Lisa Dilleen and Sanita Puspure finished fifth in the heat of the women’s double scull today at the World Rowing Championships in Bled in Slovenia and must make their way through a repechage if they are to qualify for Friday’s semi-finals. Poland and Serbia moved away from the field to collar the two direct qualification places, with the Czech Republic third. The Irish lost a battle for fourth place on the line to Switzerland.

Sarah Dolan was well off the pace in her heat of the lightweight single scull. She finished fifth in a race won by Katherine Copeland of Britain. Ursula Grobler of the United States finished second, booking her ticket to the semi-final.

World Rowing Championships, Bled, Slovenia – Day One (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Pair – Heat Two (First Two Directly to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to Repechage): 1 Britain (P Chambers, K Emery)  6:38.08, 2 Canada 6:40.75.

Women

Double Scull – Heat Three (First Two Directly to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to Repechage): 1 Poland (M Fularczyk, J Michalska) 6:56.57, 2 Serbia (I Obradovic, I Filipovic) 7:00.45; 3 Czech Republic  7:07.38, 4 Switzerland 7:09.26, 5 Ireland (L Dilleen, S Puspure) 7:09.28

Lightweight Single Scull – Heat Two (First Two Directly to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to Repechage): 1 Britain (K Copeland) 7:47.88, 2 United States (U Grobler) 7:50.23; 5 Ireland (S Dolan) 8:13.81.

The latest issue of Canoe & Kayak magazine takes in-depth look into sea kayakers Jeff Allen and Harry Whelan's record breaking circumnavigation of Ireland.

The final 225 miles of the voyage were completed in an incredible three days - a challenge that pushed the experiences kayakers to their physical and mental limits. 

But the reward was a new speed record for kayaking round Ireland in just 24 days.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a documentary on the duo's feat is currently in the works.

Two recent letters in The Irish Times serve as a "reminder of the high value of sailing to the social and economic health of Ireland".

Enda O Coineen - who helped bring the Volvo Ocean Race to Ireland - writes on Saturday last of the "shame" of becoming "quayside bystanders" that many felt welcoming the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl to Dublin when Ireland's youth ocean sail training scheme is being ended due to a 100% budget cut.

Echoing his sentiments, Peter Vine asks: "Is it not time to acknowledge that this maritime nation can benefit enormously by nurturing sailing and a love of the sea among our young people?"

Vine argues that efforts towards a "new viable Tallship for Ireland deserve individual, corporate and Government support". Do you agree? Have your say in the comments below.

DiscoverIreland guest blogger Kirsten Fruit has posted a quick guide highlighting Ireland's abundance of world-class angling spots.

"For years, fishing fanatics from around the world have found a haven of sorts in Ireland’s waterways," she writes, "and it isn’t hard to see why."

Ireland has it all, from deep-sea angling for bass or cod to trout or salmon fishing on rivers and lakes.

But it's not just for the experts, as there are many excellent angling guides throughout the country who make a business out of introducing newcomers to the sport.

"Having a guide adds 100 percent to an individual’s enjoyment on the river," says Ballynahinch Castle's master ghillie Simon Ashe.

DiscoverIreland has more on the story, including guides' favourite angling spots, HERE.

Well-wishers broke out the champagne to welcome home Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander as she completed her solo circumnavigation of Ireland by kayak yesterday.

The first woman from Northern Ireland to complete such a feat, Shooter landed at County Antrim Yacht Club 71 days after setting off from the same spot on her 1,000-mile challenge to raise funds for local charity SHARE.

Shooter's skills were regularly tested to the limit. On one occasion she suffered severe sea sickness after getting caught in a large swell during a 12-mile crossing near Brandon Bay.

“I was fully committed with a cliff face on one side and a long paddle to America on the other, so I had to continue despite being severely ill,” she said. 

But the challenge wasn't all doom and gloom. One highlight was when Shooter was joined by a pod of six dolphins for over an hour near Easkey on the Sligo coast. And above all, the people she met along the way have left a lasting impression. 

“The support from the kayaking community and local fisherman has been great," she said. "Kayakers have paddled stretches with me, met me with tea and biscuits, gave me warm beds and hot showers, shared invaluable local knowledge – I can’t thank them enough."

In one of the busiest racing weekends of the Irish sailing calendar a vintage Quarter tonner sailed by six friends lifted the top prize in Dun Laoghaire. We report on Supernova's success. In a weekend of extremes for the biennial 'big one' we have reports, photos and video from Day one, two, three and overall. Plus how one VDLR competitor skipped the ferry and sailed over, from Wales in a dinghy. We have the DBSC likely first series winners too. On Friday, John Twomey and his crew qualified in Weymouth for next year's Paralympic Games. Yesterday in Croatia Sophie Murphy took a race win at the ISAF Youth Worlds for Ireland. From a lead at the halfway stage Peter McCann ended up eighth at the Oppy worlds in Portugal.We have less serious Optimist action from Crosshaven too.

In offshore news, the Transatlantic Race 2011 Nears a Finish, and RORC yachts that headed West did best in the St Malo from Cowes race. Ireland's entry in the Tall Ships race, Celtic Mist, is safely in Scotland. WIORA starts this week in Clifden, thirty boats are expected.

Two top Cork performers are in Cowes for this week's Quarter Ton Cup.

In other boating news, rower Siobhan McCrohan won bronze at the World Rowing Champs in Lucerne, Kiteboarding debuted in Dun Laoghaire. There were Medals for Irish Kayakers at Athens Special Olympics.

And finally after a Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander is set for hero's welcome this week as she becomes the first woman from Northern Ireland to circumnavigate the island of Ireland.

All on our home page this morning, thanks for your interest in Irish Sailing and Boating.

Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander is set for hero’s welcome this week as she becomes the first woman from Northern Ireland to circumnavigate the island of Ireland by kayak.

The solo paddler is expected to reach the finish line at County Antrim Yacht Club on Wednesday after her 70-plus-day test of endurance.

Shooter began her epic 1,000-mile voyage on 3 May, facing a tough challenge navigating a coastline of cliffs and headlands, strong tides and brutal weather. She has been storm-bound for a total of 21 days, often only with a small tent for shelter. 

When asked what home comfort she was most looking forward to, she simply replied: "A proper toilet and some clean clothes." 

Shooter embarked on the challenge to raise funds for SHARE, a charity providing outdoor activity programmes that promote the inclusion of disabled and non-disabled people. 

“I expected and had trained for the physical challenge but I don’t think you can ever prepare mentally," she commented. 

"It has been a real struggle coping with the repetition of paddling, getting changed into wet clothes and packing up a wet tent every day. Especially on the windy days it has been hard just to push on that extra few miles each day.” 

But connecting with fans and supporters through social media made a big difference. 

“The Facebook page has really been a lifeline," she said. "There is nothing more motivating than coming off the water after a tough day to read so many supportive and funny comments from well wishers."

See below for a map showing Shooter's live position as she edges closer to the finish line.

Ireland joins Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Mexico and nine other countries with all surfers eliminated from the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Playa Venao, Panama.

Mike Young, Ireland's sole competitor, was knocked out in the opening rounds of the open longboard competition.

After five days of heats, Australia currently leads the team ratings with 19,120 points and seven surfers still left in contention, with Brazil close behind.

The World Surfing Games continue till this Sunday 3 July.

Waterways Ireland is advising Shannon Navigation users that a vessel is presently sunk immediately downstream of the bridge at Shannonbridge and is a hazard to navigation.

It is intended to lift this vessel using a pontoon and lifting equipment on Thurs 30 Jun 2011, commencing at 08.00hrs. It is expected that the operation will take four hours. Masters should expect to be delayed when passing through the area.

All vessels passing the pontoons should exercise due caution and heed the advice and instructions of the safety boat in attendance.

Southbound vessels in particular should be aware of their speed as they approach the navigation arch with the attending flow in order to avoid a close quarters situation with the pontoon. Use of extra fenders in the bow area of vessels would be a prudent precautionary measure when passing the lifting rig.

An Irish rower last week cut short his attempt to cross the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland.

Sean Moriarty told CBC News that he called for a rescue after two days at sea when his boat was flipped repeatedly in four-metre waves, damaging his electronic equipment.

Moriarty and his boat - the unfortunately named Positive Outcome - were picked up by a Canadian coastguard vessel and towed to St John's in Newfoundland on 13 June.

The Dingle native, who runs a construction firm, plans to ship his boat back home to Ireland.