Surfing in Ireland
| Surfing in Ireland | |
|---|---|
 Surfers on Doughmore Beach, Co. Clare | |
| Country | Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland |
| Governing body | Irish Surfing Association |
| National team(s) | Irish Surf Team |
| Clubs | 16 |
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]
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, Co. 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]
- Bundoran Board Riders Club (Bundoran, County Donegal)
- Causeway Coast Surf Club (Portstewart, County Londonderry)
- Co. Sligo Surf Club (Strandhill, County Sligo)
- Curracloe Surf Club (Curracloe, County Wexford)
- Easkey Surf Club (Easkey, County Sligo)
- East Coast Surf Club (Gorey, County Wexford)
- GTown Surf Club (Kinsale, County Cork)
- Irish Soul Surfers Network (Ballyshannon, County Donegal)
- Kerry Surf Club (County Kerry)
- Killiney Surf Club (Killiney, County Dublin)
- Laois Surf Club (Port Laoise, County Laois)
- Liquid Therapy (Bundoran, County Donegal)
- North Sligo Surf Club (Strandhill, County Sligo)
- Rossnowlagh Surf Club (Rossnowlagh, County Donegal)
- TBay Surf Club (Tramore, County Waterford)
- West Coast Surf Club (Milltown Malbay, County Clare)
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, Co. Donegal,[8] and the Irish Inter County Surfing Championships, held in Rossnowlagh, Co. 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
| Name of spot | Location | County | Break Direction | Break Type | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballycastle Beach | Ballycastle | Co. Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| East Strand | Portrush | Co. Antrim | Left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
| Finn's Left | Ballintoy | Co. Antrim | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Portballintrae | Portballintrae | Co. Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Portrush | Portrush | Co. Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| West Strand | Portrush | Co. Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| White Rocks | Portrush | Co. Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Castlerock | Castlerock | Co. Londonderry | Left | Rivermouth | Experienced surfers |
| Castlerock Beach | Castlerock | Co. Londonderry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Portstewart | Portstewart | Co. Londonderry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Ballyheirnan Bay | Fanad | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Ballymastocker | Portsalon | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Black spot | Bundoran | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Bloody foreland | Brinlack | Co. Donegal | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Bundoran | Bundoran | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Drumnacraig | North of Portsalon | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
| Falcarragh Beach | Falcarragh | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Loughros Point | Ardara | Co. Donegal | Left | Rivermouth | Experienced surfers |
| Maghera Beach | Ardara | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Pampa | Bundoran | Co. Donegal | Left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Rossnowlagh | Rossnowlagh | Co. Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Tullan Strand | Ballyshannon | Co. Donegal | Right | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Tullaghan (left) | Tullaghan | Co. Leitrim | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Tullaghan (right) | Tullaghan | Co. Leitrim | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Bay Break | Strandhill | Co. Sligo | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Dunmoran | near Skreen | Co. Sligo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Easky | Easky | Co. Sligo | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Easky (right) | Easky | Co. Sligo | Right | Point-break | All surfers |
| Gaa | Enniscrone | Co. Sligo | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Inishcrone | Enniscrone | Co. Sligo | Right | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Lislary | near Ocean Heights B&B | Co. Sligo | Right and left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Mullaghmore | Mullaghmore | Co. Sligo | Left | Reef-rocky | Pros or kamikaze only... |
| Strandhill | Strandhill | Co. Sligo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Carrownisky | near Louisburgh | Co. Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Dugort | Achill Island (North) | Co. Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Keel Beach | Achill Island (South) | Co. Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Keel Strand | Achill Island (South) | Co. Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Kilcummin | Ballycastle | Co. Mayo | Left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Killadoon | beside Cross Lough | Co. Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Doonloughin | ~4 km WNW of Ballyconneely | Co. Galway | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Aileens | off Cliffs of Moher | Co. Clare | Right | Reef-rocky | Pros or kamikaze only... |
| Barrtrá | Lahinch | Co. Clare | Left | Point-break | All surfers |
| Crab Island | Doolin | Co. Clare | Right | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Cream Point | off Milltown Malbay | Co. Clare | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Pros or kamikaze only... |
| Doolin Point | Doolin | Co. Clare | Right | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Doonbeg Castle | Doonbeg | Co. Clare | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Doughmore Beach | Doonbeg | Co. Clare | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Fanore | Fanore | Co. Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Killard | near Doonbeg | Co. Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Lahinch Beach | Lahinch | Co. Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Lahinch (Left) | Lahinch | Co. Clare | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Spanish Point Beach | Spanish Point | Co. Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Spanish Point Reefs | Spanish Point | Co. Clare | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Ardkeragh | Waterville | Co. Kerry | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Ballinskelligs | Waterville | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Ballybunion | Ballybunion | Co. Kerry | Right | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Ballyheigue | Ballyheigue | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Banna Strand | Banna Strand | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
| Baslicon | Waterville | Co. Kerry | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Beale | North of Ballybunion | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Brandon Bay | Maharees | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Coumeenole | Slea Head | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
| Inch Reef | East of Dingle | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
| Inch Strand | Castlemaine Harbour | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Rossbeigh | Rossbeigh | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Sandy Bay | Maharees | Co. Kerry | Right | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
| St. Finnians Bay | between Puffin Island and Ballinskelligs | Co. Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| The Old Hatchery | Waterville | Co. Kerry | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Barley Cove | Barleycove | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Do More Reefs | near Glandore | Co. Cork | Right and left | Rivermouth | Experienced surfers |
| Donomore Reefs | off Ballinglanna | Co. Cork | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Dunworley | on Seven Heads Peninsula | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Fennels Bay | between Crosshaven and Myrtleville | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Fennels Bay Reef | between Crosshaven and Myrtleville | Co. Cork | Left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
| Garretstown | near Kinsale | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Inch (Whitegate) | between Roche's Point Lighthouse and Power Head | Co. Cork | Right and left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Inchydoney | Inchydoney | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Langerville | off Ardfield | Co. Cork | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Beginners wave |
| Long Strand | near Galley Head Lighthouse | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
| Ownahincha | Owenahincha | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Red Strand | near Galley Head Lighthouse | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Sherkin Island | Sherkin Island | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| White Bay | beside Fort Davis | Co. Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
| Annestown | Annestown | Co. Waterford | Right and left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
| Bunmahon | Bunmahon | Co. Waterford | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Maghermore | near Blainroe Golf Club | Co. Wicklow | Right | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Tramore | Tramore | Co. Waterford | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Back Beach | Donabate | Co. Dublin | Right and left | Sand-bar | All surfers |
| Donabate | Donabate | Co. Dublin | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
| Killiney Bay | Killiney | Co. Dublin | Right and left | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
| Tower Bay | Portrane | Co. Dublin | Right and left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
| Clogherhead | Clogherhead | Co. Louth | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
| Dun Dealgan | near Dundalk | Co. Louth | Right | Rivermouth | All surfers |
| Curacloe | Wexford | Right and left | sand bank and shore break | sand 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, Co. 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 Co. 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
- Big wave surfing
- Tow-in surfing
- Surfing in the United Kingdom
- Surfing in Scotland
- Tourism in the Republic of Ireland
- Wild Atlantic Way
References
- ^ Ltd, Wannasurf.com. "Ireland - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". www.wannasurf.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ SurferToday.com, Editor at. "The best surf spots in Ireland". SurferToday. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Surfing in Ireland Irish culture and customs - World Cultures European". www.irishcultureandcustoms.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Our History". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Cavey, Kevin. "Surf History". kevincavey.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Who We Are". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "IrishSurfing - Sign Up". Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ "Irish National Surfing Championships 2016 - Discover Bundoran - Tourist Information from Ireland's Capital of Fun!". discoverbundoran.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "47TH Annual Intercounties". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Rossnowlagh Intercounties & Irish Surfing Association 50th Anniversary Celebration". Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Tow-in Surf Session Ireland | Surf Camps Europe". Surfcampseurope.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Irish Film Institute -New Documentary Between Land and Sea Gets Stunning Trailer". ifi.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Monster Waves of Europe- Ireland - Surf Around Ireland Surf Around Ireland". www.surfaroundireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "The Crest - A New Crowdfunded Irish Surf Movie - Surf Around Ireland Surf Around Ireland". www.surfaroundireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Sea Sessions 2017". seasessions.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Surf & Sea Festival Tramore". www.surfandseafestival.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Shoreshots". 54.2766° N, 8.4761° W. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Surfing tourism on crest of a wave after monster swell". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ Ltd, Wannasurf.com. "Ireland - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". www.wannasurf.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Surf Forecast & Surf Reports for IRELAND". www.surf-forecast.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Surfspots.ie". surfspots.ie. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "'World's Biggest Wave' Recorded Off Ireland". afloat.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "New Big Wave Hotspot Discovered Off Irish Coast". afloat.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Fáilte Ireland. "Biggest Waves in the World | Wild Atlantic Way". www.wildatlanticway.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Aileen's – Ireland's Perfect Wave #irlnd". Ireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Fáilte Ireland. "Mullaghmore Surf | Surfing on the Wild Atlantic Way". www.wildatlanticway.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ 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.