This week we have surfboards on sale.

6’0 Webber ‘The One’ Was €495 Now €435. Click here

6’9 Webber ‘The Pulse’ was €525 Now €450. Click here

7’6 Southern Swell was €335 now €299. Click here

7’10 Circle One was €425 now €382. Click here.

6’2 Mark Phipps was €545 now €475. Click here.

 In Ireland the first Tow surfing we saw was when Keith Malloy came over and took on a shifty 12-15ft Mullaghmore. At the time they only got a few but it was a glimse of things to come. Through the noughties something that was considered for rich sponsered pros started to open up. With Ireland booming, finance available and the discover of waves such as Aileens Jet Skis started to cruise Irish lineups. Ireland gets lots of swell and lots of outer reefs so Jet Skis were ideal for exploring and towing these lineups. Various crews arround the country who liked charging  started getting their act together watching vids of Laird.

Mullaghmore Head 05/10/2010 from Peter Martin on Vimeo.

Aileens discovery in Co. Clare seemed to really accelerate the publicity arround big waves as suddenly Ireland was seen as having World Class big waves. This in turn increased the number of people wanting to step up and take them on. The Mullaghmore Tow in comp last year really seemed to bring world wide attention to how good the waves are. As the interest grows the internet is full of you tube footage blogs etc of surfers hungry for publicity to keep their sponsorors happy or to gain sponsorship. This creates tension as different crews compete with each other to gain coverage. Photographers, magazines and increasingly websites are all racing to get the latest videos/pictures. The worry is that this makes surfers take risks in order to get coverage.

Tow in surfing can be actually relatively easy for the surfer with alot of the skill being with the driver. Being a good driver takes not only a huge amount of wave knowledge but a knowledge of water safety, protocol and Jet skis among other things. The fact that towing in can be at times relatively easy and with the increase in publicity many new Tow in surfers can appear overnight as surfing big waves can now be seen as a career move.
As people have towed into big waves and gained experience the levels of surfing rises dramatically. Surfers are now pulling into waves that only a few years before they were in survival mode on. With the increased number of tow surfers there has been a move world wide to start paddling into waves at places such as Jaws which before were considered Tow in waves. Many of these paddle surfers feel that by being out there on your own steam regulates the crowd as paddling into these waves is very difficult.

The general rule of thumb is that if someone is paddling then Jet skis give way. This isnt a strict policy as often the paddlers and tow in teams are together and are taking turns. It may seem simple then if it is paddlable then there is no need for towing however many outer reefs have alot of water moving and can even be near impossible to paddle. Jet skis allow the surfer to be towed into sets making use of the rare conditions while paddlers may just be surviving. Some of the paddle in stuff may even be the result of a hungry internet watching public who are always looking for something new. The surfers are often looking for a new angle.

Much of this is a matter of opinion and can depend on the wave, the surfers and the number of people out and there skill sets. An interesting debate none the less.

We are offering a fully inclusive package of 5 nights B&B in Bundoran Surf Lodge,  5 fully guided hill walks with transport, and 5 surf lessons with all equipment included on the following dates in 2012:

March 25th – March 30th
April 1st – April 6th
May 27th – June 1st
June 10th – June 15th
June 17th – June 22nd
July 29th – August 3rd
August 26th - August 31st

Price: €325pps dorm rooms. €350pps private rooms (based on 2-3 sharing).
Details: Arrive Sunday, depart Friday. Surfing at 10am each morning, hillwalking each afternoon at 2pm.
It is also possible to stay extra nights and do extra walking and surfing – just let us know and we can get you a price.
There is a walk every Saturday (the day after the end of the above package dates) that is open to all and the cost is €30pp including guide and transport. Booking essential.

Below is a selection of some of the most popular walks in the area:

1/ SLIEVE LEAGUE (Mountain of the Flagstones 601 Meters 1972ft)
The sea cliffs of Slieve League brood over the South Donegal Coast and are dramatic sight. The walk starts at Bunglass proceeds over “Eagles Nest” and on over “One Man’s Pass”(so named because of the narrow path to the summit).We return via the remains of St Hugh MacBricks Church along the pilgrims path pass the holy well and back to base. Distance 10Km time 4 – 6hours

2/BENBULBEN PLATEAU 
Ben Bulben, the fearsome and famous landmark of Sligo immortalised by Ireland’s foremost poet William Butler Yates, with the lines “Under bare Ben Bulben’s  head”. The mountain presents a formidable prospect from the nearby lowlands with its stern vertically furrowed cliffs above steeply sloping grass. Surprisingly it is quite a moderate walk once the crest is reached and it offers fantastic views of the coastline and Innis Murray Island. 
Length of Walk 6/km. Time 3- 4 hours. Degree of difficulty moderate

3/ THE SUMMIT OF TRUSKMORE AND TIEVEBAUN   
These 2 peaks are the highest points in Counties Sligo and Leitrim and are quite close to each other. The summit of Truskmore (647meters) is reached by a road that services a radio mast, the mast was erected by a Norwegian company in 1962 and is over 100 meters high. Tievebaun is reached by following the boundary wall that divides Sligo and Leitrim. A slight diversion to the west reveals the wreck of a B17 World War 2 Bomber that crashed here in December 1943. Descent from the summit of Tievebaun is by way of an old mule track that was once used for bringing turf from the mountains to the valley below.
Length of walk 9Km, Time 4 – 5 hours, Degree of difficulty moderate.

4/ The Breesy Mountain Circuit
A fairly easy walk encompassing lakes, woodlands, and hills, also visiting a Megolithic Tomb and a Mass Rock. The walk begins at the Traveler’s Friend a well known Public House.  About 2 Kms on we pass a megalithic tomb dating back to over 4000 years. Several lakes are passed until Bressy Mountain is reached, though only 258 Meters in height some fantastic views are offered from the summit. The Blue Stack mountains in the North, cliffs of Magho and Lough Erne in the east, Ben Bulben and Knocknarea in the south and the vast expanse of Donegal Bay in West. Further on there is a Mass Rock where the locals said Mass in Penal Times, the walk then meanders through the Knader woodlands pass the Hydro Electric dam at Cloghore to terminate at the historical town of Ballyshannon.
Length of walk 10 Km, Time 4 – 5 hours Degree of difficulty Easy

We will have a surf session on the saturday were we will all hit the beach. We will offer coaching and can tailor the session to the individual levels from beginner lessons to intermediate. The session will be about having a bit of craic but we will have instructors on hand so you can pick up a few surf tips.  On the saturday evening we will all head for a meal at a local restuarant were we will have a meal deal with some entertainment before heading to the Bridge bar/local night club.

We have packages in the surf lodge for small groups/individuals or if you have a larger group of 4 to 6 we have holiday homes available. Feel free to email info@bundoransurfco.com for more info.

We are currently looking for people to join the Bundoran Surf Co team for the season and have a number of positions available.

We are looking for qualified surf instructors. Part time and full time positions available. You need to be qualified or in the process of renewing your qualifications to apply.

We are also looking for someone to live on site in Bundoran Surf Lodge and to cover check in duties – mainly evenings. Free accommodation from March onwards is available for the right candidate. You do not have to be a surf instructor to fill this role. Free accommodation is offered in return for covering check in duties, but not payment. A very good opportunity to save on rent.

We also have work available in the surf shop and for a cleaner in the Surf Lodge.

We offer very good terms and conditions and are known to be flexible when the surf is pumping. So if you think you have what it takes get in touch with us.

€100pps for 3 nights B&B, 2 surf lessons and one day equipment rental in the dorm rooms (normally €135). Yoga sessions available Sat and Sun for €10pp per session.
€110pps for 3 nights B&B, 2 surf lessons and one day equipment rental in the private rooms (normally €140). Yoga sessions available Sat and Sun for €10pp per session.

Arrive March 16th, departure March 19th.

2 nights B&B and 2 surf lessons €70pps in dorm rooms.

2 nights B&B and 2 surf lessons €75pps in the private rooms (based on 2/3 people sharing a room).

Offer valid from January 2nd to February 29th 2012. Available midweek or weekend.