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Kayaking trio circumnavigate Lough for Special Olympics Club

Lisburn Athletes Andrew, Simon and Jamsey wish George, Colin and Dennis good luck. Included is Moore Brand of Carrickcraft, one of the sponsors.

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.

George, Colin and Dennis set off in their kayaks. 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