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Irish Sea Kayaking Challenge |
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 The intention was to kayak in individual kayaks across the Irish Sea (North Channel), leaving from Donaghadee just south of Belfast, and hopefully arriving in Portpatrick near Stranraer later that day.
The crossing is about 24 miles, made more tricky with the cross tides, nearby ferries, and the large population of great white sharks to be found in the area.
We were accompanied by a large powered ship, which had the capacity to bring all kayakers, and their boats on board in the event of problems arising.
As it happened, the day turned out to be a bit windier than we might have liked. You can watch the video of the event by clicking here!
You can read all about the challenge & still donate at our micro-site: www.irishseachallenge.co.uk.
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Setting off to Keswick on a (rare) glorious day, all 30 of us arrived at the designated meeting point ON TIME. We all condensed ourselves, sardine-like, into a smaller number of cars & proceeded onwards to the ghyll! On arrival we changed into our fleecey all-in-ones, everyone looking a bit panda-like, and our waterproof jackets. After a 15 minute walk / climb we arrived at the first pool, where we all jumped in and realised how cold the water was. Having now acclimatised to the temperature, and after the bare essentials on safety we began our descent thorugh the ghyll. Roo was leading all the way and we started a series of watery inclines / waterfalls.
By started, I mean we actually slid down the rocks & water without any padding except our bums! We arrived at one plunge pool whee it proved so popular we did it twice ... some jumped, some slid, some cried, but we all got very wet. After two hours we eventually arrived at the end of the ghyll, soaked, but delighted, and with most participants suggesting we do it all over again. |  |
There were no serious casualities, despite the height & wateryness of it all ... some bruises by the careless and many aches & pains, from our youngest scrambler (Abigail, 8) through to our oldest (Peter Stephenson, 54).
There have already been calls to repeat the trip, but closer to home, so look forward to diving into Cloughbridge Reservior shortly!
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Rossendale Rays receive £500 from Rossendale Round Table |
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Left to right
Dan Hatton (Vice Chairman of Rossendale Round Table), Clare Mulderrig (Rossendale Rays), Dave Howarth (Chairman of Rossendale Round Table), Corey Sumner, Peter Stephenson (Chairman of Round Table Area 34), Sharon Sumner, Paul Mulderrig (Chairman Rossendale Rays)
Rossendale Rays came to a Rossendale Round Table meeting held at The Glory, Loveclough, Rossendale to talk about their swimming charity. There were over 15 Round Table members who listened intently to the "double act" of Corey Sumner and Paul Mulderrig explaining about the multi swim charity. The Rossendale Rays was established in July 2005 and was opened to swimmers in November of the same year. The aim of the club is to provide water based leisure activities for members with disability/multi ability using local resources.
The Rossendale Rays operates an open door philosophy welcoming members from all communities and provide resources and equipment that will maximise the potential of its members. Rossendale Round Table Chairman, Dave Howarth, is joining up with Paul Mulderrig, Rossendale Rays Chairman and others to ride Coast to Coast to help raise money for the charity. They hope to raise in excess of £2,500. Round Table members were so impressed by the good cause they donated £500 to the Rossendale Rays Coast to Coast challenge to help the charity on the way to achieving its target.
Rossendale Round Table will be attending Edenfield village fete on 6th June with their infamous Human Fruit Machine. Anyone who wants to add some fun and friends to their life should contact Rossendale Round Table using the "Contact Us" menu item on the left.
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