UCD Canoe Club
General => Kayaking => Topic started by: Peter O'Sullivan on October 08, 2013, 20:42:47
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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 (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 http://vimeo.com/58408993 (http://vimeo.com/58408993)
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This sounds really good! I'd love to come along on such a trip!
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I wouldn't mind giving this a lash
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Yes please!
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There is this gauge http://hydronet.epa.ie/stat_89691.htm?entryparakey=W (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/ (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?
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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! :)
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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.
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There is this gauge http://hydronet.epa.ie/stat_89691.htm?entryparakey=W (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/ (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.
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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?
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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 :)
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Also heres a video of some freestyle at Stackallen Sluice @ stack Rodeo 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cErdRU3STk)
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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.
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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?
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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.
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Mental pain from boat breaking.
Also more cuts and bruises on my thighs.
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Right side (around the ribs) was a bit sore after the sessions. Right shoulder felt a bit tired, but not in a way that was bad!
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Update:
Stack wave has gotten so high it's almost flushy but still great for getting used to front surfing but the hole further up the weir is working and deep enough for quite a few moves. I saw Mark Coleman in his custom C1 playboat styling it on Sunday.
Right hand side of the big A has a nice hole but it keeps you very close to the weir wall so that it's hard to get out of and if you flip you need to tuck up quick.
Slane castle weir is also working as a wave and hole but has a few issues. The first being the hole on river right is very retentive and unless you capsize or are good at working your way to the end of a hole you will stay in it. Far river right is good for flat spins, our instructor was able to spin his WW mamba without having a set of paddles in his hands. It's just deep enough that you might get your paddles scrapped on bottom if you're holding them at a weird angle. There is a nice eddy to enter the hole from. And lastly, a few hundred meters downstream there are trees on river right that stretch a third of the way across the river, meaning basically don't have a group of people who are going to swim a good bit unless their are people to rescue them. Also this video (http://youtu.be/HbP01t2m8nQ?t=2m24s) shows Slane weir on sunday and after looking at it, river left might be good to play in as well.
The water quality isn't ideal at the moment as a lot of stuff has been dragged up off the river bed but it's still better than the Liffey.
Lastly, I know it's obvious but don't hit the middle of the big A. There's a huge undercut which for a big hole that shouldn't be messed with.
I think that's pretty descriptive eh? :)
And here's another level gauge, click on a time to see the level in cm (http://www.farsondigitalwatercams.com/live-webcams/ireland/Boyne/Trim/)
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Cheers for the description. Just need to get out on the water.
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I got foam camping mat to make hip pads for the playboats in the pool. Aiming to out fit the boats to be 'Slim' 'Regular' and 'Comfort' fit, don't worry I've a judge of sizes. The blue boat will be the comfort fit since its missing the foam around the thighs.
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Foam has been added to the three playboats. The yellow boat with added seat foam is the slimmest fit. The blue boat is the comfort fit. If you don't fit in a boat don't force yourself in a damage the hip pads, Niall and Kieran you know who I am talking about.
As for the Star, same again. Don't squash yourself in. If you don't fit use the large boats.
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Hey Peter,
Fuck you.
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Warm up drills for paddling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_61KgLQRYrM)Not a bad channel on youtube