The last competition of the 'Watertech Surf Kayaks' Irish league was held in Clare in December in offshore conditions and blue skies. The swell height dictated a beach break competition and even thought the conditions were a little tricky there was some great rides to be had.
It brings to an end what was a highly competitive year and a first for Ireland - a manufacture sponsored league. Through the year we had big turn outs for comps and for fun events and the first International Waveski Competition for years. We had some cancelled events for lack of waves but when we did get surf we’ve had some of the best surf conditions anyone can remember stretching from Cork to Sligo.
Marty McCann took the overall waveski title for 2008 while there were two brand new boats from Watertech Kayaks as prizes in the kayak division making the stakes even higher. The Speedy for best overall was won by Chris Hobson after two wins and a finals position. While the Lucifer for best new comer went to Conor Bredin.
Now though we’re starting a new year and it’s a big year. We will have a team attending the World Kayak Surf Champs in Portugal, a team attending the World Waveski Champs in Australia and possibly a team attending the Euro Waveski Champs in France.
The selection events for the teams will be posted in the calendar very shortly but places and finance are limited. So if you are interested you will need commitment and stylish surfing to make the cut. A booklet on team selection, funding and what each person can expect to get/contribute will be available before the end of the month.
But it’s not all about competition and so for 2009 we will run more fun events with coaching and training for anyone who might be interested in learning a new sport of improving on their surfing skills, again those events will be in the calendar.
So from everyone in the committee thank you for you help and co-operation in 2008, we hope you got all you hoped to from the paddlesurf committee and we look forward to an even better year in 2009. All help and support will be greatly appreciated.
We will post the dates and locations of the 2009 surf kayak and ski league and the worlds selection events on
www.paddlesurf.ie.
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the following for their support -
Watertech Surf Kayaks -
www.watertechkayaks.comMunster Dive and Canoe -
www.mdac.ie Irish Canoe Union -
www.canoe.ie
