Displaying items by tag: Alan Creedon

20th May 2016

Kayaking Novice Reaches Ireland After Irish Sea Paddle In Honour Of Late Sister

Mike Alexander with kayaking novice Alan Creedon after reaching Dun Laoghaire from Holyhead in a gruelling 22-hour paddle across the Irish Sea

#Kayaking - Despite only learning how to swim last year, Manchester man Alan Creedon took up the challenge of paddling across the Irish Sea in honour of his late sister.

And this week he achieved just that, when he and his much more experienced kayaking partner Mike Alexander reached land at Dun Laoghaire by sea kayak after a 22-hour crossing from Holyhead.

According to The Irish Post, Creedon's journey actually began earlier this month when he set off on foot from his Manchester home for the North Wales ferry port – a journey of nearly 200km.

But the journey's not over yet, as Creedon's #WalkForAoife as he prepares to continue by foot across Ireland to Dingle, where his Irish family are based.

Along the way he'll continue to recount his experiences on his blog where he's also fundraising for a Dingle housing charity as well as mental health support.

In other kayaking news, island communities in West Cork are set to benefit from a kayak-sharing scheme modelled along the lines of bike-sharing in Irish cities.

As the Irish Examiner reports, Whiddy Island will host a test of the scheme next week before it's rolled out to Cape Clear, Long, Heir, Dursey and Sherkin Islands over the next three years.

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.