Mickey Barry on the Upper Sesia, Val Sesia, Italy.
I've spent the past six months working hard during the week so I can afford to boat hard come the weekend. There are many of you out there doing the same thing no doubt. I'm constantly trying to tweak my schedule so that I can get more time on the water which is not always easy. I've come to really appreciate every minute on the river and that two great days paddling beats one average day and one nothing day recovering from the night before!
A big day on the Clare Glens, too big for me, 1.1m.
Moving from the west coast to the east of Ireland has been a big change and although there is not as much water about I find the guys over here are very determined to make the most of every opportunity. I was not very familiar with the rivers here but after a few weekends spent getting lost in the Wicklow hills I think the runs here are on a par with (and maybe better!) than in Connemara. We even had a week of unexpected snow melt paddling in glorious sunshine ala the Alps in June. Some of the benefits of global warming maybe?
Landwasser waterfall, Val Sesia, Italy
I planned at the start of the year to try a few different kayaking disciplines, mainly to help with instructing but also just out of curiosity. I'm now hooked on slalom paddling and have a dream to paddle round Ireland by sea kayak some day! Having spent most of my time in plastic creek and freestlye boats it was a real eye opener to get to run some gates with top Irish slalom boater Eamon Rheinisch and the following weekend to be exploring caves in a big swell off Achill Island with Ali Donald of Saoirse na Mara. There really are endless adventures to be had kayaking in Ireland, no matter what the weather is doing, just get out there.
Sea kayaking with the seals off the Mayo coast.
