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For the second year in succession we are delighted to highlight the story of a small group of intrepid lads from Pembroke Rugby Club who like to undertake a challenge, with a view to raising funds for worthwhile charities.
 This year they decided to kayak 100kms down the River Shannon, one of the busiest waterways in Ireland.
We let Darrell Willington, one of those involved, tell their story on PembrokeshireSport.co.uk today.
“The whole adventure had been hatched over a few drinks at New Year and forgotten until a conversation at Easter, at the end of the rugby season. Consequently, a group was formed and the initial meeting in May confirmed everyone’s determination to take up this mighty challenge.
“So what was going to be the driver, which would motivate the team to train hard and see this through? After discussion, it was decided to raise funds for a local charity and MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT was chosen to be the beneficiary of our exertions. The local officials were contacted and delighted to accept our offer of support. The team was further heartened and enthused, by the following very generous offers of support from STENALINE (Fishguard), SILCOX RENTALS (Pembroke Dock), HUTTONS (Chandlers, Pembroke Dock),WESTCOAST Clothing (Milford Haven) who produced the team shirts; WISEBUYS (Pembroke) who provided fruit supplies, KINGSWOOD ENGINEERING (Pembroke Dock) for help with boat transport, and Chris Campbell(JOLLY SAILOR, Burton) for his generous sponsorship and the sustenance provided on training runs.
“So what did the challenge entail? The team had set themselves the challenge of rowing 100km from Athlone down the Shannon River, on sit-on kayaks, over three days.
 Warm welcomes
“On arrival in Athlone, camp was pitched at Balyreegan, under the supervision of jolly John the owner, who was astounded by our intended journey.
The sounds and smell of bacon cooking on a campfire awakened the team at 6a.m., on day one, coffee was distributed and everyone enthusiastically devoured a hearty breakfast.
“Fully dressed and decamped, the team set off onto Lough Ree at 7.30am, totally unaware of the immediate problems they would encounter. Two double and two single kayaks formed our small flotilla. Despite the duress suffered on this first day, the spirit was good and the team eager to complete the paddle to Banagher, where the team was in for a real surprise. We were all welcomed with copious amounts of tea and coffee by a young priest, who was delighted to accommodate us.
“Being a sportsman himself (he played Gaelic football and golf) he was very impressed by our community spirit and determination to complete this challenge for Charity. Father Pierre, proved an unusual and very generous host, and his enthusiasm for our venture created a further stimulus for the team.
Ten hours’ hard work
“On day two, the river from Banagher, meandered through agricultural land, huge peat bogs, and a number of specially created channels and locks, before ending at Portumna, where the river emptied into the north of Lough Derg. The team decided to take lunch at Portumna, before resuming the paddle across a thankfully benign Lough. Throughout the journey we had luckily enjoyed the benefit of a breeze on our backs, accompanied by grey, docile skies and no rain! The landing at Kilgarvan Quay, after a total of ten hours on the water, saw a tired but ecstatic team, load up and head back to the campsite at Terryglass.
 Day three – doing well
“Day three started as day one, as we decamped and enjoyed a hearty breakfast cooked on our stove. The weather again was really benign and the water glass-like, which was great news for those aching bones and muscles. After 5 hours of paddling, we rounded a point and there we saw Garykennedy Marina, nestling at the foot of some tree-lined slopes. It seemed a more than suitable place to complete the journey. On landing there was elation and a palpable sense of achievement and relief that the paddling was over.
“Needless to say, the journey to our well-earned Saturday celebration in Kilkenny was a very quiet one. All were relieved to be going home and thoughts now turned to families, a return to work for some, collection of sponsorship and the BBQ on August 12 th at the rugby club.
Fresh challenges sought
“We hope that others in the club will be inspired to create their own challenges in forthcoming years, as it is a great way for the players to put something back into the local community.
“The whole team wishes to thank all of their personal sponsors and all of the companies (listed above) for the support, which helped to motivate us to achieve our goal. We hope to have raised £2,000 for the charity.
THANKS FROM THE 2011 TEAM
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Micky's Pembrokeshire
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