Experts of Rowing need only apply...

ba

In Ireland, where and who manufacture Olympic Rowing Boats? And how many clubs are sited along the east coast of Ireland? I have seen UCD/DCU training along the banks of the Liffey in Island Bridge... but are there more? And i'm not talking about traditional rowing clubs like St.Patrick's or anyone associated with the ECRC...

Becky_Boo

Not certain where/who would manufacture olympic rowing baots, I reckon you'd need to source that from the UK.
The other question though doesn't take a rowing expert to answer: In Islandbridge there are several non-ECRC rowing clubs. UCD, Commercial RC, Neptune RC, Dublin Metropolitan, Garda boat club all have their boathouses on the north banks of the Liffey in Islandbrige. Trinity have their's on the opposite side but they all still train on the same stretch of the Liffey... DCU don't have a rowing team a such based on the Liffey so unless you meant Trinity, you didn't see DCU on the water.

SomeFool

There is no Irish manufacturer of olympic boats. They're all imported from the UK or europe. Have a look on www.iaru.ie and you'll find a complete list of clubs and locations.

ba

thanks lads. for the Gannon Cup how do trinity and ucd get their shells into the water? is there a slipway for this event?

have been trying to find out about this event in particular. how long is the race? 2k? and why don't they move it out farther east near Ringsend where the river is straighter?

i'd imagine the stretch of water up at islandbridge can get cramped if all the different clubs are out training the same night!

SomeFool

gannoncup.com is their web page. I actually know fcek all about it not being from Dublin but i think it's raced over 2k.

Pigeon Reaper

The only way of getting the boats in the water is walking them down the weir and launching from the bottom. It's a bit messy but not difficult. Then it's a nice warm up row down to the start.

Simarillion

There are no boat manufacturers in Ireland, all boats are shipped from the major companies; Empacher, Fillipi, Stamphli etc. mainly ordered through Reps in Ireland

Clubs in Dublin; Trinity, UCD, Neptune, Commercial, Defense Force, Dublin Metropolitan, Garda, King's Hospital (boat from Trinity) and Old Collegians (boat from UCD). Blackrock College have also started.

There are not many more on the east coast, Waterford is probably the next down, with places like Carlow along the way.

They all slip from Islandbridge, and in the case of racing along the Liffey you climb down the weir (awkward but fun)

Im almost certain it's 2k, and I think it's raced where it is because there's better spectating.

Becky_Boo

ba wrote: »

and why don't they move it out farther east near Ringsend where the river is straighter?

The race is indeed 2km.
The course was actually changed this year. It was moved further on out from the traditional O'Connell to Heuston bridge. I think it was part of an effort to attract more spectators, especially those leaving work up around the IFSC. The race started at Sean O'Casey bridge and crews rowed eastwards out past the Eastlink bridge. This course is completely straight so neither crew had any advantage with regards which station they drew.
Not sure if the organisers are intending on using the new course for the 2010 races. There was some problems with it last year, because the weather was was pretty rough the decision was made that novice crews would not be safe rowing that far out so all novice races had to take place above the weir in Islandbridge, bit of a let down for those crews.

ba

this is great, thanks for the information

also does anyone know where i can get a chart of the water depths in the liffey. i am particularly interested in the waters between the sean o casey bridge, past the toll bridge until the liffey channel divider. i suppose Poolbeg Yacht Club will have this chart, but can i get it online instead??

was down at the toll bridge last night, around low tide, and the variations in the water depth are immense given the silt depositing along the dodder. i wonder if it has been surveyed...

Pigeon Reaper

There's no formal chart for depths on the liffey at this area. It is dredged up to the customs house key but after that anything goes. Depending on where you are on the river it varies greatly. I would not recommend a journey at low tide or at springs as you'll have problems with water and clearence under some of the bridges. There are also many harzards in the river from debris and if taking a journey you should stay in the middle of the river. Dept sounders/fishfinders can be useful but not relied upon as they don't always pick up some of the dangers such as submerged logs/trolleys etc. It's also vital to keep an eye out for floating debris and worse. I've been up and down the river many times and it is possible but you want a shallow draft and some tide tables and go nice and slow if in a motor boat.