Festival of the Sea

[Mary]

Celtic European Festival Of The Sea 2006

Many of you will have met Robin Ruddck and he is very much involved in this event. It would be great to see a few of the southerners coming to norn iron for this big event. There is camping locally.. at Bushmills and other accommodation too.

For Kayakers...
Sunday 28th May
1230 Sea Kayakers Picnic and Paddle.
Meet at Lansdowne, Portrush for the picnic followed by paddle to Portballintrae via the Skerries, White Rocks and Dunluce Castle.
1800 Bar-B-Q at Portballintrae Boat Club.
If you have never paddled th North Antrim Coast, this is a beautiful trip with great variety.
2000 Lecture at Bushmills Education Centre..\'Solo, Four Times Around\'... The circumnavigation of Ireland by kayak, sailboard, dingy and drascombe.
If you want to make a weekend of it then...
Saturday 27thMay
Causeway Coast Kayak Association are running ther annual Sea Kayak Race. Register at Portrush Qauy at 1000 with the race starting at 1100 at West Bay, Portrush.
Help with saftey for the 25th annual Raft race.. has to be seen to be believed. RNLI and hellicopter rescue, parchuters and much more.
For those who have more time there is a trip to Rathlin on Tuesday 30th with every type of water worthy craft taking part.
There will also be sometall ships hanging about as wel as HMS Blyth. Full details on www.maritimefestival.net
If you need more info give me a call 087 6619347 or post here and I can find out more

[CarlFarmer]

Anyone going to Rathlin on Tuesday?


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[Mary]

Agggh! Tried to add a photo of the tall ships.. seems they are too tall. You\'ll just have to come and see them in real life!

[Sean]

Can I add to Mary\'s posting to encourage people to try and support this event. I know Robin would be greatly appreciative of any travelling to Portrush for the event.

Sean

[rickyfulton]

agree with Sean(despite him being a Munster Man and master of the universe) and i intend to be there certainly one if not both days

[derek]

How long is the race? Is there a handicap? I\'m planning to be there for the picnic at least, not Rathlin though because the four-letter word, w**k, takes over on Tuesday.

[Mary]

Re: race distance... depends on the weather, sea conditions and the humour of the officials!
It\'s usually out to a marker near the Skerriesish and in and back out and in and sometimes for the sea kayaks another lap just for the crack!
\'Course this year, there\'ll be currachs, sail boats and tall ships to dodge !! :woohoo:
Mary

[donegalhighlander]

Last year was Portrush Race was three laps. Winning time aroung 42 minutes. Weather ok tomorrow so probably will be the same distance. B