liffey descent - advice please

sonofsteptoe

2 30somethings, reasonably fit, complete novices here, just completed our L2 with the (possibily illguided) intention of entering liffey descent 2013. We intend entering a couple of qualifier races (a) Do we require physciatric assesment:D (b)Which races would be suitable(South Dublin based) (c)We're both now in the market for boats for same (2nd Hand). Both of us are 6' 3" and 110kg approx. What type and where?? You will note that I have not said "complete the Liffey Descent" as having been a spectator on many occasions I have witnessed the carnage. :eek: So please go easy with the comments/criticisms:)

OldmanMondeo

First thing I would say is between now and then, paddle every evening. You're going to be in a boat for 2 - 3 hours, make sure what ever boat you get is comfortable. Since your buying for the race, try and get a second hand wavehopper, these are basically a WW racer made from plastic. They should cover the distance ok, If you can't get these, then Kemakraft used to make a plastic boat call a Skellig. If you are going for a composite boat (Fibreglass), than give it a good look over, check for soft spots etc. Unless you are thing of going in Class T2, 2 man boat, there are some plastic versions around. The reason I would say plastic over composite, is you probably would like to finish the course, fibreglass boats are usually the ones you see breaking in half after a weir.

As for paddles, have a set that feel good in your hands, make sure the shaft is clean and smooth, and nicks in plastic grips will cause welts and blisters.

Otherwise, clothing that's not too warm and dries out quick, good booties for the swims and portage.

Best of luck.

omicron

sonofsteptoe wrote: »

2 30somethings, reasonably fit, complete novices here, just completed our L2 with the (possibily illguided) intention of entering liffey descent 2013. We intend entering a couple of qualifier races (a) Do we require physciatric assesment:D (b)Which races would be suitable(South Dublin based) (c)We're both now in the market for boats for same (2nd Hand). Both of us are 6' 3" and 110kg approx. What type and where?? You will note that I have not said "complete the Liffey Descent" as having been a spectator on many occasions I have witnessed the carnage. :eek: So please go easy with the comments/criticisms:)

Do a lot of paddling as stated above, race is probably going to take you at least 4 hours.

Qualifier races are thin on the ground this year, race calender is available here. Races left that are downriver are:
-Thomastown (11km, no weirs)
-Possibly the Barrow descent (TBC), >20km with lots of small weirs.
-Possibly the lower liffey (again TBC), 14km over the lower section of the LD course including most of the weirs.

While I would advise doing a few races, you will prob need to get an instructor to sign off on you on the entry form as there may not be enough qualifier races left for you.

Buy some form of General Purpose class boat. Don't go for a creeker or river runner, will take you all day to do it. Go for something with a fair bit of volume in it.

Kayakswimkayak

You probably won't have enough time to prepare properly for this years Descent. Realistically 2014 would be no problem if you put the training in and you will have plenty of chances to compete in qualifier races by then.
The wavehopper is a good choice of kayak but try and get a go in one first to see if you like them.

sonofsteptoe

Thanks for the advice, Anyhow we've completed 2 races and with the Barrow cancelled we've been signed off and the entry forms are in! We've gone for the wavehoppers in the GP class. Watch this space!

Kayakswimkayak

Two races is not much experience to be honest. The water on LD day is really difficult to paddle in. Hope it goes well for you. Let us know how you get on..don't swim too much!!

nookie

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xt40

i agree with nookie. im sure you will be fine. as there has been no water since your initial post im guessing you have no experience of paddling a wavehopper/wwr in rough water . imo, the best technique is to paddle as hard as you can through the rought stuff. Power straight down all the V's and avoid the chicken shoots. WWR boats are more stable going fast in the rough than on flat water due to the stabilising effect of the wings. Watch the videos on youtube and pick your line well in advance of each weir

omicron

how was it?!

sonofsteptoe

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.
IT WAS GREAT!!!!! Only 3 swims, Sluice, Wrens and Palmerstown. Went to left at Straffan beside the fish boxes and flew it:) Hit a tree in the jungle in traffic and got lucky with a T Rescue:) Templemills headed straight for the slide missed it by 1 metre but still got through it:) Vanessa was harmless as was Castletown rapids, The lake was a nightmare though-really hard slog. Sluice I got tangled and turned with 2 other boats near the very end of rapid and almost straightened up but hit a stopper sideways and over I went, Wrens I was just behind 2 Canadians that capsized and in the process of trying to back paddle from the weir I ended up going over it backwards...over I went. Palmerstown I went down the V straight through the stopper but I was so exhausted I hadn't the power to keep paddling and ...over I went, Chapelizod was fine and then it was just the run in which was much easier than the lake. Came in around 3.45 (prov results) which considering we had a few pitstops I was delighted with. My mate only swam at sluice along with a few close calls and he waited for me at my swims. So overall a fantastic day out, Can't wait till next year:D
Ps Big thanks to the rescue and volunteers for their help and encouragement

Kayakswimkayak

I wasn't been unfair to sonofsteptoe. I was only messing with him. I am his mate and the one who paddled downstream with him for 3hr 45min! Hope you weren't too upset 'nookie' and 'xt40'.....!!!

Btw the Liffey Descent is bloody hard when you only start kayaking in June, only start marathon training in August and have never gone further than 11/12km before the day itself and then have to do 28km after a 1km paddle upstream and having to hang around for an hour in a wavehopper before starting..... But as sonofsteptoe says IT WAS GREAT!!