The Blueway 10K Funday event  is on Saturday 14th October and will take place on a section of the River Barrow between Graiguenamanagh and Clashganny.  The 10Km course will involve 2 laps of this river section.

To book into the event, go to events on canoe.ie website and book in through your profile.

The morning registration for the Funday Event is at 9am at the Quay, next to the Scout Den. Click Here for the location. The event starts at 10am.

Participants can meander along the stunning section of river or they can race their friends to see who the fastest paddler over 10Km. You will also have the chance to travel up through a series of canal locks as they fill up and carry you on your journey up river.

For the more adventurous paddler, on the return leg there is also the option to experience some white water and paddle over the weir and down through the rock garden at Clashganny. Anyone wishing to take this option MUST WEAR A HELMET.

The event can be completed on a Kayak / Canoe / SUP. Participants must hold a level 2 skills award or higher to take part in the event.

If you do not own a kayak or have any equipment, it can be rented for the event (see below). This must be done prior to the event and cannot be done on the day

All participants will receive an event T- Shirt and and sports headwear on the day.

For novice paddlers there will be FREE taster sessions at Graiguenamanagh, where you can try out Kayaking, Canoeing  and SUP.

Please fill in the form below to make sure you secure your place for the Taster Session!

https://goo.gl/forms/KsvXxCuLlATJaxkf1

The Blueway 10K Funday taster sessions will take place on a section of the River Barrow called Graiguenamanagh.

The Taster Sessions will run from 10am to 4pm.

The Taster sessions will be on a Kayak / Canoe or SUP and will last 1 hour. Please bring spare clothes and old runners that can get wet. We will provide a buoyancy Aid, Helmet, boat/board and paddle.

Please note there is a limit of 8 persons per session so book early to avoid disappointment.

The tasters will happen at the following times:
10:00 Kayak
10:00 SUP
11:30 Kayak
11:30 SUP
13:00 Kayak
13:00 Canoe
14:30 Kayak – Final Session of the day
14:30 Canoe – Final Session of the day

Please fill in the form below to make sure you secure your place!

https://goo.gl/forms/KsvXxCuLlATJaxkf1

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR GEAR WITH REGARDS THE PLAGUE AFFECTING THE CRAYFISH POPULATION

The Crayfish plague is now on the Barrow from Royal oak.

For people operating on the Barrow, stick to you local area and if you have to move gear and boats, wash and dry for at least 48 hours before going to another water course.

  • Drain water from watercraft.
  • Inspect watercraft (inside and out) and other gear. Remove and safely dispose of all attached plant and animal material, mud or debris.
  • Rinse and disinfect all gear thoroughly this should be followed by a 48 hour drying period.  Milton can be used as a disinfectant, either make a solution or a spray. Or by washing gear in water over 40 degrees.
  • Disinfecting kayaks/canoes/paddles with (Virkon / Milton Solution or power hose with hot water over 40 degrees Celsius this should be followed by a 48 hour drying period.

Try to avoid paddling in the Barrow and Suir if they are not your local river. This will help prevent the spread of Crayfish plague to other waterways.

For anyone travelling to compete in any Canoeing Ireland competition or event please wash and dry your gear before competing and make use of wash stations at events before you leave.

Ireland is one of the last preserves of the white clawed crayfish.

For further information and if you spot any dead crayfish

Biodiversity Ireland

https://www.canoe.ie/bio-security-and-the-barrow/

https://www.canoe.ie/crayfish-plague-emergency-containment-measures/