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2007 Surf Kayak World Championships - Mundaka/Bakio, Spain [19 to 28 Oct 07]

This is the 3rd time that Northern Ireland have sent a team of surf kayakers to the World Championships. Could it be 3rd time lucky in the Basque country?

A 17 strong squad arrived in the North of Spain for the opening ceremony on Friday 19th October. After the parade through the town of Bakio it was down to business on the Saturday. For the newcomers a preliminary event was required in the individuals, followed by round 1 on Sunday. The week continued on with alternate days for the team event and individual event on the 2 competition sites at Bakio beach. For those fortunate enough to get a heat at low tide some excellent waves were available but unfortunately high tide tended to be one large close out across the beach threatening to damage body and boat as it drilled competitors into the sand.

As happens in any competition people progressed and people were eliminated, and like all countries Northern Ireland had casualties but an excellent number of athletes progressing to the later stages.

This bode well for the team event and after Round 1 we were sitting pretty in 3rd position. The event then moved to Europe's longest left in the quaint Basque fishing port of Mundaka. Unfortunately results ran away from us with Jersey and the USA West gaining valuable points in the race to decide who would get one of the final 4 places to surf in the final day. It came right down to the wire for the last of the positions with NI having joint points with USA West in 4th=. Who then had the most number of 1st places? Costa Rica all over again and a painful elimination. But this time, USA West - 11, NI - 13. Delight! Elation! Emotion!

The final day on Mundaka loomed and a chance to start of on level points with England, Basque Country and Jersey. Before this however came some of the Individual finals on high tide Bakio and the chance to battle it out for a World title. Kevin Quinn was in the Grand Masters High Performance final, Erica Chisholm the Ladies International Class, and Chris Hobson the Junior High Performance. The Junior International Class final however had 3 representatives from NI with Corin King and Alan Knox joining Chris. All finals produced anticipated drama but particular mention must go to the 3 juniors who put on the show of the day. All three boys gave it everything and had the large crowd on the beach cheering. Unfortunately all had to wait 24 hours for the results.

The final day of the team event saw a very relaxed NI team lay down the gauntlet to the rest by stealing the lead from the off and staying there until heat 6. The middle order of the Basque team proved too strong and they stole the lead but NI fought back at the chasing English and Jersey teams to hang on to second with a strong finish- 2nd in the World! OK, not the win but 3 places up from 2 years ago and 6 places better than in Ireland in 2003. People surfed to their max, putting themselves on the line for the team. Team Manager Mike Barton and Captain Jonny Bingham asked for nothing more than 100% effort and the team responded. A great result!

It still, however, wasn't over and the whole show made the 20km trek back to Bakio for the finals of the Masters and Mens which featured Richard Hobson and Jonny Bingham, where, unfortunately the conditions proved unsurfable and the organisers postponed the finals until the Sunday morning, after the closing ceremony on the Saturday night! This, however, was the right call with offshore winds and some super right-handers running in - best waves of the contest so far! Congratulations to all with particular mention going to our two new World Champions, Christopher Hobson and Kevin Quinn.

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery.

2007 Irish Open Waveski and Surfkayaks.com League Comp 3 - Easkey [22,23 Sept 07]

2007 Surfkayak and Waveski Irish Open With the world kayak surfing championships just around the corner the Irish Open would be the last major competition for many of North Ireland and Ireland's competitors to put their training to the test. Running alongside the Irish Open would be the Irish Waveski championships drawing in waveskiers from across Ireland, England even Portugal.

Setting up the judge's stand and gazebo meant an early start for many. With registration out of the way the contest started at 9.00am with the first proper heat on at 9.20am. Light winds and big surf meant everyone was itching to get on the water. With a high standard of surfing both by kayakers and waveskiers competition soon heated up with many looking to make it through to the finals on Sunday. As the wind picked up throughout the day conditions started to get harder although the standard of surfing still remained high.
Conditions on Sunday were a little messier than the previous day however with some big sets coming in and the rain staying away, competitors were once again looking to get on the water and surf the world famous Easky left.

Brilliant surfing by Jonny Bingham meant that he took home the title of Irish Open Men's IC champion. In the Waveski category Morgan O'Sullivan was deemed the winner with Mark Trissel in second place and Peter O'Kane in third. The Men's HP winner was Chris Hobson whose high standard of surfing was a joy to watch throughout the weekend. In the women's; Edel Quinn claimed the HP title and Maeve Coleman the IC title. Both junior titles were won by Chris Hobson and in the masters IC, Dennis Dowling rolled back the years to take home the top prize with Richard Hobson claiming victory in the Masters HP. The plastic class was won by Louis Kelleher.

Many thanks towards the sponsors of the event Nookie, Blue Lough, Great Outdoors, Gath, RTM, ICU and Jon O'Neill-Outdoor Action. A big thank you must go out to event organiser Gerry McGahey and also special thanks to all who helped at the weekend must notably Harry, Maggie and Noelle who without their contribution would have meant the event would not have been the success it was.

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery; video played in the video gallery.

2007 Come And Try It - Portrush. Sponsored by Tiso.com [19,20 May 07]

Our fourth annual come and try it event in Portrush and the first with waves of any real size. The problem this time being that they were too big. With an 8m swell hitting the north coast and 20 to 30 mile an hour winds not helping matters the organisers moved the event to the inner harbour at Port Ballintrae. The Harbour certainly provided some shelter from the wind but there was not much of a wave getting through to the little beach. As everyone could come back to try again on Sunday it was decided to call it off and wait for the swell and wind to drop. That afternoon some of the squad members who had come up to help out with the coaching managed to find a surfable wave - view video clip.

Sunday provided the conditions we had been waiting for with much smaller waves, light winds and even some sunshine. The participants made the most of the conditions with coaching for juniors in the morning and women in the afternoon. Spot prizes, provided by Tiso.com, were received with enthusiasm and everyone was keen to meet up again at the NISK Club surf weekend in two weeks time in North West Donegal.

Thanks to the coaches who gave their time and our generous sponsors Tiso.com

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery; video played in the video gallery.

Surfkayaks.com League Competition 2 - Rossnowlagh [14 April 07]

A hazy start but with the promise of bright sunshine and reasonable surf (a rare combination!) the competition started well. With Tullan providing messy conditions the event was moved to Rossnowlagh Strand, the world famous home of Irish surfing and therefore started late. The mens IC heats, followed by the plastic class and womens eventually lead to the mens HP. The conditions improved with a rising tide and more offshore winds Daylight ran out before the heats did, leaving the men's HP and IC semi-finals and finals to Sunday morning. Hazyness and low tide made visibility poor and surf small and far away but the competitors battled on regardless. Thanks to Reed Chill Cheater and Canyon Gear for sponsoring this event.

RESULTS

Mens HP 1st Jonny Bingham, 2nd Dessie McGlinchey, 3rd Chris Hobson, 4th Ashley Hunter
Mens IC 1st Chris Hobson, 2nd Dessie McGlinchey, 3rd Jonny Bingham, 4th Ashley Hunter
Masters IC 1st Richard Hobson, 2nd Kevin Quinn, 3rd Mike Barton
Womens HP 1st Elaine Alexander, 2nd Laura Ramsey, 3rd Leigh Doak , 4th Chloe Hamilton
Womens IC 1st Chloe Hamilton, 2nd Elaine Alexander, 3rd Erica Chisholm
Womens Plastic 1st Laura Ramsey, 2nd Leigh Doak
Mens Plastic 1st Eoin Halliday, 2nd Steven Devlin, 3rd Michael Norris, 4th John Donaghy
Juniors HP 1st Chris Hobson, 2nd Corin King, 3rd Andrew McClelland, 4th Jake King

For the full results see www.nisurfkayak.com/comps/results.htm

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery

Surfkayaks.com League Competition 1 - Portrush [3 Mar 07]

Small surf at Whiterocks forced the organisers to shift the contest to Portballintrae where the surf proved to be a bit more consistent. A great team effort saw the contest site get set up and competitors on the water by 10.40am (a new record!). Competitors enjoyed the 'winter sunshine' while watching the Men's International Class first round heats before the Plastic classes got a chance to compete for the top league prize of a Mega surf kayak. As the afternoon progressed the surf picked up with the incoming tide and the Men's finals had some decent sized waves just before dark. A big thanks to all who entered, judged, carried stuff down and the local surfers for allowing us the waves. Prizes provided on the day by www.rawoutdoors.co.uk.

Prize winners:

Ladies Plastic Class winner: Laura Ramsey - Onfire Women's Beanie
Plastic Class winner: Michael Norris - Turboflame Lighter
Junior Open winner: Chris Hobson - Screamer Beanie
Junior Open 2nd: Andy McCelland - Tatonka Parrot Daypack
Ladies Open winner: Shooter - Maglite 2D LED Torch
Ladies Open 2nd:Claire Rooney - Petzl Zoom Headtorch

For the full results see www.nisurfkayak.com/comps/results.htm

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery

NI Surf Kayaking 2007 [23 Feb 07]

Steadily growing from the last two years, the club returns from a bumper Christmas break with plans for a big year ahead. With the World championships in October, National and European competitions and a busy league calendar, it looks set to be an exciting year.

2006 successes included a team 2nd at the Home Internationals in Portugal, European and World Cup Senior and Junior Champions and the most successful NI league since the formation of the club. Undoubtedly the biggest success of the year was organising our first major competition - the World Cup Qualifier No.5 in Magheraroarty. With a high degree of organisation and professional surfing judges, new benchmarks have been set by which to run further events. Two trips to Mundaka for the Europeans and then the World Championships this year will mean a busy training schedule ahead for competitors.

We hope to build on previous successes with this year's league and having secured Mega (surfkayaks.com) as the overall league sponsor, the outlook is good. In previous years, Mega have sponsored the plastic class league (with a plastic surf kayak), this year a composite boat and a plastic boat are up for grabs in separate classes with other prizes to be confirmed.

Maintaining a strong interest in sport development we will be running two Come and Try It coaching events with one being specifically aimed at women and juniors; and also the club event which will follow a similar course to last year with 4 star training and assessment being offered. Also the valued post-competition training for competitors will be available on the Sunday of each competition weekend.

As always we welcome members from all levels and disciplines of kayaking and would like to emphasise the value of the plastic/ novice class which continues to produce future squad paddlers without the pressure of competing against ranked competitors.

Membership for 2007 is available now with forms for download from our website (Downloads section or the News section of the forum).

Irish Open 2006 - Easky [14 Oct 06]

Having been delayed from the usual mid-September slot the Irish Surf Kayak Open was run alongside the Irish Waveski Open at Easky on the 14th October. Good swell conditions, off-shore decreasing breezes and sunshine made for a pleasant feel on and of the water. After a delayed start (waveski was to kick off at 8am and was more like 10.30) the heats ran more or less back to back all day and slightly into darkness with kayak heats interspersing the waveski ones.

Steep wave sections and off-the-lip manoeuvres in both categories made for exciting viewing from the shore with added excitement from impressive wipe-outs. Lulls between sets allowed for conversation (and pulse settling for some) out the back followed by some degree of scrabbling for position when the next set arrived.

World Champions Mathieu Barbarit and Jonny Bingham agreed to swap crafts for a once off photo-video opportunity with Jonny competing in round 1 of the waveski heats where impressively he attained 2nd place. Jonnys waveski career ended shortly after when he realised that repeated back-to-back heats with no time allowed to change to a boat and back would probably kill him or at least jeopardise his chances in a kayak final.

Northern Ireland success was in the form of 1st in the Mens IC for Jonny Bingham and in the Womens IC for Chloe Hamilton. Thanks to Graeme Grant for his in-van furnace, to everyone who helped with video and stills recording and to Jonny Bingham for bacon butties.

Written by Chloe Hamilton (PR)

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery; videos played in the video gallery.

NI Open 2006, CANI Surf League Comp 4 - Portrush [7, 8 Oct 06]

A cool and crisp Saturday morning on the Causeway Coast saw boat laden cars converge on Whiterocks car park for the forth surf competition of the year. Registration began as the nearby breaks were checked for suitability and the decision to run at Whiterocks was soon made.

With the autumn temperatures more noticeable off the water than on changing was swift and the contest started promptly at 10am. High spring tides and small swell meant somewhat difficult conditions to start but improving surf later consoled competitors. Lively and closely contested heats ran back to back through lunch and on into the afternoon with the judging moving positions to suit the wind direction originally in a tent in the carpark and finally tucked neatly in behind the rock pillar.

Judging, videoing and photos kept everyone busy with Jake King providing special entertainment in the form of freestyle timer operation (see photo gallery). As the heats progressed towards finals, competition stepped up a gear with daring end manoeuvres and some degree of sand contact but fortunately no broken boats. After what seemed like the longest competition yet the men's final was over and the prize ceremony began.

Quick chips before the ACM in the CCKA Boathouse with Harry leading proceedings and the election of the 2007 committee. Success was had in recruiting new and enthusiastic committee members to aid the running of the club in the forthcoming year.

9.30am Sunday kicked off the 4* training also run by Harry and delayed only by a change of venue due to increasing surf. Everybody involved benefited from the training, improving skills and etiquette and generally enjoying the good surf.

Thanks to everyone who helped with planning and running the event and to Topping Leisure and Troggs for providing the prizes. Written by Chloe Hamilton (PR)

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery; videos played in the video gallery.

World Cup Qualifier, British Open & MEGA League Comp 3 - Magheraroarty, NW Donegal [16, 17 Sept 06]

Click on image for worldcup page.

Back to Magheraroarty again but this time for something slightly unknown – an NI Surf Kayak International event encompassing the World Cup Qualifier #5, the British Open and NI MEGA League #3. Countless hours of hard graft by Harry, Jonny and Dessie had meant a professional and smooth start to what was our best event yet.

To make the most of the good swell the lucky few, whose jobs would allow, made a longer trip camping, vanning or hostelling and mostly surfing with everybody appreciating the easy paddle out, steep sections and holiday vibe. With waves set to be big on Thursday and dropping from there on in, it was early, middle and late surfs for everyone with the waves on Friday am big enough to cause me to lose my breakfast on more than one occasion.

49 entrants in 10 classes meant the organisation began physically at the unearthly hour of 5.30am on Saturday with 20 people taking one hour to put up a marquee (supposed to be 2 people and 30 mins) and the remaining few sorting banners and the names for running orders in the heats, drawn on Friday eve. Stringent beach marshalling and scrutineering took place with the eyes of KQ and Mike passing over each contestant and boat until the time came for their own heats.

From 9am sharp until after seven on Saturday few set eyes on any judges holed away in their tent and heavily guarded by red and white tape and security in the form of Alan Knox and thus the rate of heats never faltered once. Sunshine on Saturday gave way to heavy showers on Sunday leading to the intermittent scattering of onlookers to the nearest point of shelter with only the hardy, or possibly already wet, few to continue the recording of the event on video or stills.

Undoubtedly the greatest aid to the whole event was the electronic timing system allowing for no delays in the heats (with one having only one competitor to start). Professional judging brought a new feel to this event with competitors largely free to watch and take video/photos. At this point I would like to thank our professional tabulators who worked out and posted the results with record speed and accuracy (Maybe a change of career? Sharon ? Noelle?).

Feedback from the event suggests that it was a huge success from all angles so a big hearty thanks to everyone who made it possible and to those who travelled from far and wide and I hope we can do it all again some day. Written by Chloe Hamilton (PR)

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery; videos played in the video gallery.

European Championships 2006 - Mundaka [29, 30 Apr 06]

Eight members of the NI Surf kayak Team travelled to Mundaka last weekend. The journey out didn't go so smoothly with flights missed, passports forgotten and boats left in Stansted overnight. After a 40 minute drive from the airport, the group got settled into the hostel and wandered down through the streets to the square that overlooks the break to meet up with some of the competitors for a few beers.

Back to the airport for 10am next morning to pick up Chloe and the boats and a hasty drive back to make the first heat which had been delayed to await two of the competitors; Richard and Jonny.

Conditions were slightly better than last year but were struggling to produce waves bigger than 2ft. As the day went on the waves deteriorated and the event was postponed after 6 heats. At this point Jonny, Chris, Dessie and Ashley were all safely through to round 2. The highlight of the morning being Chris' performance in the IC heat where he consistently pulled floaters and cartwheels to finish ahead of Dessie.

Saturday night was social night when upwards of 80 competitors and officials gathered for dinner and cultural exchange in the town hall. Loads of wine and big fat steaks gave the night a fiesta feel. Most went to bed early in preparation for the 9 am start in Bakio 20km west.

The waves were smaller than the previous day but as this was the only spot with surf the heats ran anyway, beginning with the masters. The heats progressed steadily through to the semifinals, with Chris, Dessie, Jonny and Ashley in the IC, and Jonny in the HP, with Ashley narrowly missing out, much to the amazement of the team after having surfed so well.

The ladies final commenced on the pushing tide, giving them some of the best waves of the afternoon. Both Shooter and Chloe had some excellent rides and there was very little between all the finalists. Results were held back until all the finals were finished. Next up was the IC final with Dessie going for three in a row. In his way was 17 year old NI Open champion, and current world No.2; Chris Hobson along with two Basque paddlers Oscar and Luis. Chris was back up fairly soon in the junior final surfing really well but missing out on the one set wave of the heat, finishing second to Xabi Olano. The open final was next with two English and two Basque paddlers, followed quickly by the results ceremony and photos.

Congratulations to Dessie, European IC Champion 2006 (for the third time in a row!) and well done to Chris Hobson, 2nd in the Juniors and an outstanding 3rd in the Men's IC. Congratulations also go to Shooter 2nd and Chloe 3rd in the Ladies Comp.

Photos can be viewed in the photo gallery.

Interprovincials 2006 - Easky [22 Apr 06]

Easky (Co Sligo) was once again the venue for the all-Ireland Interprovincials on Saturday 22nd April. The 10am start gradually became noon as slowly the contestants gathered. With building swell, and unfortunately building wind also, the comp began. Two teams were chosen by team captains Dessie and Wayne and a quick draw made to allow each paddler two heats to add to the final score. Impressive surfing and amazing wave-skiing lead to an overall fun atmosphere. New faces also added to the day with Andy Bingham, Gerry McGahey and Michael Duffy putting new boats to the test. Several were fooled by Easky's inside wave realising their error when deposited high and dry on the rocky shelf. After a nights camping for most the sun came out and the waves grew considerably to leave a very enjoyable days surf for all.

Surf Kayak World Championships, Costa Rica [22 to 30 Oct 05]

September 2003 in a small Co. Sligo town a group of Northern Irish lads and lasses discussed the idea of going half way around the world to attend the 2005 world championships. Morale was low. We had just been given a kayaking lesson by some of the guys we surfed against and beat on a regular basis from the Irish team. It wasn't just that we had been beaten by 'the south' but we had been beaten by every other country as well. Somewhere there was a belief that we would come back and be better and stronger in two years time. Although not spoken, for many people a plan was born...

2004 - time to re-structure, re-organise and re-build. The committee got serious about their roles. Competition time returned and people realised that if they wanted to surf in Costa Rica for Northern Ireland they need to make the squad. Regardless of conditions contests ran and people got stuck into organising and promoting. Come-in-try events ran to attract new members and as a result we had a regular ladies and juniors category. A team travelled to France and finished 2nd to England in the Home Internationals and the last two selection events of 2004 took place forming a squad of people.

2005 - what was the best approach to a World Championship team event? Surf away individually every weekend or plan out a structured training programme that would take endless hours on the water and on the road but would be done together, as a team. The later was chosen and Level 5 surf coach Dessie McGlinchey got to work on it.

Landing in San Jose after 20 hours on the move was a team more experienced than that of 2 years previous. Members of the squad had been to the European Championships, the British Open and the Irish Open as well as competing for the CoastandCreek.com league 2005. After a long, bumpy 2 hour drive to Jaco with the Air Con on full blast we arrived at the hotel Fiesta, Jaco. The next morning we started discovering our kayaks in various rooms in the Hotel. We also discovered that the task of carrying the boat across the lawn, unzipping the bag and removing it caused a fair bit more than a damp forehead. It was sweltering!

Task 2 - two microbuses with dodgy roof racks and 16 boats. It didn't quite add up. James Newell to the rescue. It's amazing what can be done with a bit of bamboo and 2x2. Very unsafely loaded it was surfing time.

A good weeks training commenced. One of the surfers from Jersey commented, "we got up at 5.30am this morning to beat the Northern Irish to discover that they had already gone!". Surfing early, taking a siesta and surfing again in the afternoon was helping to get us acclimatised to the heat and conditions and we hoped the 20-minute heats. Locations varied. We moved around so as to make sure everybody got waves. Sometimes the contest site at Esterillos Oeste was quiet and worth ago, further up the beach had some nice and slightly bigger waves and of course right in front of the Hotel on Jaco beach was fun (as long as the crocs stayed in the river and didn't venture downstream).

Hats of to the Costa Rica's - what an opening bash. Dancers, performers and the local school children made for a wonderful afternoon. It all seemed a bit much for our juniors and perhaps even the odd senior! They had also done a fantastic job on the competition site. Tents, refreshments, palm trees and the most impressive judging stand I've seen all capped off with loads of sunshine. The heats got underway and it was the heat that dominated things. It is difficult to simulate a 20 minute heat in training and we quickly discovered 20 minutes isn't very long to adapt to it. Success and heart break. People progressed through the individual rounds over the first 4 days and slowly but surely where knocked out. Only 3 made it through to the final 4. Christopher Hobson surfed brilliantly in both the High Performance (HP) and the International Class (IC) to reach the final in both junior classes. Mike Barton was a Grand master finalist and Jonny Bingham made it in the Mens HP (Open).

After a rest day it was down to what all the training had been for. The team event. The sun continued to shine and the waves continued to be reasonable, as long as your heat wasn't at low tide! A realistic number of points had been envisaged by manager and coach but kept to themselves. After day 1 we hadn't reached that target but we where 1st= with USA West and East. Good start. Could we hold it?

Day 2 things started to go downhill with the results going against us. Was it the waves, the judges or where we simply not good enough? The end of round 2 finished and we where level on points in 4th= with Ireland. Only 4 teams reached finals day. To split us they used the number of 1st places gained. The same! Number of 2nd places? Ireland had one more. Out. I can't really describe how people felt. All that time, effort, money. Wasted. Well not quite. Two years ago the Northern Ireland team finished last. Only 6 of that team travelled to Costa Rica. New faces and fresh talent are a mark of a team and a sport on the up in Northern Ireland. A team was formed that not only surfed better than any other that this country had ever had but also enjoy each others company and based on this will return to be stronger.

Was there any justice for the 3 finalists? Mike Barton finished 4th in the Grand Masters. Sorry judges. I thought your judging was excellent but that was a bad call. Christopher Hobson finished 2nd (IC) and 3rd (HP). Not bad for a 16 year old who still has another Worlds as a junior. It was a restless 24 hours for Jonny Bingham. Had he been called for interference? No. Northern Ireland had a World Champion.

This wasn't the result that the team really wanted but it was a big indicator that Northern Ireland is right up there and will be for some time to come. Roll on Spain 2007.

A big thank you from the team to Hendersons for paying for our team entry. We would all also like to thank our friends and families who have supported us over the past 2 years. Written by Jonny Bingham, World Champion 2005.

Irish Open 2005 - Surf Kayak and Wave Ski, Easky [24, 25 Sept 05]

At least 15 surfers from Northern Ireland travelled to Easky on Sat 26th September to compete in this annual event. The surf pumped in at a good 4ft all day but unfortunately the stiff off shore wind made catching a wave difficult and caused the odd boat to take off! Was great to watch some of the World's top wave skiers in action and was just a shame that the conditions weren't more favourable. Some great surfing from all Northern Ireland representatives with entries in the Ladies, Plastic, International and High Performance classes. Unfortunately for the semi-finals on Sunday the swell dropped and the wind swung to the North West making the sea messy and the waves harder to surf. The show however went on and a high standard of surfing was displayed despite the conditions with 3 of the 4 titles heading North. Thanks to Sean Egan for organising the event. Congratulations also go to Morgan and the wave ski guys for getting so many skiers over and running a great show.

NORTHERN IRELAND RESULTS:

High Performance: 1st Jonny Bingham, 3rd Dessie McGlinchey, 4th Chris Hobson
International Class: 1st Jonny Bingham, 2nd Dessie McGlinchey, 4th Richard Hobson
Ladies High Performance: 3rd Chloe Hamilton, 4th Aisling Shannon, 5th Erica Chisholm
Plastic Class: 1st Andy Bingham, 3rd Michael Duffy
Other semi-finalists: Kevin Quinn (IC), Mike Barton (IC), Alan Knox (IC), Ashley Hunter (HP), James Newell (IC)

CoastandCreek.com League 3, North West Donegal [17, 18 Sept 05]

Great waves and a high number of competitors created a tight competition in North Donegal. The standard continued to increase in the Plastic Class with all competitors now capable of surfing against the guys in surf kayaks. After 2 opening rounds the final was narrowly won by Andy Bingham. Another good turn out in the Juniors with squad members Chris Hobson and Alan Knox taking the top 2 spots. The main battle was for 3rd between brothers Corin and Jake King and Kilkeel junior Jake Campbell. The boys worked really hard and younger King brother Jake finished 3rd with Jake Campbell earning a 4th. All three newcomers received prizes from CoastandCreek.com The Women continue to go from strength to strength with excellent performances from all four girls. Chloe Hamilton had to surf really well to beat Erica Chisholm and Aisling Shannon. A bad day for Elaine Alexander who had to get out of her boat twice due to her deck blowing but remarkably still managed her 4 waves. Richard Hobson continued to dominate the Masters and Chris Hobson showed he is becoming the all round surf kayaker by taking on the International class. The waves continued to get bigger although a strong cross shore wind made staying on the best waves difficult. By the end of the day the Men's IC had seen some very competitive first round and semi-final heats at a very high standard. Sunday morning had the wind off-shore and the swell a little bigger for the Men's HP and IC finals. Classic conditions with steep, fast waves saw Jonny Bingham pip Dessie McGlinchey in both categories. After that it was all on the water for a great days surfing. A big thanks to organizer James Newell for not having a canary and running a great contest.

European Surf Kayak Championships, Mundaka [8,9 May 05]

Ten surfers from the Northern Ireland Surf Kayak Squad competed in the annual European Championships held in Mundaka, North West Spain. Although conditions reduced the legendry left-hander to a somewhat smaller wave, the good weather and enthusiasm of the crowd allowed for an excellent competition. Our team not only came home with two European Champions but a string of high placed finishers with a number achieving podium places. This has set us up in good stead for the Worlds in Costa Rica and hope the momentum continues.

RESULTS

Ladies Open: 2nd Erica Chisholm, 3rd Chloe Hamilton
Masters: 2nd Kevin Lewsley, 4th Kevin Quinn
International Class: 1st Dessie McGlinchey, 3rd Ashley Hunter, 5th Kevin Lewsley, 8th Ben Craig, 9th= Kevin Quinn, 9th= Jonny Bingham
High Performance: 1st Jonny Bingham, 9th= Chris Hobson, 9th= Ashley Hunter, 9th= Dessie McGlinchey

CoastandCreek.com League 2 [16 April 05]

Once again Magheroararty was the venue for the second event in the 2005 calendar. The very light onshore breeze didn't effect the break too much and the surf improved throughout the day. The strong entry in all categories meant for some tight competition. Andy Bingham kept alive his chances of winning the Mega X-ray kayak by winning the Plastic class. Mike Barton, after a long lay off through injury showed he was back to form and stole the honours in the Master's. The standard in the womens' comp continues to improve and Elaine Alexander was pushed hard with a great display from Erica Chisholm. Elaine eventually edged out as the winner. Jonny Bingham made it a good day for the family by winning the High Performance and International Classes but wasn't given an easy ride, under pressure from both Chris Hobson and Dessie McGlinchey. Thanks goes to Graeme Grant for organising the event.

Interprovincials 2005 - Bundoran [5 Apr 05]

Ulster retained the Interprovincial Championships on Saturday 2 April at Tullan Strand, Bundoran by accumulating the lowest score. Munster were the closest opposition.

RESULTS (in order of Heats)

High Performance: Stephen Campbell 2nd, Dessie McGlinchey 1st, Ashley Hunter 2nd
International Class: James Newell 3rd, Dessie McGlinchey 1st, Stephen Campbell 2nd
Masters: Kevin Quinn 2nd
Ladies High Performance: Erica Chisholm 2nd
Ladies International: Aisling Shannon 2nd

New Forum / Message Board [14 Mar 05]

We have a new Forum/Message Board which can be accessed by clicking the Forum link on the left-hand menu on the Website, however, the old message board can still be accessed by clicking here

Team selected for World Championships 2005

Team selected from overall 2004 league results and the squad-selection weekends held in November.