On Sunday 12th September a few members of Sligo Kayak Club did a run of the Boyle river. This was a very significant exertion as for some it was their first experience of real whitewater. We gathered bright and early at the club container and made our way in a convoy to the get in (again we'd like to thank some of the parents for giving people lifts and helping with the car shuttle.)
For our beginners the moving water and eddy lines provided a safe and gentle spot for practicing skills such as breaking out and ferry gliding; while the more experienced members practiced rolling, tail squirts and cartwheels.
As we made our way down there were a few swims, but thankfully the Boyle is a forgiving river and nobody was hurt or too shaken up. Paddlers were in good spirits for the duration of the trip, the beginners were buzzing so much from their first spin on Assilyn that some even hiked up the hill along the river bank to do it again!
We had brought along throwbags in the hope of doing some rope practice, however by 4 O'Clock we were pushed for time and light and so we didn't get a chance. Not to worry though, we plan on having another trip this Sunday (19th September) and many more in the coming months.
