David Horkan | Kayaking Ireland | davidhorkankayaking.com

Achill Island Circumnavigation

10/3/2015

 

Achill Island fast..again!

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After circumnavigating Achill Island in 2014 with Tim Healy I was really keen to go back and have a go at a solo mission. I have been watching the weather all summer and it looked like it was't going to happen this year. Luckily we finally got  decent high pressure over Ireland for the last few days of September. I had one free day in the diary and I knew it was my absolute last chance to have a crack for 2015.

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How to -Dry Suit Reproofing

9/23/2015

 

Give your suit a new lease of life...

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Here is my quick step by step guide to reproofing Goretex Dry suits or Cags. When you get a new Dry suit or any outer shell garment for that matter, it will have a DWR coating on the fabric. This coating helps to repel water by beading it on the surface. With use over time this coating will wear off and the fabric will start to "wet out". It will still be waterproof but its performance and breath-ability will be greatly reduced. So it is necessary to give you kit some maintenance now and again, to keep it at its best.
I like to wash and reproof my dry suit about once every season depending on how much use it is getting. Below are the steps I take to get it back to life. 

*Note: This is the method I use and find effective. But please check with manufactures guidelines and instructions before treating your expensive garment!

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Sea Kayaking -Irish Sea Crossing - North Channel

9/1/2015

 

Northern Ireland to Scotland by Kayak

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I did  my first crossing of the North Channel in 2013 when I piggy-backed on a group trip over on a sunny day in June. I don't know how long it took - probably about 6 hours or more. Ever since I have been wanting to go back and have a proper attempt - solo and as fast as possible. 

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Sea Kayaking- Eagle Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland

8/19/2015

 
David Horkan kayaking to Eagle Island Co.Mayo
A brief window in the weather and a clear day in my diary gave me the perfect opportunity to make for Eagle Island on the Westerly side of County Mayo. One of Ireland's most exposed and battered islands, this rocky out crop is situated only a mile from shore, but bears the brunt of the biggest Atlantic swell and ferocious storms. 

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Setting the standard on the "Shannon Sprint"

8/2/2015

 

The Shannon Sprint Kayak Challenge 

Dave Horkan Kayaking the Shannon Sprint record
Kayaking the longest river in your country has to be high on every kayakers list of achievements and the River Shannon has been on mine for a couple of years now. Not only is it the longest river in Ireland it is also the longest in the British Isles. For most people kayaking this mighty river is a leisurely trip, enjoying the sights and sounds that could take weeks to complete but I wanted to take a different approach. My plan was to kayak as fast as possible from start to finish and set the standard for the "Shannon Sprint".

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Audax Ireland - Around Down 2015

7/14/2015

 

Cycle 200k... in a day

Audax Ireland Cycling event
I recently took part in my first Audax Ireland cycling event-the Around Down 200km. For anyone that doesn't know and I would say that's most people - Audax riding is a form of long distance endurance cycling where cyclists complete a course ranging from 100km to 1200km under a pre-defined time. This is generally very comfortable time frame but the real challenge is against yourself, the distance and your watch. 

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Blue Way Ultra Marathon Challenge

6/5/2015

 
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Last weekend May 31st saw the first running of a new kayak and canoe race in Athy, Co.Kildare. The Blueway Canoe Marathon hosted by Waterways Ireland is the first race offering an ultra distance course for kayaks in Ireland to my knowledge. With three courses on offer, 10km, 21km and an ultra 46km there was something for everyone. Starting in Athy the courses went north on the canal towards Monasterevin with portages at different points for each course  and on to the River Barrow to head south again to Athy. 

This river section posed a few issues with kayak choice. I was all set on using my carbon Elio Sprint for the race but the day before I got some info that the river might not be deep enough in places to accommodate the under stern rudder and that an over stern might be safer. With that I loaded up my Vantage River K1. It has an over stern rudder and is comfortable to paddle but is slower than the Elio and has the wash hanging characteristics of a bulldozer!

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Adventure Technology - Oracle Review

6/4/2015

 

AT Oracle paddle review

David Horkan testing AT Oracle paddles + review
 The Oracle is the high angle, big blade touring paddle from Adventure Technology, offering more powerful stroke and stability than their other touring paddles. I was kindly sent these paddles to try out for a few weeks. This is the first time I have used AT paddles, having seen many people using AT paddles both on whitewater and the sea I was interested to try them out for myself. 

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Level 5 Skills Assessment - Italy 2015

5/29/2015

 

Steep Creekin' Italy 2015

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On May 19th myself and Wicklow paddler Dave Holden caught an early morning flight to Bergamo Airport in Northern Italy. We were due to take our Level 5 river skills assessment on the Friday of that week, so the plan was to get a few days of paddling in beforehand to warm up on the steep Italian creeks. 

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Kokatat Poseidon PFD Review

5/12/2015

 

Poseidon- God of the Sea

Kokatat Poseidon PFD review by David Horkan

Short term review of Kokatat's latest touring PFD

The Poseidon is the latest addition to the Kokatat range of touring PFD's (Personal Flotation Device). A completely new design offering lots of versatility to the user. Sea kayaker's require a lot more storage in their PFD's than river runners and the Poseidon has you covered. The Poseidon comes equipped with a chest pocket that has three compartments and a knife tab. It is also possible to put a water bladder in the back of the vest. In addition to these features you can buy extra accessories to add to the vest including, a belly pocket, shoulder pocket, tactic back pack, water bladder and electronics pocket. Depending on what you want to carry and how you want to carry it, you can set up the PFD to suit your paddling preferences.

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NRS Velocity Review

5/11/2015

 
NRS Velocity Boot review- David Horkan Kayaking
In the last few months a whole load of new river shoes and boots have come on the market. With the choice bigger than ever its a buyers market. I have been wearing the NRS Velocity river boot for the last couple of months and I have to say I am very impressed. The design is neat and very clean even with laces.
They have a really nice feel to them, offering good support but not feeling heavy or bulky. The soles are fantastic, lots of grip for wet slippy rock and thick enough to absorb shock and keep your feet insulated.  Long term it will be interesting to see how these boots hold up. But at the moment I have no complaints.

Available from I-Canoe 

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My old Astral Water Tennies (above right) have not worn so well. Lets hope the Velocity lasts better.
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Dagger Katana 10.4 Review + Video

4/30/2015

 

A surprise package..

Dagger Katana kayak review - dhkayaing.com
A crossover boat that truly excels in any water, the Katana was designed to inspire confidence in the paddler with a balanced rocker profile for speed in the flats and maneuverability in whitewater.- Dagger

I was kindly offered this kayak to paddle for a few weeks and to see what I thought of it.  To be honest I was a little sceptical, as I have never paddled a "crossover" kayak before and I had some preconceived ideas that it would be too big and awkward for whitewater and to slow for flat..

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Devizes to Westminster 2015

4/12/2015

 
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Senior K1 Race

The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon or DW, is one of the toughest canoe and kayak marathons in the world. Held every Easter since 1948, the course covers 125 miles (201km) from the small town of Devizes in Wiltshire all the way along the Kennet & Avon Canal and the River Thames to Westminster Bridge in the heart of London City.

Over the Easter weekend there are two races taking place. The non-stop K2 event starts on Saturday and crews paddle non-stop through the night until they reach Westminster on Sunday morning. The second event is a four day stage race for senior K1's and Juniors that starts on Friday and finishes at Westminster on Monday morning.

This year I was taking on the senior K1 event for the first time. I  completed the non-stop K2 race in 2013 with Jim Mescal in a time of 20:49, but the K1 race is completely different challenge and there was a lot of unknowns going into the race. Like would I be able to get up each morning and race long distances 4 days in a row?

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Waka Kayaks - Tutea

3/22/2015

 

Waka Tutea first impressions and pics

Waka Kayaks Logo

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Sea Kayaking -Erris Head Co.Mayo

3/22/2015

 

Sea kayaker explores a sea cave in Erris Co.Mayo
 The first high pressure system of the season settled over Ireland during the last week and as most people were recovering from St. Patricks day celebrations or a late night watching the Aurora Borealis, myself and Helen Fairbairn were gearing up for a trip to one of Irelands most exposed headlands.Taking full advantage of the wind and swell conditions we headed out West to the Mullet Peninsula. 

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