Rising star: Longford kayaker Jake Bermingham secures place on Irish Freestyle Kayak team
Paddling towards a bright future: Jake Bermingham will be part of Team Ireland for the World Championships in Germany
Longford kayaker Jake Bermingham has secured a place on the Irish Freestyle Kayak team for the second consecutive year.
Jake, 16 from Ballymahon, is a proud member of Inny Kayak Club and a TY student in Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon.
The Irish Freestyle Kayaking team trials took place on Saturday, February 22 in Tuam, County Galway with over 30 kayakers looking to secure a spot on the team.
Jake topped his category, men’s junior with an impressive 245-point lead.
Freestyle kayaking, a dynamic and thrilling sport, sees paddlers perform gymnastic-style tricks and manoeuvres on white-water waves, with points awarded for their creativity and skill.
Jake has worked tirelessly training on the canal and honing his skills on the River Inny, along with trips to Clonmel, Dublin, Tuam, and Clifden. His dedication has truly paid off, securing him a place on Team Ireland for the World Championships in Germany!
This accomplishment follows a series of successes in his kayaking career, including winning a Longford Leader / Longford Sports Partnership Sport Star award in 2024, Canoeing Ireland men’s junior freestyle paddler of the year 2024, 15th in European Championship 2024, winner Junior Liffey Descent in both 2023 and 2024 and a few gold and silver medals in Irish competitions along the way.
All in Longford are incredibly proud of Jake and wish him continued success as he paddles toward a bright future!