All outdoor activity should be done in line with Government Direction and it is important to stay up to date as social distancing guidelines may change over time. The most up to date advice, information and resources can be found on www.hse.ie/coronavirus
Sport Ireland – Stay Local, Stay Apart & Stay Safe in the Outdoors
Read Sport Ireland’s Guidelines for Exercising in the Outdoors HERE
Summary of Phase 3 – Outdoors for Everyone Infographic
Leave No Trace Guidelines for Getting Outdoors Responsibly and Safely
Leave No Trace Ireland have published a set of simple guidelines for getting outdoors responsibly and safely amid the Covid-19 crisis. Read the Full Guidelines HERE
Don’t Forget the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace:
The outdoors is our escape, somewhere to step away from the news cycle and gain some sense of normality. We need to pull together now and protect our nature, our wildlife, our local spaces so that we continue to have somewhere beautiful, natural and available to all the people to enjoy.
- Plan Ahead – Check weather, bring proper clothing and footwear, water and food. Park and walk responsibly.
- Expect Closures – Before leaving home, consider lack of usual facilities such as toilets, shops, cafes, restaurants.
- Stay Home or Local – Unwell? Don’t go! Feeling well? Look for local trails, hidden gems, explore closer to home.
- Be Considerate: Maintain social distancing throughout the day – at least 2 metres apart. There is plenty of space in the outdoors for everyone!
- Time and Place: Find those hidden gems, avoid peak times, avoid difficult routes. Adhere to HSE guidelines.
- Leave No Trace: Don’t rely on or add to already overburdened services. Bring your own rubbish home.
- Be Dog Responsible: Keep dogs under control. Mind out for young wildlife. Pick up and bring home dog waste.
Trails and Forests
- For advice on using Forest trails please check the Coillte guidelines HERE
Lyme Disease and Tick Awareness
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to human by infected ticks. Ticks are small, spider-shaped creatures that feed on the blood of mammals, including humans. The ticks that cause Lyme disease are commonly found in woodland and heathland areas and rural areas. This is because these types of habitats have a high number of tick-carrying animals, such as deer, mice and sheep. Due to their breeding patterns, the tick population is highest in late spring and early summer. Read HSE advice HERE
Walking
- Sligo Walks.ie have advice on walking in the local areas Click HERE to find out more. Try to avoid popular walks during Covid-19.
- Stay walking at home and take the Get Ireland Walking’s 21 Day Walking Challenge Click HERE to find out more and Download the Challenge Card HERE.
- Read some tips on how to keep your step count up while at home from Get Ireland Walking HERE
Running
- Athletics Ireland have a guide to a return – Read more HERE
- Keep motivated to run with Athletics Ireland Virtual Run Challenge – Click HERE to find out more
- The Daily Mile can be completed in the garden or around the house – Click HERE for more and this is not just for kids, adults find out about the Daily Mile Fit for Life HERE
- Why not try the Active Schools ‘Run Around Ireland’ Challenge that can be done at home, Find all the information and map for this fun challenge HERE
Cycling
- Read the latest update from Cycling Ireland on the phased return to cycling outdoors click HERE
- AXA Virtual Bike Rides are solo bike rides that you sign up to take part in on your own, within a 5km radius of your home which you will get credited for completing. So you can earn rewards while you cycle! Read more HERE
- AXA Community Bike Rides team have worked on developing short video clips on the following topics to help you improve your cycling from home Indoor Training for Beginners/Strength Training for Cycling (Part 1)/ Bike and brake check / How to maintain your bike chain /
- Cycling Ireland have launched an exciting online Zwift League, all information and registration available HERE
- Teaching a child to Cycle Resources and Videos from Cycling Ireland available HERE
- Want to work on your Mountain Biking Skills in the back garden then check out Cycling Ireland Gearing Up Off-Road Skills Video Series HERE
Mountaineering, Hill Walking and Climbing
- Read Mountaineering Ireland’s Roadmap for the return to Hillwalking and Climbing HERE
- Local Climbing Provider Carraig Climbing is providing free online training in rock climbing check out their Instagram or Facebook page for dates and how to register
- Why not upskill at home with some great online courses in Mountain Navigation and Online Rock Climbing Courses – Find out more HERE
- Access online Mountain Training videos in your own home from Mountaineering Ireland by Clicking HERE
Orienteering
- Read the latest updates about the return to Orienterring HERE
- Orienteering is great fun for all the family and can be easily adapted to around the house. The Irish Orienteering Association has some great ‘Orienteer at Home Activities’ available HERE
- Check out the Irish Orienteering Association weekly Zoom Circuits HERE
- Now that home schooling is here why not take a look at the fantastic resources and step by step guides on how to set up orienteering for children by the PDST (Professional Development Service for Teachers) Click HERE for access
Water Safety
- Water Safety Ireland – Become a PAWS HERO at home. Water Safety Ireland’s PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety) outlines the essential life-saving guidelines that every child needs to know. Written and designed for all age groups, with beautiful illustrations, a wealth of tips and advice, and all sorts of interactive games and puzzles to reinforce the lessons learned, PAWS is simple common sense and every parent is more than qualified to guide their children through them. Access the programme HERE
- For advice on using waterways within 5km of your home please see guidelines from Waterways Ireland HERE
- Follow the The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) on Facebook HERE and RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) HERE for their advice on using the water during this time.
Canoeing/Kayaking
- In advance of the upcoming return phases issued by the Government, Canoeing Ireland have developed guidelines for members and clubs on what each of these phases means for paddlesports. Read them HERE
- Canoeing Ireland have lots of ways to keep healthy and active check out their ‘Keep indoors and Keep Healthy Tips’ HERE follow them on Facebook here
- Keep up to date with local Sligo Kayak Club news HERE
- How to become a better paddler without going paddling check it out HERE
Rowing
- Please read Rowing Ireland’s Return to Rowing – Protocols HERE
- Rowing Ireland have lots of at home workouts to keep you strong and flexible for rowing and lots of tasty meal ideas too check them out on the website HERE and follow them on Facebook here
- Keep up to date with local Sligo Rowing Club news HERE
- Some interesting information on Rowing skills HERE
Surfing
- Read the Irish Surfing Association advice to surfers during this time HERE
- Stay surf fit at home with these at home workout Click HERE to view
- Increase your ocean awareness with some useful information from local surfer Seamus Mcgoldrick in a series of YouTube videos – An Introduction to Tides / Waves Heights / Rip Currents and Surf Forecasting
Sailing
- Read the Irish Sailing advice on the return to sailing HERE
- Stuck ashore no problem, Irish Sailing have developed lots of nautical ‘Shore Leave’ for you, find it all HERE
Triathlon
