Athy, First Regatta of the Year

Athy, First Regatta of the Year

May,2024

Our Ukrainian friends help with preparations for Athy, pictured with the ornate Dragon’s Head for the bow of the boat.

The first event of the year, the Athy Dragon Boat Regatta  took place on Sun, 5th May 2024.  The Athy Regatta is held on the River Barrow, Emily Square, Athy, Co Kildare.  The Gráine Mhaol club attend this regatta every year.

The weather in Athy was fabulous and the day was very enjoyable.  The Club had a great performance this year and continue to improve each year.

A large selection of photos were taken of preparing for the regatta and in Athy.  Photos were taken by paddlers and our member, Adrienn Hártó.  The photos are now available for viewing on our website PHOTO GALLERY.

 

VIEW MORE PHOTOS HERE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS

Advanced Paddling Course a huge Success

Advanced Paddling Course a huge Success

Apr,2024

A big thanks to Julie and Mick, Louise, the committee and all involved in running today’s course.   Also thanks to Mayo Sports Partnership and the Castlebar Adventure Hub.

Members agreed we all learned loads and hopefully we will improve our paddling technique and ace the Athy Regatta!

Thanks to Lough Lannagh for providing a super lunch.

 

Adris was club photographer on the day, check out her excellent photos in our Photo Gallery – click on link below

 VIEW HERE

Extra exercises for Dragon Boaters at home – link from by Adris  https://dragonanalytics.com.au/exercises-for-dragon-boaters-at-home/

The Club looks forward to Advanced Paddling Workshop

The Club looks forward to Advanced Paddling Workshop

Apr,2024

With the support of Mayo Sports Partnership, the Club has extended an invitation to Julie Doyle, Vice President of the Irish Dragon Boat Federation, to conduct an Advanced Dragon Boat Paddler Workshop. The course has received an overwhelming response, reaching full capacity quickly and necessitating the creation of a waiting list due to high demand.

31 Gráine Mhaol Dragons will take part this Saturday (April 13th) this has been made possible by Mayo Sports Partnership.

Members will participate in an extensive course.  It will commence at 9.00am and run until 4.30pm on Saturday.   To maximise numbers, paddlers will be rotated in and out on the day.

There will be classroom/land sessions and water based sessions.  Julie will cover paddling techniques, timing accuracy, land drills and paddling drills.  Other areas will include:

  • What makes a boat go faster?
  • Pushing yourself to the limit / Pain Tolerance
  • Mind over matter
  • Dragon boat start sequence

Julie will video groups of paddlers on the boat and review each individual’s paddling technique.  She will also run a run a Helm Test on the day.

Soup and sandwiches for lunch will be provided at no charge to members.

Our club and members extend a heartfelt thank you to MAYO SPORTS PARTNERSHIP for their generous sponsorship of this Advanced Padding course.

Sip and Dip

Sip and Dip

Jan,2024

Superb evening on Friday November 17th, Bridge St Bar, Castlebar, 7pm till late!

For our end of year get together we are organising a ‘Sip and Dip’ upstairs in Bridge St bar, Castlebar, followed by some finger food, drinks and mingling 😊

A 90-minute themed painting party guided and instructed by a professional artist between 7pm and 8.30pm/9pm. We will decide on the theme to paint on the day.

Easels, aprons, brushes and paints are supplied and a canvas each to take home with your masterpiece. It’s just for a bit of fun, so don’t worry if you can’t paint like Picasso 🎨 I can’t either 😅

€20 per person includes all supplies and food and you may buy your own drinks in the bar throughout the evening.

Thanks, Helen

A big thanks to the artists Tina & Susan from Susan Malone SMart Art School, Cavendish Lane and also to Declan in the Bridge Street Bar.

See photos of after the evening. Click below