VICTORIA SCARLET T heads for a newly-opened destination which is putting Ireland on the sur fing map
As someone who grew up within striking distance of the surfing beaches of Cornwall and Devon, the south west of England always feels like my ‘go to’ place when it comes to hitting the waves. However, with apologies to my home turf, I may just have to confess to having been enticed by another.
And that’s because I am just back from a visit to the Ireland’s new National Surf Centre at Strandhill, in Sligo, a wonderful spot which forms part of the
Wild Atlantic Way coastline, well-known for its rugged and unspoiled scenery, calling out to surfers worldwide to come and enjoy the swells of the sea and a crowd-free surf.
The newly opened centre firmly cements County Sligo’s reputation as a world-famous surfing hub on Ireland’s west coast. Open to surfers of all levels, the beaches of Strandhill are beautiful and a range of waves gives the opportunity for everyone to visit and try out surfing throughout the year.
And having tried those epic ‘gnarly’ waves for myself I can vouch for the fact that this area of coastline is a fabulous experience for surfers, both in and out of the water.
My visit started with a tour of the new facilities courtesy of Mick McEnroe, chairman of the National Surf Centre and, remarkably for a man who doesn’t surf himself, a passionate advocate of the project. Mick, a popular figure in the local community, helped to manage the creation of this stunning mecca for all things surfing which offers a lot more besides time out in the waves.
The aim is to see Strandhill emerge as a world class surfing destination. Situated in a beautiful location overlooking the waterfront, the National Surf Centre is a purpose-built architectural building, designed to the highest standard and has a number of functions, including hosting “The National Centre of Excellence for Surfing”, a flagship project which aims to provide a focal point for local businesses, residents and tourists, as well as providing facilities for surfing schools and surf visitors. There has been €3m of investment in taking a derelict plot, demolishing it and rebuilding it as something which ticks the box when it comes to claiming world class status. And it’s not just a surf centre but is also aimed towards outdoor activities and the community, playing host to three surf schools and the County Sligo Surf Club.
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