Back to Magheraroarty again but this time for something slightly unknown – an NI Surf Kayak International event encompassing the World Cup Qualifier #5, the British Open and NI MEGA League #3. Countless hours of hard graft by Harry, Jonny and Dessie had meant a professional and smooth start to what was our best event yet.
To make the most of the good swell the lucky few, whose jobs would allow, made a longer trip camping, vanning or hostelling and mostly surfing with everybody appreciating the easy paddle out, steep sections and holiday vibe. With waves set to be big on Thursday and dropping from there on in, it was early, middle and late surfs for everyone with the waves on Friday am big enough to cause me to lose my breakfast on more than one occasion.
49 entrants in 10 classes meant the organisation began physically at the unearthly hour of 5.30am on Saturday with 20 people taking one hour to put up a marquee (supposed to be 2 people and 30 mins) and the remaining few sorting banners and the names for running orders in the heats, drawn on Friday eve. Stringent beach marshalling and scrutineering took place with the eyes of KQ and Mike passing over each contestant and boat until the time came for their own heats.
From 9am sharp until after seven on Saturday few set eyes on any judges holed away in their tent and heavily guarded by red and white tape and security in the form of Alan Knox and thus the rate of heats never faltered once. Sunshine on Saturday gave way to heavy showers on Sunday leading to the intermittent scattering of onlookers to the nearest point of shelter with only the hardy, or possibly already wet, few to continue the recording of the event on video or stills.
Undoubtedly the greatest aid to the whole event was the electronic timing system allowing for no delays in the heats (with one having only one competitor to start). Professional judging brought a new feel to this event with competitors largely free to watch and take video/photos. At this point I would like to thank our professional tabulators who worked out and posted the results with record speed and accuracy (Maybe a change of career? Sharon ? Noelle?).
Feedback from the event suggests that it was a huge success from all angles so a big hearty thanks to everyone who made it possible and to those who travelled from far and wide and I hope we can do it all again some day.
In the run up to the 5th WCQ competition we will be adding to this
information board and the NISKC forum.
Feel free to ask questions on the dedicated WCQ
Q&A Forum or contact the organisers, Dessie
and Jonny either
through this message board (you will need to register first) or
by emailing them (left-click their names). You can also check out
the promotional
flyer and short
video clip for more information.
WCQ Open / British Open open event - limited to 32 competitors,
HP surfkayaks.
WCQ Womens / British Open Womens - HP surfkayaks.
WCQ Juniors / British Open Juniors - HP surfkayaks
British Open Masters - HP surfkayaks
British Open International Open - IC surfkayaks
British Open International Womens - IC surfkayaks
British Open International Juniors - IC surfkayaks
British Open International Masters - IC surfkayaks
Mega League Plastic Class (NI residents only)
British Championship results will be compiled from the final
rankings excluding all non-British competitors.
There will be a double elimination format so that competitos
get two chances to progress through the heats.
Judging will be by a panel of up to 6 qualified surfboard judges,
some of whom have judged at the last two surfkayak worlds. We are
currently working with the Head Judge to provide a comprehensive competitiors
handbook.
More information here: http://www.wska.org/worldcup.htm
Travel
All depends on how much you want to spend, how long you want to take
about it and boat carriage issues.
Here's a few ideas to help you. This is not an exhaustive list just
some suggestions.
By Boat: www.irishferries.com Hollyhead
to Dublin £150 car and 4 passengers* www.stenaline.com
Stranraer to Belfast £93 car 4 passengers*
Hollyhead to Dublin £118 car +4*
By Plane:
Fly into Belfast or Derry. www.easyjet.com
STN to Belfast from £16 out and £15 return* www.ryanair.com
STN to Derry from £5.99 out and £0.99 return*
Car
hire:
Most companies prices start at about £70+* and you also need to think
about roof-rack options.
*All quotes based on a quick search in July.
Directions
Letterkenny to Magheraroarty:
Take the N56
Turn right after Gortahork onto the R256
After a couple of miles you will be looking down on the beach and
the Tory Island Ferry Pier.
Turn right before the pub to get down to the pier.
Distance: 35 miles
Journey time: 1hr
Dublin to Letterkenny:
N1 to Newry (have some euro coins for the toll-booth)
A28 Newry to Armagh to Aughnacloy
A5 Aughnacloy to Omagh to Strabane
N14 Strabane to Letterkenny
Distance: 155 miles
Journey time: 3 ½ hr
Belfast to Letterkenny:
M1 Belfast to Dungannon
A4 Dungannon to Ballygawley
A5 Ballygawley to Strabane
N14 Strabane to LetterKenny
Distance: 105miles
Journey time: 2hrs
Derry to Letterkenny:
N13 Derry to Letterkenny
Distance: 25miles
Journey time: 30mins
We have arranged a 10% discount with Corcreggan Mill
Hostel. The Hostel is situated near Falcarragh and is about 10 miles
from Magheraroarty. There is a range of options from camping, through
dormitory, hostel style accommodation to en-suite single and double
rooms with B&B. Prices range from €8 to €40 per person
per night (less 10%). To get the discount, please associate yourself
with the NI Surf Kayak Club. It is advisable to book as soon as possible
(at least two weeks before the event) as spaces are limited. (Tel
no: +353 (0)74 9136409)
"Donegal has sandy beaches, sugared mountains, chattering streams
and silent valleys. With plenty of fishing, golfing, surfing and
walking available, it is the perfect place to get away from it all.
There are many pleasant restaurants in which to sample the fresh
food available in this county..."
Miles of unspoilt mostly deserted white sandy beaches, topped by
grassy dunes waiting to be walked, run or dug into castles depending
on your motivation.
Surf Break Info
There are many excellent breaks all along this coast. With beaches
facing west, north and east both exposed and sheltered there are
options for nearly all conditions. A quick check of the swell and
wind direction, a look at an OS map and you can't go wrong. beachwizard.com
Islands
Sample the unique experience of Irelands off shore island culture
with a chartered boat trip. The
Island Trust Tory Island Ferry
Eating Out and Drinking
Óstán an Béar Mór hotel: Good and reasonably priced pub-grub menu
- an Béar Mór hotel
Also a small local pub within walking/stumbling distance of the
pier.
