27 Oct 09

Crana Boatercross

Here is a slideshow of the Crana BoaterX action…what an excellent event and section or river for a boaterX!!

Below is a small introduction and taste to the excellent boatercross on the Crana River, Buncrana, Co. Donegal organised by Foyle Paddlers on the 25th October 2009. Well done to Foyle Paddlers and everyone else who helped organise this event and big up to all the participants…due to a slow start and a mix up with boats I didn’t get to enter (although my boat did) but it did mean I managed to take some photographs! The full set will be put up on flickr but here are a few photos to ‘wet’ the appetite and hopefully ensure that those who didn’t bother to go this year will be tempted to go next year…this is an excellent boatercross on a real grade 4 drop with guaranteed dam released water. In addition there is a boatercross lower down for juniors and less advanced paddlers and events organised for sea kayakers and slalom paddlers…so all in all it is a super event in a super location and can only get bigger and better….

This is the the first heat and the first racers heading into the drop….yowser! Fran waiting for the first ‘casualty’ before taking the lead at the bottom!

Heat 2 with the machine Coleman leading the way…
Steven O’D leading Colm and Deccie into the drop….a good line makes a world of difference!

…a better line allows the overtaking manoeuvre….a wrong line means..ouch! Carnage!

The racing line…speed all the way to the bottom…

The line looking good….appearances can be deceiving especially in a race!

Fran charging in round 2…the fun and games continue with some epic racing…Deccie just ahead of Steven in take 2…but it’s all about the right (or left line)!