Varsities 2006

Sorry about the delay guys, been trying to figure out how to get pictures up, not doing too good, so anyway, varsities has come and gone and what a weekend it was. It kicked off on friday 10th february, with polo in st.josephs pool in cabra. There was a great buzz about the place, and college students being college students there were numerous drunken supportors. There were no real surprises with DCU winning, again, although UCC did surprisingly well, they've really stepped up a notch in polo, they also had a very big crowd supporting them.

The party that night was in Lynhams in Laragh, and by the time we got there UCD as always had the party going big, it was a great night with good music, crazy dancing, and loads of drunk students. Saturday morning saw an early start with the whitewater registration taking place at half eight in the morning. I was very surprised when I was woken in my tent by the competitors and supportors who had actually got up fairly close to the time. The course started just before Jacksons and finished at the boottom. Very very low water levels made it very difficult for the competitors, there were also taks along the course like giving an autograph and getting photo taken. The crowd on the bank seemed to be loving it, many of them already drinking again, and most just waiting to see the next beating.

On the saturday afternoon the long distance took place at lock Dan. This event always has a big turn out with many of the freshers jumping into boats and paddling just for the craic, that's what it's all about right. Saturday saw some more crazy partying and some funny costumes, the theme being "What I wanted to be when I grew up" with everything form mad scientists to show girls, and she even found herself a gimp.

Sunday was the real event, the freestyle at sluice. The scoring system was very fair letting people of all levels score some nice points. The mens was broken down into five heats and 12 went through to the finals. I came third in the heats and felt confident about the finals. My final were pretty good, I consistently nailed the rail grab and smiling at the judges, unfortunately I flushed a bit too often and didn't qutie pull off my split wheels. Only the top three results were announced, Lenny Kelleher in 3rd, Moe in 2nd, and Mark leonard paddled hard, showing great consistency all the way to 1st place.

DCU won overall, as usual,

In all a great weekend, good paddling and good parties. Oh and UCD got the prize for most fun college, which is what's important right? I'll get some pics and hopefully some footage up soon, watch this space.