On Thursday 27th April, the Call of the Wild Sligo Schools Kayak Festival in association with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership as part of the Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiative took place at Doorly Park on the water of Lough Gill. This event, organised by Tommy Cradock from Sligo Grammar School Kayak Club, saw 35 students from three schools, Sligo Grammar school, Summerhill College and Mercy College take part. For the first time the event saw nearly equal male and female participants with a 48% female and 52% male split.

The weather was dry, mild and pleasant with great conditions on the water for kayaking. This year saw the addition of a team timed kayak orienteering event, which was not all about speed and required thinking, planning and a lot of teamwork to get the best time. The relay event provided huge excitement for spectators, and there was lots of smiles and laugher from participants racing which is the main goal of the festival.

Presentation of medals and t-shirts, kindly sponsored by Call of the Wild, took place afterwards, results are listed below. As a touching tribute to the late Alex McGourty, his family kindly presented his Liffey Descent Boat to the winning school, Summerhill College. They will have use of the boat for one year, until its return for presentation to next years winning school. Students would not have the opportunity to take part in this sport without the dedication of the teachers who give up their free time to run the after school kayak clubs and activities.

Photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page – click here 

Results

Long Course Senior Girls
1. Anna Tiernan (Mercy College)

Long Course Senior boys
1. Daniel Tiernan (Summerhill College)
2. Jacob Hamilton (Sligo Grammar)
3. Donnchadh Quinn Conway (Sligo Grammar)

Long Course Junior Girls
1. Rosie Symonds (Sligo Grammar)
2. Deborah Tiernan (Mercy College)
3. Erica Cawley (Mercy College)

Long course Junior Boys
1. Fiachra Dowd (Sligo Grammar)
2. Sam Cunningham (Summerhill College)
3. Adam Foley (Sligo Grammar)

Short Course Senior Girls
1. Anna Tiernan (Mercy College)
2. Isabelle Meehan (Mercy College)
3. Heather Egan (Mercy College)

Short Course Senior Boys
1. Daniel Tiernan (Summerhill College)
2. Tom Bastible (Summerhill College)
3. Ronan Hensey (Summerhill College)

Short Course Junior Girls
1. Rosie Symonds (Sligo Grammar)
2. Deborah Tiernan (Mercy College)
3. Meabh Mc Callion Gleeson (Sligo Grammar)

Short Course Junior Boys
1. Fiachra Dowd (Sligo Grammar)
2. Sam Cunningham (Summerhill College)
3. Adam Foley (Sligo Grammar)

Relay
1. Summerhill College
2. Sligo Grammar 4
3. Sligo Grammar 2

Orienteering
1. Sligo Grammar 1
2. Summerhill College
3. Sligo Grammar School 2

Most Promising Paddlers
• Fiachra Dowd (Sligo Grammar)
• Sam Cunningham (Summerhill College)
• Heather Egan (Mercy College)

Best Overall School (Alex Mc Gourty Boat)
1. Summerhill College 29 pts
2. Sligo Grammar 24 pts
3. Mercy College 21 pts