The 2023 Irish Kayaking Intervarsity was hosted by TU Dublin Canoe Club in February of this year. The competition saw over 350 students from 12 different colleges battle it out over a 3-day event. The Kayaking Intervarsity is renowned for being one of the most complex events on the sporting calendar at third level due to the array of events and the nature of competitions that are held across a single weekend. This year, 5 events took place in different locations across Dublin adding complexity to the , planning for the weekend.

Preparation for the Intervarsity began in September 2022. An organising committee, led by TU Dublin student Fionn McNally, was set up by the Canoe Club to plan for the event. Fionn and the team’s main goal was to raise the safety standards within the competition. To achieve this, the committee organised permits, licenses, insurance, risk assessments, event and safety plans, ambulances, rescue personnel and race officials. The students ensured that maps, parking facilities, photographers and a captains safety weekend were all organised prior to the event. Race briefings also took place before every race.

Budgeting the costs to get to cost neutral was challenging for the Canoe Club committee, as they had to consider insurance, facility and equipment rental, radios, ambulance hire, medical personnel and event promotion. As well as this, costs were constantly changing with updated recommendations from TU Dublin Health and Safety Office and Insurance Offices.

After a successful weekend of kayaking, the prize giving ceremony took place on campus. This was a first for TU Dublin Canoe Club. Approval was secured thanks to the hard work of Fionn and his organising committee. Students had a fantastic weekend, and Tom and Laura, pictured above, were thrilled to receive the SSI Event of the Year Award 2023 on behalf of their college canoe club. All of their hard work paid off!