It may not be gently down the stream, particularly if there's a southwesterly wind blowing, but that isn't deterring the rowers from all over Ireland and beyond from participating in this year's Ocean to City - An Ras Mor in Cork which is continuing to attract an ever-increasing number of participants.
According to Joya Kuin of organising group, Meitheal Mara, over 200 crews comprising some 600 participants are set to descend on Cork city this bank holiday weekend to participate in the race which sees rowers in a host of traditional craft row from Crosshaven at the mouth of Cork Harbour up to the city quays.
“It’s our biggest ever entry - when Ocean to City started in 2005, there were 113 entries and this year we will hit between 200 and 210 - it’s the third year in a row that the entries have increased so we are really looking forward to a great event on Saturday,” said Ms Kuin.
“It’s a gruelling 28km race from Crosshaven back up to the city quays at the Port of Cork - this is the 12th year of the race and over the years we have brought thousands of rowers and paddlers to Cork to compete across a range of classes.”
Aside from rowers from the US, the UK, Portugal, the Netherlands and France all competing in a variety of traditional craft , this year's event also sees a notable increase in the number of paddlers with over 80 paddlers making the journey in kayaks and on stand-up paddle boards.
Ms Kuin: "Last year, we ran a pilot project where one guy paddled from Monkstown on a stand-up paddle board and he completed the course in a really good time, so this year we have a new category - stand -up paddle boards and we have eleven entries in the category and we're very excited about that.
“It’s 13 km from Monkstown to the city but it’s still a major challenge for the stand-up paddle boarders - we’ve found that introducing the half marathon from Monkstown has proven very popular with 52 entries this year - it’s made it more accessible for people who might not do the whole race.”
Major operation
The Ocean to City race takes place at 10.30am on Saturday June 4th. Its organisation is a major logistical operation with Meitheal Mara putting 35 safety boats on the water crewed by some 140 volunteers, with another 180 volunteers onshore.
Ocean to City kicks off this year's Cork Harbour Festival which runs until June 12th and this year's programme features a range of events including open days at Spike Island and Camden Fort Meagher as well as a chance to sail with the world's oldest yacht club, the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Other events include a Haunted Harbour Tour, a Night Time Kayak Trip through Cork city, a screening of River Runner about a salmon's journey up the River Lee, the Rebel Plunge Swim from Blackrock Castle to Lapp's Quay and the visit of the Dutch sailing ship, Morgenster to Cork and Cobh.
For a full listing of events, which also includes a series of lunchtime lectures with maritime themes including one by former Lt Commander Daire Brunicardai of the Naval Service on "The Royal Navy during the 1916 Rising", click here.
