Surfy no mates!

messymess

I have a board and wet suit a few years now but I rarely get out more than a couple times of the year to practice falling into the sea, mainly because absolutely none of my mates are into it at all. So I'm either faced with driving over to the west for the day and back or not at all.

What's the best way to hook up with other surfers and hang out places for the weekend? Are their clubs worth joining etc ... I'm not a youngster either, I'm in the 3OH's!

*puts head in hands, sob, I've no mates*

zoobizoo

Join these guys

www.eastcoastsurfclub.com

lots of people heading west, lots of people in their 30s and a friendly sociable bunch to boot...

valerie

Hey messy,
I'm kind of in the same boat - my regular surfing partner is heading off to Toronto in July (it's inland! why would you do that to yourself?)
Anyway, to combat this I've started a surfing meet-up group, where basically I stick up on a website a weekend and a place to go surfing and other loners surfers rock up to meet some new people and surfing.
First trip is on next weekend 18/19 June in Enniscrone. I have no idea if it'll work out or not but it's worth a shot.
Valerie
www.meetup.com/irishsurf

valerie

zoobizoo wrote: »

Join these guys

www.eastcoastsurfclub.com

lots of people heading west, lots of people in their 30s and a friendly sociable bunch to boot...

Might join that myself come to think of it..

messymess

Thanks for the info guys ... might try to make that Enniscrone weekend.
I was out in Bundoran (Tullan) on Sat and really enjoyed it

jkl

I'm headed west this sunday for a daytrip if you're interested, should be 3 of us headed.

wuben

Hi im in the same boat am hooked on surfing have all the gear but have only got out once this year. none of my mates are interested it really is frustrating i was on my way to sligo few weeks ago to find there was no surf

messymess

Thanks for the offer JKL! This weekend might be a bit soon for me though, my arms are still hanging off me



Hmm, seems like a decent idea might be to put a sticky at the top so it can help people hook up with people!? Put a link to Vals' site in it.

Mods, what you reckon?

ThOnda

I am thinking about Ennishcrone on Sunday morning too. No board, I have to hope that the rental van will be there. (It was not there on Monday, but the sea was flat.)

JimmyCrackCorn

I have the mates. They lack motivation and I don't like the idea of surfing alone on an empty beach as a beginner.

Bad time to try and start for me. Before i found this thread id just sent off the application to the east coast surf club in the hope of actually getting out more.


(Edit: Never thought of van rental @ 45euro a day looks like a winner)

keryl

Ger Byrne operates 7th Wave Surf in Enniscrone, he does the weekends but he will meet you if you arrange a lesson or suit/board hire.

Enniscrone was flat all last weekend as was most of the usual spots on the west. Starting to think we're never going to get waves

ourfi

Sounds all 2 familar.....

OldGuysRule

Keryl,
Not sure what you mean about 'flat all last weekend as was most of the usual spots on the west'
I spent four hours in the water on Saturday (two sessions, sets were nicely overhead and clean enough), followed by three hours on Sunday (hour and half in the early morning was like glass, second session was a bit windy but nicely chunky) 'on the west'. No shortage of waves until Monday, but by then it was my legs that needed a run out.

keryl

Yeah your right, Sunday and Monday were quite clean, just compared to the previous week the waves were small.

wuben

I'm thinking of joining the east coast surf club as i feel if i join a club i might get out more and because none of my mates are into surfing Ive no one to go with. Can anyone tell me is this club any good and would they recommend me join for those reasons???

zoobizoo

wuben wrote: »

I'm thinking of joining the east coast surf club as i feel if i join a club i might get out more and because none of my mates are into surfing Ive no one to go with. Can anyone tell me is this club any good and would they recommend me join for those reasons???

1. People to surf with (share lifts with etc)
2. A forum for all things surf - including predictions of where will be working and when, advice on eqt
3. Weekends away
4. Insurance
5. New mates who do surf and who won't be bored to tears when you tell them about a wave/wind/board/wetsuit/booties and won't be surprised that you're getting up at 6 in the morning to drive west for the day.
6. Use of club boards incl. longboards, fun boards, old boards, short boards and a new Meyerhoffer on the way (although there'll be a long queue for that one)

JimmyCrackCorn

zoobizoo wrote: »

1. People to surf with (share lifts with etc)
2. A forum for all things surf - including predictions of where will be working and when, advice on eqt
3. Weekends away
4. Insurance
5. New mates who do surf and who won't be bored to tears when you tell them about a wave/wind/board/wetsuit/booties and won't be surprised that you're getting up at 6 in the morning to drive west for the day.
6. Use of club boards incl. longboards, fun boards, old boards, short boards and a new Meyerhoffer on the way (although there'll be a long queue for that one)

Iv sent two application forms in over the week. Must chase them up again. Maybe a phone-call works better.

Last time i told mates they were being dragged out at 8am on a Saturday they were not overly impressed

messymess

I don't mean to 'dis' eastcoast surf club or anything but I was talking to two friends of mine who joined and they didn't have too much good to say about it.

They said that it was fairly disorganised, little communication coming up to events, even poorer communication about what beaches they were going to, when and how to get there etc. They had gone to one weekend away and decided to leave it at that. That's what pretty much turned me off joining.

I think that might have been over a year ago though so maybe things have changed ... and this is also their own opinions on it.

OldGuysRule

Do not think you will find any other surf club much better, for what you are looking for.

zoobizoo

messymess wrote: »

I don't mean to 'dis' eastcoast surf club or anything but I was talking to two friends of mine who joined and they didn't have too much good to say about it.

They said that it was fairly disorganised, little communication coming up to events, even poorer communication about what beaches they were going to, when and how to get there etc. They had gone to one weekend away and decided to leave it at that. That's what pretty much turned me off joining.

I think that might have been over a year ago though so maybe things have changed ... and this is also their own opinions on it.

Since the forum started up there is no issue with communication - much like this forum you just click in and see what the latest thread is. And prior to that it would have been email based.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, calling beaches can be left late due to conditions - that's where the forum comes in handy.

As it is though, there are certain weekends (bank holidays and intercounties etc) called early in order to book accomodation.

spaceHopper

JimmyCrackCorn wrote: »

Iv sent two application forms in over the week. Must chase them up again. Maybe a phone-call works better.

Last time i told mates they were being dragged out at 8am on a Saturday they were not overly impressed

You should get answer soon - it's armature club run by volunteers, if the membership person is busy they might not check the email everyday.

Membership if only 35 euros or thereabouts, you only need to borrow a board one weekend and you will be ahead.

JimmyCrackCorn

spaceHopper wrote: »

You should get answer soon - it's armature club run by volunteers, if the membership person is busy they might not check the email everyday.

Membership if only 35 euros or thereabouts, you only need to borrow a board one weekend and you will be ahead.

I get one weekend out of it with some actual time in the water and it paid for itself. My mats just don't have the interest.

wuben

Umme.....ah i don't no what to do i suppose for 30-40 quid i don't have much to loose but at the same time don't want to waste my time if its unorganised....are there any members of the east coast posting here that shed some light on how they operate?would be appreciated

zoobizoo

wuben wrote: »

Umme.....ah i don't no what to do i suppose for 30-40 quid i don't have much to loose but at the same time don't want to waste my time if its unorganised....are there any members of the east coast posting here that shed some light on how they operate?would be appreciated

It;s not disorganised and as a member of the ECSC for the last 2 years, I have met and made friends with many surfers.

I'm not on here selling the club . Go along to one of the social monthly socials. Next one is on next week: Thursday 17th in O'Neill's of Pearse St..... go along and meet the guys.

paddy jack

Hey Guys,

I'm in the same boat, living in Carlow, am a beginner and looking to get out more but none of my mates are interested, went to tramore on my own but aint no fun....

Any suggestion for this end of the country

Cheers

spaceHopper

Not sure if the Laois surf club is still on the go http://www.isasurf.ie/laois-surf-club/

ThOnda

Being pissed of by all the time spent at work, I might join too, at least to get more information on what is happening all over the place.

paddy jack

Tried Laois surf Club, joined last year but very little happening, looking for a bit more thx

rodento

Its all well and good looking for other surfers to hook up with but travalling with groups is a serious no no in surfing terms. Depending where you turn up you can really spoil peoples day

foxymarrylou

messymess wrote: »

I don't mean to 'dis' eastcoast surf club or anything but I was talking to two friends of mine who joined and they didn't have too much good to say about it.

They said that it was fairly disorganised, little communication coming up to events, even poorer communication about what beaches they were going to, when and how to get there etc. They had gone to one weekend away and decided to leave it at that. That's what pretty much turned me off joining.

I think that might have been over a year ago though so maybe things have changed ... and this is also their own opinions on it.

That’s a shame your mates didn’t enjoy it, I’ve had so many amazing trips away with the club and met some of the nicest people I know through it! There’s a private online forum on the site open solely to members – this is where everything is communicated – thoughts, suggestions, info on trips, gear for sale, lift offers, etc.

As pointed out earlier, sometimes it’s impossible to call the beach in advance as conditions are changeable. Same applies to the location for trips – a couple of them are chosen in advance so that houses can be sourced, but some are based solely on what neck of the woods has the best swell hitting it. Makes sense, no?! I know I’d be pretty pissed if I was surfing some mush just because that beach had been picked in advance, when an hour down the road there were nice clean, glassy waves with no one on them

The club is run by members for members and people give up their own time to book trips, look after memberships, run the club library, etc.

And in fairness surfing is by nature a pretty laid back sport/lifestyle....

Membership also includes insurance to be on the water, which as far as I’m aware, the majority of surfers out on the water don’t have.

The social Thursday is open to whoever fancies a pint and a chat and a chance to suss things out!

Anyway, that’s just my twopence worth, horses for courses and all that

SurferDude41

messymess wrote: »

I don't mean to 'dis' eastcoast surf club or anything but I was talking to two friends of mine who joined and they didn't have too much good to say about it.

They said that it was fairly disorganised, little communication coming up to events, even poorer communication about what beaches they were going to, when and how to get there etc. They had gone to one weekend away and decided to leave it at that. That's what pretty much turned me off joining.

I think that might have been over a year ago though so maybe things have changed ... and this is also their own opinions on it.

I agree with you totally, my good man.
The east coast surfers are , a bunch of sad uptight boring middle class elitest jerks, that I have ever had the misfoutune of knowing:rolleyes:

I was minding my own business, sitting in the lineup a few years ago. when I was approached by a woman (on a surfboard) and and after five minutes conversation. I was invited to a weekend's surfing at Castlegregory, I just gave a polite " I will let you know" and paddled off:rolleyes:
Later while I was getting changed, she approached me again. She was looking for my phone number, "now to be honest" I just gave it to get rid of her.

During the next few months, I bumped into the same woman a few times while surfing, everytime she saw me, she just came paddling after me:rolleyes:
Always inviting me to the next, East coast surfers get together.
Eventually, I agreed to accompany her on their next trip.

Anyway, to cut a long story short. I arrived at at Castlegregory, with my new best friend:eek: "yes I shared a car with a weirdo woman"
I was introduced to the East coast surfers. Firstly I noticed, they were all women:) around ten of them.

Their leader, was this American woman much older, than the others.
All were intelligent and articulate professionals:eek:
One cheerfully anounced, "you are the only guy here" all the others bailed out at the last minute," Yeah sure" I thought.
Next thing I noticed, about my newhouse-mates. Quite a lot of them had dogs....Yup all female dogs. I could see straight away, these dogs were plainly not used to men:eek:
They all kept going on about, "feminine power":eek:
Later that evening, more women arrived....With their female dogs:rolleyes:

So take my advice, and steer well clear of the East coast surfers.
I know Dublin is full, of un-cool weirdo mal-content's
Sh**t, all these weirdos have to do something of an evening in boring Dublin:)

wuben

well to be honest i went to there social other nite.....now I'm not the type of guy who would be comfortable meeting strangers but I'm desperate to get out surfing as none of my mates have the slightest bit of interest in it....so anyway i went in feeling a bit awkward but i was made feel very welcome...i thought they were a decent bunch....yea there was a good few women there but what man complains about that!!(good few men there as well)so anyway unless something better comes up or one of my mates suddenly takes a shining to surfing i think I'm going to give these guys a go

JimmyCrackCorn

Lol.

i have a vision of an army of dogs.

I already signed up though im now scared

SurfinInThe70s

@ SurferDude41....
Call me old fashioned, or just plain old, but I'm constantly amazed at the things people think it's ok to post on the interweb. It's easy to be nice... but it's nasty to be nice (in person) and then to post that.

JimmyCrackCorn

SurfinInThe70s wrote: »

@ SurferDude41....
Call me old fashioned, or just plain old, but I'm constantly amazed at the things people think it's ok to post on the interweb. It's easy to be nice... but it's nasty to be nice (in person) and then to post that.

I'm sure there perfectly fine in real life. The likelihood of a club remaining open with members if they are as described above is nil.

On the internet you take everything with a pinch of salt or like me believe nothing.

SurferDude41

SurfinInThe70s wrote: »

@ SurferDude41....
Call me old fashioned, or just plain old, but I'm constantly amazed at the things people think it's ok to post on the interweb. It's easy to be nice... but it's nasty to be nice (in person) and then to post that.

I did find the East Coast Surfers to be a nice enough group, but the people {women} were all a rather strange bunch of card carrying femimists.
Nothing wrong with that,
But why invite a single man, to an obviously feminist surfing weekend???

Well now im guessing, you are one of those women???
And to be frank, I found your little sister-hood rather strange to say the least.
And in all fairness, I am telling the truth.

Best of luck to you all:)

valerie

I met up with the east coast surf club at their social on Thursday, very friendly bunch. Then met up with them in Rossknowlagh on Saturday. They were very welcoming and great craic. Fairly split along gender lines. Don't know what kind of a thing you wandered into, surferdude41.

spaceHopper

SurferDude41 wrote: »

I did find the East Coast Surfers to be a nice enough group, but the people {women} were all a rather strange bunch of card carrying femimists.
Nothing wrong with that,
But why invite a single man, to an obviously feminist surfing weekend???

Well now im guessing, you are one of those women???
And to be frank, I found your little sister-hood rather strange to say the least.
And in all fairness, I am telling the truth.

Best of luck to you all:)

Think you have issues that need to be looked at
Don't click the below in work if you have speakers, which you need
http://www.entertonement.com/clips/trlqfjqvls--Dire-need-of-a-blow-jobRobin-Williams-Good-Morning-Vietnam-A1C-Adrian-Cronauer-

SurferDude41

spaceHopper wrote: »

Think you have issues that need to be looked at
Don't click the below in work if you have speakers, which you need
http://www.entertonement.com/clips/trlqfjqvls--Dire-need-of-a-blow-jobRobin-Williams-Good-Morning-Vietnam-A1C-Adrian-Cronauer-

Yes my good man, "I have a big issue with hypocrisy"
I was assured by this woman, the said weekend I attended would be mixed, gender wise.
What I was subjected to, was a weekend of sad feminist diatribe by a group of obviously man-hating women:(



If these women want to have their own, women only surfing club. Then maybe they should, "just go and do it".... :rolleyes:

messymess

Mods, if you've no objection yourselfs would you mind locking this one up. Ta.

My question has been answered courtesy of Val's group and eastcoastsurfclub. Thanks for the replies!

Low Pockets

No, come on this is just getting interesting!

I need something more then people looking to hold each others hand and discuss how great it is to be bringing large groups to the beach.

A bit of ranting off feminists would really brighten up me day

wuben

valerie wrote: »

I met up with the east coast surf club at their social on Thursday, very friendly bunch. Then met up with them in Rossknowlagh on Saturday. They were very welcoming and great craic. Fairly split along gender lines. Don't know what kind of a thing you wandered into, surferdude41.

Valerie i am going to join myself.... its assuring to hear you got on grand I'm on holidays next two weeks then I'll sign up:D

SurferDude41

And in future, I shall avoid over-friendly surfers like the plague:eek:
I just give them my best thousand yard stare, and speak in monosyllables.
It seems to deter most of the, "lets meet up for a surf" idiots:D

OldGuysRule

It would be great if the club could post on site their weekend plans so that others can check and avoid where they are going to go. Nothing against the people in the club, who seem ok from my limited experience, but more the notion of groups paddling out.

Low Pockets

Big time! It should nearly be a service offered by the ISA, a hand txt update on a Friday night would be favourite:)

They caused havoc last year when the decended on inchydoney

longboarder

OldGuysRule wrote: »

It would be great if the club could post on site their weekend plans so that others can check and avoid where they are going to go. Nothing against the people in the club, who seem ok from my limited experience, but more the notion of groups paddling out.

Ok lets be reasonable here.

Firstly I have been a member of the club for a few years and a nicer bunch of people you couldn’t meet.

Secondly regarding the trips, I have been on a good few and the numbers are generally around the twentyish mark, sometimes a few more and sometimes a few less. Abilities range from complete beginners to experienced.

Surf wise everybody tends to do their own thing. So at any one time the numbers are split between people in bed, on dry land and in the water. Those in the water are spread between the white water, mid and out the back. The result of this is that the actual number of people in any one spot is actually very small.

Couple this to the fact that we generally go to the places that have plenty of room like Lahinch, Brandon Bay, Rossnowlagh etc and you see that this notion of a huge group “descending” on a spot just does not add up.

Most decent days will see plenty of D reg cars in these spots that have no connection with the club and many club members would be in these spots anyway whether or not there is an “official” trip.

OldGuysRule

I spoke from experience whereby a group of between 6 and 8 paddled out at a small break in Sligo and ruined the session for the couple of others (not connected) that were out. In that case, the group sat on the peak chatting etc but actually getting in the way.

Ye might have little choice but to head off in groups, but no group ECSC or other should ever expect to be welcomed with open arms at any break.

longboarder

Well that was just bad manners and a group of this size at a small break would not have been a club trip.

Also there are only about six trips in the whole year.

Low Pockets

Very similar story from last year in inchydoney.

Why is it the ecsc are the only club that feels the need to travel in large groups?

OldGuysRule wrote: »

I spoke from experience whereby a group of between 6 and 8 paddled out at a small break in Sligo and ruined the session for the couple of others (not connected) that were out. In that case, the group sat on the peak chatting etc but actually getting in the way.

Ye might have little choice but to head off in groups, but no group ECSC or other should ever expect to be welcomed with open arms at any break.

rodento

As a group of people its pretty diverse, ranging from the soundest lads you'll ever meet, to adsolute idiots and everything else in between.

Its a very large club and based on the east coast, the members have to surf somewhere, hense the dilemma, where do you take a massive amount of beginners and intermediates to surf every other weekend

If club members are heading west, on a trip advertised on a club forum(official or otherwise) than its a club trip

I should add that the people I regularly surf with, I met through the club, though most of us are ex members at this stage

SurferDude41

longboarder wrote: »

Well that was just bad manners and a group of this size at a small break would not have been a club trip.

Also there are only about six trips in the whole year.

Well here's a mad idea, why doesn't the ECSC just give other surfers advanced warning, of their impending trips.
This would give us propper surfers a chance, to avoid your club like the plague:D
Just imagine having Tullan strand, all to yourselves;)
Ok the RNLI would have to be alerted first, for what ever ensuing chaos may happen.:eek:
I just don't want my lovely longboard dinged by some idiot, who goes surfing a few times per year.:(
Lets face facts here, your club is putting peoples lives at risk, By showing up to beaches in such large numbers:(