WWKC has an active racing section across multiple disciplines.
Marathon
Marathon races typically split into 2 categories, Descent races (racing down rivers, rapids & weirs included) and Flatwater races. Race length varies across divisions ranging from 3km in the Novice division right up to 20km for Div. 1&2. Top end Marathon boats are fast and notoriously unstable however the club has a fleet of more stable beginner and intermediate level boats suitable for paddlers at all levels.
We are lucky at WWKC that the stretch of river outside the club is ideal for training for both Flatwater and Descent style races, with a mix of excellent flat water, small rapids and weirs at our front door. This ideal training ground probably explains why descent races are so popular with the WWKC Marathon community.
Regular training sessions are held at 11am on Saturdays. At 10am on Sundays the Fun on the Flat sessions is held for Beginner & Intermediate paddlers. During the summer motnhs the clubs holds a weekly Tuesday time trial and BBQ open to both members and non-members.
Popular domestic descent races include the Boyne descent (hosted by WWKC in 2025), the Nore, Slaney and of course the Liffey! WWKC paddlers have been known to travel far and wide to take on the most challenging descent style races with members having travelled as far as the Sella Descent in Spain, the Fish River Marathon in South Africa, and the Avon Descent in Western Australia.
Ocean Racing/Surfski
Typically run throughout the summer months, ocean racing is all about surfing offshore swell to reach speeds that are usually impossible on human power alone (experienced Surfski paddlers will regularly average reach speeds of 20+ km/hr in good racing conditions).
Ocean racing/Surfski is a relatively new discipline to WWKC with a small but growing participation. The club has 3 stable beginner style Surfski’s and experienced paddlers happy to show new paddlers the ropes. Typically paddlers start by paddling on the river and getting used to the boats before heading out to regular sessions on the sea at Howth or Bullock Harbour.
The main attractions of Surfski paddling are the exhilaration of speeding down the face of a large ocean wave and the spectacular locations races often take place in – regular Irish races include Killary Fjord, Cork Harbour, Malahide, Tramore and Cahore.
If interested in getting involved please contact the marathon officer on marathon@wwkc.net