I am from a seaside town called Kilkee in county Clare in Ireland. I am one of the only surfers from the town besides my brother(John-36) and father(Johnny-66), no one in my school or GAA football teams surfed. Surfing hasnt been in ireland that long, my dad and uncle(Martin-56) were some of the OG Sufers in their areas. We moved to a city in the north of the country called Derry during my teenage years and continued to surf Donegal. I used to compete in the junior events nearby before i moved away. In Ireland there are very few competitions in the country and particaularly less in the north.
I remember sessions when I only had a 3/2 wetsuit in the winter as a kid and staying in with my dad, uncle and older brother for the full session, before standing infront of the fire at home all night - Frozen! I used to surf with anyone who could give me a lift to the beach and that's how I met the crew (THE K.O.T.B.) that I surf with the most.. thats when they surf! ("I Slept in excuses are regular")
I am used to surfing in a 6mm hooded wetsuit and boots, i dont like wearing gloves and I feel lost without wearing booties, however every session i end up with numb feet.
I really like big carves and hollow barrels! My ideal session is the storm of the year, howling wind conditions, dredging slabby barrels with a good crew of friends and family all having the craic!
I work as a Civil Engineer for Murphy Ireland in Kildare on the largest construction job in Ireland at Intel. This means I am living 3-5 hours from the west coast meaning I only get the opportunity to surf at the weekends if there's swell. Therefore the past 10 years I have been a weekend warrior - someone who drops everything to surf at the weekend.
Monday - Friday: Engineer
Saturday - Sunday: Surfer + Engineer.
Suncream does not work on Irish people.
Ireland
DIVISION:
Open Men
Rory Tuohy
Age /
28
Born /
Casltebar
Favorite surf break /
Easkey Right
Board /
Dylan longbottom
Sponsors /
N/A
Biggest Achievement /
National Irish champion
Hobbies /
Surfing hiking fishing
I'm from County Mayo, Im current national Irish champion
Ireland
DIVISION:
Open Women
Ayesha Garvey
Age /
23
Born /
Rossnowlagh
Favorite surf break /
Rossnowlagh
Board /
lysurfboarks
Sponsors /
Rossnowlagh Surf School
Biggest Achievement /
Irish National Ladies Champion
I am blessed to have grown up on Rossnowlagh beach, Co. Donegal, sufing the days away with my friends and family since I was no size. I have always loved exploring the coastline and making the most the playground that mother nature provides. I am now a physiotherpaist who is passionate about living a happy and healthy lifestyle and empowering others to do the same.
I live in the South East of Ireland and love to surf at home and all around Ireland, especially the North West and West Coast.
I was a secondary school PE and Maths teacher, but currently working remotely for a software company, which allows me to travel and surf more! Last January before Covid hit, I went to Hawaii and ended up having two tow in sessions at some outer reef 12-15ft waves which I loved! I also spent some time in Indonesia in the Mentawai islands teaching groms school while surfing lots!
Winter in lockdown in the south east of Ireland meant I was surfing a lot of mushy bad waves all winter so I am looking forward to getting on some nice clean open faces!!