IRISH FREESTYLE CANOEING WORKSHOPS
Irish Freestyle Canoeing Workshops
Lennart Bal, NL & Adventure Gently 22nd / 23rd October 2016
Boat Quay House, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim
In October 2016, the very first Irish Freestyle workshop will take place at Boat Quay House, Dromahair. Adventure Gently has invited Lennart Bal, as a veteran of everything from slalom and OC1 WW to marathon racing (including the Devizes-Westminster), Lennart Bal is possibly the most complete canoeist ever to have become an ACA Freestyle Instructor - but he's better known in UK circle for his refreshingly easygoing, entertaining and informative workshops at successive UK symposia.
Freestyle or ‘Quietwater’ paddling is the ‘haut ecole’ of open canoe flatwater padding. This canoeing discipline all about efficient use of body, boat and paddle, resulting in maximum movement with minimum effort. Freestyle canoeing is not only applicable to quiet water paddling but is very effective on fast moving water. It is fun to do and beautiful to watch.
To book your place please contact Adrienne or Graham direct 0851 821 547 or adventuregently@hotmail.com
COSTS
Full weekend €120 (includes lunch both days)
Saturday 22nd Oct only €65 (includes lunch)
Sunday 23rd Oct only €65 (includes lunch)
ACCOMMODATION Self catering, shared bathroom at Boat Quay House
Full weekend Fri - Mon morning €60 p/p
Friday night 21st Oct €25 per person
Saturday night 22nd Oct €25 p/p
Sunday night 23rd Oct €25 p/p
A day of the workshop will include:
Two coaching sessions with Lennart (morning and afternoon)
Use of a selection of suitable canoes and equipment.
Lunch supplied by local Village Tea Rooms, Dromahair.
We can supply basic cags and buoyancy aids, neoprene booties at no extra cost.
Plus Freestyle notes on strokes.
in addition
Saturday night music session with food in Stanford’s Village Inn
Options for Accommodation: (lots of options, please contact us)
Boat Quay House, This historic house will be the base for the workshops. Accommodation is self catering with shared bathroom and log burning stove.
€25 per person per night / Fri 21st / Sat 22nd / Sunday 23rd or €60 for all three nights.
Camping and camper van camping is also available in the grounds of Boat Quay House.
Ard Nahoo Eco Retreat (5 minutes by car from Boat Quay House)
Cabin (sleeps two adults plus two kids) Fri 21st / Sat 22nd including welcome package of homemade bread/ free range eggs / meusli / fair trade tea and coffee €300. This cabin can also be booked for the week.
Larger cabin also available (sleeps 7) includes welcome pack and hot tub soak €550 for weekend. This cabin can also be booked for the week.
In addition:
Uisce Session Ard Nahoo Eco Retreat (5 minutes by car from Boat Quay House)
Melt away your aches and pains in Ard Nahoo eco Retreat’s infrared sauna (which burns 900 - 2400 calories) before lying back in the bubbles of the hot tub, overlooking Loch Nahoo. €30 per person
We would like to encourage paddlers to bring their families as there are lots of things to do in the area, even guided canoe trips!
The Freestyle Workshops are based at Boat Quay House, Dromahair on the riverbank of the River Bonet. During the nineteenth century this house was the quay for two paddle steamers which travelled from Sligo across Lough Gill to Dromahair on a daily basis, lots of local history.
THINGS TO DO IN THE DROMAHAIR AREA
Kids Stuff: Playgrounds, Dromahair playground, Doorley Park Sligo and many more.
Lough Key Forest Park and Zipit
Eagles Flying, get up close and learn more at the Irish Raptor Research Centre.
Historical sites: Visit the ruins of Creevylea Abbey walking from Dromahair Village, Parkes Castle, Neolithic sites Carrowmore, Carrowkeel
Cycling: Beautiful scenic 40 km cycle route around Lough Gill. Rent an electric bike from Electric Bike Trails, Leitrim Village and explore the area.
Local walks: Sligo way via view of Lake Isle of Innisfree / Slish wood / Dooney Rock /
Glencar Waterfall and walks including the Devil’s Chimney
Fantastic Beaches: Streedagh beach near Grange (site of the Spanish Armada) / Strandhill excellent surfing and surfing classes.
Eco Stuff: Organic Centre, Rossinver, demonstration gardens, workshops and classes
Relaxing Stuff: Voya Seaweed Baths, at the beautiful coastal village of Strandhill.
Arty Stuff: Model, Sligo’s contemporary arts centre / The Dock, Carrick on Shannon’s arts centre. Leitrim Sculpture Centre, workshops and classes
Good food direct from Farmers markets various towns on various days.
THINGS TO DO IN THIS AREA
For futher information and to book your place please contact Adrienne or Graham direct 0851 821 547 or adventuregently@hotmail.com
