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Steve T

I have for a while talked about doing the Liffey Descent. We thought about it this year but that would mean two weekends away in September which was not really a goer so recent pub talk has been about sorting this out for next year (September 2010!). It has to be said that the person who is the most enthusiastic about this has yet to be educated that Guinness does not come in pink as standard, so maybe 14 months’ preparation is a good idea. I’m not sure that drinking lager shandy through a (possibly pink) straw goes on much in Dublin either.

The basic format is a marathon race on the River Liffey near Dublin, usually the first Saturday in September (04/09/10). It’s about 17 miles long and there are some rapids but there are also ten weirs which usually result in carnage as huge numbers of paddlers hit them at once. Some do take the racing seriously but for most of the 1000+ paddlers it’s just a huge paddling event and a lot of fun.

Of course it’s not just the paddling but the craic which attracts the numbers. The plan would be to travel Friday, camp and return Sunday after the party which is organised for Saturday night.

There are various travel options, such as:

- A number of cars on the ferry, each full of people & boats
- Hired Minibus & trailer on the ferry
- Hire a van to take all the boats & gear by ferry, everyone else goes low-life class on Ryanair
- Go with a specialist travel agent who will organise everything (for a fee)

Or some combination of the above.

Four different ferries go from Holyhead, and there is an overnight sailing from Birkenhead. Ryanair fly from Manchester or Liverpool; Aer Lingus from Manchester.

Let me know if you have even a vague interest in this and I’ll do some investigating. Some information is on this year’s website here: http://www.liffeydescent.com/

I've made this a sticky post so that it doesn't disappear down the page over the next year.

Steve
_________________
Steve Thomas
Secretary & Website Editor

www.westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk
website@westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk

GrahamS · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 182 Location: Warrington

I'm definately interested in this, but possibly taking family and going for a week.

Mike · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 50 Location: Tyldesley

Also Definatly interested, actually i might aswell just say i am going. I shall participate in any logistical operation where required.

Phil · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 91

You know im in
but just for the record the pink Guiness is me but im not taking the blame for the straw bit, eh Mike

LALA · Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 84

Im up for this trip also. We will get a baby sitter for that weekend.

Lisa

Mel Stoddart · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 207

Count me in as well

Dave W · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 96

I would like to go but may need a bigger boat.

Steve T · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

_________________
Steve Thomas
Secretary & Website Editor

www.westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk
website@westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk

Mel Stoddart · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 207

Bigger boats are for wimps! (Or for rescuing people in small boats...)

CarlS · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

Or not!

Jon W · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 129

Count me in also....even I haven't got anything planned for September next year (yet!). Might also make a long weekend of it (Fri-Mon) but will go with the flow (literally). Talking of guinness...check out the permutations

http://www.guinntiques.com/blacklist/

here's a quote from the site:

Steve T · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

I'd better not let my father-in-law see that page.
_________________
Steve Thomas
Secretary & Website Editor

www.westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk
website@westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk

CarlS · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

Women drinking guiness? They will want to be playing cricket next!

Steve T · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:

To start some planning, a very rough idea of costs based on 2009 prices might be:

• Ferry £300 for one vehicle return (ie £75/person with four)
• Race entry €40
• Party ticket €15
• Plus camping fees and fuel

On top of that, Dave’s gonna need a bigger boat .....

There’s no point guessing exchange rates to the penny but if you were to budget £150 upwards per person (plus food and pink beer money) you wouldn’t be far away unless I’ve forgotten something obvious. That’s based on just filling cars with people, the more complicated options might be cheaper but probably not by much, once we’ve hired a van and/or trailer, and if people fly over they will still need transport.

You must be a BCU member to enter (there you go – that’s a reason). Presumably comprehensive so that’s another £38.75 if you’re not already a member.

Your entry form must be signed off by a Level 3 coach to say you are OK to paddle the course (I nearly wrote “competent” there and thought better of it).

Unfortunately kids can’t paddle as you have to be 16+.

YouTube stuff here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x52cOoSqUw

Steve
_________________
Steve Thomas
Secretary & Website Editor

www.westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk
website@westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk

Steve T · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Not watched them all the way through yet but these look good - some aerial pictures (mainly "serious" paddlers in "serious" boats, but still some numpties falling in):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VV_DyBTjRU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNxNugOpIQ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KN6Pw61EqY

Steve

_________________
Steve Thomas
Secretary & Website Editor

www.westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk
website@westhoughtoncanoeclub.org.uk