THIS WEEK SAW the start of the surf comp season as the ASP World Tour kicked off in style with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia.
Reigning world champion and tour veteran Kelly Slater (USA) brought home the money in his astonishing 46th tour win. Slater, who now at a staggering 39-years-old saw off competition from surfers half his age before finally edging out Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.20 to 10.17 in the final.
Slater saved his best waves for the final day posting his top score of the competition to thwart Burrow who, up until that point, had been the stand-out surfer of the event. The iconic Floridian continues to dominate the sport and it is hard to imagine anyone stopping him on his way to his 11th World Championship. An inspiration to all us old guys out in the water.
Go here for highlights of the tournament
The next event on the tour is the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, which will be held between April 19-30.
A little closer to home, the C-Skins Junior Championships were held in very small conditions at Lahinch, County Claire. This is round one of the 2011 Irish Junior Tour. Bundoran surfers dominated the U-18s Boys freestyle, with Iarom Madden besting out his teammate Conor Maguire. In the Girls U-18s Eva Martin from Sligo took the crown and in the U-16s and -14s there were more wins for the Sligo team with Gearóid McDaid and Aaron O’Hare taking gold. The Longboard section went to Kerry surfer Andrew O’Callaghan.
It was testament to all the young boys and girls involved that they made the most of such tiny conditions and we hope for better waves for the next leg which is to be held as part of The Tramore Open on March 19 and 20.
Good waves.
Weather Overview
Strong winds in the centre of the Atlantic should deliver good swells from the north-west all weekend. The key to finding good waves however will be the ability to duck in and out of the winds. A long low-pressure front will continue to meander across Ireland bringing with it some pretty sorrowful weather. However late Saturday and early Sunday the wind could be manageable, albeit from the north.
The north – With the leftovers of the last weather system still passing through there is plenty of swell in the north. However the NE winds are going to make surf conditions not only very cold (water temp: 4°c!) but incredibly choppy and crumbly.
Co Donegal/Sligo – Very similar to the north. Winds are set to be at their lightest on Sunday and the swell should still be at 4m+ so a small chance of a clean wave then.
Co Clare – Lahinch will lap up the swell from this direction but the wind could destroy all the peaks. Early morning Saturday is the best chance.
Dingle Peninsula – If the swell is big enough to wrap around the peninsula, the northerly winds could give good shape to some south facing breaks. The Rivermouth could be epic Saturday.
Cork & the south – The north-westerly swell pattern does not help our rebel surfers. However, if does wrap around to the south coast there could be some nice offshore breaks. Wouldn’t hold my breath though.
From www.fnmoc.navy.mil
Disclaimer – These weather reports are intended as a general overview of swell running in that area. These are predictions and actual wave size may vary. Do not enter the water alone or without adequate equipment and do not enter surf that is too large for your abilities.
We cannot be held responsible for any decisions you make based on this information. For daily weather information follow @dinglesurf on Twitter.
COMPETITION: Wanna win one of two European Stormrider Guides (RRP €40) thanks to Finn McCool’s Surf Company in Dingle? Course you do.
Answer this question in the comments: Which US state is Kelly Slater from? Hint: the answer’s in the article.
