Busy weekend on the water for Thomastown Paddlers

It was a busy weekend for Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club, with a double header of events on the River Nore.

On Saturday evening Thomastown Paddlers hosted a 10k and 5k canoe race in memory of past members Eoin Doyle and Brendan Fitzpatrick.

Inistioge was the perfect backdrop for some great racing over 10km and 5km course, with 59 boats taking part. The flatwater course was downstream from Inistioge Boatslip on the high tide. Thankfully, the thundery showers of the late afternoon stayed away, allowing friends families and those that came to support, the chance to stay around and enjoy the race refreshments before the presentation of the Memorial Cups.

It was a lovely evening for the families of Brendan and Eoin to be a part of, who were thanked for their support of this event.

The Fitzpatrick and Doyle Families presented the Memorial Cups to the winner of both 10K categories. Donnacha Brennan received the Brendan Fitzpatrick Cup as the first K1 home while Finbar O’Donovan, was awarded the Eoin Doyle Cup as first GP finisher.

In the 10K course, brothers Anthony and Eamon Forristal were next home in the K-boat category, followed by Adam Pender, Xavier Blanche, Tom Evans, Brendan Sheehan, John Walpole, Joanne Fitzpatrick and Dermot Forristal.

In the 5K course, the duo of Tadgh Ryan and Helen Brennan were home first, followed by K2 crew David McCormack and Dave Comerford. First of the K1s was Oran Murphy, followed by TJ Brennan, Matt Stephenson, Millie Brennan, Mary-Kate Ryan, Katie Hobson-Shaw and Ellen O’Sullivan.

The first GP Boat home in the 5K race was Robyn Newsome with daughter Shelby Newsome in 2nd. Next TPCC paddler home was Sonja Gunther closely followed by Aimee Mallon, Jason Blanche, Sarah Cody, Sadie Morrissey, and Ritchie Brennan.

On Sunday the 25th edition of the Thomastown Paddlers Race was held on the Nore, the third race of this year’s 2023 Marathon Ranking Series.

The Division One and Division Two long course starting above Bennettsbridge Weir ran 23km downstream to Inistioge. All other Divisions ran the shorter 11km course from Thomastown to Inistioge, with low river levels and wavy rapids adding to the challenge of the race. The atmosphere was great at the end line in Inistioge, with lots of supporters enjoying the sunshine.

The next outing in the TPCC calendar is the Malahide Annual Ranking Marathon this Sunday.