Seventeen kayakers recently completed the 2006 Liffey Descent Kayak Race. The group consisted of some experienced kayakers from local Sandycove kayak Club, 6 beginners, and one spinal injured person (Marcus Causton). The ordeal involved 17.6 miles of moving water, starting at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare to Islandbridge in Dublin. Before starting the race competitors had to carry their kayaks while negotiating security at the K Club (in the lead up to the Ryder Cup), and then paddle 600 meters upstream to the start.
The race includes negotiating 11 weirs, 2 sets of rapids, and 1000 kayakers on the way down the river. The beginners included SII's own Siobhan O'Driscoll, and Oonagh Breen, staff nurse on Our Lady's Ward. A huge commitment was expected by all with weekly training on the sea at Sandycove, Co Dublin. Thirteen beginners started the training and eventually 6 completed the event. In the last few weeks the training increased to kayaking twice a week. I was accused of being a slave driver pushing everyone hard to be fit for race day. On the day itself there were 19 capsizing through the group with Marcus being one of the few not to have to brave the waters of the Liffey. All completed the race in just over 5 hours.
The idea behind this challenge was to publicise kayaking for spinal cord injured persons aimed at normal clubs integrating spinal injured people. We hope to train more SI kayakers to take part in next year's event and other river trips with other kayak clubs. Colm O'Brien attended the bulk of the training sessions this year and hopes to complete the event next year. We hope that the money raised may go towards the acquisition of another suitable kayak so that Colm and others will complete this event in the future.
My vision is to encourage all major clubs to bring one local spinal cord injured person on a river trip next year! That person could be you. Let me know if you need help with your local canoe/ kayak club. Michele Verdonck, Email - kayakcraic@yahoo.co.uk
A special thanks to Tony Carthy, Barbra Mullen, Conor Walsh and Sandycove Kayak club.
Michele Verdonck
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