John & Murt currently holding 2nd overall...

John on the Clare coast pushing hard into a 30+knt headwind and still holding second overall

Dave Garvey

DMG Sailsports, Watersports Training & Consultancy

01-8456946

www.dmgsailsports.com

And so the (Cycle) Race Around Ireland begins!

As you read this, the endurance cycle around Ireland race is well underway. Dave is driving one of the support vehicles for John who instructs powerboating with us, and his cycle partner, Murt. This is an amazing feat and challenge for the all the teams involved, so please, please, donate whatever you can to these guys. You know, I must admit I thought this was a crazy challenge, to undertake a 2100km continuous cycle race, but, do you know what? It's challenges like these that remind us that we're alive, how good it is to do sometimes crazy things just to see if we can, and all the while we're helping others. John and Murt are raising money for AWARE who are aiming to defeat depression. Every little penny helps, so please donate whatever you can online at
http://sponsorme.aware.ie/event/race-around-ireland-september-12th/wheelsofdestiny/.

As Dave travels with John & Murt, and the rest of the team, he'll send on some pictures and text which I'll upload as it's received. Best of luck to all involved, but GO TEAM WHEELS OF DESTINY!!

Córa Garvey, DMG Sailsports

Brief Description of the Race
Race Around Ireland is part of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA) World Cup series which includes other huge endurance races such as The Race Across America. Unlike other cycling races such as the RÁS or the Tour de France, the course is in no way roped off. There are no marshals controlling traffic flow and there are no planned rest stops or stages in this event. Once the clock starts in Navan at the starting time, it won’t stop until each rider reaches the finish line at the end of the 2,100 km circuit.

Race Around Ireland

If you've done some training with us over the last couple of years you may have come across John Mahon one of our instructors. As well as his watersports credentials John is also a hard-core ( slightly mad) cyclist.

Next Sunday John and his buddy Murt will start the endurance cycling Race Around Ireland as one of only two 2-man teams. The race entails a 2100km non-stop (yes that means one or other of them will be on the bike at all times) circuit of Ireland.

As well as doing the race for the sheer madness of it the guys are helping to raise funds for Aware, the depression awareness charity so please log on here to and help out if you can at all.

Last Windsurf Kids Camp of The Season

The last of our popular kids windsurfing camps starts next Monday August the 23rd. This is a great way to get a last blast of the summer air before heading back to school. The camp runs Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 13:00 each day. The camp is open to 12 - 17 year olds of all abilities and costs just €150 including all equipment. We still have a few places remaining so give us a call on 01-8456946 or email info@dmgsailsports.com to get your child booked in.

Jetskis, Choppers and Aerobatics!

Just had a great weekend running one of our ISA National PWC certificate training courses. Day one saw everyone getting to grips with all the set-up and procedures as well as the basic handling qualities of the machines. Everything went according to plan despite one crew managing to capsize their machine on the first morning at slow speed (no names to save blushes!), first time I've seen that happen with the high stability of these skis.

By the end of the day everyone was well comfortable with the basics and even starting to throw them around a little in proper ski fashion so a bit more challenge was needed for day two. As it happens Bray Air show was running on Sunday so a quick nav plan was made and we all met up to launch from Howth on Sunday morning.

The spin to Bray took just over 30mins so with time to kill we went on down to Greystones for a quick look before anchoring the Skis off the beach in Bray for lunch.

The show was spectacular and there was plenty of company from other leisure boaters as well as the Garda Water Unit, Howth Coast Guard boat and some Civil Defence Crews.

All in all a great weekend which enjoyed by 4 tired but happy campers. The next course is scheduled for Sep 11+12 and it is also possible to schedule additional courses for groups of 3 - 6 people.

Windsurfing Kids Camp 3

The third of our summer kids windsurfing camps kicks off on Monday. Aimed at 12 - 17 year olds this is a great way to introduce your kids to a fun, active & healthy out-door sport.

All our courses are ISA accredited and with some of the most experienced and motivated instructors in the country, whether they're a complete beginner or a Hot Shot in the making we can push their level as far as they want to take it.

There are still a couple of places available for Monday's course so contact the office or call the windsurf mobile (087-2169075) directly to book your place.

Class Day Of Wave Action

It took about 7 hours driving and the pain and tiredness tomorrow are probably going to be something else, but it sure was worth it!!

The 20 or so sailors who joined the DMG - Surfdock Surfari to Cross Strand were treated to a 7 solid hours of waves, wind and sun. Most people were on 4.7 - 5.2 sails, with nice head to logo high sets rolling in all day. Most unusual of all for wave sailing in Ireland it was 20 degrees and sunny all day.

It was great to get a days sailing with the crew, Ali B, Oisin, Colin & Jeff as well as all the others who made the trip from Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. Quote of the day has to go to Cross Strand first timer and young hot shot from Dublin Ryan O'Leary "it's like the best ever day at Dollymount times a hundred!"

Hopefully this is just the first of a few more nice Surfaris before the summers out, and now time for some sleep!!!!