Outdoor Concepts - 2010 Programme launched

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Looking for some adventure on 2010 - well look no further - we have something here for everyone from sea kayaking to rock climbing, Slieve Donard to Kilimanjaro.

Look through the programme, drop us an email and you're booked - it's as simple as that! And look out for our special offers on some events - Bring a Friend and your friend goes HALF PRICE.

We also provide tailor-made programmes for: hen and stag parties, birthday outings, groups of friends, youth groups, church groups, summer schemes, corporate team building away days - in fact if you have a group of 6 or more contact us and we can provide you with your very own personalised adventure. Individual tailor-made programmes also available.

For more information, visit www.outdoorconcepts.co.uk/cmsfiles/files/1068_oc_2010_emailer.pdf

Slackline – Something to go MAD about!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Now available in Northern Ireland

Powered by slackline4u.com

Life is about Balance…and the ‘slack line’ is a fantastic tool to find yours!

A Slackline is simply a webbing (flat rope) that you can walk along, at knee level, strung up between two fixed points, such as trees or other anchor points. The kit is very quick and easy to set up, providing mobile fun where-ever you go!

However be careful, Slacklining can be completely addictive! It is extremely fun and unique, providing a great opportunity to have fun with friends and family.  The Slackline is a not just seasonal, it’s a fantastic tool to create a unique BBQ setting in the Summer or even part of a Winter wonderland in your local Park. Everyone can walk a Slackline, children and adults alike! Just a little bit of general fitness and perseverance is required.

The benefits of balance are there for everyone to enjoy. Slacklining increases your physical coordination and concentration. Whether you play sport, surf, rock-climb, are an adrenaline junkie or mediate, try something new and be a part of the Slackline revolution!!

Ready to get your body ‘on-line’?

Visit our Online Shop www.slackline4u.com to get in less the 5min your brand new slackline kit!

Are you not sure, why not visit one of our slackline ‘open park sessions’ in Belfast – sign up via text 077 8573 6071 or dennis@slackline4u.com

For more information, visit www.slackline4u.com

Flood Clear Up Begins at Share Holiday Village

Thursday, December 17, 2009

After the worst case of flooding since records began, Share Holiday Village – Lisnaskea has begun the clear up of the swimming pool and leisure suite which was badly affected by the floods.

The charity set up to promote the inclusion of able bodied and disabled persons which has already faced a difficult financial year in the current economic climate will have to overcome the financial burden of the flood damage and lost revenue due to the closure of their gym and leisure suite.

Staff tried in vain to prevent the flood damage by puttying up the doors and using sand bags to prevent the water from getting in. However the flood levels rose and remained at such a high level for 10 days, that it is estimated that the damage will total in the region of £500,000. The Leisure Suite and Gym will be closed until September as it will now require a major overhaul; however the rest of the premises will remain open for business.

The Leisure Suite which has been open for around 14 years was the only fully accessible gym facility in the local area which welcomed many people with disabilities and special needs and held a lot of specialist equipment. The building also hosted the Sperrins Lakeland Trust - Killadeas Day Care Centre, an I.T. Suite and classroom which provides learning opportunities for adults with special needs. Share have provided alternative temporary facilities for the day care centre however much of the equipment has been damaged beyond repair.

The Building also contained two function rooms and male, female and staff changing rooms for activities which are now unusable by the general public. Management are currently looking into temporary replacements to cope with demand in the New Year. Fortunately the floods happened during the off peak season as Rory Martin – Share Marketing Officer suggests:

“The damage to the building has meant that we have had to move all waterfront operations to other buildings. As  water sports’ are among our more popular activities, the only blessing is that it did not happen during our busy season as it would have made it extremely difficult to provide changing facilities for up to 400 people per day partaking in activities.”

Share would like to show their appreciation for the many calls that they have received from many local organisations, groups and individuals offering support. It will affect the whole community as Oliver Wilkinson - Share Chief Executive suggests

“The closure of the swimming pool and leisure suite will affect the 250 members from the local area as it is estimated that it will be out of action until September 2010 at the earliest. Our heart goes out to all those staff, volunteers and people in the local community who helped fund raise to make the building possible all those years ago, we may have to call upon their support once again in the new year!”

At this stage staff and management are concentrating on salvaging any equipment. Work has begun lifting the many tiles and carpets etc throughout the building. Much of the plaster on the walls and roofs will need taken off, professionally dried and replaced as Robert Livingstone Share General Manager explains

“It is a common misperception that a pool area would not be overly affected by the influx of water; however this area is generally very warm and in a short space of time was reduced to minus temperatures. The whole area was under water for over 10 days, which has meant that the building has expanded. We are already witnessing signs of the damage as the building contracts, now that the water has drained, with cracks appearing throughout the building and tiles coming off the walls and swimming pool surface. My main worry was if we had a widespread frost, there could have been substantial structural damage to the bricks resulting in a complete rebuild. We will be looking into flood defence systems to ensure this does not affect us to the same extent again”.

Although the Centre has been badly affected by the floods, the only part of the 65 acre site that is closed is the leisure suite and gym complex with its waterfront location. The rest of the centre remains open for business, providing a valuable service to able bodied and disabled visitors from across the Province in a wide range of water, arts and land based activity holidays.

For more information, visit www.sharevillage.org

Sympathy expressed for canoeist on Bann

Monday, December 14, 2009

“The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland and the Countryside Access and Activities Network wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Stephen Chapman who has died following a tragic accident on the river Bann. Stephen was a very active member of the Causeway Coast Kayak Association and a member of the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland. His loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him”.

Clanrye Employment and Training Services & East Coast Adventure

Monday, December 07, 2009

Clanrye Employment and Training Services & East Coast Adventure are proud to announce that, from the 3rd of January 2010, we will be offering a wide range of activities from the Clanrye fantastic and recently refurbished Slieve Gullion Courtyard.

In conjunction with Clanrye Employment, East Coast Adventure we will be offering a wide range of land & water based activities in the forest, Camlough Lake and Slieve Gullion Mountain, to include the following: - Orienteering - Eco Trails - Archery - Rock Climbing and Abseiling - Rope Traversing and Bridge Building - Team Building - Survival and Leave No Trace Training - Mountain Biking - Kayaking - Canoeing - Canoe Sport skills courses - Banana Boating - Power Boat rides - RYA Personal Watercraft (jetski) Courses - RYA Power Boat Courses - RYA First Aid Courses.

The above activities are available to groups ranging in size from 8 people to 300 people in any given day.

Everyone is welcome, from schools and youth groups to corporate and stag and hen. Food and accommodation is available locally and all programmes are custom built to suit each group.

For further information contact: Rachel Mullen East Coast Adventure at the Slieve Gullion Courtyard 89 Drumintee Road Killeavy Newry Co Armagh BT35 8SW 02830250496 rachel.mullen@clanryegroup.com

For more information, visit www.eastcoastadventure.com

Authur Guinness Day winner

Monday, December 07, 2009

This year East Coast Adventure helped the Whistledown Hotel in Warrenpoint make it to 2nd in the Arthur's Day publican video competition.

We had the staff of the hotel on the banana boat, Jet Ski and Ian & Killian abseiled from the roof of the Whistledown to had a pint of the black stuff to Arthur "himself" waiting at the bottom.

The video that was created fought off stiff competition to make it to 2nd in Ireland overall.

Well done to the Whistledown Hotel for pulling it off. .

For more information, visit www.eastcoastadventure.com

New Self-Guided Tour Operator for Ulster Way

Friday, December 04, 2009

Let's Go Walking have just released four new self-guided tour packages along the Ulster Way. These packages include the Causeway Coast Way, Moyle Way & Glens of Antrim, Lecale Way and the Mourne Way.

With a new mini-website dedicated towards these new packages walkers now have a variety of options to choose from when planning their self-guided walk over sections of the Ulster Way.

For more information, visit www.northernirelandwalkingholidays.com

Sprouts are for Life not just Christmas!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Put your sprouts to good use this Christmas! Thats right, we're helping thousands of people achieve a positive sproutput by adding a little Adventure to their Christmas presents this year. Whether its for a specific event or a simple money voucher, we have a little Christmas something to suit every need. Fresh air and exercise are the only real solution! Contact us today to give something a little different...

For more information, visit http://www.onegreatadventure.com/subpages/viewdetails.asp?PageID=1&ID=17

coming soon!!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Xplore Outdoors is getting a new "state of the art" website for Christmas... The new look site will portray a new, fresh and innovative profile of our outdoor company. Keep an eye for a new addition to our activites early next year. Xciting times at Xplore Outdoors!

For more information, visit xploreoutdoors.co.uk

Face your FEARS!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Do you want to be in control of your life? To achieve personal and work related aspirations? To be one of Life's Winners? I'm sure you do! We all do, but how? Face your FEARS! That's right! We have created a NEW opportunity that enables you to turn your Fears into your Challenges and your Challenges into your Opportunities! FYF is suitable for individuals, teams and entire organisations that truly believe that everyone has the potential to be one of Life's Winners! Just like us! Interested?

For more information, visit www.onegreatadventure.com

Temporary Closure on Lagan Towpath

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The Lagan Towpath section between Drumbridge and Gilchrist Bridge will be closed (Mondays to Fridays) for a maxiumum of 4 weeks between November and December for upgrading / widening works.

The Lagan Valley Regional Park apologises for any incovenience and ask for your cooperation during this period.

Possible alternative routes along Upper Malone Road via Shaw's Bridge and Mary Peter's Track

For more info please contact LVRP 028 9049 1922

Freak Fermanagh Floods Won’t Close our Doors!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

After 35 days of continuous rainfall and the worst flooding since records began Share Holiday Village – Lisnaskea is still open for business and has several groups visiting this week.  Indeed staff are using alternative means of transport to ensure that the Centre stays open, providing a valuable service to able bodied and disabled visitors from across the Province in a wide range of water, arts and land based activity holidays.

Unfortunately Share has been affected to some extent by the rising water levels with the closure of their swimming pool, leisure suite and gym complex. The building is very close to the lake and is now partially submerged by the record floods - with up to two feet of water in the building. Staff tried in vain to prevent the flood damage by puttying up the doors and using sand bags to prevent the water from getting in. A salvage effort is now underway as employees begin a removal process shifting all electrical gym equipment, boats and water craft to higher unaffected areas. The Leisure Suite and Gym will be closed until the New Year as it will now require a major overhaul, however the rest of the premises will remain open for business. This has a knock on effect as Oliver Wilkinson Share chief Executive suggests

“Within the leisure suite we have a function room which is used by Killadeas day care centre to provide an educational service for adults with learning difficulties. Unfortunately it too is under water and as part of it is used as an I.T. Facility the damage may be quite substantial. We have been able to offer them another area to use in the mean time to ensure disruptions are kept to a minimum.”

Most other staff had to find alternative means of transport into the centre as the Newbridge road has been closed which links Lisnaskea to Derrylin. This road is usually very busy as the trucks from Quinn’s Cement factory use this route. Although large vehicles can still pass through, a number of smaller vehicles that have braved the crossing have found themselves stranded or broken down.

The novelty of the situation has made travelling to work quite an enjoyable experience for most staff who park their cars in a lay-by don their boots and waterproofs and take whatever means of transport available. Several members of staff were transported by passing trucks, several in their own 4X4 vehicles and several were ferried in by Canoe; however this novelty is likely to wear off soon enough. Some local farmers have even been seen on jet skis and boats. The three schools visiting Share today would not be put off by the road closures and made a slightly extended journey via Enniskillen and Derrylin to Share.

In fact a watersports centre tends to thrive in situations like this as Rory martin Share’s marketing officer suggests;

“Many of our more experienced outdoor instructors are taking this opportunity to paddle in areas previously un-navigable by canoe. Share run an outdoor instructor trainee course each year and this years trainees made full use of the areas affected today by paddling into Lisnaskea on what is usually farmland and main roads! In fact a couple of staff had to paddle in to pick up the daily bread delivery from the local Spar as the delivery service was unavailable due to road closures.”

The weather forecast over the next couple of days seems to be for more rain, however it is unlikely that it will affect Share much more than it already has.  Share is very much still open for business and many members of staff will be out honing their skills, paddling on the rivers while the water levels are so high, although Share do suggest that people using watercraft take extra care as many areas may be more dangerous than first perceived.

A number of the employees at Share are members of the local coastguard team who will be on alert as always to provide rescue services should the situation deteriorate. Share Holiday Village with 220 beds will also be able to provide a service to any person(s) in the local area that has been put out of their homes by the flood.

For more information on the ‘Fermanagh Floods’ and other outdoor activity packages please contact Rory – Share Marketing Officer on 028 6772 2122 or rory@sharevillage.org

For more information, visit www.sharevillage.org

Superdrive Launches ‘Super’ Nova for New Junior Rally Programme

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Superdrive Motorsports Centre near Portadown, County Armagh today launched an all new junior rally driving programme for young people from age 13 to 17 years using a rally prepared Vauxhall Nova. This programme is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and is designed to teach driving and basic rally competition skills to young people who are not of road driving age.

Gift vouchers for the course are available to buy now for Christmas at special introductory price of £89.00 per session. The programme will be £99.00 per session from 1^st January 2009.

Superdrive’s Centre Manager Safron Thomas said,

‘Our team is very excited about introducing the Junior Rally Driving Programme to young people in Ireland. The Motorsports Association (MSA) already allows young people with the appropriate MSA licence from age 14 to compete in rally cross and mini cross events.

‘We see our Junior Rally Programme as both an avenue to learn the basics of driving and ultimately a training ground for young people who want to get into motorsport, particularly rally driving.

‘Superdrive provides a safe and controlled learning environment for young people to gain driving experience and then progressing on to rally competition skills.’ She said.

Superdrive’s Managing Director Brendan Crealey said,

‘This young driver initiative also has an important road safety benefit. Young drivers can come to our centre and learn basic car control skills that will be very beneficial to them when they eventually get on the road.

‘We believe the programme will help to save lives on our roads among the 17-25 year old age group.’ He said.

The Car

The dedicated Junior Rally car is a rally prepared 1200cc Vauxhall Nova with FIA approved racing seats and harnesses, roll cage, full communication system and essential motorsport accessories.

The Programme

No previous driving experience is required to take part in the rally programme. There are two levels in the Junior Rally Programme; Level One – Junior Driving Essentials and Level Two- Advanced Junior Driving

Every session includes a classroom based safety and instructional briefing from the Superdrive rally instructors and all drivers will be provided with a rally suit and motorsport helmet including helmet-to-helmet intercoms for in car instructions.

Level One – Junior Driving Essentials drivers will focus on the basics of driving a car progressing on to basic rally skills.

Level Two- Advanced Junior Driving drivers will focus on honing their rally driving skills and learning competition techniques.

Further Advancement

When a driver has completed Level Two – Advanced Junior Driving, regardless of age, they will be entitled to take part in the Superdrive adult Rally Experience Courses in the Ford MKII Escort RS2000, the rear-wheel-drive Ford Focus Zetec or the Mitsubishi Evo IV or book One-to-One tuition with one of Superdrive’s experienced instructors.

Superdrive’s professional team can give support and advice on how drivers can further their rallying career through Superdrive and beyond.

Superdrive is the only Rally School in Ireland that is recognised by the governing body of Motorsports in the UK, the Motorsports Association (MSA) and also the British Association of Rally Schools (BARS).

For any further information, to buy a Gift Voucher or book a session please contact Superdrive Rally HQ on 028 38852545, email us at safron@superdriveni.com

For more information, visit www.superdriveni.com

Have you seen them?

Monday, November 23, 2009

As a result of our FREE RANGE KIDS CLIMBING campaign there are now over 5,000, thats right FIVE THOUSAND ‘Free Range Kids' across Ireland!

Only launched as recently as June this year our campaign has received a great response and unbelievable support from Schools, Youth Programmes and District Councils to name but a few.

Whats most important though is that we've given thousands of young people the opportunity to experience adventure by using our fantastic mobile climbing walls and as a result better themselves and their communities – but don’t tell them as that’s all a secret! If your interested in joining the campaign simply contact us today...

For more information, visit www.onegreatadventure.com

BBC Children In Need Charity Abseil

Friday, November 20, 2009

Each year people in Northern Ireland raise much needed funds for the BBC’s Children In Need Appeal by doing fun and crazy stuff!

This year you will have the opportunity to abseil down BBC Broadcasting House on the very day of the Appeal. Pudsey showed us how it was done last year by putting on a harness and abseiling down the building for the cameras and he loved it - so what are you waiting for?

Sign up by yourself or bring along some friends, a community group, a school group or some work colleagues. Follow the instructions on how to get signed up on the night and Pudsey will see you at Broadcasting House before you abseil the 100ft back to terra- firma!

I am interested in completing the abseil, what do I do now? - Email info@outdoorconcepts.co.uk

We will email you a Registration Form along with a Sponsorship Pack - Complete the Registration Form and return it along with a Registration Fee of £40 made payable to Outdoor Concepts Ltd. -

On this form you should indicate what your preferred time slot would be - 10am, 10.30, 11, 11.30, 12, 12.30pm, 1, 1.30, 2, 2.30. - We will email you confirmation of your time slot -

You should then present yourself 15 mins BEFORE your allocated time slot at Broadcasting House, along with your sponsorship money, on Friday 20 November 2009.

Outdoor Concepts Ltd has a Civil Liability Insurance Policy and an Employers’ Liability Policy of £10 million. All our staff are fully qualified. Minimum Age to take part - 11 years old.

For more information, visit www.outdoorconcepts.co.uk

Obstruction in River Lagan at Shaw’s Bridge

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A large tree has become stuck on one of the stanchions on the old bridge at Shaw’s Bridge.  This is obstructing the river at this point. 

The river can still be paddled by passing under the bridge arch closest to the Belfast Activity Centre Boat House (river left).  Please take care when paddling this stretch of the river.

Lecale Cottages, Rostrevor, is offering special deals on 2 night breaks to coincide with the 26Extreme Winter Race Series

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Want to enter a 26Extreme Winter Race but need to spend time with the family as well?

Why not book a 2-night stay at Lecale Cottages in Rostrevor. With prices from £17 per person per night, your family can enjoy a short holiday whilst you get to race in this unique event.

When you’re racing, depending on what venue you go for, the children will have a great time exploring the Forest Parks at either Rostrevor, Castlewellan, or Tollymore. Then in the afternoon, take a trip into Newcastle or head for a walk along Cranfield Beach. Come the evening time, why not take advantage of the local restaurants in Rostrevor and Warrenpoint, many with child (and pocket) friendly menus.

Check out our website www.rostrevorholidays.com for further details, and pick your race choice at http://26extreme.com/winter-race-series/

For more information, visit www.rostrevorholidays.com

Road Closure along Ulster Way

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Dungiven to Castlerock

A section of the Seacoast Road at Downhill has been closed indefinitely because of a rockfall and unstable cliffs. Alternative routes in the area should be sought.

26 extreme winter race series Castlewellan

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Race 2 Report Castlewellan 5th November 2009 Bad weather gave way to stars and cool conditions just in time for the second of the 26 Extreme Winter Race Series in Castlewellan last Thursday night.

Over 70 runners turned out to what was going to be a fast and furious race from the start, with runners from as far away as Belfast and Dundalk donning their head torches once again.

Local clubs also turned out in force with athletes from BARF, Larne AC, Newcastle AC, Murlough AC, Newry City Runners, Newry Tri, Setanta Tri to name but a few. At 7:30pm the start was sounded with runners striking out from the eastern end of the lake into the first of the hill climbs that are now a common fixture in the series.

The route then contoured around Slievenaslat hill in an anti-clockwise direction until reaching the lake again at its northern most point. From here the route followed the lake track in an anti-clockwise direction back to the finish. Twenty minutes into the race runners could be seen from the finish line rounding the opposite end of the lake in an impressive snake of lights. From here the race for the finish was truly on with a tight group at the front leading the rest of the field through the darkness at an impressive pace.

Karl Kildea from Setanta Triathlon Club was first across the line in an impressive 27:55 with David O’Flaherty a close second in 28:11. Third place went to Deon McNeilly in a time of 29:14. Representing the ladies, Laura O’Driscoll came home first in an impressive 34:10, closely followed by Mary Laverty 34:58 and Julie Murphy 37:59.

The next race in the calendar is in Rostrevor on Saturday the 14th of November and will be the first of the series to take place during the day. So leave your torches at home and prepare for some tough climbing.

Ian Cumming and Rowan McMahon from the 26 Extreme Team would like to thank everyone that took part last week race especially those who travelled a long distance to take part. Results and information on future races can be found at www.26exteme.com

For more information, visit www.26extreme.com

Tiso Belfast Club Discount Night

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

All WalkNI.com readers are invited to the forthcoming Tiso Belfast Club Night on November 4th 2009 between 6pm and 8pm.

Simply quote reference WalkNI 410 on arrival to recieve 20% OFF mountaineering and climbing products with 15% OFF everything else*

Watch out for TISO Club Night Specials, with up to 25% off!



*exceptions: 10% off books, maps, canoes, kayaks and GPS

For more information, visit www.tiso.com

Instructor Development Programme at Tollymore

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Tollymore Mountain Centre is currently advertising for participants for its trainee instructor scheme.

Full details are available on www.tollymore.com or www.sportni.net. We are seeking to appoint 6 people, with some adventure sports experience, lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to work toward gaining a range of governing body awards.

Successful applicants will live in Tollymore for the one year period of the programme. The closing date for applications is the 20th November 2009

For more information, visit www.tollymore.com

New Cycle Shop Opens in Newry

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

New Jmc Cycles shop is now open beside Sainsburys which is in The Quays shopping centre, Newry.

For more info contact jmc cycles on:

Tel (028) 3088 8593

ROI: (048) 3088 8593

Email: james@jmccycles.com

For more information, visit www.jmccycles.com

Winter Race Series Report 29th October 2009

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

26 Extreme 2009/2010 Winter Race Series

RACE 1 – 29th October 2009

A blustery autumn night in Kilbroney Park and 52 of the area’s finest runners were clad in fluorescent jackets and with their head torches blazing, ready and waiting for the signal that the inaugural race of the 2009/2010 26 Extreme Winter Race Series was underway.

The Winter Series promises to deliver a brand new event to the running community of Northern Ireland with a series of 10 trail races that includes 4 night races where runners are guided by only the light from a personal head torch and some strategically placed fluorescent signs.

A fine turn out for the race included runners from Newry City Runners, Setanta Tri Club, Newry Tri Club, BARF and Newcastle AC. The route saw competitors taking in steep ascents on gravel fire roads and narrow single track descents made sure it was a challenge for even the seasoned runners.

Finishing in first place was local Rostrevor runner, Andrew Hicks in a dazzling time of 28.30, closely followed by Karl Kildea (28.43) and Brendan Quail (29.25).

First female to cross the line was Trish McCann (33.35), followed by Mary Laverty (33.50) and Laura O’Driscoll (34.33).

Race directors, Ian Cumming & Rowan McMahon of 26 Extreme, would like to thank all the competitors for joining them for the flagship night race and look forward to seeing everyone next Thursday night, 5th November, in Castlewellan Forest Park for the next stage in this exciting series.

For more information on the winter series, log onto www.26extreme.com

For more information, visit www.26extreme.com

New Spy Trail

Friday, October 30, 2009

Go on – admit it, how many of us have fantasised about being – just for a short while anyway – that great British hero James Bond. Well, a Portadown based company Treasure Trails may just have come up with the answer – with the launch of the Spy Trail.

Building on the astonishing success of their Murder Mystery and Treasure Hunt Trails, the Spy Trail mission (should, of course, you choose to accept it!) is a hunt to find answers to mysterious clues hidden in familiar landmarks, attractions and buildings.

Each answer generates a letter which fits into a final puzzle which has to be solved to complete the mission – and de-activate the bomb. “The Treasure Trails idea lends itself perfectly to a Spy Mission,” said Allan Hamilton, MD of the company “What we have is a 2 to 2 and a half hour activity whereby the whole family can get out and about, solve some devious clues – which can be hidden literally anywhere, learn a bit about the area, have a ball, eliminate a few clues along the way and finally discover the location of the stolen nuclear warhead. If you have got the correct answers you can de- activate the bomb – if not, well, the end of the world I guess!”

Downloaded from the company’s website, or purchased from a range of retail outlets in the area, the Spy Trail is available in an easy to use, A5 booklet form. Its aim is to get people out and about

For more information, visit www.treasuretrails.co.uk

26 Extreme - Winter Race Series

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

26 Extreme invites you to banish your winter blues and take part in the 2009 / 2010 Winter Race Series.

This is a series of ten trail races in Rostrevor, Castlewellan and Tollymore Forests ranging in length from 6.5km to almost 13km. The exciting thing about these races is that four of them will be staged in the hours of darkness. On these race nights competitors will don their head torches and with their fellow runners will light up the trails through the forests as they take part in these unique events. All competitors in these events will be have chipped race times as we will be using the Champion Chip Timing System.

Entry Costs

Race entry fees are as follows

• £10.00 per event on the night or
• Enter the first five races for £40.00 – all money MUST be paid on Thursday 29 October 2009
• Enter the second five races for £40.00 – all money MUST be paid on Thursday 14 January 2010
• Please note that if you enter races in advance the entry fees cannot be refunded or transferred to a subsequent set of races.

Equipment

There will be gear checks prior to each event and ALL competitors must carry the following:

Waterproof Jacket for all races

Space Blanket for all races

Head torch (for the night races and the two long races)

If you fail to turn up to any event without the above kit you will not be allowed to participate. Ignorance is no excuse.

Rules etc

• You MUST be over the age of 16 to enter these races.
• The five races after Christmas will be along the same route as the five prior to Christmas with the only difference being they will be ran in the opposite direction as before.
• Best six from ten to count – To qualify for a prize and race series goodies:
• TWO of the six MUST be a night time race (either Thursday 29 October, Thursday 5 November, Thursday 14 January or Thursday 21 January)
• ONE of the six MUST be a long race (either Saturday 12 December 2009 or Saturday 6 March 2010).
• All runners MUST report to the finish
• All participants MUST sign a disclaimer prior to entering the Winter Race Series

Live More – Get to the Winter Race Series.

For more information, visit www.26extreme.com/winter-race-series

Kitesurfers hit Tyrella Beach

Friday, October 10, 2008

It's almost the end of the year in the Irish Kitesurfing Association (IKSA) calendar with the pre-final tour stop in Co Down.

IKSA organises a competition at Tyrella beach every year and it always turns to be great fun for kitesurfers and spectators alike. Competitors get treated to the perfect weather conditions for kitesurfing, and also try other activities such as wakeboarding, skimboarding and kiteboarding (kiting on the beach with a massive mountainboard) all on one beach.

Spectators will be guaranteed a great show and everyone with an interest in the sport can get up close to Ireland's best riders.

Come over for the great weekend of sport and fun. And meet the guys and girls of the sport. 11-year old Stefan Vance from Belfast is going to be the most watched talent - as he is pushing his way up the ladder in the Amateur's competition. All of the professional riders like Francois Collussi, Diarmuid Higgins and Eamon Armstrong (last year's
Champion) should be in Tyrella showing off their unbelievable tricks.

And of course the gorgeous kitesurfing girls will prove that the sport is truly beautiful.

For more information, visit www.iksa.ie