Adventure tours riding on the crest of a wave

There are times when you might not want to be part of the crowd . . . and then there are times when you definitely do.Departing on a kayaking trip from the city’s docks ar

ea on Thursday last, seven members of our group paddled towards their assigned direction of the Claddagh Basin. Meanwhile, one lone person headed helplessly towards the open sea. That was me and, on my first time ever in a kayak, I was terrified.

But I needn’t have worried. Our guide, Henry was by my side in seconds, turning me around and pointing me in the right direction advising me how to use my paddle to control the boat.

Henry works for Outdoors Ireland, a Kinvara-based adventure company, which offers kayaking tours around the city’s docks, canals and out to Mutton Island, as well as to the deserted islands around Kinvara. These range from three hours for €50 to day-long trips for €75 with all equipment provided.

The tours started in April and are billed as being suitable for beginners. Their website suggests that for the city trip, you “savour the sights and sounds of Galway City as you relax in your kayak, amidst the swans and occasional seal”.

Well, on Thursday last there were some swans, no seals and precious little relaxation for this kayaker on her maiden outing. But despite my difficulties, my travelling companion and I agreed it was fun. The six others in the group – four from Belfast and two from America – were of the same mind.

It was a grey, blustery day as we made our way to the docks area to meet up with Henry Wilkinson, who is originally from Meath, and who has more experience on water than most, since spending all his childhood summers at his grandparents’ house on Slyne Head.

His colourful past also includes five years spent working in the Russian Kola Peninsula running an adventure fishing camp, followed by two years in Wyoming breaking horses, working cattle and bull riding!

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.