Diamond Quest Ireland

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FAQs

FAQ's

If you can't find the answer you're looking for email us at info@diamondquestireland.com and we'll do our best to help you.

Q: Where can I get cheap prices for ferry crossings from the UK?
Yes, try www.nutttravel.com for competitive prices.

Q: There are several maps available for the Mournes and Carlingford areas, is there one recommended for this event?
OSNI Sheet 29 will cover the full route but to be honest you shouldn't need a map we plan to mark the route that well there won't be any need for one.

Q: Is there a lower age limit for the event?
Yes, the minimum age for the event is 18. If you are under 18 CausewayCoastAdventureRacing run races for those under the age of 18.

Q: Can you give me a breakdown of the distances?
Yes, Run 15.5km, Kayak 1km, Bike 45km

Q: Which shoes should I use for the run section?
This is the competitors call, the run section is on a mixture of ground, when testing the route we wore trail shoes, we had little grip on the decent from the summit but had more comfort on the trail.

Q: Can you bring your own solo racing kayak or do you have to use one of the double sit on top kayaks provided?
No. Everyone will have to use the sit-on-top kayaks, this section will see everyone buddy up with a new race partner for the short 1km paddle across the Lough.

Q: I am very interested in taking part in this event as are several of my female friends. However we have no experience of kayaking!
We've designed the course to be exciting and challenging but not impossible, extreme or dangerous. The kayaking is likely to be new to most of the competitors taking part. We're using sit-on-top kayaks so you’re not strapped in. You'll be with someone else and there will be safety boats on the crossing to keep an eye on things. Everyone will have a buoyancy aid on them to assist them in swimming should they fall off. If you should fall off (and there is no reason to do this) you should be able to climb back on board again. We've been designing events like this for years and would be happy enough for someone with no kayaking experience to give it a go. Some common sense is useful. If you want to get some practice in then by all means you should but it is not necessary and the kayak section is less than 1k.

Q: Do we need to wear a wetsuit for the kayak section?
No. It's only a short crossing so a wetsuit won't be needed.

Q: What do we do with our backpack during the kayak crossing?
Simple, you take it with you. You can either wear it under/over your buoyancy aid or clip it onto the kayak.

Q: If wearing trail shoes for foot and kayak sections . . having left spd shoes with bike . . .can the trail shoes be left in transition when we head out on the bikes or do we have to carry them to the finish?
Yes, Competitors must put the running shoes into the bag provided and hand them to the marshal at the exit of the transition area. It's only running shoes which will be taken back and they must be in the numbered bag which we give you.

Q: Which bike should I use for the bike section?
This is the competitors call, any bike will do, it's all on road. One section is a little bit rough, grass growing up the middle and a few stones washed out from some farm lanes, it's also downhill. We'll be giving more information about this section on the morning of the event.