Thomastown Paddlers reign supreme in the water in Spain
The Canoe Club took part in the annual international descent
A large group from the Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club (TPCC) travelled to Northern Spain to take part in the 87th edition of the international descent of the River Sella.
The annual canoe event takes place in Asturias and is one of the largest canoeing races of its kind in Europe, attracting participants from all over the globe.
The race starts in the town of Arriondas, which is nestled at the foothills of the Picos del Europa and makes its way along the 20km stretch of the River Sella, finishing at the seaside resort of Ribadesella.
The race is at the centre of a four-day festival in the region. The atmosphere was electric at the start line, with thousands of people lining the banks to watch the famous starting line ceremony where, after the anthems are sung and the cannon sounds, 1,600 competitors make a dash down the rocky bank to grab their boat to try and get as best a start as possible in the very congested river.
TPCC was well represented across a number of classes, with Cathal Treacy and Stephan Greene (Senior Men’s K1) Senan Forristal, Tadgh Ryan (Under-23 Men’s K1) Joanne Fitzpatrick (Senior Women’s K1) Xavier Blanche and Cathal O’Donnovan (Junior Men’ K1) Donnacha Brennan, Brendan Sheehan, Dermot Forristal, Dave Comerford (Vet Men’s K1), Finbar O’Donnovan (GP Men) flying the flag. All performed very well in respective categories.
Exceptional results included a podium finish for Senan Forristal, who had a fantastic race, finishing third in a highly competitive under-23 men’s K1 class.
Other notable placings saw Donnacha Brennan, finish sixth in the over-35 men’s K1 and Finbar O’Donovan seventh in GP Men’s.
This was a first Sella Descent for Stephan Greene, David Comerford, Xavier Blanche, Cathal and Finbar O’Donovan but certainly won’t be the last after the weekends experience. All who travelled, racing or support crews thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
The club would like to acknowledge and thank Dermot Forristal for his hard work and effort in making this club trip such a success.