Surf’s up as venues chosen

Venues across the South-East have been chosen to host the country’s top canoeing and kayaking club competition next year.

The white-knuckle contests are expected to draw top water sports enthusiasts into the region following the decision by Canoeing Ireland to hold the events at Kilkenny city, Graiguenamanagh, and Tramore on the Waterford coast.

More than 400 athletes from clubs all over the island will compete for the title of inaugural club champion over the two-day competition on Apr 12-13 next.

The Canoeing Ireland Club Championships 2014 are likely to be a major revenue-spinner for both Kilkenny and Waterford and a showcase event for the region with hundreds more supporters, family and friends expected to flock to the venues.

The Ultimate Club will be crowned based on its athletes’ cumulative performances across all of the eight disciplines which include wildwater racing in Clashganny; sprint kayaking and freestyle kayaking in Kilkenny city as well as kayak-surfing in Tramore.

Canoeing Ireland development officer Benny Cullen said: “Kilkenny was chosen due to its central location, its large variety of rivers in close vicinity to the city and its welcoming atmosphere.

“Organisations such as Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership and Kilkenny Leader Partnership have done Trojan work in the region to promote the sport, improve facilities and get more people active and out on the rivers,” he said.

Novices will also get an opportunity to dip their toes in the water with taster sessions to run on the Saturday of the club championships.

*See www.canoe.ie