A 2 megawatt play session at Sluice and a medium level run down the Upper Liffey with two good friends up from the country.
Some of you guys will know them from their exploits in Siberia with TeamS7G. The money they and the rest of the group raised for the Red Cross through the sale of their video and other similar endeavors for the blind is admirable. A few of you may be luckier and know them personally.
Jimmy Fitzpatrick from Kilkenny is the biggest little man I know and Richard Kilfeather hailing from Sligo is another true gentleman.
I’ve done some of my most challenging paddling in the company of these guys and a better crew on the river you couldn’t have.
This is why it felt strange to be meandering down the Upper Liffey with them.
Neither of the guy’s had paddled the Upper before and as they’ve chalked up most of the other stretches in Wicklow including the Source of the Liffey it was decided the time, level and our proximity was right for a run.
The Upper is an enjoyable stretch of river. Its not too challenging but it drops consistently through out the run.
It’s a great warm up run for a day in Wicklow and a decent stretch for paddlers looking for a grade 3 ‘ish run. (level dependent) .
On the way down I told the lads about my goal to Helix before I’m 40.
Neither thankfully fell out of their boats laughing at this point, eyebrows where raised alright, but I wasn’t laughed off the water.
I explained my plan.
Step 1. I’m going to start to work out the move on flat water.
This is to help me dial the move into my head.
Step 2. Learn and practice Flip turns
Step 3. As I will rarely be anywhere other than Sluice work the flip turn into a
Felix ( Helix in a hole )
Step 4. Hit the surf or Gower and bust my nuts till I nail one.
Right after that I launched into a flat water attempt in a spot that was obvious to everybody but me too shallow and cracked my head off the bottom.
The lads where probably laughing at this stage.
Off to a great start then !
Well all I can do now is look forward to better water levels and wish ye all Happy paddling till my next post.
