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Surfing in Dublin

  • 23-10-2006 7:57pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 278 ✭✭


    are there any decent places in Dublin to surf and is there anywhere to get lessons?

    Cheers


«13456

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭Steven


    Wrong forum? ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 278 ✭✭seanieclarke


    Any good places to surf in Dublin or anywhere to get lessons?

    Cheers


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,135 ✭✭✭✭John


    Moved to surfing. Honestly, Alt/Indie?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,240 ✭✭✭Endurance Man


    If you could get 10 high speed ferries to all speed along the shore line at once you might get a wave :p .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 dub_gal


    not really in dublin....been lookin for something myself for while but you have to go elsewhere. log onto : http://www.isasurf.ie/ for list of approved surf schools rounf the country...
    but if you want something local and are willing to compromise there's always kitesurfing....heres a list of instructors ::: Enjoy!:)

    http://www.kitesurf.ie/hangtime/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=34


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 524 ✭✭✭Exar Khun


    Damn straight there is, only under freak conditions. Check this outhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm8bv_xKfXs


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 81 ✭✭conman78


    East Coast can be pretty good with winds over 30 mph from Southerly direction. Knowing where to look is the main thing, http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/1597/surfspots.html

    Drive around any bit of coast this week and you'll have waves everywhere up the east coast to from Courtown to Donabate and Balbriggan. Huge southerly's. Just drive along and look for parked cars with board racks etc parked in strange places!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    Ok, heres a few surf spots close to Dublin. Waves aren't going to be great, but everything I will mention here is definetly surfable.

    Killiney Beach. Probably one of the best on the east coast. Needs a low/mid tide and easterlys. South swell is needed, as always for dublin, etc(!)

    Magheramore, just south of wicklow. Best spot near Dublin to surf. A nice bit better than Killiney. Think the carpark is closed now, but you can still park on the side of the road. If theres a southerly swell and easterly winds, go here.

    Dollymount strand: (just for the laugh) This beach can catch some waves, helped along by the ferries. Winter is best, and the best times are 7.30AM and 4.30PM. More popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers, but if youre desperate?!

    Tyrella beach, up near newry can catch some waves too...
    If theres a storm in the Irish sea.

    Bray: right in front of the bandstand. Only works in Northerly swells.
    Dirty dirty water, much like the entire east coast.

    Even Balbriggan catches some swell from time to time. Can't think of the conditions necessary offhand, though.

    If i remember more, I'll put them in here.

    Anyways, I don't know why people bother surfing these waves, unless they live right beside the beaches or something.
    You're much better to head off into the west.
    Donegal, Sligo, Clare, Kerry (in that order IMO) are all excellent, and all have a good few really good waves.
    The west will almost always have some sort of surfable wave. As opposed to the irish sea.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,424 ✭✭✭joejoem


    FuzzyLogic wrote:
    Killiney Beach. Probably one of the best on the east coast. Needs a low/mid tide and easterlys. South swell is needed, as always for dublin, etc(!)

    worth mentioning that you have to do the mongo dance from the car to the water because it is one of the stoniest beaches in Ireland.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    Booties :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    There is waves to be caught on Dollymount today!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Well, here is Dollymount this morning!

    Dollysurf040107.jpg

    Not exactly LA, but with my new barge

    board.jpg

    I may be able to catch some relaxing waves at the weekend.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    holy jesus - waves like that in dollymount?? Do you reckon there'll be any there at the weekend? that's unbelievable, I never thought it got anything there, I live quite close to it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Just checked this morning, they are all gone! I will keep you posted during the weekend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    ferry wake?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    FuzzyLogic wrote:
    ferry wake?


    No, it was constant, a bit bigger towards the wooden bridge. The days of big ferry wakes are gone. In the eightys I was one of the fellas who lined up every night in the summer. (in a canoe, couldn't surf a board then) The wash used to be really big, great fun. Unfortunately the wash was eroding the South Wall and the boats were told to slow down.

    no more fun.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    so will this hellish weather produce any surf in dublin over the next couple of days? anyone?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    I got some runs on Portmarnock beach on Sunday, nothing beautifull, but good practice. On my way home there was lovely waves on Dollymount, the tide was in. On Tuesday at lunch time there was really nice waves on Dollymount (again full tide) This morning things were looking like this (The tide is only half way in)

    WAves.jpg

    A windy and messy!

    I reckon on Saturday morning at around nine (high tide is around 8.30) there should be good waves.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    This winter must surely be going down as one of the best seasons on the East coast in a long time. I've made the trip once already and may be tempted again :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Enygma wrote:
    I've made the trip once already and may be tempted again :)

    In fairness, if its good on the East coast, it must be BRILLIANT on the West coast... Where did you make the trip from?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    Actually if it's good on the East Coast it's most likely crap everywhere else. You need lots of Westerly wind and swell to get the East to light up so that means it's just big huge messy onshore crap everywhere else. Although there are a few spots on the South coast that might be ok ;)

    Made the trip up from Cork, first time surfing the Irish Sea, one of the most radioactive bodies of water on the planet. Maybe that's why the vibes are so good in the water :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Well... your always welcome! I just hope you aren't dissapointed, its very hit and miss. One of the best times I have ever had in 06 was in Inchadonny, brilliant beginner friendly surf, had a ball...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    To be honest it was only ok the day we were there but a lot better than our expectations. The day after we left was meant to be absolutely pumping!

    Inchydoney is great alright, such a fun wave. Always good vibes down there too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    they look a bit too small in that to surf really no? Anyway - I'm going to check it out saturday morning, hopefully it's good at full tide. thanks for the info, I live real close to dollymount.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    they look a bit too small in that to surf really no? Anyway - I'm going to check it out saturday morning, hopefully it's good at full tide. thanks for the info, I live real close to dollymount.


    Yeah, its not exactly jaws, they get bigger the closer you get to them though! Don't be to disapointed if there is nothing there on Saturday morning PLEASE!!! It was just an amature guesswork.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    wow so saturday morning in dollymount is going to be GOING OFF!!11! Best surf ever can't w8!!!11!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Ah jaysus... comon!!!

    I was there this morning, not really that good, yet the tide was out. I hope its ok tomorrow, where did you catch good waves in Dublin before?


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,982 Mod ✭✭✭✭Moonbeam


    Enygma - Try Garrettstown, the waves were amazing there over christmas.

    Surfing on the east coast would usually suck but due to the highwinds recently,there were even some nice waves in Balbriggan nothing too exciting but nice to have it so near!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    I've never actually surfed on the east coast, I think it's a waste of time but I've never seen any waves here so I can't really say from experience. I wouldn't bother unless they were at least Streedagh quality and I doubt that happens here very often.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    Once in a blue moon from what I've heard, but I'd take it if this was on offer:
    http://www.dotcobbe.com/surfin/longboardirl/gallery/Ireland-Photos/abt


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    went to dollymount today, nothing going on there. I really need to get out west. I wonder if there are any easterlies (sp??) due? Nothing but onshore mayhem in sligo and donegal lately...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    West of Ireland: The winds arent exactly onshore. Places with beaches facing behind the wind will work.
    The likes of Mullaghmore will have good surf today, for example.
    Streedagh is working too.

    Best surf in the next week will probably be Tuesday on any exposed western beach.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    I went to achill a couple of months ago and Keel strand was completely onshore, but we found a beach on the north of the island that was the complete opposite, and had the beach to ourselves all day. What I wouldn't give for a bit of that now...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 218 ✭✭book smarts


    Just back from surfing a 90ft monster off Dalkey. Had to paddle in as my ski and driver got swallowed up and destroyed. After surfing like a God, I wiped out right in the pocket, but survived.
    Man, I'm telling ya it's like a washing machine in there- you are getting rag-dolled big-time. Luckily I was able to swim the 4 miles back to shore AGAINST the rip. Went straight back out, through the mine-field, and busted up a few great whites on the way back. Stoked!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Just back from surfing a 90ft monster off Dalkey. Had to paddle in as my ski and driver got swallowed up and destroyed. After surfing like a God, I wiped out right in the pocket, but survived.
    Man, I'm telling ya it's like a washing machine in there- you are getting rag-dolled big-time. Luckily I was able to swim the 4 miles back to shore AGAINST the rip. Went straight back out, through the mine-field, and busted up a few great whites on the way back. Stoked!


    Really?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    lightening wrote:
    Really?
    um, no.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    oh.

    sounded really impressive.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17 puremagic diarm


    the legendry dolly wave!

    i worked on the beach all last summer as a kitesurf instructure.. and there is defo some potential for surfing on dolly.
    at 4.30 every day the norfolk line comes in with a half tide and an off shore wind this wave can be up too 1.5m......
    towards the end of the summer i found that its bigger when it flys in then jams on the brakes it crops a hell of a wave around the light house at the wodden bridge end...

    ive been in contact with the capton and hes realy cool.. he agreed to jam on the brakes when the wind blows any way weaterly..

    happy surfing
    diarmuid


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    ah... diarmuid, you sound like a right beach bum! (no offence intended...) Does this happen at the weekend by any chance?

    Any of you guys this person, I have a high res image for you if so....

    windlow.jpg


    Actually if any of you want good action shots pm me....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17 puremagic diarm


    its not me but i no who he is.. its oisin from swords hes irish no 1 and a surf dock rider. email them im sure they would be pleased!

    no ofence taken on the beach bum thing im well used to it!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    windsurf2low.jpg

    Here is one of his mates, do you have their email addresses? I reckon I could get great shots if I got in to my wetsuit and waded out a bit. I didnt realise you guys went offshore so far, these guys were miles out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 564 ✭✭✭cue


    Anyone know what the conditions are like along the east coast this weekend? Is it worth packing my gear and going for a surfari?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    cue wrote:
    Anyone know what the conditions are like along the east coast this weekend? Is it worth packing my gear and going for a surfari?
    Nope


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    dollyweekend.jpg

    This was Dollymount on Sunday afternoon. (crappy phone pic) The waves were about two foot high. I was in Strandhill on Saturday, it was messy and cold.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 5,520 Mod ✭✭✭✭spockety


    These are two pics I took in Donabate (North Dublin) last summer.. I couldn't believe my eyes..

    Loaded up the car the next day to head down but there was nothing doing.

    When I took these shots there were about 3 or 4 car loads of surfers on the beach who look like they had just finished up.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    Man the surfing forum is always so quiet... Anyway - looks like it's going to be going off in the west over the next while, I'm taking friday off work and heading to Sligo after work on Thursday. Anyone else going out this weekend? I reckon it'll be pretty cold but the winds look light so maybe not such a bad wind chill.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 564 ✭✭✭cue


    I will be heading down to Sligo on Saturday night. Have not been out since christmas so long overdue.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭g-punkteffekt


    what beaches do you use? I find strandhill to be a bit of a nightmare sometimes, really hard to get out. I'm still a beginner really but I would be fairly fit and getting out is just such a nightmare... I think streedagh is great when it's working


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    Where is that beach? And how do you get to it?

    Thanks.

    Great photos Spoc, do you remember the weather conditions for the surf in Donabate?


  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 5,520 Mod ✭✭✭✭spockety


    Weather was basically a summer evening with hardly any wind whatsoever...


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