Carlow Outdoor Adventure Hub Taster Sessions

What to Expect

The Carlow Outdoor Adventure Hub runs a programme of watersports taster sessions for young people aged 12 to 17 across two weeks in August, organised through Carlow Parent Hub and based at St Catherine’s Community Services Centre. Sessions introduce teenagers to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding under instruction, giving those who have never tried either sport a low-pressure first go on the water with proper safety equipment and supervision. Alongside the general taster sessions, the Hub also runs a dedicated three-day rowing camp from 11 to 13 August, delivered with Carlow Rowing Club, one of the county’s established clubs based on the River Barrow, for young people keen to go deeper into one discipline rather than sample several. The whole programme is aimed at filling a gap in teenage summer activities in the county, where most organised camps target younger children, giving secondary-school-age teenagers something structured to do rather than nothing at all during the long midsummer weeks, and a clear route into a local club afterwards rather than a one-off experience with nowhere to follow up.

Good to Know

• Taster sessions run across 4 to 14 August 2026; the rowing camp runs 11 to 13 August.
• Meeting point: St Catherine’s Community Services Centre, St Joseph’s Road, Carlow town, with activities taking place at local water venues.
• Taster sessions cost €10 plus an Eventbrite booking fee; the three-day rowing camp costs €30 per person.
• Aimed at young people aged 12 to 17.
• Book taster sessions online via Eventbrite; for the rowing camp, contact Averil on 085 750 4758 or secretarycarlowrowing@gmail.com.
• General questions can go to Stephen on 086 130 2943 or carlowparenthub@catherines.ie.

Getting There

St Catherine’s Community Services Centre on St Joseph’s Road is the contact and meeting point for the programme, with on-site parking available. Exact water venue locations are confirmed on booking.