Congratulations to Kirsten Hand-Howard, who successfully completed the Level 5 River Kayak Skills Assessment in Val Sesia, Italy, on 23 May.
This significant achievement places Kirsten among a very small group of paddlers to reach the highest standard of river kayaking skills assessment in Ireland. She becomes just the fifth woman ever to complete the assessment and the 57th paddler overall to achieve the qualification. Mark Fitzpatrick also successfully completed the assessment on the day, becoming the 58th paddler to achieve the award.
The assessment is recognised as one of the most demanding awards in the Canoeing Ireland training and education pathway, requiring a high level of technical ability, judgement, leadership and river-running expertise.
A fantastic accomplishment for both paddlers, and particularly for Kirsten as she joins a select group of women who have reached this milestone in Irish paddle sport. The qualification was assessed by Shane McElligott and observed by Susan Doyle and Cian McNally as part of their Level 5 Instructor pathway.
