Ocean to City Race 2011

First Place - Harbour/Landscape Category (above) 

Second Place - Sports Category

Ocean to City Race 2011 - what is it?

A gruelling 15 mile/24 km row from Crosshaven - out to the mouth of the Harbour (Roches Point) around two navigational buoys and then back up the River Lee to the City. 

Some boats didn't follow this track but headed straight up the River from the start line in Crosshaven (depends on the boat/class).

When did it take place?

Saturday 4th June, 2011

What type of boats are in the photos above?

The boats above are currachs (spelt Curach in Irish).  Currachs are an Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal hides/skins were once stretched, though now they are made with canvas.

You can see in the photo above the sun shining through the "skin" of the currach revealing the wooden frame.

Currachs are called naomhógs in Cork and Kerry and a "canoe" in West Clare.  Depending on where they are built they size/design/shape can vary.

 

 Stuck in the Mud! Waiting for the start - Currabinny Pier (above)
 

(above) One of the fun images from the day - Dragon Boat!

This year the Ocean to City Race organisers held a photo competition on the day with three categories - Harbour/Landscape, Sports/Action and  Faces/Images of the Day.  They awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category and I was lucky enough to win two prizes (details at the top under my winning shots!) Woohoo!!! So thrilled.

 The winning photos will be on display in Cork City Library from 4 - 8 July.

Hope you enjoyed my captures of the day - the sun shone and over 200 boats took part.  All participants utilised the wonderful amenity on our doorstep - Cork Harbour, which, is the second largest natural harbour in the world.

Thanks for peeking - hope you have a wonderful day.