An Arklow man has completed what is believed to be a first for the town after paddling from Arklow Cove to the Arklow Bank Wind Park and back on a paddleboard.
Freddie Hoskin set off from Arklow Cove at approximately 10am on Sunday 17th September to undertake a journey of around seven miles offshore before making the return trip.
In total, Freddie covered approximately 14 miles on his paddleboard, spending around six and a half hours at sea before arriving back at the Cove at approximately 4.30pm.
While there has been some local discussion of kayakers having previously made the journey, there does not appear to be a confirmed record of a similar paddleboard trip. The journey was far from an impromptu trip out onto the water.
Freddie spent weeks preparing physically for the challenge, gradually building his fitness and endurance. His previous experience as an Arklow fisherman and owner/skipper also proved valuable and has extensive knowledge of the Arklow Bank which is an area he has fished in the past. He managed to capture an up-close shot of one of the turbines which was damaged by lightning back in 2022. Plans have been lodged to dismantle the entire Arklow Wind Farm over the coming years.
Before setting out, he studied charts and considered the tide, wind direction, sea conditions, distance, speed and expected timings. The wait was on for what he believed was the right combination of conditions before finally setting off on Sunday morning.
For much of the journey, Freddie paddled on his knees with conditions on the open sea making the trip considerably more challenging than simply covering the same distance on sheltered water.
Safety was also a major part of the preparation. Freddie wore a buoyancy suit and carried an additional life jacket, food and water, a waterproof VHF radio and a mobile phone secured in a waterproof pouch. A land-based support crew was also in place with an arrangement for Freddie to make contact every two hours. A contingency plan was also prepared should he encounter difficulties.
His friend, boat owner and skipper Darren Kinsella, was standing by and prepared to head out and collect Freddie if assistance was required. Fortunately that plan was not needed with Freddie completing the return journey under his own steam.
Following the challenge, Freddie played down the achievement, describing it as a relatively minor accomplishment in the wider scheme of things. However he had a clear message for anyone considering attempting something similar.
“You can never eliminate all risk but you can minimise it as best you can.”
He advised anyone considering a similar challenge to research the task thoroughly, prepare properly and understand the tides, weather and sea conditions before setting out. He also stressed the importance of not taking unnecessary risks.
