PWA Irish Wave Grand Prix

Surfers Take To The Water - Despite The Lack Of Wind !

jeudi 10 octobre 2002Information PWA

While competition judges, organizers and spectators hoped to get The Irish Wave Grand Prix off to a start, another day without wind forced competitors to head off in search of some different sporting action. Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Bic) and brother Matt (Gaastra, AHD) headed off to the local surf break "Garywilliam", where they got in some tow-in surfing. The boys had the chance to wow the crowd that had gathered on the headland, while taking full advantage of the 25 ft faces.


Irish Champion Oisin Van Gelderen (JP, Neil Pryde) was on hand to admire the style on the waves ; "It’s great to see these guys out doing their thing and taking full advantage of the Irish waves. They’re really out to impress and having a lot of fun in the process. This definitely is the Irish coast at it’s best, and it shows just how much there is for these guys to do and enjoy while they’re waiting for the wind to pick up for competition."

Wednesday certainly was all about the weather. Organizers of The Irish Wave Grand Prix, which is presented by Bord Fáilte, had high hopes of getting the right conditions today, but again, they were let down by poor wind conditions. There was a huge swell rolling in off the Atlantic but a gentle easterly offshore wind. Head judge Klaus Michel commented ; "The easterly winds we had today got up to about 10 knots which wasn’t enough. Gowlane had no wind at all today. It’s really difficult, but we’ll be having an early start again tomorrow. Then we can decide what to do next."

Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Neil Pryde, Proof) commented on the weather saying ; "We have the right wind conditions, but they will have to get a lot stronger before we can get any windsurfing done."

Irish competitors Dan Spencer (Neil Pryde, JP) and Peter Nunan were also busy contemplating the weather conditions throughout the day. Dan said ; "The surf is really pumping right now - there are some unbelievable waves out there. Today is the day for strap-surfers. They’re all really enjoying it out here." Peter Nunan agreed ; "It’s such a tease watching this beautiful surf. We’ve got all the gear ready and we have done for days now. Everyone’s hoping to get their chance tomorrow and we’ll definitely all be ready for it." There’s only one day left and everyone’s hoping for wind.



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