Displaying items by tag: Rogerstown Estuary

21st November 2020

Appeal for Watersport Enthusiasts to Steer Clear of Rogerstown Estuary

BirdWatch Ireland map highlighting bird hides at the inner Rogerstown Estuary in north Co Dublin

BirdWatch Ireland recently made an appeal to watersport enthusiasts in Fingal to avoid the inner estuary at Rogerstown, north of Portrane in Co Dublin, for fear of disturbing the area’s marine wildlife.

The statement comes after “several incidents recently where people entering [the estuary] in kayaks and paddle boards” allegedly disturbed roosting and feeding birds in the Special Area of Conservation.

BWI Fingal noted that there are no signs in the area to warn anyone approaching from the water “so most people are probably unaware of the impact they are having”.

pic.twitter.com/XrpAaPBhPn
— BWI Fingal (@BWIFingal) November 9, 2020

Fingal County Council is currently engaged in emergency works on nearby Burrow Beach, which include relocating 70 reinforced concrete barriers or ‘seabees’ which had been moved without authorisation and caused irreperable damage to the dune system.

The Fingal Independent reports that the seabees are part of interim measures to delay coastal erosion in this sensitive area which has been exacerbated by recent storms.

Published in Marine Wildlife

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About the Watersports Inclusion Games

The Watersports Inclusion Games are an award-winning event organised by Irish Sailing with partners from across the watersports sector, that enable people of all abilities from the physical, sensory, intellectual and learning spectrums to take to the water to participate in a wide range of water activities.

More than 250 people with physical, sensory, intellectual and learning disabilities typically take part in the weekend's events.

Participants will have the opportunity to try more sports than ever before, with an expanded range including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, rowing, surfing, water skiing and powerboating all on offer.

The Games typically take place each August.

The organisers of the Games want to let people of all abilities know that there are multiple watersports available to them, and to encourage more people from all backgrounds to get involved and out on the water regardless of ability. They aim to highlight that any barriers faced by people with disabilities can be eliminated.

There are social, health and wellness benefits associated with sailing and all watersports. These include improved muscle strength and endurance, improved cardiovascular fitness and increased agility, enhanced spatial awareness, greater mental wellness through the balancing of serotonin levels and the lowering of stress levels, improved concentration and the forging of positive relationships.