Ladies Introductory Kayaking Session, O'Briensbridge

What to Expect

This two-hour session introduces women aged 18 and over to kayaking on the water at O’Briensbridge, run by Shannon Paddlers in partnership with Clare Sports Partnership as part of the Her Outdoors programme. No previous paddling experience is needed - a qualified instructor covers the basics of getting in and out of a kayak, holding the paddle correctly, and steering, before letting the group paddle together on a calm stretch of the Shannon. All kayaking equipment, including boats and paddles, is provided as part of the ticket price; participants are advised to bring a wetsuit if they have one, though it is not compulsory, along with a towel and a full change of dry clothes for afterwards. The tone is deliberately beginner-friendly rather than a technical skills class - it sits within Clare Sports Partnership’s Her Outdoors Month, a season of women-only taster sessions across the county aimed at people who have never tried the activity in question. O’Briensbridge’s stretch of the Shannon is relatively sheltered compared with more exposed lake or coastal paddling, which makes it a manageable spot for absolute beginners.

Good to Know

• Wednesday 12 August 2026, 6:45pm to 8:45pm, at O’Briensbridge.
• Cost is €10 per person; booking is required online through the Clare Sports Partnership events page, with a limited number of tickets released.
• Open to women aged 18+ only, with no experience necessary.
• Organiser contact: Jessica O’Keeffe, Clare Sports Partnership, jess@claresports.ie.
• Wear clothing you do not mind getting wet, and bring a towel and dry change of clothes.
• Part of Clare Sports Partnership’s Her Outdoors Month of women-only outdoor taster sessions across the county.

Getting There

O’Briensbridge is a small village on the Clare bank of the Shannon, close to the Tipperary and Limerick borders and a short drive from Killaloe. The session takes place on the river at the village.