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Lisburn Athletes Andrew,
Simon and Jamsey wish George, Colin and
Dennis good luck. Included is Moore Brand of
Carrickcraft, one of the sponsors.
A TRIO of kayakers have recently paddled
their way round Lough Neagh in testing weather conditions to
raise money for the Lisburn Together Special Olympics Club.
George Bryans from Moira and Colin Graham
from Hillsborough were joined in the venture - during which they
rowed between 60 and 70 miles - by Dennis Rice from Banbridge.
All three are members of Banbridge Kayak and
Canoe Club and last year raised money for a special needs school
by kayaking from Northern Ireland to Scotland.
 However, even with this experience they found the third day of
their Lough Neagh circumnavigation gruelling as bad weather
closed in.
Day one was relatively uneventful and the men
expressed their thanks to Plunkett Teague for his help
On Day two, despite a weather forecast for
wind and rain, the Lough was calm and sunny as they left at
9.20am.
"Around 10.15am we were passed by the local
inshore lifeboat as it sped northwards," they continued.
By the time they reached Cranfield on the
north shore of the Lough to stop for lunch the rain and wind
started.
"By this stage we had covered 14 miles and we
had the majority of our work done for the day so we could enjoy
our break and then quickly cover the last stretch to Antrim"
they said.
The following day's forecast predicted
constant north westerly gales.
"This was just what we didn't want as we
would be travelling down the eastern shore so we would get the
full force of the wind and waves coming across the Lough," the
kayakers continued.
"The force seven was with us right from the
time we left at 9.30am and the Lough was very messy with large
irregular waves constantly battering us and the wind trying to
snatch the paddles from our hands.
"Because of the size of the waves we
constantly lost sight of each other.
"We eventually reached Kinnego Marina safe and
sound at 4.00pm to be greeted by our families." Lisburn Together
Special Olympics Club wished to thank George, Colin and Dennis
for their commitment, determination and courage in assisting the
club with raising much needed funds.
They also wanted to thank the following
sponsors: Halifax, CarrickCraft, Craigavon, Dominic Quinn,
Davison Canners Ltd, McKinstry Motors, Glen Hilary Motors,
Drumlough Developments, Humtamaki, Lurgan, and Jimmy Burns
If you would like more information on the
Special Olympics Club or to become a volunteer to rsupport the
athletes contact Eilis Mulholland at Disability Network on 9266
7227.
neil.greenlees@jpress.co.uk
Ulster Star
05/10/2007
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