Feb,2025
Hi Members,
This coming July the club will be established 10 years. It evolved from Kay, Lorraine and Louise having a discussion about setting up a dragon boat club, a month later they paid for the first boat, a month later again we had the boat and a place to call home and another month later, we started paddling on Lough Lannagh, kicking off with a paddling session with Julie and a helming course. Oh those brave helms!!!!🫣🤩
The Club has gone from strength to strength each year so this year, being our 10th year, we are looking for your help, to make this year the best one yet.
We hope to increase our Social and Regatta paddlers, bringing a more relaxed session to the social group while bringing a more competitive session to our regatta group.
How you can help?
if each member can recruit somebody ie. Family member or friend , we will have two paddling groups independent of each other. The last few years, we have been depending on the regatta crew doing 2 sessions, in order for the social crew to go out.
It would mean a huge amount to the Club and the committee….. we’ll make it worth your while😉.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to seeing you all back on the water again
Louise
Oct,2024
Pic: The weeds in a bad year
As we come to the close of our Dragon Boat season. We would like to thank the OPW, Shane Flaherty and John Mooney and his team for their assistance to the club this year.
Each year users of Lough Lannagh lake face a recurring challenge with weed growth, especially during the summer months. These weeds pose difficulties for casual swimmers, triathlon participants, kayakers, and particularly our 20-person Dragon Boats, hindering effective training.
As our Club spends the summer preparing for regattas across Ireland, having a clear paddling route is essential for practicing race timing and refining race starts. Our social paddlers also greatly benefit from a weed-free lake. Each year, the Office of Public Works (OPW), with the support of local councillors such as Ger Deere, Jarlath McHale and Blackie Gavin, steps in to help tackle this issue.
A weed-cutting machine, accompanied by a safety boat, is brought in to clear the lake, ensuring it is safe and accessible once more.
This year, the efforts of Shane Flaherty, OPW Engineer, and John Mooney, OPW Foreman and his team, have been instrumental in keeping the lake clear. Our club, Vivienne Kyne and Louise Rodgers would like to thank both Shane and John and the lads for their tireless work in removing the weeds, ensuring smooth waters for all lake users.
Lough Lannagh remains a valuable resource for the community and a source of pride for the town. Keeping the water clear and accessible benefits not only local clubs but also ensures that this beautiful lake can be enjoyed by everyone, all year round.
Oct,2024
Mayo County Council has made significant improvements to the approach and ramp leading to our pontoon on Lough Lannagh, greatly benefiting our club. A special thanks goes to David Mellet, Head of Castlebar Municipal District, and his team for their hard work in revamping the area.
For several years, the Club had to rely on makeshift solutions to access the pontoon, such as using pallets and tyres, especially during the winter months when water levels in the lake rise. These temporary fixes were less than ideal, making it difficult for paddlers to access the pontoon and launch the Dragon Boat.
The recent improvements by the council have transformed the space, providing a much smoother gradient on the slipway and enhancing the surface. Most notably, the installation of a solid 12ft by 4ft concrete base now ensures a stable and safe approach to the pontoon, making access much easier for all.
The Club is grateful to the Council for this essential upgrade, which will improve both safety and enjoyment for paddlers year-round.
