Name/Age: Gull, thirties
Hometown: West Wales
Home region: South Wales Quiver: 1970s 6'4 Bilbo single fin, 6'1 Bonzer 5 -Bumble bee stub tail, 6'2 Mandala quad fish, 6'2 Black Salamander fish, 6'6 OPsingle fin Surf wagon/vehicle? How do you get to the water? A red T5 stealth camper Where/Why did you start surfing?
A marine biologist family friend took me surfing when I was 16. I had an oversized wetty on so had plenty of flushes but stood up briefly towards the end and I was hooked! 21 yrs later I'm still going, harder than ever.
Used to see a few local guys surfing on my rounds as a beach cleaner and fancied a go. Best/Worst thing about surfing:
Most recent would have to be 10 days of back to back swells in Ireland last Autumn and scoring 8-10ft+ Anka point this year with a couple of mates in feb 2009 Favourite Surfer(s) and why: Jim Banks for his travel ethos, herbs and tube riding. Donavon Frankenreiter for his soul arch bottom turns, Rasta for his fish riding ability, Tom Curren for his brilliance and boredom, Occy for his powerhouse cutback, Tom Caroll for his Pipeline snap, Da Bull for his stripey shorts. Your fave board/quiver me timbers!: I already own it - my 6'6 OP :) A board for life Advice for someone just starting: Learn to duckdive well.
Advice for someone wanting to move on from newbie status: Don't tea bag - If you're paddling out, SURF don't just sit around. Tip on surviving the Irish winter: Call that a Winter? Come to South Wales! Best/invaluable single bit of kit: My surfboard. I couldn't surf without it! This is a daft question Other kit tips: Always wear wetsuit and use wax. I might have misinterpreted this question ;0 Recommended info - books/movies/websites/clubs? Off The Lip - surfing forum on BBC Wales or look us up on Facebook. Books - Rabbits 'Bustin Down the Door' Movies - Green Iguana, Big Wednesday, Framelines. Your thoughts now that Ireland is a global surf destination?
It's all good. You have so many nooks and crannies and it's not always consistent so will never get really crowded except at the main breaks and that happens everywhere I'm afraid... "Surf guidebooks make things too easy, and have been a bad thing for Irish surfing" Discuss: Times change. I'm an old dog but get up early and find perfect waves and quiet breaks all the time so if you put the effort in, you'll get the rewards. Half the guys surfing nowadays can't read a weather chart properly so the internet is great but doesn't give you the whole picture. Dream surf trip: Any pristine quiet reef break - hot or cold. I don't mind so long as it's quiet. If I had to name somewhere then it would probably be an x spot in the Lennox Head area of Oz.
What one way has surfing changed your life? My life is surfing. My friends, my time, my money, my holidays, my partner, my experiences. Can't sum it up in any other way really. Anything else to declare? Irish friends - We've been surfing and producing quality surfers out of Wales for the past 30 yrs. If another Irish surfer asks me incredulously 'so can you surf in Wales then?" I'll cry! LOL Join the batch cast to recieve weekly surf updates...» Links to other surf related sites...» Check out the surf gallery...» WEBCAMSCo Clare
Sligo
Cork
Portrush
Spanish Point | 
