Paddling The Liffey descent in two sea kayaks Sep 2008

Russ and Adrian Paddle the liffey descent in two sea kayaks. The Liffey descent covers just under 28km of what must be the finest long distance canoe racing course in the world .

Adrian’s Account of the race

Turas during the Liffey Descent 2008. Whether on the water or watching from the banks, the excitement of overcoming a river in full flood captivates both canoeists and spectators alike, with ten weirs, two stretches of rapids, a punishing portage and the daunting “jungle” to contend with it is not for the faint hearted. Guaranteed water conditions add to the occasion as the Electricity Board releases 30 million tons of water through their hydro stations to ensure a massive flood for the event. Our own preparation for the event started several months earlier when training for our Shannon navigation so stamina was not going to be a issue, we did however spend some time on the Thomastown weir perfecting our technique over the weirs.

The event took place Saturday 8th of September, myself and Russ arrived in the event car park in Straffan just after nine am and collected our race bibs and info pack before continuing on to Islandbridge to leave a car with which to transport the Kayaks back to base after the race. On arriving back in Straffan the carpark was wedged with vehicles and kayaks of all descriptions.

Turas – the Liffey Descent 2008The atmosphere and banter was electric. We readied our boats, geared up and together with the 1100+ other boats and paddlers, many of the other boats were open canoes we noted. We had our gear scrutinised for safety at the gate to the field, where we were given red patches if they passed. All the boats were then carried down the road to the gates of the K Club, where only the boats with the red patch were allowed to go through. Everybody was supposed to be out of the field by 11:30 to be ready to race, the first class being off at 12:30. Spectators had to crowd onto the Straffan bridge, where they could watch the boats launching. All boats had to be paddled 1 km upstream to be held in their groups ready to go. Eventually the first group started, only 15 minutes late. We were in the last group ‘GP boats’, paddlers who were taking part in the event, but not classified as racing.

The excitement begins almost immediately, as barely 1km downstream from the start line lies Straffan Weir. This is one of the most feared hazards on the course as the paddlers begin to sort themselves out as they approach it, still tightly bunched together. Myself and Russ had decided to shoot on the left but were slightly disturbed as we saw the bulk of the competitors going to the right the casualty rate was quite high with people swimming in all directions having capsized their kayaks. In order for an Open Canoe to take a weir, the weight must be moved right out of the bows, to make the front of the boat much more buoyant. Most Open Canoes prepared for the race by filling every possible part with large air bags, leaving just the two gaps for the two paddlers legs.

Once Straffan has been negotiated, the next few miles encompass the “Jungle”. Anyone paddling the course for the first time quickly discovers why this stretch is so named – as it is all swirling water and encroaching trees, narrow sections of river and is un-life guarded. A slip anywhere here can lead to a long swim seeking a suitable place on the overgrown bank to come ashore prior to rejoining the race. I got rammed by a Canadian canoe into a tree where I got pinned, had to exit my kayak and reenter from the bank after a energy sapping run downstream to retrieve my paddle.

Beyond the “Jungle” are two weirs, Vanessa and Templemills, situated half mile apart. Both are relatively easy shoots, but should be treated with respect. Shortly after passing under the bridge in Celbridge, the competitors find themselves in the turmoil of Castletown Rapids. Again caution is called for as each year this rock strewn stretch entices a number of kayakers out of their boats for a swim.

With Castletown behind them, competitors now enter calmer waters as they cross Leixlip Lake towards the dam. The portage is approached on the right hand bank, and involves a grueling 500 yard run over which the paddlers must carry their boats prior to re-entering the river at Leixlip Bridge.

The next major hurdle is the Sluice Weir. One route through necessitates shooting the weir on the right, but a miscalculation can lead to a broken bow. Alternatively, the weir can be shot through the 12 foot gap once occupied by the sluice gates. While this route is faster it is also far trickier as a very large standing wave waits at the bottom,

Having successfully negotiated the sluice Next comes Lucan Weir, and again the paddlers have a choice of shoots. It can be taken sideways down the face (the most popular), down the fish steps (definitely not recommended for K-boats), or, for the thrill seeker, over the “High Drop” on the far face., Russ and myself went sideways down the near face and witnessed a Canadian successfully shoot the high drop (a very impressive sight) .

The next obstacle to be overcome was the Anna Livia Weir, not nearly as demanding as the previous two but still deserving of respect. The only way over this weir is down the fish slide.

A long flat stretch now gives the competitors ample time to consider the next hazard, the notorious Wren’s Nest Weir. Essentially a large “V” shape it is imperative to approach at the correct angle or it’s into the huge stoppers on either side and an almost certain swim. Having safely conquered Wren’s, the paddlers barely have time to settle down before they arrive at the second of the big “V” weirs at Palmerstown. A series of enormous standing waves lurk at the bottom and if the competitor does not enter the shoot at precisely the apex, the waves will be hit at the wrong angle resulting in an almost inevitable capsize.

The final two weirs are almost easy in comparison; the first, Glenaulin, a simple shoot. The second, Chapelizod, is taken down a long fish slide but watch out for jutting rocks as many a paddle has been broken here. With all the obstacles behind them the competitors now face an energy sapping slog to the finish where you will be met by water and mars bars.

We soaked up the atmosphere at the finish, got the t-shirt the traveled back to Straffan and home for some rest and a celebratory BBQ. Highly Recommended.

Adrian Gallagher

________________________________________________________________

Russ’s Account of the Race

Russ and Adrian paddle the Liffey descent in a Canadian canoe on a beautiful summer September day.

Following the previous years descent in two sea kayaks we decided to do the Liffey Descent in a Canadian canoe. The Liffey river race covers just under 28km of what must be one of the best long distance canoe racing course in the Europe.

Once again the excitement canoeing a river in full flood captivates both canoeists and spectators alike, with ten weirs, two stretches of rapids, a punishing portage and the daunting “jungle” to contend with it is not for the faint hearted. Unlike other international river races guaranteed water conditions add to the occasion as the Electricity Board releases 30 million tons of water through their hydro stations to ensure a massive flood for the event. Our preparations included six short trips down the river Nore in a canadian canoe using the weir at Bennettsbridge in Kilkenny as our sole weir practice.

The event took place Saturday 5th of September, We both once again arrived in the event car park in Straffan just after nine am and collected our race bibs and info pack, and commenced preparing our canadian canoe which included making a makeshift cone to act as a wave breaker at the front of the boat. It was then of to Islandbridge to leave a car with which to transport the canadian back to base after the race. On arriving back in Straffan the car park was full with vehicles and kayaks with a tractor keeping very busy pulling cars that were getting stuck in the field.

All the boats were then carried down the road to the gates of the K Club, once again this year everybody was supposed to be out of the field by 11:30 to be ready to race, the first class being off at 12:30. Spectators had to crowd onto the Straffan bridge, where they could watch the boats launching. All boats had to be paddled 1 km upstream to be held in their groups ready to go.

The excitement begins almost immediately, as barely 1km downstream from the start line lies Straffan Weir. This is one of the toughest weirs on the course as the paddlers begin to sort themselves out as they approach it, still tightly bunched together. We had decided to shoot on the right but were slightly nudged by another Canadian and thankfully made it through without going for a swim; the casualty rate was very high with people swimming in all directions having capsized their kayaks. In order for an Open Canoe to take a weir, the weight must be moved right out of the bows, to make the front of the boat much more buoyant. Most Open Canoes prepared for the race by filling every possible part with large air bags, leaving just the two gaps for the two paddlers legs.

This was a big confidence boost for us clearing the first weir, the next few miles encompass the “Jungle”. Anyone paddling the course for the first time quickly discovers why this stretch is so named – as it is all swirling water and encroaching trees, narrow sections of river and is un-life guarded. A slip anywhere here can lead to a long swim seeking a suitable place on the overgrown bank to come ashore prior to rejoining the race.

Beyond the “Jungle” are two weirs, Vanessa and Templemills, situated half mile apart. Both are relatively easy shoots, but should be treated with respect. Shortly after passing under the bridge in Celbridge, the competitors find themselves in the turmoil of Castletown Rapids. Again caution is called for as each year this rock strewn stretch entices a number of kayakers out of their boats for a swim.

With Castletown behind them, competitors now enter calmer waters as they cross Leixlip Lake towards the dam. The portage is approached on the right hand bank, and involves a grueling 500 yard run over which the paddlers must carry their boats prior to re-entering the river at Leixlip Bridge. It is advisable to have wheels attached to your canadian to assist in transporting the boat.

The next major hurdle is the Sluice Weir. The weir can be shot through the 12 foot gap once occupied by the sluice gates. While this route is faster it is also far trickier as a very large standing wave waits at the bottom, this is the route we took, we were almost through when at the last minute we capsized and went for a swim, immediately we recovered our boat with the help of the rescue teams. discussed where we went wrong and then back in the boat and next stop the Lucan Weir.

Again paddlers have a choice of shoots at the Lucan weir. It can be taken sideways down the face (the most popular), down the fish steps (definitely not recommended for K-boats), or, for the thrill seeker, over the “High Drop” on the far face. we went head on down the near face and received a brilliant reception from the supportive crowd. The next obstacle to be overcome was the Anna Livia Weir, not nearly as demanding as the previous two but still deserving of respect. The only way over this weir is down the fish slide.

A long flat stretch now gives the competitors ample time to consider the next hazard, the notorious Wren’s Nest Weir. Essentially a large “V” shape it is imperative to approach at the correct angle or it’s into the huge stoppers on either side and an almost certain swim. Having safely conquered Wren’s, the paddlers barely have time to settle down before they arrive at the second of the big “V” weirs at Palmerstown. A series of enormous standing waves lurk at the bottom and if the competitor does not enter the shoot at precisely the apex, the waves will be hit at the wrong angle resulting in an almost inevitable capsize. And that is what we did go for another swim.

The final two weirs are almost easy in comparison; the first, Glenaulin, a simple shoot. The second, Chapelizod, is taken down a long fish slide but watch out for jutting rocks as many a paddle has been broken here. With all the obstacles behind them the competitors now face an energy sapping slog to the finish where you will be met by water and mars bars and a brilliant atmosphere.

Having consumed our beef stroganoff it was back to Straffan to collect the Land Rover Defender and back home all smiles and looking forward to the 2009 Liffey descent

Russ Ryan

http://www.liffeydescent.com/