Kayak Fishing and Sit-on-Top Safety Workshop

These include a brand new event this year, the ‘Kayak Fishing and Sit-on top Safety Workshop’, to be held on Saturday June 4.

Surprisingly, according to a club spokesperson, anyone can just go out and purchase a kayak or sit-on-top craft and simply take it out onto any river, lake or even the sea, without receiving any safety training whatsoever.

As one local fisherman stated – “We love to talk about our fishing gear, while forgetting about the essential safety equipment and techniques which will keep us safe while fishing from our kayaks.”

In response to these concerns, the local canoe club will facilitate their first safety awareness workshop, which starts at 9.30am on Saturday at Prehen Boathouse.

Participants can register their interest at www.fpcc.im, further details can be obtained by accessing either the website at www.foylepaddlers.com or check up their Facebook page. This is a free workshop, but numbers will be limited to 8-10 max.

The morning session will be theory based, looking at; craft selection, safety equipment (paddling gear, VHF, Sea Anchors etc) while the afternoon sessions will provide an opportunity to improve your paddling techniques and self-rescues.

Participants are advised to bring along any personal equipment and kayaks which they would normally use.

However, Foyle Paddlers will also have a selection of additional equipment available on the day.