Ocean to City

Irishrm

Anyone planning on doing the Ocean to City race in Cork on the June bank holiday weekend? I'm planning on doing it in a touring kayak and was wondering if anyone has past experience of the race? Take the city route or head out around Roches point? Any advice is appreciated... Really looking forward to it...

Ryder

Did it the first couple of years it was on, but not since. Great day out. It can get a bit rough out near roches point and usually that leg gets cancelled if that happens...strong currents anyway so youre not missing much.

On the way into the city, stay towards the little island side....much shorter. If you go towards the rochestown side, its easy to get sucked into lough mahon and take a substantial detour..enjoy

mawk

I did it last year but wasn't available this year. next year again hopefully. in a touring yak you wont be going to roches point. thats only for the curruchs. iirc the yak route is

• curraghbinny
• slipbank
• cobh
• monkstown
• glenbrook
• little island
• up the lee

its a tough aul day and youll be demoralised by the racing yaks going past you at forty knots dispite leaving an hour after you..:(
I found the stretch along little island/lough mahon to be the killer. just went on forever and a lot of the launches caught up to me there so it was bouncy.

but youll feel great having completed it, getting out and calling a pint was absolutely delightful

Irishrm

Thanks for the feedback lads, appreciate it. Really looking forward to it now, drop the kayak off tomorrow night and get myself a good nights sleep. Not sure how I feel about not heading out to Roches point, was looking forward to the challenge but also a bit worried about what to expect.

Any last minute recommendations on what I should bring with me? Loads of food and drink obviously, sun screen, hat...

Zuppy

You won't be going out to the point. Just enjoy the lovely weather as the route map will have it all on it

hunnymonster

just looking out the window at the cross river ferry. Looks beautiful out there. Enjoy the race everyone.

Someone else

I heard one of the 4 dragon boats sank.....

Funny comment on VHF at end of race "I know some good swimming clubs around Cork you could recommend to your Dragon boat crew" !!

Zuppy

Dragon boat was recovered.

The rescue was excellent, the only way to describe it. The lower harbour was very challenging and they were available in numbers and reacted quickly.

Some others suffered as well but the radio traffic was informative.