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Surfing in Ireland

Believe it or not people have been surfing in Ireland since 1967.

History of surfing in Ireland

Originally surfing began in Ireland on Bray Beach in 1964. The originator took a Greyhound ticket to the USA and when he got to San Francisco took a low budget flight to Hawaii where he surfed on a 12 foot board transported in the rear of an open T Bird.

He discovered islanders surfing anything they could find including three foot on shore slop. The whole picture was in the eye of the beholder, and the mirage could be repeated anywhere in the world, even Ireland.

Therefore on his return in 1965, on a wing and a prayer, Bray Surf Club was formed, a stand at the Irish Boat Show was mounted though at this stage there were only three sympathetic members, who never got to pay their fees.

This was March 1966. The first ever Surfari was then arranged to take place at Easter to such distant places as Strandhill, Bundoran, Rossnowlagh, Donegal, and Portrush. It was a great success and there is an 8mm film on video of the event. The Club kept Pat McNulty the editor of Surfer Magazine California informed of their every move and as a result there was a "pay off".

SAN DIEGO

Ireland was sponsored to send a member to compete in the World Surfing Championships 1966, and following that the Club became the Surf Club of Ireland. As a result of the experience gained in San Diego the club staged Ireland's first National Contest at Tramore in 1967.

Soon after that several groups broke away and formed local clubs. They were as fellows; The North Shore SC Antrim, The West Coast SC Lahinch, The South Coast SC Tramore, and the Fastnet SC Cork. The Irish Surfing Association was formed to link them together and The Surf Club of Ireland provided them with their first president.

CONTESTS

At this stage Ireland began sending teams to compete in the European events in Jersey CI, and Biarritz France. Asa result Ireland was asked to host the 1972 European Championships. Lahinch was selected, and the event though poor in waves was a great success. Since then Ireland has hosted two additional Europeans, and it's surfers have competed in the World Championship event.

The latest result of all this activity and some 32 years of ISA activity is that Ireland is scheduled to host the World Surfing Championships in September 2004 (At time of publishing it is not certain if an Irish vote against holding the Worlds will be repealed.)

The credit for this goes to the pioneers of the sport in Ireland and to those who have persisted incompetitions over the years, but particularly to the associations President who has been at the helm for many years and whose management skill and professionalism have been the winning ingredient. As if to endorse this, both he and later his deputy boith became respective presidents of the European Surfing Federation.

Information contributed by East Coast Surfing Club

O'Board / Surfersvillage

With three Atlantic coasts and dozens of peninsulas, coves and bays Ireland is a wonderful surfing destination. Although the waves do lack the might of the Pacific's breakers, they have a height and a shape that makes them perfect for surfing. When the conditions are right some of the cleanest waves can be seen peeling along the coastline in to the shore.

The Irish Water

Before you set off on a surfing trip there is something to remember; - the water temperature. Ireland is an island in the north Atlantic. Although the Gulf Stream does keep us cosier than our northern neighbours, the water is cold, but no colder than the northern Californian Pacific coast, and a wet suit is required to surf comfortably. A 4 -3 wet suit is adequate and you can stay in the water for over three hours and stay warm. During the late Autumn and Winter months cold winds can whip across the water, a hooded wet suit or a rash guard with a hood attached is a must during these months to keep your head warm. So now that you can surf comfortably, you just have to figure out a way to get changed in the driving rain, or struggle out of a wet suit when the Winter air temperature is a stiff two degrees centigrade (36 degrees Fahrenheit for our American visitors). Nothing a pint of plain by the fireside in a local pub won't cure.

Contributed by East Coast Surf Club, O'Board / Surfersvillage

Some Irish Surf Spots

THE NORTH and WEST COASTS

North and west Donegal receives so much swell that more often than not your only real concern will be the winds, which can blow hard from the south and west.

DONEGAL BAY

Bundoran, One of Europe's premier reef breaks best at low tide. "The Peak" gives a short and snappy right with a longer left peeling and tubing its way across rocks on the north side of the bay. When it's big, another more sheltered left starts to work. Host of the 2001 Quiiksilver Masters, and 1997 European Championship, Bundoran is now home to one of Ireland's leading surf schools.

Tullan Strand, Considered to have some of the most consistent beach waves in Ireland, Tullan has become a fairly crowded spot. The south end has the best shaped peaks. If it's flat along the rest of the coast, there can still be a wave here. Take the first left north of Bundoran (It isn't signposted but is beside a KFC outlet). You will come to a parking area above the beach.

Rossnowlagh, home to Irelands biggest surf club, good waves but smaller and less powerful than Tullan Strand.

Bunatrahir Bay, not far from Ballycastle, nice left breaks at the west but needs a good north swell to get going.

Lackan Bay, a secluded bay that works well with little swell.

Kilcummin Harbour, In a big swell, an excellent long left breaks in front of the harbour wall, it peaks with a west wind.

Inishcrone, At the east near the harbour, an excellent right breaks when the swell is big enough, also has a break with mellow peaks.

Pollacheeny Harbour, A right hander tube breaks down a rock point giving fast rides to 150metres in length. Chill...it happens rarely.

Easkey Left, Left breaking West of the harbour, change facilities and toilets provided attest to its appeal.

Easkey Right, World class right break with 10 foot perfect tubes make it very popular.

Dunmoran Strand, out of the way place, good 6 footers, great place for the novice.

Strandhill, main beach and sandbar, try Bluerock, an unforgiving 200 metre break at the beaches end.

Streedagh Strand, a fair sized swell is needed for good results, but don't leave without exploring some inlets and coves for hidden waves.

Mullaghmore, With SW wind and big NW swells, clean lines push into the bay. Try driving Mullaghmore head looking for the left hander on shallow rock that can hold a 20 foot swell!

THE CAUSEWAY COAST

Benowe/Magilligan, longest beach in Ireland at 12 KM's.

Castlerock, best surfed at mid tide due to a stone jetty and sandbank.

Portstewart Strand, crowded in summer, good rights & lefts up to 2.5m.

Portrush-West Strand, One of the most surfed swells in the North.

East Strand, Portrush is a popular holiday resort with large swells.

Black Rocks/Dhu Varren, left hand reef holding surf to 8 feet.

White Rocks, crowded with tourists, try after September 1st.

Portballintrae, good swells if the sandbank and wind are in shape.

White Park Bay, attractive 2 KM beach.

County Clare

Crab Island, A place NOT to be taken lightly. Its a long paddle to get there but a break jacks up suddenly from deep water and can form frightening tubes. Not for those with a weak ankle-leash.

Doolin Point, Fast clean swells where long walling rides are possible.

Lahinch Area, contains the Beach, Left, Cornish Left and Shit Creek. The first three offer good all around surfing, But you gotta know your stuff to surf the creek. (Named for the water colour, not its contents!)

Cregg/Moy Beach, good place when you have a good swell, fun place to take out your board and get wet.

Green Point, A maverick peak that bowls from deep water and can throw up a huge tube, very challenging.

Spanish Point, Excellent rights with a mellow beach break.(Outside point is not surfed much due to its ferocious 15-21 foot swells.)

Doughmore, Almost always turned on but access is a problem. Check with the local surf club before crossing anyones land... or its your head and theirs!

Doonberg Castle, In a big swell offers a nice wave.

Killard, works well like Doonberg up to 4ft swells.

The Dingle Peninsula

Garywilliam Point, Mossies, Brandon Bay, Ballydavid, Coumeenole, Inch Reefs, Inch Strand are some of the spots.

Southern Ireland

Ring of Kerry, Barley Cove, Ownahincha, Long Strand, Red Strand/Dirk Bay, Inchedoney, Garretstown, Fennels Bay, Ardmore, Bunmahon, Kilmurren, The Perfect Wave ( Not perfect for beginners due to the proximity of exposed rock, BUT very consistent for those experienced riders who venture out), Tramore, The Incredible Wave (A long left working good with med to large swells often occurring in February so bring a GOOD wetsuit).