Waves and and a seaweed whip - what more does a boy need?
Here is a boy who, even after a winter of taking private swimming lessons to prepare for his summer in Kilkee, still didn’t like to get his face wet, let alone put his head under water!
Now he spends hours in the sea playing in the waves and riding them with his boogie board; looking for, and even picking up, marine life at the Pollock Holes; using seaweed as a toy; exploring the rocky ridge called Tucker; observing the changing tides, crashing waves, rock formations and wildlife around the cliffs; and in general enjoying a life near the sea. Now I am even hearing enthusiastic talk about his plans to surf one day… a prospect I am not as enthusiastic about!
Much of the new Eoin, I credit to his time spent this summer at Nevsail Watersports Summer Camp . Thanks to Nevsail, Eoin is now willing to spend hours in the wild and cold Atlantic Ocean, both at the camp and on his own, afterwards. In the camp, he has had the opportunity to try his hand at such watersports as kayaking, canoeing, boogie boarding, snorkeling and more – and has even spent some time building a raft! The enthusiastic young instructors at the camp have been great about encouraging this shy, hesitant boy to try activities that he would never have attempted otherwise and their kindness and sensitivity have made him feel welcome and comfortable in the camp.
Eoin’s daily explorations around the bay of Kilkee and his experience within the camp, have made him, not only more confident and comfortable with the sea, but more confident in his own skin. This makes every minute I’ve spent squeezing him into, and prying him out of, his wetsuit – and then properly cleaning it after each use – well worth the effort!
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Written by Peter O'Connell |
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FROM this weekend, Kilkee beach will be significantly more accessible for people with disabilities.
Munster U20s Season Build-Up 7 August 2009, 12:55 pm www.munsterrugby.ie By Fiona Murphy
The U20s under the watchful eye of Coach Anthony Foley have been busy for the past few weeks in preparation for the season ahead. An extended squad of 38 players trained together for the month of July attending weekly sessions in alternate centres based in Fermoy RFC and Charleville RFC. These sessions culminated in a final training game with the end result, reducing the squad to 26 players.
For the August weekend the squad assembled in Limerick for training and a team building session. On the Saturday they travelled to Kilkee, Co. Clare where David Neville of NevSail Watersports led the charges through a vast array of team activities and the day was topped off nicely with a BBQ back in Curraghgower, Limerick. The squad will be kept busy for the weeks ahead with three training games planned before the interprovincial campaign commences. First up they will travel to take on Heriots RFC followed by a game against a Munster Academy select XV, and finally they will face UL Bohs. The players themselves have shown great commitment and dedication so far impressing with their attitude and work ethic, and players and management are looking forward to the upcoming games. Manager Alan Miller wished to express thanks to those involved from the off-set, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those players who were included in the extended squad but who did not make the reduced squad. Their commitment over the 4 week training period was highly commendable and we wish them all every success in their future rugby careers. Also we would like to thank our partners, Charleville RFC, Fermoy RFC and Herlihys Centra in Fermoy and Mallow.
Munster U20s Management Team:
Munster U20s Squad:
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