Naval cadets set standard as they go against the flow in ascent of Shannon

THE FIRST official ascent of the Shannon river was completed in under six hours by Naval Service cadets yesterday. Records have previously been set for descents which go with the flow of the river.

However this was the first time the more difficult challenge of navigating against the flow of the longest river in Ireland has been recorded.

Seven members of the 47th Naval Service cadet class began their journey at 11am and completed the 300km-plus (186 miles)journey shortly before 5pm, at a time of five hours and 51 minutes.

They started the journey at Sarsfield Lock in Limerick city in two motorised eight-metre rigid-hulled inflatable boats and finished at Battlebridge, Co Leitrim.

Gardaí at either end of the course acted as independent time-keepers.

The challenge is the completion of the boat-handling element of the potential leadership training for the young cadets.

They have been training for three months for the exercise, which not only involves the navigation of the river but the planning, preparation and execution of all aspects, including refuelling and co-ordinating lock times.

“The Shannon descent challenge has been done before and a solid record is already in place for that endeavour,” said Lieut Stuart Armstrong, class officer for the 47th cadet class.

“The cadets were looking for something challenging and slightly different, so they chose to attempt an ascent record which is more difficult due to the longer time it takes to go up river,” he said.

The cadets are also using the exercise to raise money for charity. By yesterday they had raised €1,000 for Friends of Ward 2D Cork University Hospital and Our Ladys Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin. They hope to reach their target of €3,000 in the coming weeks.

A Navy spokesman hoped the setting of a record would entice other boat clubs to take up the challenge and try to break the record.

The seven senior trainees, six men and one woman mainly in their 20s, are from all four provinces, a Naval Service spokesman said. They are due to be commissioned in September but, because of the recruitment embargo, this is pending Department of Finance approval .