Cork Rodeo 2010

Saturday saw this years Cork Rodeo at the Cork Sluice on the Lee.

I made the long journey down with both C1 and OC1, picking Niall and the Irish Freestyle PA on the way.

Unfortunately there was no release for the event, so instead of the usual thrashy and aptly named "hole of death" we had a much more relaxed affair.

There were 3 C1s competing, with Jack Phelan from Waterford having his first outing. I spent most of my runs trying to get a Space Godzilla just so I would beat Niall as Phonics Monkeys weren't sticking in the hole. I almost got one, but was a bit too scrappy to count. Due to the lack of power we resorted to silly moves like paddle spins and rail grabs, and even the odd shudder rudder.

I competed in the OC1 in the same heats as the mens sport so I could have a break between my runs. The feature didnt have enough power to cartwheel, so I had to resort to spins and enders. I went for some air and flamboyance at the end by paddling into the feature standing in the boat and leaping out - crowd pleasing to the end.

Liffey Descent 2010

Saturday saw the 51st Liffey Descent.

For the 3rd year, Sonya and myself headed to Dublin to race in the Touring Canadian Doubles class.

Unlike previous years we have competed, Saturday morning was very very wet - with the first rain in months. Despite this moods were still high in the car park in Straffan.

 Luckily the rain stopped about 10 minutes before we were to get on the water and start the paddle up to the start line.

After much waiting around the race finally started, and before long the final group, the open boats were allowed to go.

First up was Straffan Weir - just after the start. Last year we got a decent line on river right, and this year I was amazed that somehow Sonya brought us down a line so far right I looked longingly at the stopper we had completely missed. No bailing required, great start and on with the Jungle.

We carried on, making up a few places until the portage, where as usual we make up a number of places from having the wheels ready for running, and wading through the ditch at the end to avoid the queue to get back on.

This year we decided to run the Sluice instead of the chicken line, and I believe we may have got some air at the bottom as our boat went at about 60 degrees up the wave and over the back of it.

Wrens nest was our only slip this year - literally - as I simply fell out of the boat halfway down the weir due to the amount of edge on the boat on my offside. We quickly gathered ourselves, and boat and headed to the last big weir or Palmerstown. This year we nailed the perfect line, and swung around the wave to avoid getting nay water in the boat.

The finish in sight - we spot Niall in his C1 WWR (which we discover later had 14 holes and a bend in it) and we push for the finish.

We came across the line in just over 3hours, in 12th place and the 1st mixed crew to finish - success - roll on next year