liffey decent

Hope so. Did the lower Liffey today so all buzzed up.
Looking at the Liffey Descent application form today and the entry fee is €50 this year. It that a bit steep?

MugMugs wrote: »

Hasn't it been that for a while now?

Edit: Just checked. It's up a tenner. Bit steep alright.

Plus a pretty hefty €20 late entry fee! I really enjoyed this last year and myself and a friend were hoping to do this in a duo this year but at that cost, taking into account the cost of accommodation, food and getting there (live 3 hours from dublin,) time off work (I work weekends) it would probably cost us over €200 just to take part in the race. Could go on a wee holiday for that :rolleyes:

There were loads of people in my club interested in doing this but everyone finds the entry fee way too expensive especially for people coming from the country. Surely we're not the only ones that feel this way. What's the justification for it? I'm pretty sure the rescue/ stewards etc aren't getting paid.

Bugger, didn't realize that after 1st September late entry applied.
I think there should be a reduced fee for those of us who aren't competing for the prize money.

I actually don't mind paying a bit for the meal and party afterwards, it's a great touch especially for the people who are travelling distances to take part in the race. But the cost of a burger and a tshirt wouldn't even come to a tenner, at most. Where is the rest of the €40/60 going? I guess they do it because there are so many people, like A Lang that have been doing the race for years and have a strong commitment to doing it no matter what the cost. They're probably not too pushed about having fair weather racers like myself. But I can say if the fee had been a little more manageable there would have been at least half a dozen competitors from my club coming along this weekend. Such a shame.

Anyway, bib got, bus ticket obtained. Over stressed woman dishing out bibs dealt with and ready for bed. For those of you running it, the very best of luck. Hope you all finish safe, well and without a swim!

Hi All,

Anyone know what time the decent will be going by the weir in lucan, want to cycle down for a look.

thanks

figs666 wrote: »

could you go up and jump in with a wet suit and bouyance aid and float down or would you die ?

You probably wouldn't die but that's a stupid idea to be blunt about it. The people running safety on the day will have enough to worry about without some eejit in a wetsuit throwing himself into the river. I hope you were joking.

Super day out, no swims, a little assistance required at Lucan. My first solo trip down and took 3hrs so well chuffed.
I must say all the rescue and support was fantastic along the way, a very well organised event.

Totally disgusted however 1.5 hours I had to queue for a burger, everybody tired and worn out and then the ambulance/first aid people jumping the queue to collect their food. There was almost a fight at one stage. A lot of people just walked away hungry.
This needs to be addressed for the next event.

This is Palmerstown. The wave is a lot more impressive when you're hitting it head on. I got a bit excited so excuse the language

Edit : should be live in about an hour or so, Youtube is still processing.

In case anyone happened to pass by Chapalizod Weir when I had my camera out i have uploaded the pics here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114230801320748995073/ChapalizodWeirLiffeyDescent2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Apologies if I missed you, I may have been too busy throwing ropes or looking the wrong way

Zuppy wrote: »

Now that the race is done. How did everyone get on? I had to work this year :-(

I have to say I don't mind the fee increase. If you are doing the race then you know in advance and if you don't then you shouldn't mind the late fee. There was enough warning about the late fee date. (not just here). Most events are costing more to run these days and costs of running large events are rising. Look at the cost of triathlons and adventure races (see their forums for all the threads on race costs). If we had a major sponsor and a few small ones the cost would be offset. The cash I pay goes towards paying for a few goodies for the volunteers as well as the bibs, licencing costs and the venues.

I think the mindset that we can turn up to national events on the day and enter should change a bit. Most organisers are volunteers and if you enter in advance they can plan logistics, permits, race goodies, music, food etc. You enter on the day..... Headaches and more stress.

By all reports I heard the new finish venue worked very well for visitors and most Irish paddlers?

All we need now is for someone media savey and access to cameras to organise the PR for next year. Anyone here fit that bill?

To be honest, I think they bit their nose off to spite their face. Numbers were low which was clearly obvious. Figures being bandied about were 600 over the 800 last year. For the extra 2k (assuming those numbers are right) that would have been made they missed out on 8k had the price stayed the same.

I understand that an event like this can't be cheap and if it were ever suggested to abandon it, I'd be the first up in arms but where's the anchor sponsor gone? Why were Jameson not replaced? All of the current sponsors whilst well needed are relatively small fish!!! (pun intended)

I don't mind the late entry fee but I just felt that the date they initially gave smelt a lot like profiteering and it wouldn't be unknown for our fair union to want to make some money off us now, would it??

Advertising. I love a lot of aspects of the Descent. One of these is the motivation received from people standing on bridges, in fields, on river banks and just after Chapelizod weir the people in their back garden with a BBQ and reggae music and the support they give us. It's a good pick me up. Paddling 28KM isn't easy as we all know and the little lift that they all give us along with the very kind words of the support crew means quite a bit when your hitting the preverbial wall..... I ranted here but basically, why isn't this even advertised. Irish Times nor Indo covered it this year. Ian Dempsey mentioned it this morning that was about it. Why don't people know it's on and why are they not promoted to go and witness the utter carnage in Straffan and Lucan???

As for the new finish..... It was heaven. It was nicely kitted out and well laid out but as well as that, if you've done the Descent before then you will know that the last slog down Islandbridge is hell...utter hell and passing the current finish to head to Trinity was hell for me..... I got around the corner and saw the boat club and just said "Niiiiiiiiice" It was a welcome early finish !