Surfing in Ireland

Last updated

Surfing in Ireland
Doonbeg Doughmore Beach in Autumn 2009.JPG
Surfers on Doughmore Beach, County Clare
Country Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Governing body Irish Surfing Association
National team(s) Irish Surf Team
Clubs16
National competitions
Club competitions
International competitions

Ireland has become increasingly popular as a surfing destination, due to its exposed location on the turbulent Atlantic seaboard. [1]

Contents

The island has 3,172 kilometers of coastline, and the southern and western shores are exposed for waves originating in the North Atlantic. [2] Although Ireland is located at a high latitude, the warm ocean currents of the North Atlantic drift ensures mild water temperatures throughout the year, with a minimum of 10 °C (50 °F) in winter and a maximum of 21 °C (70 °F) in summer. [3]

The numerous beaches, reefs, headlands and coves along the west coast of Ireland serve as popular surf spots. Ireland has played host to international events since the 1960s, and is home to many surf shops, schools and clubs. [3]

History

Surfing has been documented in Ireland as early as 1949, however it wasn't until 1964 that the "Bray Island Surf Club" was founded. Ireland was first represented at the World Surfing Championship in 1966 by Kevin Cavey, which in turn inspired the first Irish National Surfing Championships, held in Tramore, County Waterford in 1967. The first Irish Inter County Surfing Championships was held in 1968, followed by a full Irish team entry in the inaugural European Surfing Championships of 1969.

The growing interest in competition surfing mirrored a general interest in surfing across the island, with the number of participants and clubs growing rapidly throughout the late 60s; by 1970, there were an estimated 400 surfers in the country. This led to the foundation of the Irish Surfing Association in that year. [4] [5]

Governing body

Irish Surfing, also known as the Irish Surfing Association, is a voluntary organisation that governs the sport of surfing on the island of Ireland. It participates in club development, instructor training and surf school regulation, and promoting surfing safety and the protection of the environment, as well as overseeing competitive surfing in Ireland. [6]

Clubs

There are 16 surf clubs accredited by the Irish Surfing Association. [7]

There are also many unaccredited surf clubs throughout the country.

Competitions

The two most important annual events in the Irish surfing calendar are the Irish National Surfing Championships, held in Bundoran, County Donegal, [8] and the Irish Inter County Surfing Championships, held in Rossnowlagh, County Donegal. [9]

Ireland has frequently hosted international competitions, including the Smirnoff International (Easky, 1979), [4] the European Surfing Championships (Lahinch, 1972; Rossnowlagh, 1985; Bundoran, 1997 & 2011) [10] and the Billabong Monster Tow In Surf Session (Mullaghmore 2011, 2012/13). [11]

Culture

Although surfing is not universally associated with Ireland, there is a growing surfing subculture to accommodate the increased interest in the sport. There have been a number of surfing documentaries filmed on the island [12] [13] [14] (including the acclaimed 2008 documentary, Waveriders), as well as annual surf music festivals [15] [16] and a surf film festival. [17]

Demographics

Ireland has an estimated 20,000 resident surfers. In addition, the country is an increasingly popular destination for surfing tourists. [18]

Locations

List of surf spots [19] [20] [21]
Name of spotLocationCountyBreak DirectionBreak TypeDifficulty
Ballycastle Beach Ballycastle County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
East Strand Portrush County Antrim LeftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Finn's Left Ballintoy County Antrim RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Portballintrae Portballintrae County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Portrush Portrush County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
West Strand Portrush County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
White Rocks Portrush County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Castlerock Castlerock County Londonderry LeftRivermouthExperienced surfers
Castlerock Beach Castlerock County Londonderry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Portstewart Portstewart County Londonderry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Ballyheirnan Bay Fanad County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Ballymastocker Portsalon County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Black spot Bundoran County Donegal Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Bloody forelandBrinlack County Donegal RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Bundoran Bundoran County Donegal Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
DrumnacraigNorth of Portsalon County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Falcarragh Beach Falcarragh County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Loughros Point Ardara County Donegal LeftRivermouthExperienced surfers
Maghera Beach Ardara County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Pampa Bundoran County Donegal LeftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Rossnowlagh Rossnowlagh County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Tullan Strand Ballyshannon County Donegal RightBeach-breakAll surfers
Tullaghan (left) Tullaghan County Leitrim LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Tullaghan (right) Tullaghan County Leitrim RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Bay Break Strandhill County Sligo LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Dunmorannear Skreen County Sligo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Easky Easky County Sligo LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Easky (right) Easky County Sligo RightPoint-breakAll surfers
Gaa Enniscrone County Sligo LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Inishcrone Enniscrone County Sligo RightReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Lislarynear Ocean Heights B&B County Sligo Right and leftReef-rockyAll surfers
Mullaghmore Mullaghmore County Sligo LeftReef-rockyPros or kamikaze only...
Strandhill Strandhill County Sligo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Carrowniskynear Louisburgh County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Dugort Achill Island (North) County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Keel Beach Achill Island (South) County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Keel Strand Achill Island (South) County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Kilcummin Ballycastle County Mayo LeftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Killadoonbeside Cross Lough County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Doonloughin~4 km WNW of Ballyconneely County Galway Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Aileensoff Cliffs of Moher County Clare RightReef-rockyPros or kamikaze only...
Barrtrá Lahinch County Clare LeftPoint-breakAll surfers
Crab Island Doolin County Clare RightReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Cream Pointoff Milltown Malbay County Clare Right and leftReef-rockyPros or kamikaze only...
Doolin Point Doolin County Clare RightReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Doonbeg Castle Doonbeg County Clare LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Doughmore Beach Doonbeg County Clare LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Fanore Fanore County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Killardnear Doonbeg County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Lahinch Beach Lahinch County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Lahinch (Left) Lahinch County Clare LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Spanish Point Beach Spanish Point County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Spanish Point Reefs Spanish Point County Clare RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Ardkeragh Waterville County Kerry LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Ballinskelligs Waterville County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Ballybunion Ballybunion County Kerry RightBeach-breakAll surfers
Ballyheigue Ballyheigue County Kerry Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Banna Strand Banna Strand County Kerry Right and leftSand-barExperienced surfers
Baslicon Waterville County Kerry RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
BealeNorth of Ballybunion County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Brandon Bay Maharees County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Coumeenole Slea Head County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Inch ReefEast of Dingle County Kerry Right and leftSand-barExperienced surfers
Inch Strand Inch (Castlemaine Harbour) County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Rossbeigh Rossbeigh County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Sandy Bay Maharees County Kerry RightSand-barExperienced surfers
St. Finnians Baybetween Puffin Island and Ballinskelligs County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
The Old Hatchery Waterville County Kerry LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Barley Cove Barleycove County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Do More Reefsnear Glandore County Cork Right and leftRivermouthExperienced surfers
Donomore Reefsoff Ballinglanna County Cork Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Dunworleyon Seven Heads Peninsula County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Fennels Baybetween Crosshaven and Myrtleville County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Fennels Bay Reefbetween Crosshaven and Myrtleville County Cork LeftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Garretstownnear Kinsale County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Inch (Whitegate)between Roche's Point Lighthouse and Power Head County Cork Right and leftReef-rockyAll surfers
Inchydoney Inchydoney County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Langervilleoff Ardfield County Cork Right and leftReef-rockyBeginners wave
Long Strandnear Galley Head Lighthouse County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Ownahincha Owenahincha County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Red Strandnear Galley Head Lighthouse County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Sherkin Island Sherkin Island County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
White Baybeside Fort Davis County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Annestown Annestown County Waterford Right and leftReef-rockyAll surfers
Bunmahon Bunmahon County Waterford Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Maghermorenear Blainroe Golf Club County Wicklow RightBeach-breakAll surfers
Tramore Tramore County Waterford Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Killiney Bay Killiney County Dublin Right and leftSand-barExperienced surfers
Clogherhead Clogherhead County Louth Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Dun Dealgannear Dundalk County Louth RightRivermouthAll surfers
Curacloe Wexford Right and leftsand bank and shore breaksand bank for experienced surfers and shore break for all

Big wave surfing

Ireland's location on the edge of the North Atlantic makes it a good location for accessing large waves. The record for the largest measured wave, at 19 m (62 ft) tall, is held by a buoy off the north-west coast of the country, [22] and satellite imagery has shown a tendency for the generation of waves in excess of 9 m (30 ft) tall in the area. [23]

Ireland's most iconic big wave, known as "Ailleens" after the nearby Aill na Searrach cliffs, is located off the Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, and is a popular location for tow-in surfing. Although championed by many as a "perfect wave", with a potential height of 12 m (39 ft), Ailleens is not an everyday occurrence, as it requires stormy conditions and strong east winds offshore. [24] [25]

Mullaghmore Head's 9 m (30 ft) waves, in County Sligo, have served as the platform for the Billabong Monster Tow In Surf Session since 2011. [26] A nearby wave, known as "Prowlers", has been surfed at an estimated height of 15 m (50 ft). [27]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Sligo</span> County in Ireland

County Sligo is a county in Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region and is part of the province of Connacht. Sligo is the administrative capital and largest town in the county. Sligo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county was 70,198 at the 2022 census. It is noted for Benbulben Mountain, one of Ireland's most distinctive natural landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big wave surfing</span> Surfing waves at least 20 ft high

Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. A larger, longer board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bundoran</span> Seaside resort in County Donegal, Ireland

Bundoran is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. The town is located near the N15 road near Ballyshannon, and is the most southerly town in Donegal. The town is a tourist seaside resort, and tourism has been at the heart of the local economy since the 18th century. Bundoran is a surfing destination and was listed by National Geographic magazine in 2012 as one of the world's top 20 surf towns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donegal (town)</span> Town in County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland

Donegal is a town in County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. Although Donegal gave its name to the county, now Lifford is the county town. From the 15th until the early 17th century, Donegal was the "capital" of Tyrconnell, a Gaelic kingdom controlled by the O'Donnell dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunfanaghy</span> Village in Donegal, Republic of Ireland

Dunfanaghy is a small town, former fishing port, and commercial centre on the north coast of County Donegal, Ireland. It lies on Donegal's North West coast, specifically the west side of Sheephaven Bay, on the N56 road, 30 km north-west of Letterkenny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donegal Bay</span>

Donegal Bay is an inlet in the northwest of Ireland. Three counties – Donegal to the north and west, Leitrim and Sligo to the south – have shorelines on the bay, which is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Donegal and the River Eske lie at the head of the bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mullaghmore, County Sligo</span> Village in Connacht, Ireland

Mullaghmore is a village on the Mullaghmore Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland. It is a holiday destination with a skyline dominated by Benbulben mountain. It is in the barony of Carbury and parish of Ahamlish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinlough</span> Village in County Leitrim, Ireland

Kinlough is a large village in north County Leitrim. It lies between the Dartry Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, and between the River Duff and the River Drowes, at the head of Lough Melvin. It borders County Donegal and County Fermanagh, both in Ulster, and is near Yeats Country in County Sligo. It lies 2.5 miles from Bundoran in County Donegal, and across Lough Melvin from the village of Garrison in County Fermanagh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tullaghan</span> Village in County Leitrim, Ireland

Tullaghan is the most northerly village in County Leitrim, Ireland. Lying at the northern end of Glenade, Tullaghan is in the parish of Kinlough and Glenade and is part of the Manorhamilton electoral area.

Brian McEniff is a former Gaelic football manager, administrator and player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rossnowlagh</span> Seaside village in County Donegal, Ireland

Rossnowlagh is a seaside village in the south of County Donegal, Ireland. It is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of Ballyshannon and 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Donegal Town. The area's 3 km (2 mi) long beach, or 2 km (1.2 mi) if measuring from the cliffs to Carrickfad, is frequented by walkers, surfers, windsurfers, kite-surfers and swimmers.

The Sligo Junior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition contested by lower-tier Sligo GAA clubs.

Easkey Britton is an Irish surfer from Rossnowlagh, County Donegal. In 2010, she won her fifth consecutive Irish National Surfing Championship title at her namesake wave in County Sligo and in 2009 became the British Pro-Tour Champion.

Richie Fitzgerald is an Irish big-wave surfer.

Gabriel 'Gabe' Davies is a British big-wave surfer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Atlantic Way</span> Irish coastal 2,500 km road route

The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, of Ireland. The 2,500 km driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast.

Jamie Brennan is an Irish Gaelic footballer and hurler who plays football for Réalt na Mara and the Donegal county team, and has hurled for Aodh Ruadh.

Cathal Corey is a Gaelic football manager and former player from County Tyrone. He played for the Kildress Wolfe Tones club, though he never played for his county. However, he has managed several clubs throughout Ulster, as well as the Sligo county team. His most noted achievement in club management is leading Naomh Conaill to both the Donegal Senior Football Championship and the final of the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mullaghmore Peninsula</span> Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland

The Mullaghmore Peninsula, also referred to as Mullaghmore Head, is a small peninsula in the north of County Sligo, Ireland. The coastal village of Mullaghmore is the peninsula's sole settlement. The village has 136 year-round residents according to the 2016 Census; however, its population is significantly higher during summer months. The peninsula is bounded by two large beaches on either side, and sports panoramic views of Ben Bulben and the Dartry Mountains, making it one of Sligo's most popular seaside destinations.

References

  1. Ltd, Wannasurf.com. "Ireland - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". www.wannasurf.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. "The best surf spots in Ireland". SurferToday. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Surfing in Ireland Irish culture and customs - World Cultures European". www.irishcultureandcustoms.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Our History". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  5. Cavey, Kevin. "Surf History". kevincavey.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. "Who We Are". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. "IrishSurfing - Sign Up" . Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  8. "Irish National Surfing Championships 2016 - Discover Bundoran - Tourist Information from Ireland's Capital of Fun!". discoverbundoran.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. "47TH Annual Intercounties". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. "Rossnowlagh Intercounties & Irish Surfing Association 50th Anniversary Celebration" . Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  11. "Tow-in Surf Session Ireland | Surf Camps Europe". Surfcampseurope.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. "Irish Film Institute -New Documentary Between Land and Sea Gets Stunning Trailer". ifi.ie. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  13. "Monster Waves of Europe- Ireland - Surf Around Ireland Surf Around Ireland". www.surfaroundireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  14. "The Crest - A New Crowdfunded Irish Surf Movie - Surf Around Ireland Surf Around Ireland". www.surfaroundireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  15. "Sea Sessions 2017". seasessions.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  16. "Surf & Sea Festival Tramore". www.surfandseafestival.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  17. "Shoreshots". 54.2766° N, 8.4761° W. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  18. "Surfing tourism on crest of a wave after monster swell". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  19. Ltd, Wannasurf.com. "Ireland - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". www.wannasurf.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  20. "Surf Forecast & Surf Reports for IRELAND". www.surf-forecast.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  21. "Surfspots.ie". surfspots.ie. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  22. "'World's Biggest Wave' Recorded Off Ireland". afloat.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  23. "New Big Wave Hotspot Discovered Off Irish Coast". afloat.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  24. Fáilte Ireland. "Biggest Waves in the World | Wild Atlantic Way". www.wildatlanticway.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  25. "Aileen's – Ireland's Perfect Wave #irlnd". Ireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  26. Fáilte Ireland. "Mullaghmore Surf | Surfing on the Wild Atlantic Way". www.wildatlanticway.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  27. Cooney, Neil (November 2010). "The Impact of Surfing on the Local Economy of the Lahinch Area, Co. Clare, Ireland" (PDF). www.surfaroundireland.com. p. 5.