By Cleo Pitcher-Farrell

This year’s Irish Kayaking Intervarsities came back to the River Liffey in Dublin, hosted and organised by two Trinity alumni – Hannah Doyle and Cleo Pitcher Farrell. The intervarsities has long been one of Ireland’s biggest kayaking events, this year seeing over 250 entries from 13 different college clubs. With 5 different events over the weekend the competition was fierce and as always the craic was mighty.

Saturday saw all the clubs, competitors and spectators descend on St Catherine’s park in Lucan to the infamous ‘Sluice’ weir. The colleges participated in two events, a whitewater time trial, and head-to-head Kayak Cross race, a discipline which debuted in the Paris Olympics in 2024. The river bank was filled with spectators with the Kayak Cross having everyone of the edge of seats, with four competitors launching at the same time off a custom built ramp into the river and there was no shortage of flips, swims and rolls. After launching off the ramp, competitors then had to navigate the river waves, a course of gates and battle their way to hit the finish banner first. While the University of Galway came out on top in the whitewater event, the University of Limerick’s true fighting spirit showed, landing them first place in kayak cross.

Image: Three kayakers slide down a bright pink ramp into a river
Photo: Dan Clohessy

Sunday saw a move from the river to Leixlip reservoir where competitors showed off their freestyle skills; flips, rolls, cartwheels, air guitars etc, all in a kayak! This was followed by a long distance race around the lake, supported by Salmon Leap Canoe Club. The race was contested by 14 different classes, with long and short distance course ensuring everyone from beginners to seasoned racers could take part.

The final day brought competitors and spectators to Phibsborough for the Canoe Polo competition. With three pitches in play at the same time there was no shortage of action or drama. A very tight final saw last year’s polo champions TUD take on UCC. In a tight game TUD managed to come out on top, again taking home the Polo trophy. Thanks to all the sponsors, especially local shops I-Canoe and The Canoe Centre, the awards ceremony saw many participants walk away with lots of amazing prizes. The University of College Cork ultimately took home the win and will be hosting the Intervarsities in 2027.

Image: A group of college students celebrate holding a trophy. They are in a function room stood in front of a projector screen
Photo: Kirsten Hand-Howard

Featured photo: Karl Caulfield