Poulaphouca Paddle Race 2024
This years PPR took place on Saturday 15th June with 106 participants in all kinds of paddle craft. The anual event took place from the rowing club on Blessington lake. We had paddlers from all age groups in many different craft from racing K1’s/k2’s to open canoes, sea kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards.
Our set-up team & marshals began arriving at the rowing club at 8am to begin their roles. It wasn’t long before the marquee’s were up and Registration & bib collection began. A stream of vans, cars & trailers carrying all types of paddle craft began filling up the car park. There was a hustle and bustle for an hour or so while participants prepared their kit and collected their race bibs.
At 10:30, all participants were instructed to bring their crafts from the car park down to the waters edge and prepare for the race briefing ten minutes later.
There were seven ranking divisions catering for the more competitive paddlers and a wide variety of recreational classes for all types of paddle crafts. We welcomed paddlers from near and far; from the four corners of Ireland.
All participants listened to the race briefing where they learnt about the laps of the 6Km course depending on which division or class you entered… The 6Km course did one lap while the 12Km paddlers did two laps. The 18Km competitors did three laps.
With the race briefing done, all participants launched their craft and took to the water in preparation for the race start.
We had five different starting flights grouping similar crafts and ages together in each flight.
Growing year on year, PPR 2024 had 106 paddlers. There were elite racing competitors, parent & child doubles, juniors, seniors and a large number of new PP members who very recently passed their Level 1 skills. There was a great mix of craft from Stand Up Paddle Boards, Open canoes, Sea Kayaks and everything in between.
And they were off! The first starting flight was the 18Km Divisions 1 and 2.
Every minute later, another flight took it’s start and made their way to the first marker buoy.
Despite the poor weather forecasts all week, we had a bright sunny start with low winds. Half way through the race, as a cynical throw-back to last year’s very wet PPR, the rain came down. The light shower only lasted ten minutes and was a welcomed cool-down for the participants.
It was a special site seeing over 100 paddlers ranging from Div 1 competitive K1’s to Parent & Child T2’s, recreational & racing SUP’s, Sit On Top kayaks and open canoes.
The Poulaphouca Paddle Race is a unique opportunity for all skill levels and all craft to be paddling side by side on the same course.
Once all participants were back on land we began our prize giving ceremony. A big congratulations to everyone who completed their course and congrats to all our medal winners (Full list of results below).
Thank you to all who took part and to those who helped make the day such a success… From pre-event planning to marshals, registration team, Course planners, results team, logistics, photography, safety boats & portage team.
An extended thank you to Blessington Rowing Club, ESB, Canoe Marathon Ireland, and Canoe Ireland for their help and support in facilitating the event.
Looking forward to Poulaphouca Paddle Race 2025
PHOTO GALLERY
Please note: A very warm thank you to Liz & Evan White for giving up their time to photograph the event and edit each photo. High-resolution versions of each photo without watermarks are available to purchase from their gallery. The photos are €5 each or 5 for €17visit their gallery on Liz White Photos
