Welcome to the Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club website. Based in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny on the River Nore, the club consists of a large catchment of local paddlers. The River Nore provides an excellent training ground for our members, as it contains stretches of both flat-water and numerous rapids and weirs. This makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club prides itself on promoting safe paddling and introducing its members to the field of competitive canoeing. Our members compete in Marathon, Sprint and Wild Water Racing along with polo, freestyle, white-water and sea-kayaking. Check out our social media links for all the latest news and events.
Recognised as the largest and most successful rural based canoe club in Ireland.
Founded in 1996 by Sim Treacy, Jimmy Ryan and Tony Stapleton, Thomastown Paddlers is situated on the banks of the River Nore.
The club is well equipped with up to thirty canoes and kayaks. In addition, the club has a small gym room allowing members
to train all year round. The aims of the club are to promote all facets of canoeing and to encourage participation in
competitions. The club has had eight members represent Ireland in the disciplines of marathon and wild-water racing.
The club welcomes people of all ages. It encourages them to participate in whichever form of canoeing they most enjoy, and to take part in the many racing events that occur throughout the summer at different locations. The club supplies beginners with basic training, equipment and boats, which allows them to decide whether or not they want to pursue the sport.
Thomastown Paddlers hold several “Come and Try it” sessions throughout the summer for adults looking to start paddling.
These can be booked by contacting us at thomastownpaddlers@gmail.com
These sessions cost €20 one of fee. Should you like what you see and wish to come back for more, club membership would then be required
Contact us for more details via e-mail.
Thomastown Paddlers has traditionally been a marathon racing club, although many of our members compete in other disciplines, while others simply do so for recreation. In Ireland there are ten marathon races which take place across Ireland each year. Members from various clubs around the country compete over distances of 5-25km.
The season culminates with the International Liffey Descent which takes place in late September each year. Thomastown Paddlers have had great success at the Liffey Descent and members hold a number of course records.
The club encourages all its members to try out marathon racing. See our social media links for all the latest.
