IrishSUP Surf Classic 2017 Wrap Up
Posted: 5 May 2017
ASI Trainer, Paul Byrne from Dublin, organises the IrishSUP Surf Classic and provided this wrap up of the event.
The weekend of April 8/9th saw the 5th edition of the IRISHSUP SURF CLASSIC in the beautiful Co Sligo in Ireland.
Over the past 5 years this event has grown and grown to become not only the premier Surf SUP contest in the UK and Ireland, but a truly international event with competitors present from not only the Republic and Northern Ireland, but also England, Wales, Scotland, Germany, France and even Brazil!!!!
The philosophy behind this event is to come together and surf in a friendly fun environment, while enjoying catching up and having the craic, and the event certainly delivered that!!!
The base for the weekends antics was The Beach Bar, in Aughris, Co Sligo. Darren and his staff provided the perfect base for all athletes. Bed and Breakfast, Van parking, food and drink all right beside our contest site for the weekend.
There were 72 entries across the following categories: •First Timers. •Ladies. •Sub 10ft. •10ft and bigger.
Friday night kicked the event off with a Judges workshop for all to attend. This event is unique in that it asks the surfers to judge as well as compete under the watchful eye of an experienced head judge. This allows the unique insight as to what judges are looking for and what scores higher than what!!!
Saturday morning the contest started at 9.30am and ran with heat back to back until 7pm. The surf gods were looking on us and provided world class conditions. The waves were shoulder to head high, with light offshore winds.
The skill level of the surfers did not disappoint. Ireland saw extremely high level of competition to match anything around the world. Here’s some drone coverage of the contest site which was recorded by chance and had nothing to do with the contest, pity there wasn’t some of the surf action. Sligo was looking tropical!!!
The surf and the contest was only a small part of what this weekend was all about. It was great to meet new friends, and catch up with old ones. Share tales of woe, and have a few laughs.
Obviously, this would never happen without the kind support of our sponsors: Sunova Surfboards, Academy of Surfing Instructors, Mauka Lodge in Portugal, Mama Johnsons and the Strand Bar in Strandhill, Pure Magic Kitesurfing, C-Skins wetsuits, Surfears, Dirty Dog Eyewear, Atlantic Coast Lifeguards, CoCo Ridge Coconut Water, Huku Blalance boards, SUPBoarder Magazine and finally the Wild Atlantic Soap Co.
Finally, a massive thank you to Dave Owens, my sidekick in the planning and running of this event, without whom I couldn’t do it…thank you Davo!!!
The results from the finals were as follows:
LADIES: 1. Sarah Gannon. (Ire) 2. Lucy Hamilton. (Ire) 3. Michaela Vonstein. (Ire) 4. Lois Crighton. (Ire)
FIRST TIMERS: 1. Robert Sayer (Ire) 2. Marc Mestl (Ger) 3. Scott McGlashan (Eng) 4. Nevan O Connor (Ire)
10FT PLUS: 1. Marcio Diaz. (Bra) 2. Ollie Laddiman (Wal) 3. Steve Laddiman (Wal) 4. Dave Owens (Ire)
SUB 10FT: 1. Marcio Diaz (Bra) 2. Steve Laddiman (Wal) 3. Ollie Laddiman (Wal) 4. Francois Colossi (Fra)
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