Thomastown Paddlers

Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club is a community canoeing club based on the banks of the River Nore in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Founded in 1996, it welcomes paddlers of different ages and experience levels and promotes safe participation across a range of canoeing disciplines. The River Nore offers both calm water and rapids, providing a varied setting for learning and training.

The club has up to 30 canoes and kayaks, a small gym room for year-round training, and provides beginners with basic instruction, boats and equipment. Adults can attend summer “Come and Try It” sessions, currently priced at a one-off €20 fee. The club is not currently accepting new junior members, though under-18 paddlers with a Level 2 skills certificate may enquire.

Members paddle recreationally and compete in marathon, sprint and wild-water racing, as well as canoe polo, freestyle, white-water and sea kayaking. Thomastown Paddlers has a strong marathon racing tradition, with members achieving success and course records at the International Liffey Descent.