A message from our club Captain:

The last number of weeks since my introductory note has brought lots of exciting news to our members as we approach the completion of our New Clubhouse. 

Unfortunately, the weather has not been kind to us with rowing over these weeks as getting our boats onto the water has been challenging due to high winds.

These unfavorable weather conditions have impacted our first planned outing to CastleConnell Head which was disappointing and unfortunately again, the rescheduled date was cancelled due to high winds yet again.  We now look forward to attending our Indoor National Championships event taking place in University of Limerick on the 20th November..

We have also seen the introduction to our Strength & Conditioning class each Wednesday at Colaiste Chiarain along with Running at AIT Track each Thursday which has been a great success. These classes offer a great opportunity to our members to build on their fitness levels over the winter months and are open to both Junior and senior members at €2  to track and €3 to gym which covers rental costs to both facilities. Both these locations offer exceptional facilities to train and are welcomed to date by those that attend. I would like to close this note by asking all to focus closely on your fitness development between now and year end. These are the months that what you do in fitness development will return dividends in summer when the regatta season arrives. Nick Friel

Rowing Life

October had seen one of our youngest rowers along with her fellow club members take to the waters in Tullamore for the annual time-trail event. This event was attended in massive numbers by Athlone Boat Club- Youngest rower on the day was "Ella Colsh", Ella did the club and her family very proud at this event. This was the first event of the new season and all club members put on a fantastic display of rowing ability.

The New Development

The club as everyone can see looks amazing on the west side of Athlone. Although the committee do not have a definite move in date, works are still proceeding to make this new facility into a state of the art boathouse. It is hoped by the end of 2021 that the club will have regained ownership of the blinding after it is handed over from the builder. Works such as the water-mains, boat raking system, internal painting and flooring are to be completed in the coming months.

Additional works which created additional costing was required by the club- these works included a revamp of our tarmac area for launching boats and the installation of a winch system for our safety boat engines- the club also installed a plinth for a new floating slipway bridge. The club committee continue to create much needed funding each month with monthly draws, buy a brick and other initiatives which will safeguard the clubs future in these uncertain times of Covid-19. See our "shop" link on our website for more details ( Athlone Boat Club | Choose Product ).

Sponsorship of lifebuoys

The club would like to thank Anthony Shevlin of "Athlone Sweets" for this sponsorship of four new lifebuoys which will be placed outside the new boathouse.

Picture- Anthony Shevlin (Athlone Sweets) and club President Paul Donovan at the new boathouse development.

A Special- "Thank You"

The club committee and supporters would like to thank Pearse Hegarty of Re-Charge I.T. Athlone/Mullingar for his continued support to the clubs fundraising initiative. Pearse did not shy away in this new rowing season from showing his backing to the club with a fantastic prize in October. Winner of this draw was Declan Starken- club member.

Closing out 2021 in style

What Athlone Boat Club has on offer during the next two months:

· “Buy a Brick” on offer - Athlone Boat Club | Purchase Product (clubzap.com)

· November Bonus Ball (Prize to be announced shortly). – More to follow.

· We will hold a “Black Tie Night” in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on November 27th, 2021 (Tickets Only) – contact athloneboatclubpro@gmail.com (Limited tickets remain)

· Christmas Raffle 2021. – More to follow.

· St Stephen’s Day Row 2021. – More to follow.