The Irish Junior Surf Team departs for Lacanau Ocean, France to compete at the 2012 European Junior Surfing Championship. Ireland will join teams from the rest of Europe, Israel and Morocco for this prestigious surfing event.
The Championships will kick off on Saturday 8th of September with the opening ceremony and parade of nations. Heats will commence on Sunday 9th September running all week with the grand finals on Sunday 16th September.
A team of nineteen will represent Ireland at the event, with Strandhill bodyboarder Shane Meehan travelling with the team as a judge and bodyboard coach. We caught up with 2 of the Strandhill members of the team and fired them a few questions:
Kevin McGowan
Favourite wave: Secret spots around home.
Sponsors: None.
Favourite bodyboarder: Mike Stewart or Ryan Hardy I’d say, legends.
Are you looking forward to surfing in France? Last time I was in France my arm was broken so no surfing, definitely looking forward to it this time round.
How does it feel to represent your country? Surfing for the country is great craic, a good bunch of lads and lassies.
Will you wear your team gear when you get home to score girls? I’ll probably fashion my trackies into a suitably short pair of short shorts, and my tee into a bawdy low-cut tank top, hopefully the ladies will form an orderly queue.
Why are Strandhill surfers/bodyboarders much cooler, better and weirder than the other surfing areas in Ireland? Because Strandhill boy’s never pull out! and it’s manhill so no distractions.
Gearoid McDaid
Favourite wave: The Peak
Sponsors: Quiksilver and MMD Surfboards
Favourite Surfer: John John Florence
Are you looking forward to surfing in France? Yeah, I hope it’ll be fun waves and it feels good to represent your country.
Will you wear your team gear when you get home to score girls? Maybe but it probably wouldn’t work, haha!
Why are Strandhill surfers/bodyboarders much cooler, better and weirder than the other surfing areas in Ireland? I dunno, maybe because it’s a cooler place, haha!