect river for beginners and everybody enjoyed it. The weather got better and we were able to see the sun for most of the time.
Right before sunset we arrived back to Killarney ready for another party. Again we began at the Hostel and soon we moved to the night club. I don’t know exactly why but after like half an hour in the club there was a small reorganization and we got a separate part of the club. Party was fun – this time even better thanks to an extra hour because of the time change and no need of early waking.
In the morning we had to leave the hostel by 11 am. After that everybody left for the Sullane river. This was a different one – narrower compared to the wide Caragh – but still with loads of water. Even though the branches on the banks appeared to be a good handle in fact they were not. The swimmers can confirm. It was a long river and when we finally arrived to the get off point it soon got dark.
Quick shuttle with cars, boats on the van, in the van and on the trailer. It was almost 10 O’clock when we arrived back to the Boathouse. Luckily, the next day was Bank Holiday so everybody had time to recover from this wonderful weekend.
I am an Erasmus student from Czech Republic and there is nothing like this club on my home university. I will miss lots of things about Ireland but I already know that I will miss ULKC the most. Every student on UL should take the chance and join a club or society of their interest, because maybe you don’t know it yet but you are really lucky to have them here on UL.
-Jarda
Our first weekend trip is planned for the 27th -29th of September, we will be going to Lahinch for some surf kayaking and serious partying. This is a perfect opportunity to try your hand at surf kayaking, and seeing the what the west coast of Ireland has to offer including the Cliffs of Moher. Lahinch is always and Epic trip and the BEST way to meet new people.
The plan is leaving from the boathouse in UL at 6:30, So packing is at 5:00 Friday evening. Plan is stay in Lahinch for two nights in a hostel. Do some surfing in kayaks (same as “normal” surfing except no need to stand). Then return to the boathouse Sunday evening. No experience is needed and we have all equipment, all you need is a towel, swim suit, old shoes to wear in the water, maybe a Fleecey top can be nice to bring too for under your wetsuit and a smile :D.
We will also have a themed night out in the Claremount nightclub in Lahinch. The theme is Heroes , Sidekicks and Villains. And we will have a prize for the best “Comic Book Duo” be that Hero and Villain or hero and Side kick. So talk to friends and make sure you have your matching costumes! Imagination is the key too 😀
Price is €35 includes everything: transport, breakfast (Saturday and Sunday) and Dinner Saturday. The money extra money needed will be for snacks and beverages you may want to drink over the weekend. Wow that’s sooo cheap! I will be taking names and collecting a €15 deposit at the pool sessions this week and next week. Get your money in fast as there are limited spaces and if you aren’t paid up you may miss out.
Last Saturday the thirteenth of April the University of Limerick Kayak Club organized a river clean up of the section of the Shannon River that flows through the University of Limerick Campus. The event was organized by the club as part of At Taisce’s Spring clean initiative. Using kayak, canoes and cars on the bank the club removed nearly a tone of rubbish from the river bank and islands. Included in the rubbish was a fridge, shopping trolley, bike, traffic cones, scooters, car tires, toilet and many other unusual thing. The rubbish is to be disposed of by Limerick County Council.
Alps 2013 Provisional Details
Details of our anual Alps Trip can be found in our Trips Section.
Every year ULKC venture to the amazing and scenic Italian and Slovenian Alps for some great rivers, sun, and banter. The trip is open to all members competent and confident on moving water or at a level three standard. This promises to be a great trip and expect your paddling to come on leaps and bounds over the course of the trip. The cost of the trip is provisionally between €450-€600. More info about the trip will be available soon or by contacting the committee at ulkayak@gmail.com
Week 1
20/4/2013 – 27/4/2013
Italy
Level 4 training
Level 5 training
Week 2-3
27/4/2013 – 9/5/2013
Slovenia and Italy
Level 3 training and general paddling
Last Friday, the 22nd of March, 21 members of ULKC travelled to Sligo for a weekend of paddling fun, training and adventure. The groups stayed in holiday homes in the small seaside town of Enniscrone. On the Saturday there was an early start and the whole group went to the Deel River, a nice consistent Grade 2 river with plenty of rapids for training. This involved practicing boat maneuvering skills such as breaking in and out of the main flow on rapids, travelling across rapids as well as more advanced members practicing some safety skills and group leading skills. Saturday evening five members took on the challenge of paddling the Ballysadare rapids. This was a short but very technical and challenging set of rapids culminating with a twenty-five foot waterfall at the end. On Sunday the group Paddled the Upper Clydagh, Co. Mayo. However due to low water levels to group only paddled a short section of the river, which included the “Five Steps” rapid.
Overall the trip was a great success and enjoyed by all. Over the next few weeks there will be many more river trips run by the club and for anyone who wants to get involved can contact the club at ulkayak@gmail.com.
