Liffey Descent September 2010 (Yes, next year!)

Steve T · Liffey Descent September 2010 (Yes, next year!)

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

GrahamS

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

Mike

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

Phil

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

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

Lisa

Mel Stoddart

Count me in as well

Dave W

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

Steve T

Mel Stoddart

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

CarlS

Or not!

Jon W

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

I'd better not let my father-in-law see that page.

CarlS

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

Steve T

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 T

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

GrahamS

No longer taking the family at those prices, so can fill the Galaxy - might struggle with 7 boats though!

Mike

Think i will have to invest in a really stubby boat for this!

Mel Stoddart

Watched the U tube footage, well funny

Think that even sending Carl over first won't save us all, although didn't see too many TREES OF DEATH!

Phil

Its full of killer clams though Mel

Bradshaws · Help on the transport

Hi all I am letting you know I am making a trailer for the car which I am making it to fit 4,5 kayaks with gear. Also my car carries 2 kayaks so I will be able to take 6 people plus myself. This would cut down on the cost of the trip. Anyone interested

Phil

Darren me and Lisa would be intrested if thats ok

Steve T

Good idea Darren. The combination of a couple of 7-seat cars plus a trailer might be the cheapest way. If luggage space is a premium with the seats up then maybe one 7-seater with trailer plus my truck might work better.

It all depends on numbers, so we'll work it out nearer the time once we have a better idea of that.

I have been thinking that 17 miles is a bloody long way so maybe we should even plan for few flat water training sessions through next summer.

I am sort of thinking about doing it two-up in the club's open boat. Anyone fancy joining me?

Steve

Dave W

I may be up for that steve. save me buying a bigger boat.

Mel Stoddart

Tandem sounds like a great idea, I'd be up for that if no one else wants to join you. Hopefully we'd still be talking by the end of it........
Flat water paddles..... any chance we can sneak a small motor onboard?

Car wise, I don't think that my mini would be the best to transport gear or boats, so a lift would be nice

CarlS

Phil

If thats your boat i ll do it.
One problem though i think im banned from going in with Steve (Jinx) it would defo be a wet one

Dave W

As I said I think we need a bigger boat.

Phil

Hey Dave ive noticed one thing though they dont have a BBQ on it

Dave W

I am sure with a bigger boat we could fit one and sell bacon buttys to te padlers as they pass to fund the trip.

Phil

Good idea do you reckon we could get four in Steve can paddle Carl can cook, and we ll drink the ale and sell the buttys to the paddlers to fund it

Dave W

count me in

Phil

Cool i think Carl will suit a chefs hat (one of them big tall white ones)

Bradshaws · Club trailer

Hi steve,all
I have be thinking of making a club trailer, for next to nothing, that we could fit how many kayak's as we can.

Steve T

Phil

Ok Steve you can get in with me and Dave and we ll let Graham do the paddling,only thing is i think we will spend most of the way upside down now and the bacon buttys will get wet

Steve T

A little bit on last weekend's event: http://www.independent.ie/nationa...the-50th-liffey-race-1879875.html

We'll be there next year!

Liffey Descent September 2010 (Yes, next year!)

Help on the transport

Club trailer