Inflatable Kayak Blog

(Following our previous guest blogger’s post about kayaking in the Emerald Isle, we had another blog submission from Thomas Alan Gray about a good source to help plan a trip.)

Planning a canoeing or kayaking trip in Northern Ireland? A terrific planning resource is canoeni.com. “Northern Ireland has a lot to offer the recreational paddler,” notes the site. “It has natural resources to cater for all aspects of canoeing and kayaking at all levels, from surf to white water to open and flat water paddling.”

Although the site is mainly oriented to canoeing, the Where to Paddle section will be of particular interest to kayaking enthusiasts. This section offers maps of Northern Ireland, each showing locations for flat water, sea kayaking, kayak surfing, and white water. The maps allow the user to select a particular stretch of water and drill down for further details about grade, water conditions, access and egress sites, points of interest, and local history. Important knowledge to match up with your kayaking abilities and the capabilities of your hard shell, folding or inflatable kayak. 

Flat Water Kayaking Trips in Northern Ireland
The flat water sections, eminently suitable for recreational canoeing and kayaking, are mostly in the loughs (lakes), the Quoile Estuary in the east, and the Lower Bann and Blackwater Rivers.

Where to Go Sea Kayaking in Northern Ireland
Sea kayaking sites range from the tidal reaches along Donegal on the north down along the eastern coast to the overfalls and races at Carlingford Lough on the south. There are islands to hop, rocks to dodge, caverns to explore on anything from a day trip to a challenging expedition.

Northern Ireland White Water Kayaking Trips
White water for canoeing and kayaking can be found throughout Northern Ireland, with runs mostly ranging from Class I to Class II, but with higher difficulties on specific rivers and stretches (the mountain spate river Glenam has Class IV-V stretches with large drops and heavy rapids, for example). Many stretches have rapids and weirs to run. Some of the weirs can be dangerous to fatal.

Kayak Surfing in Northern Ireland
For kayak surfing, head to the north coast. “Great surf for all levels of experience from the beginner to the pro!” says canoeni.com. The surf sites stretch in a narrow belt from Benone to White Park Bay. With the exception of White Park, the surf areas have nearby car parks and most are within walking distance of a town so facilities are handy.

Countryside Recreation in Northern Ireland
This well-designed and functional web site is maintained by The Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN). The CAAN was established in 1999 as a charitable organization mandated to provide strategic development, management and promotion of countryside recreation. It serves as an umbrella organization, bringing together groups interested in or involved with Countryside Recreation in Northern Ireland.
In addition to kayaking and canoeing, “countryside recreation” includes walking and hiking, climbing and “coasteering”, cycling and mountain biking, orienteering, and development and maintenance of environmental trails. Surely there’s a lot to do before and after a kayak expedition!
Anyone planning a kayaking trip to Northern Ireland can spend happy hours investigating and planning by simply checking in at canoeni.com.

(About the Author: Thomas Alan Gray has done whitewater kayaking in Germany and both flatwater and whitewater canoeing in Canada. He was a certified recreational canoe instructor while serving as a leader with Scouts Canada. He’s camped in all four seasons for more years than he cares to admit.)