Skerries Meet - March 2004
A View From the North
The first ISKA meet of the 2004 season was arranged for Saturday 6th March, for the Skerries. It was a well-attended affair with 26 paddlers from across the country enjoying a great day in excellent weather and sea conditions.
On the road from 07:45, Mark Clague, David Lyness and I headed for Banbridge to pick up Lorna Aiken and Mark Mulholland, already having Lorna's boat loaded we loaded Mark's and set out for Newry to meet Roy Doherty. In what must be the longest boat transfer in history and a new BKC "faffing" around record, we were at last on the road south. With only 45 miles to go we still managed to arrive twenty minutes late of the 10 am start time, we half expected to see boats heading off into the distance without us. There were a good number of boats lined along the narrow shore outside the RNLI boathouse waiting to go, but thankfully a number of boats were still arriving and with the panic over we relaxed and looked forward to meeting everyone.
Outside the RNLI boathouse
To my shame I hadn't been to an ISKA meet since early 2001 and was really looking forward to the first paddle of the 2004 season. For the others, it was their first time at an ISKA meet and I was hoping for a good introduction.
On arrival meet organizer Sean Pierce along with Des Keaney and fellow northerner Ricky Fulton warmly welcomed the six of us who travelled down from the north for the day.
Sean returned minutes later give us two options, the first was a short paddle around the inner islands of Colt and St. Patrick and then out to Rockabill, the second was Lambay Island, in total a good twenty three kilometre paddle finishing at Rush. It was to be Lambay for us, and an excellent choice it would prove to be.
After the shuttle was made to Rush we were introduced to the Brian Forrest who would be leading the Lambay trip and after a short brief we were on the water.
The sun was shinning, the temperature warm and once on the water we were welcomed by a pleasant chop heading out towards Colt Island.
Our aim was to re-group behind St. Patrick's Island and then split into two groups. After another short brief we watched several paddlers led by Sean making their way out to open water towards the lighthouse. For the rest of us, it was catching the tide to Lambay and with the wind in our back the going was to be easy.
Leaving the Skerries
As with most large groups on the water, people fell into smaller groups of two or three or even paddled solo. I find this to be one of the beauties sea paddling has over river paddling. You have the space to paddle solo, all be it within the safety of a group or paddle along someone for a chat and then drift off again by yourself. On a couple occasions Brian, assisted by Dave Carraher re-grouped us and gave a few directions as to where we should be heading. The plan on reaching Lambay was to circumnavigate the island in a clockwise direction finishing on the west side and then make the crossing over to Rush.
The paddle towards Lambay had been enjoyable; the sea was little more than flat and with the tide and tail wind pushing us on at a rapid rate we arrived at the island in no time. As we approached Lambay, hundreds of birds showed their displeasure at being disturbed and I found myself a target as the odd splat appeared on the water close to my boat.
Landing on Lambay
 .
Travelling along the east side of the island, a precarious little landing spot was chosen to exit for lunch. Having visions of me taking a swim I must thank Moira Creedon who went beyond the call of duty to ensure I didn't get as much as my feet wet. With everyone safely off the water we found a little sunspot for lunch. As it turned out we all assembled at the feet of Dave Carraher, who was a constant source of lunchtime entertainment. Life according to Dave, or should I say marriage, children and kayaking, is not only interesting, but also very colourful.
An audience with Dave Carraher
After lunch and an equally precarious launch we continued around the island. It was my first visit to Lambay and the island certainly was worth the visit. The owners, for obvious reasons are not keen on people landing without permission and to do so, it must be very low key and with the minimum amount of intrusion. An excellent article in Treasna Na dTonnta no.33 when local paddlers got an invite to visit the island gives a great account of the islands history, flora and fauna and is well worth reading.
As interested as we were in the island, several seals found us a source of interest after we had disturbed their afternoon nap. Following us along the south side they would appear, pose for the camera and then disappear just before I could release the shutter, no doubt laughing as they went. However, remembering the earlier encounter when disturbing the birds I couldn't help thinking how grateful I was that seals that can't fly.
A seal in not so hot pursuit
Rounding the south side and moving along the west side of the island the very impressive out buildings and harbour of the Kelly home came into view. With a short re-group and instructions as to the direction of Rush we set off for the mainland. The blue skies we had enjoyed for most of the day had finally circum to a rather large dark rain cloud bringing with it an increase in the wind. Shortly before it hit us Brain and Dave gave instructions to close up into a tighter group. For the next fifteen minutes we paddled into a nice force six. The increased wind changed the sea into a nice lumpy chop and along with the rain made great paddling conditions. Discussing the day on the return journey north, this was without doubt everyone's favourite part of the trip.
Ricky Fulton & Moira Creedon
The wind and rain passed as quick as it had arrived and we were left with a pleasant return to Rush, interrupted only with a few scattered showers and a couple of unsuccessful photo stops to capture a rainbow.
Once we reached Rush, everyone quickly changed and loaded their kayaks leaving us northerner's once again faffing around with a dodgy trailer and a concern we would miss out on a pint back in the Skerries. This fear was re-enforced after a few wrong turns later, we were met by several kayak-laden cars heading in the opposite direction. Back in the Skerries and a quick search of the three pubs in the vicinity we found Sean Pierce, Brian Forrest and a few others among those celebrating Ireland's victory over England at Twickenham. A couple of well-earned pints later we were back on the road home having had a fantastic day out on the water.
I would like to thank Sean, Brain and of course Dave who all made the day very memorable.thanks.
|
