Freestyle training

[Peter O'Sullivan]

I am eager to get to Stackallen some day the level is up. Its here for those who aren't sure

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Stackallen,+Ireland&hl=en&ll=53.684988,-6.605744&spn=0.002929,0.008256&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=62.70117,135.263672&oq=stackalle&hnear=Stackallen,+County+Meath,+Ireland&t=h&z=18

It can either be a park 'n' play or a river trip. Two questions I have are. Anyone know what level it needs to be on what gauge to be retentive/surfable? And same again for Slane weir?

I would also like to run the trip as a training session with about half the intensity of the Clifden trips over the summer.

Lastly a bit of video of whats possible on the Boyne

[Steven Mul]

This sounds really good! I'd love to come along on such a trip!

[MarieH]

I wouldn't mind giving this a lash

[Diarmuid]

Yes please!

[Peter O'Sullivan]

There is this gauge http://hydronet.epa.ie/stat_89691.htm?entryparakey=W and when I was there on Saturday the level was 0.701 or about 15.4m^3/s and that was too low for surfing Stackallen wave.

There is also this gauge at Slane Castle http://waterlevel.ie/0000007012/0001/week/ it was about 0.78 when we there and there was no stopper at Slane weir. So back to the original question.

What level do the different features work well at?

[HelenaC]

Try posting the q on a paddling page on fb and im sure someone will help you out if people arent sure here...

cool plan, have fun with that!

[kmck]

I think a medium level but I've no idea what a medium level is on the gauges, it becomes surfable once the rock shelf river right is covered.

[Garbhan]

There is this gauge http://hydronet.epa.ie/stat_89691.htm?entryparakey=W and when I was there on Saturday the level was 0.701 or about 15.4m^3/s and that was too low for surfing Stackallen wave.

There is also this gauge at Slane Castle http://waterlevel.ie/0000007012/0001/week/ it was about 0.78 when we there and there was no stopper at Slane weir. So back to the original question.

What level do the different features work well at?

For Slane weir to work the Boyne needs to be tanking so your going to have to wait a while for full flood,
As for stack, it "works" for front surfs only at quite a low/medium level but no one has ever told me when it works for even a few spins.

[Douchier]

It works for spins whenever it's surfable, you just have to be able to do them!
ie. because it's a flushy feature you have to do them quite correctly otherwise you'll flush, not like holes where you inevitably spin just by edging a bit.
To answer the question Peter put up at the start, it's never really retentive.


Stackallen is perfect for absolutely nailing Surf, spins etc. If you don't do something right it'll tell you, but probably won't punish you with a capsize.


If you want a level, look up when the first(I think) freestyle training day was last year and that was towards the higher end of the range. Probably easier to just ask someone like Ronnie.


Also, Sluice. I like Sluice, we should go there too...hopefully it'll start working soon.


(and none of your anti-sluice dogma Peter, you haven't surfed it at a decent level and your Weils non-sense isn't supported by statistics)




I like Stackallen, it's probably working at the moment, let's go there...Sunday?

[Garbhan]

It was working 5 days ago but there hasn't been any rain since and from the river level gauge and the weather I doubt it will be working this Sunday. Also is there any chance I could join in on this since it will probably be a private trip and I won't be competing in freestyle in varsities? I really want to get my playboat out onto some moving water

[Garbhan]

Also heres a video of some freestyle at Stackallen Sluice @ stack Rodeo 2011

[Peter O'Sullivan]

Emailed Ronnie, waiting to hear back from him.

On Saturday it was so low I hit the bottom when I was carving.

At high levels there is Stack and Slane and the right side of the big-A, a variety of features suits for training. Some people/boat/feature combinations just don't work and its quicker to move feature than flog a dead horse. 

There is logic to my sight selection, keeping warm is a large part of the plan.

[Peter O'Sullivan]

I'll be at the pool on Wednesday rather than Thursday this week. Anyone looking for instructing in freestyle come along. Do some stretching before attempting freestyle moves in the pool.

Anyone have any aches and pains from last Thursday night?

[kmck]

A slight bit of pain in the left side of my head, who knew rolling into a boat hurts? Have to say low level on the boyne was interesting the tiny stopper at slane castle was actually a little retentive. admittedly only good for side surfing.

[DervM]

Mental pain from boat breaking.

Also more cuts and bruises on my thighs.