BBC - Northern Ireland - Radio Foyle

Name: Martin McNeely, 38

Home town: Ballykeel, Ballymena

Home region: North coast

How long you surfing? 5 years

3 sentences that describe you/what you do:

Pastor, husband, dad

Where/Why did you start surfing?

East strand, because rugby was getting too sore on the old body

Any surfing honours, comp wins etc?

Winner of most annoyed wife in Ireland.

Quiver (ie detail/s of your board/s), plus your fave board:

8'0 Cortez mal, and 6'8 Cortez quad fish

"Surfing is getting more popular in Ireland for sure". Discuss:

Surely it is. I've seen hassle in 2 common breaks up north on busy Saturdays - just punters dropping in on regulars. But I've got flexible working hours - so try and surf on a Monday morning

Most surf friendly pubs / gigs / eateries:

There's a surf shack opposite a beach break in Alvor, Portugal - that's my favourite, no doubt about it.

Favourite Surfer/s and why:

Andy Hill fae Troggs, he's one of my best brothers (and I still owe him for above fish.)

Best thing about surfing:

Exercise, perspective, freindship.

Your top music/reading/movies/tv/radio, surf or otherwise:

Reading: The Reason for God by Tim Keller, reformed theology, Bible and spiritual stuff, Daily Telegraph, Uncut, Surfer, Mojo
Media: usual surf sites, Mark Patterson of course
Music at mo: northern soul, Americana sounds, indie and Weller

Any ambition as a surfer?

Just to keep going Dream surf trip: I have a surfing buddy who pastors in Belito Bay, Natal and I would love to surf that part of the world.

Dream surf trip:

Have one or two already in Portugal. I would love to go to Samoa.

Anything else to declare?

There are no Great Whites off Ulster, yet.

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