NWSC Spring Classic


The North West Surf Club held its first contest of 2009 last weekend at Fanad , North Donegal. The conditions that greeted competitors on Saturday morning were big horrible and onshore!
The organisers decided to move the contest to a near by sheltered beach and as the day progressed the wind dropped to produce perfect conditions for the finals at the end of the day.

Some of the country's top surfers were in attendance and proceeded to show why they are the best! Andrew Mennie and Ronan Oertzen were both finalists at this years Irish Championships,and wowed the spectators by pulling off some spectacular moves including airs and 360's to make it through to the open Final. Local Letterkenny surfer Barry Daly also surfed consistently well and used his local knowledge to progress through to the open final.

The Junior Final was an exciting heat with Derry surfer Aaron Dees picking off the best waves to take the heat !

The Longboard final was held later in the day in cleaner conditions. Fanad surf school owner Iain Gilmour took the lead right from the hooter, putting together some excellent rides, that included long noserides and drop knee cutbacks. That meant the race for 2nd place was on and it was a tight a fair with young John McGuckin from Downpatrick , Josh Enslie and Lewis Waterworth battling it out. John McGuckin snagged a great ride at the end to just take 2nd place, leaving Josh 3rd and Lewis 4th.

However it was the open final that was the highlight of the day, with all three surfers getting fantastic waves ! But it was Andrew and Ronan's vast contest experience that showed through as they traded wave for wave, in head high glassy conditions, both pulling off big scoring rides .

The NWSC would like to thank the event sponsors Liquid Surf Co./Derry and The Blaney Hotel Group for the excellent support and everyone who turned up to support the event.

Results:
OPEN
1.Andrew Mennie 2. Ronan Oertzan 3. Barry Daly
LONGBOARD
1.Iain Gilmour 2.John McGuckin 3.Josh Enslie 4. Lewis Waterworth
JUNIOR
1.Aaron Dees 2.John Mcguckin 3.Patrick Blaney 4.Caolan O'donnell




Ballyheirnan Bay in Fanad








The NWSC's first competition of the year is planned for 28/29 March. Sposored by Liquid Surf Co. and the Blaney Hotel Group the SPRING CLASSIC will be held at Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Co. Donegal.
The divisions will be Open, Ladies, Longboard & Junior. Beach Entries will be taken between 8am and 9:30am Only! With the first heats going in at 10am.

The cost of Entry is €10, any additional division you wish to enter will cost €5. All entrants must be ISA or NWSC members for insurance purposes. Club membership will be available on the day and is the same price as last year €25 Senior €20 Junior(under18).

For people who wish to stay close to the contest site the Blaney Hotel group is offering a reduced rate for competitors at the Milford Inn Hotel or the Silver Tassie Hotel. To book please contact the hotels direct, for contact details go to www.theblaneyhotelgroup.com.

While we have people at the event the club will hold its AGM on the Saturday night probably at the Milford Inn (This will be confirmed on the day). We would ask as many members as possible to attend as this is your chance to vote in a new Committee and also put forward ideas for events the club could run in 2009.

Directions from Letterkenny:
At the "Pole Star Roundabout"(circular sculpture made of telegraph poles)take the 3rd exit for Ramelton/Milford on the R245.

Continue to the village of Ramelton approx. 7 miles, then follow thesigns for Milford approx 8 miles from Ramelton. 1/2 a mile after the"Milford Inn" take the right turn for Kerrykeel on the R246.

Continue to the village of Kerrykeel approx 4 miles (Our shop AdventureOne Surf Supplies is located here).

Once in Kerrykeel turn left past "Paddy Mors pub" and follow the shoreroad North along the banks of Mulroy Bay for about 2 miles.

Just after the "Donegal Creameries" the road forks, take the left handfork down the hill and up the other side.

Continue on the R246 through the village of Rossnakill and on to the village of Tamney or Tawney on some maps.

Here take the left turn opposite "Clinton's Gala shop" and follow theshore road again past "Massmount Chapel" on your left.

Keep going straight along the R246 for approx 3 miles through Kindrum and past "Fanvolty Chapel" on your right, here the road gets quite bendy,carry on past the "Fanad Lodge Pub" on your left.

Just after this pub the road bends to the right and you will see our bluesign "SURF SCHOOL OPEN" turn left here, it is also the entrance for "Eelburn Caravan park".

Follow the short track to the beach carpark where you will see our Red van.