Paddlers Required

[conorsmith]

The Ennis Swimming & Lifesaving Club (ESLC) are running 3 potential open water swims for Clare on the Swim Ireland calendar for 2011, and they have asked us for help to provide safety kayakers for each of these events.

Swim routes and dates are:

 2nd July, Liscannor to Lahinch (3 km)
 30th July, Clahane to Moy (5 km)
 27th Aug, Inisheer to Doolin (10.5 km+)

Long distance swims of this nature require several kayakers (1 kayak per swimmer for the Inisheer to Doolin swim) as well as a number of powered safety boats for back-up, so the more volunteer paddlers we can muster up the better for the overall success of these events.

Especially for the second 2 routes, you would need to be of Level 3 paddling ability. You would need to be able to support yourself and a swimmer until rescued, if intervention was required.

Once the weather and water get a bit warmer they intend to start up some informal swim training sessions at the coast, ideally with a few accompanying kayakers along for safety which would also be a good opportunity for any interested paddlers to familiarise themselves with the role of a support kayak for these sorts of events.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events, please give your name to Eoin Cleary at eoincleary@ireland.com or by text on 086 2572792 by the end of April. Once we have a list of volunteer paddlers more information on the events can then be sent out.

We could need at least 30 boats, especially for the shorter routes and all help would be appreciated.