Clare surfers on standby for giant waves

TWO Clare surfers have been invited to compete against some of world’s best big wave riders in Ireland this winter.

 

Clarecastle’s Peter Conroy and Lahinch’s Ollie O’Flaherty will join a strong international field for the annual Billabong Tow-In Session at Mullaghmore in County Sligo.

The waiting period for the event commences this week and expires on March 1. Organisers only need one day of giant waves with favourable winds during the waiting period to stage the event.

Only those surfers with recognised big wave experience are invited to compete. All competitors are also expected to have the necessary rescue and water safety procedures.

Peter Conroy will be looking to go one better than his second-placing the last time the event was held two years ago.

After graduating from Coventry University with a degree in International Disasters Management, he returned home and found work as a fireman and paramedic based at Phibsborough Fire Station in Dublin where he has been for the past ten years.

“It’s dangerous work but I really enjoy the challenge of it and I suppose surfing big waves matches that same thrill,” he said.

When tow-surfing was first demonstrated in Ireland 11 years ago, Conroy was among the first Irish surfers to take on the challenge.

He purchased a jet-ski with some friends and learnt to drive in big seas so they could whip each other into the giant waves that break in spectacular fashion below the Cliffs of Moher and at Mullaghmore in Sligo.

“There’s a lot more to it than just surfing big waves. You have to learn to drive your jet-ski well with your partner and undergo a lot of water safety and rescue training procedures should anything ever go wrong,” he explains.

While he likes to keep fit for the strenuous demands of his job, Conroy has also been doing some extra training in preparation for this year’s contest by swimming underwater lengths in the local pool.

“Mullaghmore is a really impressive location with the grassy headland acting as natural amphitheatre for spectators to watch the event,” he said.

“The waves there are like no other, kind of like snowboarding down a mountain,” he added.

Among those returning to Ireland this year are the defending champions Benjamin Sanchez (France) and Eric Ribiere (Portugal).

The international field this year includes competitors from Hawaii, USA, Great Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Tahiti and South Africa.

Other Irish surfers competing in the event include Richie Fitzgerald and Peter Craig (Donegal), Dave Lavelle and Mikee Hamilton (Sligo), Hugh Galloway (Galway) and Al Mennie (Antrim).

The event is sanctioned by the Irish Surf Rescue Club and the Irish Surfing Association.