Garda Vetting for Sports Clubs Information Seminar on Monday, 12th October from 7.00pm – 9.00pm in Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght.

Did you know that due to new legislation it will be illegal for any volunteer or coach to work with children or vulnerable adults on a continuous basis before successfully completeting the Garda Vetting process?

This seminar is designed to answer the following questions:
• Who will need to be Garda Vetted?
• What action should the club take now?
• Whose responsiblity is it to ensure vetting is carried out?

Admission to this seminar is free but places are limited.

Book your place now on https://goo.gl/akLcvG

Regards,

Tracey Kelly | A/Local Sports Administrator

South Dublin Local Sports Partnership | Community Services Department

South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24

T +353 1 414 9270 | EXT 2678

traceykelly@sdublincoco.ie

The latest Blueway Trail has been launched in Bantry this week offering a variety of looped trails around the picturesque harbour of Bantry.   Read more

Weekly news roundup

Slalom:

Canoe Slalom World Cup of Pau

Last World Cup of the season, on one of our athlete’s favourite courses! We have Hannah Craig, Liam Jegou and Oisin Farrell Racing.

Oisin races at 16:05, (15:05 Irish time) and Liam Jegou races at 11:53 (10:53 Irish time) and Hannah Craig in K1 is racing tomorrow at 2.45pm Irish time.

http://canoeliveresults.com/event/2015/pau-icf-world-cup-5/
check out the live video on the ICF youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv4bdDEJIUE

Here is a write up from World Cup 3

Races 8 & 9 in the ECA Junior Cup series were held over the past two days in Ceske Budovice, Czech Republic with Caoimhe O’Ferrall taking first place in the final of both races in the U18 C1W category ahead of competitors from Germany, Slovenia, Kazakhstan and Sweden. This followed her 3rd placing in race 7 of the series last weekend in Solkan, Slovenia. Women’s C1 is an ICF development class which will be introduced in the Tokyo Olympic programme for 2020. It is great to see Caoimhe progressing in what is one of the most technically difficult classes in canoe slalom on such challenging courses.

Ciara Farrell came in 26th position in Thursday’s K1W U16 race missing out on a top 20 place which was required to progress to the final. This followed her 15th placing in Solkan last week behind Jessica Harkin in 14th place.

These Junior Cup races provide valuable experience for young Irish paddlers being introduced into international competition. The final two races of the series are in Krakow, Poland next weekend with Cillian O’Ferrall, K1M U23, Noel Hendrick, Darragh Bergin and Cian Vaugh, K1M U18, Ciara Farrell, K1W U16, Caoimhe O’Ferrall, C1W U18, Robert Hendrick, C1M U18 and Noel and Robert Hendrick in C2M U18.

Also next weekend we have Race 4 of the Senior World Cup series in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain where we are represented by Hannagh Craig in K1W, Liam Jegou in C1M and Oisin Farrell in K1M.

So a busy week ahead and good luck to all…..

Marathon:

Marathon race in Kilkenny

Thomastown Canoe Club will be hosting a competition this weekend, email irishmarathoncanoeing@yahoo.com for more details.

See below for another race on Wednesday 19^th August at 7:30pm

KILKENNY AQUA CANOE CLUB FRAN BLANCHE 5km MEMORIAL RACES

Entries taken at 6:30pm AT KACC CLUB, DUKESMEADOWS

CLASSES: 5KM COURSE

OPEN K1- FRAN BLANCHE OPEN SINGLES GP MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY RACE- 1ST OPEN SIGNLE HOME

2KM COURSE

• WOMANS OPEN SINGLES
• NOVICE ADULT – LEARNED TO KAYAK IN 2015
• UNDER 16 BOYS
• UNDER 16 GIRLS
• UNDER 14 GIRLS
• UNDER 14 BOYS
• UNDER 12 BOYS
• UNDER 12 GIRLS

FEES: SENIORS €10.00

JUNIORS €5.00

START: Boat slip on canal walk

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT

ROGER MCCLURE 086 380 99 00

In the event of heavy rain in preceding days the race may have to be postponed for safety reasons so call us or check www.kacc.ie or our Facebook page

Race organised under the auspices of The Irish Canoe Union Marathon Committee.

A raffle for canoe gear will be run with proceeds to O’Neill Centre.

Junior Paddlefest:

Hey folks. The junior paddlefest team are looking for photographers to cover this year’s Paddlefest. T-shirt, parking fee and lunch included. They will be launching their new website over the weekend and it would be great to have cool shots for their 2015 Gallery. If you are interested and available for either the Saturday or the Sunday (Sept 19th or 20th) please message the junior paddlesfest team at paddlefest@hotmail.com

Liffey Descent:

The 1st of September is fast approaching which means the late entry fees will apply to your 2015 Liffey descent entry. Make sure to get your application into the Liffey Descent committee on liffeydescent@canoe.ie or post your application to Canoeing Ireland, Irish Sports HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Please go to http://canoe.ie/liffey-descent/ for a copy of the application form.

Garda Vetting:

Can you please circulate the details below details for our Garda Vetting for Sports Clubs Information Seminar?Garda Vetting for Sports Clubs Information Seminar on Monday, 12th October from 7.00pm – 9.00pm in Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght.

Did you know that due to new legislation it will be illegal for any volunteer or coach to work with children or vulnerable adults on a continuous basis before successfully completeting the Garda Vetting process?

This seminar is designed to answer the following questions:

• Who will need to be Garda Vetted?
• What action should the club take now?
• Whose responsiblity is it to ensure vetting is carried out?

Admission to this seminar is free but places are limited.

Book your place now on https://goo.gl/akLcvG

Sea Kayaking:

Wildwater Racing:

Descent of the River Sella/ ESP

This course follows the Sella River betwen Arriondas and Ribadesella bridges (20 Km.) in Asturias (Spain). The Cadets, Centenarians, and Mixed categories as well as the RR types, have their Finishing Line at the Llovio railway bridge (15 Km.) where the river estuary begings and where the outdoor lunch and festivities are held.  The Senior, Junior and Veterans categories (Men and Women in K2, K1, C2 and C1)) have their Finishing Line at Ribadesella (20 kms).

Sean McCarthy – 1st Place U23 Mens k1

Aisling Smith – 3rd Place U23 Womens k1

Deaglan O’Driscol and Malcom Banks 1st Place in Masters/Vets

Cait Broderick – 4th Place Womens U23 k1

Junior Wildwater Racing World Championships 2015, Nantahala River, North Carolina, USA.

Ireland has had its most successful ever Junior Wildwater Racing World championships (three boats reaching the finals!), with Cian and Darragh Clarke finishing 5th in junior C2 (equal highest finish for Irish junior at world championship event with Lorcan Feely who finished fifth in the 2009 Junior Worlds in men’s junior kayak), Darragh Clarke finishing 9th in junior C1 and Craig Cummins finishing 13th in junior men’s kayak, Mollie Claffey securing 20th place in women’s junior kayak and Cian finishing 26th in men’s junior kayak. One of the most pleasing aspects of watching the results come in was to see how all three finalists improved significantly between qualification and the finals. All four paddlers have another year left in the junior ranks which augurs really well for the future.

Liffey Oddessy:

You are invited to the following event:

LIFFEY ODYSSEY 2015

Event to be held at the following time, date and location:

Saturday, 5 September 2015 from 15:00 to 18:00 (IST)

River Liffey, Island Bridge, Dublin.

The Liffey Odyssey is being organised to raise much needed funds for Barretstown House. It is being hosted by I-Canoe and organised by the Liffey Odyssey Group comprising of representatives from a number of canoeing clubs (Lucan Kayak Club, LIR KC and WWKC). The event is being run as a Canoe Tour from Islandbridge to East Link Bridge in Dublin Port with the aim to have a fun and leisurely paddling trip down the Liffey. Fancy Dress is strongly encouraged.  Open Canoes are the preferred craft however participants may use sit -on -tops, rafts, stand up paddle boards or any other craft that involves a paddle.

The event is open to club and individual canoeists who should be at minimum Canoeing Ireland Level 1 ability and who satisfy the organisers they have sufficient ability to participate . Participants are expected to supply their own boat – preferably an Open Canoe but there may be a limited number of places available in Open Canoes to anyone who cannot supply their own – contact Paul Carroll for availabilty.

All participants must wear an approved Buoyancy Aid, helmet and appropriate footwear and and suitable clothing e.g. wetsuit or similar.

The event is open to children over 8 – however all children under 14 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian. Children over 14 must be accompanied by a competent adult paddler. All participants under 18 must have written parental permission to participate.

As the event is being run to raise funds for Barretstown we are asking you spread the word and get your friends and work colleagues to make a donation to Barretstown. Donations can be made to   http://www.mycharity.ie/event/liffeyodyssey2015/.

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter

The RNLI have released a solemn reminder of the importance of carrying a means of communication with you on the water.   Read more

Species Alert for: Crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci).

Issued by: National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)

Reason for issue: Preliminary DNA diagnosis shows Crayfish plague as present on the Bruskey/Erne River at Killydoon, near Ballinagh, Co. Cavan. As a result of native White-clawed Crayfish mortalities being reported to Inland Fisheries Ireland in July 2015, IFI initial site investigations have found 600+ dead native White-clawed Crayfish. Specimens of the dead crayfish were DNA tested and the Crayfish plague, a water mould disease, was confirmed.

Summary of potential impacts: Establishment of the crayfish plague could result in 100% mortality of the protected native White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes).  Throughout its European range, this species has been decimated by the impact of Crayfish plague disease which spread to Europe with the introduction of the plague carrier North American species of crayfish.

The implications of this disease occurrence are extremely concerning to NPWS and Inland Fisheries Ireland. If crayfish plague becomes established there is a high probability that the native White-clawed Crayfish will be eliminated from much of the island.  Worse still would be the establishment of non-native crayfish as the experience in Britain and Europe has been that these species have very severe impacts on habitats and other species. One potential impact could be on salmon and trout fisheries and the loss of the tourism revenue from these fisheries.

What can you do?

• Become familiar with the identification of the native and non-native crayfish: view crayfish identification tips.
• Immediately report all suspected sightings of non-native crayfish or dead native White-clawed Crayfish to  coflynn@biodiversityireland.ie or through the online form. Please supply the date of sighting, location name, location coordinates and your contact details. If possible, please supply a photo of the crayfish showing the underside of the claws to aid in verifying the sighting.
• The Crayfish plague disease can be carried on wet equipment so ALL equipment (clothing and fishing gear) that has been in freshwater must be treated with a disinfectant and then completely dried before moving to another area. This will avoid the accidental spread of the disease to other areas.
• Do not release any non-native crayfish into Ireland’s waters, it is illegal to do so.
• Please circulate this species alert as widely as possible.

Invasive status: Crayfish plague is listed as one of Ireland’s most invasive species by Invasive Species Ireland. This species is listed by DAISIE as among 100 of the worst invasive species in Europe. All non-native crayfish, which may be carriers of the crayfish plague, are listed on the Third Schedule Part 2 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 in Ireland. Five non-native crayfish that have gone through a detailed risk assessment process are each assessed at MAJOR risk of impact to Ireland see:http://nonnativespecies.ie/risk-assessments.

Introduction status: Established but localised. This species is currently confirmed from just one stretch of river.

Is there a reference specimen?: Yes. Specimens taken and tested for the DNA plague.

Pathway of introduction: Either through introduction of an infected American crayfish species or through infected fishing gear.

How the disease got to the Bruskey River and whether it has spread from the initial area of infection is currently under investigation by NPWS and IFI. Either the disease was introduced accidentally on contaminated equipment (e.g. wet fishing gear or boots used recently in affected waters in the UK or elsewhere) or else non-native species have been illegally  introduced to the area and have now passed the disease to the native White-clawed crayfish.

If the disease outbreak was accidentally introduced on contaminated equipment then containment may be possible, but if non-native crayfish have been introduced then the disease is likely to become established with severe and probably irreversible ecological impact on Ireland’s freshwater fauna and flora if not acted on immediately.

Management actions taken to date: The following actions have been taken to date:

• Site inspections to assess extent of native White-clawed Crayfish mortalities and to collect specimens for analysis was undertaken in July, 2015.
• DNA analysis of the collected dead White-clawed crayfish specimens give a preliminary diagnosis of the Crayfish plague.
• A more thorough analysis will be undertaken to confirm the disease.
• Additional site inspection surveys ongoing.
• Press release and Species Alert issued to key stakeholders and the wider public [17/08/2015]
• National Biodiversity Data Centre maintains an online reporting function: http://invasivespeciesireland.com/alien-watch/

Additional Resources:

• Download the Press release issued by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht [17/08/2015]
• View Identification Tips for the native and non-native crayfish species
• View Frequently Asked Questions
• Download the Protect Irish Crayfish pamphlet
• Download the Signal crayfish ID guide
• View each of the full detailed risk assessments for five non-native crayfish species http://nonnativespecies.ie/risk-assessments/

Read more

Weekly news roundup

Sprint:

Live feed starts today ‪#‎ICFMilan2015 Planet Canoe

http://www.canoeicf.com/…/2015-icf-canoe-sprint-paracanoe-w…

Jenny Egan 3rd in heats of K1 200m, Tom Brennan 5th in heats of K1 200m both qualified for Semi Final Canoe Sprint Ireland Canoeing IrelandOlympic Council of Ireland.

Pat O’Leary raced earlier today coming in 9th in the final.

Good morning at the world sprint champs for all our competitors – they made it through to the semi-finals Jenny Egan 5th K1 500m: Barry Watkins 5th K1 1000m, Peter Egan and Simas Debrovolkis 5th K2 200M, Andrzej Jerierski 5 C1 200m, Semifinals this afternoon

Tom Brennan became the fastest man in Ireland makes the A final at the u23 worlds! BOOM 👊🍀💪

Canoe Sprint Ireland and CANI

All Ireland Sprint Championships 2015

Date:    Saturday 29^th August 2015.

Venue:  Lough Rinn Canoeing/Rowing Regatta Centre, Mohill, Co.Leitrim

(Salmon Leap Canoe Club hold LD ranking race on Sunday 30^th August at the venue)

Events: K1/C1 1000m&200m    K2/C2 200m&500m   K4 1000m

Classes:

Senior Men/Women, ParaCanoe, Masters (35+),U-23 M&F,U-18 M&F,U-15 M&F

U-14 Open Guppies/Lightning’s (or other kayaks max. length 4.2m) over 200/500m

K4 Open mixed with 1 Senior/U23, Junior, Master, and Female per crew to provide equal crews where possible. Clubs may enter as many crews as possible and combine clubs.

Entry Fee:  Unlimited event entry all in fee: Juniors €15, Seniors €25 to be paid with entry. Late entry fee €5 per person

Payment by PayPal:  https://www.paypal.com/ie/webapps/mpp/home click send from drop down menu. Enter canoesprintireland@gmail.com and enter amount. Pay by credit card or PayPal account, make sure you use a reference.

Event Details:  ICF standard Canoe Sprint 9 lane regatta course.

K1 heats will be open and may be seeded for all classes (males, females, juniors) combined based on past history, performance, etc., at the organiser’s discretion.

Times will determine qualification to Finals.

Closing date for entries is Tuesday 25^th August

Complete Google Docs entry form at :  http://goo.gl/forms/kVkqr4giYf

We are also looking for volunteers and more sponsors to help out on the day.

Please contact canoesprintireland@gmail, performance@cani.org.uk, or David Pringle 0872480055 if you are willing to help.

Racing Notes for Clubs:

• All K boats must comply with ICF rules regarding boat weight standards ie 12 kg for K1 and 18 kg for K2.
• Clubs should nominate a Team Leader for the regatta who can liaise with the race organisers. There will be a team leaders meeting at 9:30am on Saturday at the regatta course. All paddlers should be on site by 10.00.
• The timetable is very tight so please make sure that all paddlers and crews arrive at the start line in good time (at least 5 minutes) before their race is due to start.

The starter will not wait if paddlers are not in the start area when called.

• All athletes should wear their club colours and all boats should have race numbers
• Closing date for entries is Tuesday 25^th August – please make sure that your club entries arrive in good time.
• National Sprint Championship titles will be awarded to the first Irish paddler both male and female in the K1 class 1000m, 200m and K2/K4 Class finals – see below.
• Entries will also be accepted in the K boat classes from paddlers who wish to paddle other types of boats eg sea-boats, down river or wild water boats, provided they do not exceed maximum length for K1 of 5.2m or for K2 of 6.5m and exceed the minimum weight.
• Lightnings/Guppies will be used by multiple paddlers and must be returned immediately after use.
• Please wear club colours/tracksuits for medal ceremony’s which will take place throughout the day.

Slalom:

A week-long training camp is under way in Krakow, Poland in preparation for the Junior / U23 European Slalom Championships which kick off there from 26th – 30th of this month. The team is:

K1M U23 Sam Curtis, Elliott Davidson and Cade Ryan
K1M Jun Noel Hendrick, Ali McCreery and Daragh Bergin
K1W U23 Aisling Conlan and Sarah McDonagh
K1W Jun Ciara Farrell
C1M U23 Liam Jegou and Jake Cochrane
C1M Jun Robert Hendrick
C1W Jun Caoimhe O’Ferrall
C2 Jun Robert and Noel Hendrick

The team is managed by Ciaran Farrell and coaching support is provided by Eoin Rheinisch, Marc Jegou and Matt McKnight.

Marathon:

Blurb from Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club’s race on Wednesday 19^th August.

“Great race tonight, looked like over 80 boats on water, special thanks to Ken Boland, Alex McClure, Niall Boland on the bank and to Pat Boyd, Peter Walsh, Charlie Buckley, Frank Murphy, Paul Murphy, Peter Lazarus and Frank and Mary Blanche. Big thanks to all club leaders from Laoise, Thomastown and Clonmel for bringing so many paddlers, it was a great evening. Thanks also to prize sponsors Zuni Kilkenny, Padmore & Barnes, I-Canoe and Blue Wall. Funds go to ONeill Centre.”

Junior Paddlefest:

Dear TDU members, Instructors, Coaches, Trainees and Club Secretaries

Yes it’s that time of year again, Junior Paddlefest is on the 19^th and 20^th September 2015.  Junior Paddlefest is now the largest Junior Kayaking Event in Europe and has won Outsider Event of the Year several times thanks to the tremendous work of the event organisers and the generous voluntary support of our network of instructors, coaches and trainees over the years.  This year we are again recruiting volunteers and asking for your help to continue the massive success of this event by repeating the fantastic sessions that make the event so unique and entertaining for the kids who take part.

This event is a great opportunity for trainee instructors and coaches to log a large number of hours with a great variety of qualified individuals over a short 2 day period.

If you are available and interested in helping out please fill out the volunteer registration form by going to the following link:http://canoe.ie/junior-paddlefest-volunteer-recruitment and we will send on all of the final details closer to the event.  This event is a great opportunity for trainee instructors and coaches to log hours and gain experience.

Please note that volunteers must make their own accommodation arrangements with the Hidden Valley campsite if staying overnight, www.irelandholidaypark.com .

Thanks for your help and support.

Liffey Descent:

The 1st of September is fast approaching which means the late entry fees will apply to your 2015 Liffey descent entry. Make sure to get your application into the Liffey Descent committee on liffeydescent@canoe.ie or post your application to Canoeing Ireland, Irish Sports HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

http://canoe.ie/liffey-descent/

Polo:

The Shannon sprint kayak challenge:

The Shannon has always attracted paddlers from near and far. With the ongoing Blueways Ireland developments on the Shannon by Waterways Ireland it is inspiring to see and hear of the river being used more and more. Thanks to David Horkan from Paddle & Pedal there is now an official Shannon record and a challenge for people to conquer. A great expedition and super write up below.

http://www.dhkayaking.com/blog/setting-the-standard-on-the-shannon-sprint

The Training and Development Unit are running RSR 1 & 2  on Sunday, 4 October 2015 from 09:30 to 17:00 (IST)

The River Safety & Rescue CPD is open to any trainee/qualified instructor in their respected discipline/qualification to develop both skills & teaching styles.

To book, please click on the eventbrite link below:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rsr-1-2-tickets-18243184857