Rowing Limericks from Ireland

The 2013 FISA World Rowing Tour was held in Ireland from 15 to 23 June. Ninety rowers and 11 cyclists from 17 different countries rowed River Shannon from Carrick-on-Shannon to Limerick.  Or almost.  That is part of the story. The planned route was six days of rowing, with daily distances 25-50 km.  It was a wonderful tour.  Some excitement when high winds on the second last day of rowing, on Lough or Lake Derg, necessitated a rescue of 7 shells and 35 rowers by the Irish Coast Guard.  All’s well that ends well and some good lessons were learnt.  It certainly is a trip that we will remember!  Thank you to Michael O’Dwyer and all the other volunteers from St. Michael’s Rowing Club in Limerick.

Colourful passage at Tarmonbarry Locks during the FISA World Rowing Tour Ireland

And perhaps limericks are the best way to share the experience.  Here is a sampling:

Lunch break on Lough Derg, Shannon waterway.

There once was a Michael from Limerick,

In his mind an idea did stick,

He invited the world to row

The real reason you know

Was to bike and drink beer with Warwick.

[Doug Baker, Seattle, USA]

The flotilla leaves during the 2013 FISA World Rowing Tour, Ireland

The gathering assembled in Athlone to row,

The FISA family continues to prosper and grow,

Fun will be had,

The end will be sad,

Always fun and friendly we know.

[Suzie Jones, Sydney, Australia]

Somewhat unusual, a coxed four on the FISA World Rowing Tour 2013

There once was a Jens from norwee,

The man with a noisy knee,

Five continents he subjugated,

17 nations participated,

And he rowed down the Shannon with glee.

[Doug Baker, Seattle, USA]

Lunch break on Lough Derg during the FISA World Rowing Tour, Ireland 2013.

There once was a lough named Ree

That everyone wanted to see.

To cross in a shell

Was a small taste of hell,

Since you couldn’t even stop for a pee.

[Ruth Marr, Winnipeg Canada]

Switching seats on the water.  Good thing that rowers are fit and flexible, and that touring coxed quads are stable boats!

Across the big lough we were going,

But sadly a great gale was blowing.

We stopped on the shore,

Built a fire and did more,

But that was the end of the rowing.

[Ruth Marr, Winnipeg Canada]

Are having just a little too much fun? Photo credit: Mona Turnball

This year was the first year ever in the history of FISA World Rowing Tours that there was a participant from Africa.  Welcome Harriet Lloyd from Zimbabwe.  Harriet composed a multi-verse limerick story:

A redhead from Africa Dark

Took up rowing just for a lark

Learnt to scull, sweep & cox

Amongst the hippos & crocs

It was surely no walk in the park.

She learned the big boats to steer

For the men who often rowed there

But soon there were shocks

When they said “see our cox (cocks)-

with a topping of short bright red hair.”

But this girl who really loved rowing

Found it stopped her small breasts from growing

For this she was sad

As she fancied a lad

For whom size got his hormones a flowing

With no hope in her hometown Harare

Nor her club the “Royal Hunyani”

She travelled from Zim

Surely it’s no sin

To come row in an Irish Safari

From 17 nations, continents five

We all enjoyed, we felt alive

Till the weather got rough

STILL we hadn’t enough

It’s a “miracle” we all did survive!

For most of the trip the weather was bright

The river Shannon a beautiful sight!

Thanks to Michael and team

Effortless, you made it seem

My apologies if you thought I wouldn’t be white!

And ending on a Canadian note, here are the eight Canadians who were thrilled to have been part of the tour.

We survived! The Canadians on the FISA tour: Karen, Valerie, Dagmar, Peter, Elaine, Liz, Mona, Ruth. Photo credit: Mona Turnball