Released 13.03.09

Waterways Ireland Barrow Wild Water Race

The Waterways Ireland Barrow Wild Water Race, Co Carlow on Sunday 8th March has delivered 10 prize-winners in different categories from the 74 Irish and UK paddlers that attended. The race was the penultimate round of the National Championship; the first of two National Wild Water Racing Team Selection races and the first Junior Series WWR race for a few months.

Wild Water Racing sees competitors pit their wits against the weirs, rapids and rocks the river may have in store, while racing as fast as possible downstream. In the Waterways Ireland Barrow Wild Water Race competitors sprinted in a 500m race from above the weir at Clashganna Lock in one minute intervals towards the finish line below the weir at Ballykennan Lock. The totals of two timed races per competitor resulted in a table of winners in each category.

In Men's Kayak the blue riband event, Kevin Pierse from Wild Water Kayak Club produced two flawless runs to win the event and secured the National Championship for the third year in succession. Local paddler Robin Newsome, from Thomastown Paddlers, won the Men's Kayak Division two category. In Men's Canoe class Keith McGuirk produced a dominant display to win by a convincing margin In the Women's Kayak category, Liz Shouldice, undefeated this season and already the National Champion, continued her winning ways.

In the Junior Section, National Champion Lorcan Feely from Salmon Leap Canoe Club in Leixlip, maintaining his unbeaten run and Aisling Conlan in the junior women's category from Wild Water Kayak Club in Dublin wrapped up her first National Championship

Martin Dennany Director of Marketing and Communication at Waterways Ireland commented that 'The venue at the Barrow is an ideal one for canoeists and kayakers seeking excitement throughout the year. The entire stretch of river is visible from the riverbank making it ideal for spectators, who can see the country's best canoeists battle it out on the river with a few capsizing and taking a swim in the cool water, all adding to the excitement of the event. The canal, which bypasses the weir and rapids, provides the means for them to paddle back up to the start between their first and second race runs, saving a very long walk". Martin also wished "all of those who took part every success in the next event."

With final places on the National Team and some National Championship titles still at stake, there is plenty to race for in the curtain closer on the River Liffey, at the Strawberry Bed's on the 22nd of March, a race which incorporates the notorious Palmerstown weir.

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For Further Information
Waterways Ireland Press Office Tel +353 87 9918412
Irish Wild Water Racing Committee Tel +353 86 8321759