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
