Learning to Surf in Ireland
The cold wind whipped the Atlantic waves into a frenzy as I watched from the safety of the shoreline. Nearly every wave was capped in white foam as they crashed against the empty beach below.
I huddled further into the hood of my rain coat as I watched. Not only was the wind bound and determined to blow us away, but the rain seemed intent on soaking us to be bone before we got even close to the ocean. In a nutshell: the weather was miserable.
“Are you sure it’s alright for beginners?” someone in my group asks, no doubt secretly hoping for a no.
“Ah yes, you will be fine.”
And so began my first surf lesson in Lahinch, Ireland.
photo credit: Eamon Ward Photography Ltd.
For those who, like me, are shocked at the idea of Ireland being a surf destination here’s a fun fact: Ireland is home to one of the best wave’s in the world. The so called Aileen wave off the Cliffs of Moher. When conditions are right, the wave can get up to 12m high and is about as close as you can get to a ‘perfect wave’ for surfers. Thankfully, even though there is the epic wave, Ireland is also a good spot for complete newbies like myself.
Surfing is a sport that I have wanted to try for years. I fell in love with the Movie Blue Crush when I was about 12 years old; watching it over and over convinced that someday I’d go to Hawaii and be an awesome surfer, just like the characters in the movie.
It never happened.
Then I was supposed to learn in Bali from my friend Chantae in September of 2016. But of course we had that unfortunate accident of crashing our motorbikes and ripping apart out knees so badly that we were told we needed to stay out of the ocean for risk of infection. Not that the flayed skin on my hands was very conducive to trying to learn anyway.
So, once again, it didn’t happen.
But, flash forward a few months and there I was on the west coast of Ireland courtesy of Tourism Ireland and Are Lingus, prepping for my first official surf lesson. This moment had been 15 years in the making. And, although the chilly Atlantic wasn’t quite the tropical landscape I imagined learning in, I was oddly excited about getting into the cold and wild looking ocean.
Our guru of the day was local surfer John McCarthy of Lanhinch surf school. John is a former Irish surf champion who has competed all over the world; the perfect man for the job of getting us on a board. After a quick intro a prep talk we were given our first task: wetsuits. For anyone familiar with wetsuits, you understand the struggle. For those who aren’t, let me be the first to tell you that shoving yourself into a wetsuit is a workout on its own.
After we all struggled to crush ourselves into 5mm wetsuits complete with boots and hoods, we took a glorious walk of shame excitement down to the Lahinch Surf School beach hut, ready for our surf lessons.
Photo credit: Eamon Ward Photography Ltd.
Our first, and probably most important, lesson was how to properly hold our boards. With the wind lashing away there was no doubt that we’d likely end up being slapped in the face with our boards more often than not. The lesson was given and understood, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t forget every now and again. By the end of the day my surf board and my face were on very friendly terms.
Boards safely held (for the moment) we marched down the beach to practice on the sand. A quick lesson on proper technique and it was time to hit the ocean.
Photo credit: Eamon Ward Photography Ltd
I could feel the undertow almost right away, trying it’s hardest to convince me not to head out to the deep, but rather let it take me away on a mini coastal adventure. Like champions, we plodded through, into the deeper water and away from its coaxing grasp. But we weren’t in the clear. Those rough looking waves that I had watched from the shore were now racing towards us; tall, cold, and fast.
Remembering the surfer babes in the movies I did my best to mimic them, thinking I could jump over it. I waited for just the right moment I bent my knees and jumped.
And ended up with a mouthful of the salty Atlantic.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I clearly was not going to be an awesome surfer girl. There would be no magazine covers or Billabong sponsorships in my future. But I was going to give it my all and have some of the best fun I’ve had in my life.
Photo credit: Eamon Ward Photography Ltd.
Three of us stayed in the water for over an hour, fighting the undercurrent when the waves pushed us closer to shore, jumping (or ducking) under the waves as we fought to get out deeper, and even managing to catch a few.
As an ocean lover who is pretty sure she is actually part mermaid (just call me Ariel), I threw myself out in the deeper end with the two experienced surfers of the group. I watched and cheered proudly, though perhaps a wee bit enviously, as they managed to pop up and ride the waves into shore.
I, on the other hand, floundered. I couldn’t seem to tell the good waves from the bad, and I slid off my board on a fairly regular basis, coming up laughing every time. Thankfully I had John (and his contagious enthusiasm) to talk me through it. I wasn’t able to get to my feet but I did make it to my knees and retained enough balance enough to ride the waves that way into the shore. Not too shabby for the clumsy girl who is known to walk into walls and telephone poles!
All too soon our time came to an end. In my elated mind, it felt like only five minutes, but my exhausted body told me it was much more. We plodded back to the solid land, struggling to peel off our wetsuits, but unable to stop talking about how much fun we had.
Photo Credit: Eamon Ward Photography Ltd.
I may not have gotten up. I may not be cut out to be a professional surfer girl, but that one hour in the crazy Atlantic convinced me that I’ll definitely try again.
Want to try surfing in Ireland? Be sure to take a class at Lahinch Surf School!
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My surfing in Ireland experience was part of the (epic) media trip provided by Tourism Ireland Canada, Failte Ireland Internaitonal Media, and Aer Lingus. A huge thanks to all three, and to John and Lahinch Surf School, for finally letting me have my surf moment!
What an adventure! I can imagine that Ireland has some amazing waves. Would love to hone my surfing skills in Ireland!
I thought it was awesome that they had waves for newbies and the Aileen wave for pros all so close together! Waves for all!
I really enjoyed this article! But I had absolutely no idea people surf in Ireland, haha! I just imagine that it’s waaaaay too cold… xx
Nothing a wet suit couldn’t take care of! And so fun!
wow you are so daring! I love surfing but have only done it in warm locations – I’ve heard that Wales is a great place to surf too but it just seems so cold! kudos to you for learning to surf in those conditions!
I wouldn’t say no to trying in warmer destinations in the future, haha! But I would definitely go in Ireland again!
Looks like so much fun…but OMG it looks so cold, too! Sounds like you had a wonderful experience!
Haha it was cold but our wetsuits/boots/hoods protected us so it wasn’t actually too bad!
I would have never thought to go surfing in Ireland – that’s amazing!!
It was great! Kinda cool that its not known as a major surf destination too because not too busy…at least while we were there!
Ireland is probably the last place I would have considered as a destination for learning to surf! It’s really cool that you got to learn in a setting that most people wouldn’t even think of. Learning to surf is on my bucket list though I’m pretty terrified of the ocean so I can’t see myself jumping in as you did!
When you get comfortable with the ocean you should try! It was SO FUN
That’s so cool! I had no clue that you could surf in Ireland – was the water cold?! I’ll have to try the next time I’m there, Ireland is the best! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I agree- Ireland is the best! Especially now that I know you can surf too! haha. Not too cold with the wetsuit but definitely wouldn’t want to go without one!
Wow, I’ve gone in California and it’s super hard! I am planning to do a weekend camp this summer here where I live on Long Island! Was the water cold w the wet suit?
Thankfully the wetsuit kept us super warm! A bit chilly on the hands at first but I got used to it quickly
Loved like you had a lot of fun! I didn’t even know you could surf in Ireland.
Might have to give it a try before going down under! (:
Ashlee | ashleemoyo.com
If you go you should absolutely try! Lahinch surf team was awesome!
You’re one brave soul for taking to the Irish surf! I imagine the water is COOOOLD :D! Haha I’ve only tried surfing once, and my experience is very similar to yours – I slid off at every wave and didn’t end up getting up lol! Though there was a 5 second period which we caught on film which looks like I was standing before I fell, so I’ve used that clip as proof that I excelled 😀
Would love to try again … I might just try Ireland if you say it’s one of the best surfing destinations in the world!
Five seconds is all you need as proof! haha. If you are in Ireland, definitely worth a shot! I’d go back for sure!
What fun! It reminds me of how surprised people are to learn that surfing is possible, and even quality, in the U.S. Midwest – ya know, where there are no oceans? But the Great Lakes – Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, especially – are big and rough enough to produce some surfable waves. Glad you got your moment!
I’ve heard you can surf on the great lakes! So cool. There’s also quite a bit out in Western Canada. I guess if theres waves you go for it!
Haha I wouldn’t have thought that Ireland was a premium destination to learn to surf but it looks great! 😀 A wave is a wave and you just gotta go for it right, haha!
It was so fun! I’d love to go back!
So fun! I earned in Hawaii, so I cant imagine learning in such cold water….and in a wet suit! Glad you finally got to have the experience after having to miss out prior. And I never would have guessed Ireland as a surf destination, super cool! (literally!)
It was so fun! I can’t wait to try again… wouldn’t say no to warmer water though haha
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Great Ireland Photos and all details. Loved your posts!
Love from Dubai – Cheers!
Thanks!
Looks like so much fun
it was!
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