On Sat 30th Jan Shielbaggan spent the day Whale watching off Hook Head. Amazingly 5 min after leaving Fethard we found a Humpback and then spent the next 5 hours following this amazing animal. The clip below says it all;
2010 has started in the most exciting way possible, with sightings of humpback whale feeding of the Hook peninsula. A photograph appeared in the Irish Times on Monday, 25 January showing a whale breaching very near Baginbun Head. This is only the second time this has been seen in Ireland. Instructors from the centre have been desperately driving round hook head fully kitted up with sea kayaks but as yet have been unable to paddle with the Whales. Don’t worry if we get any pictures we will put them up straightaway.
Kayaking at Duncannon
All at Shielbaggan OEC are very excited about 2010. We already have quite a large number of schools booked in for this year. For school groups who come to the centre will be offering a large range of both watesports and landsports. Most of the water sports equipment is all less than a year old.
A new service which is being o ffered in 2010 is a mobile service to schools. The service brings the outdoor activities to the school. The proposed activities included in the service are the centres new mobile climbing wall, a mobile low ropes course either archery or orienteering. Please contact Deirdre on 051389550 for more details.
This year will also see the introduction of sea paddling courses using the centre’s new fleet of sea kayaks. These courses will be run all-round the Southeast but mainly based from Bannow cottages. These courses will include beginners and intermediate as well a specialist courses focusing on such things as camping and photography. Other specialist courses will include whitewater kayaking, rock climbing and powerboating.
The Colligan Gorge Games will take place on 13 November. This will be the event’s third year and all the organisers at Shielbaggan are working towards ensuring that it will be even bigger than ever. A new event of this year will be a sea kayaking race on 25 September. This race will take place from Rosslare to Wexford over a course of approximately 20 km.
All in all we are hoping for an exciting 2010 and we are sure that no matter who you are that we have something to offer you.
Diva next door Sarah Blenner Hasset on the wall. She’s also in the Toys 4 Big Boys calender as well as being a talented climber!
Shielbaggan is delighted thats its Mobile Climbing Wall will be at the Toys 4 Big Boys Show. All visitors in the show will be able to come and climb the wall, providing a ideal opportunity for people to try their hand at rock climbing. This also provides a great entertainment not just for participants but also for spectators. Remember this is not just for kids but adults as well. looking forward to seeing you there…….
Colin and Toine went to the Burren with a group from Wexford Hillwalking Club for an improvers rock climbing weekend.
The three day trip started in Ballyryan, then to Aill na Crónáin and finishing off on the famous cliffs at Allidie. All participants were from Wexford Hillwalking Club. The weekend proved to be a great success with lots of climbing, leading and of course some excellent Craic in the pubs of Doolin.
Anyone who would like information on Rock Climbing programmes should contact us at info@shielbagganoec or ring on 051389550.
The build up for the Colligan Gorge Games has started, the new Games website is operating, a facebook fanpage now has over 120 fans and last but not least there are 60 entries in already. This years games is set to be bigger than ever. Keep watching the website or become a facebook fan for more info. But if you want to enter you better be quick, places are limited and filling fast.
White Water action at the 2008 Colligan Gorge games
Leo attempting to be the first climbing Lion.
Colin Trying to escape with the Heineken Cup
Leinster rugby kicked off their new home season on Sat 12th September and Shielbaggan OEC was there to witness a great victory. Adults and juniors arriving before the match had the opportunity to try out the mobile climbing wall. This was so successful that the wall is going back for the Leinster Vs Munster match in 2 weeks time. Manager Colin even managed to get hold of the Heineken Cup briefly. One of the high points of the day was the first ascent of a climbing wall by a lion!
On Monday August 31st Colin, Paddy, Paul and Ricki successfully completed their ICU Sea Kayaking Level 4 Skills Assessment.
Not one, not two, but four Shielbaggan OEC staff have entered the 2009 Liffey Descent 50th Anniversary. Annie, Eoin and Niall are up against Centre manager Colin in the 18 mile Canoe race.
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