Insane surfing in Ireland

[cavscout1983]

"Prowlers"

Somewhere off the west coast of Ireland.

It's an article w/ pictures and a video.

I get bubble guts just thinking about wiping out on a wave like that.

A lot of guys wear low profile life preservers when surfing these types of waves because the currents generated can hold you down once the wave has long passed and the vests help them in their fight to get back up. 2 wave hold downs are not uncommon. These guys have amazing cardio and often are able to hold their breath for extreme periods of time.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Insane surfing in Ireland

Ooohhhhhhhhh! Nice Break!

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Insane surfing in Ireland

The luck o' the Irish is definitely needed!

I love the color of the water. If it were less cloudy and the sun were right, it would be an emerald color which is fitting.

My biggest attempt so far was in the 10 foot range and after my own 2 wave hold down and being caught inside, I promptly paddled back in and watched from the safety of the shore. I challenge my limits but not around water. I surf to have fun, not prove myself. Fighting for my life is not fun. haha.

The thing that I hate is when the wave breaking generates so much foam that even swimming is almost impossible because there can be a foot or more of foam. It's scary to be treading water with all your might and still be out of access to air. Being caught in "the washing machine" can go downhill QUICK.

 

[groovebus]

Re: Insane surfing in Ireland

Even the ocean is green there.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Insane surfing in Ireland

A nice Boogie, Jay Reale Mach 7 SS slickbottom bat-tail would shred anything 16' and under. Anything bigger than 16'...need a stiffer board. 18' was my biggest and most scary ride ever on a boogie board. I got what the bike guys refer to as speed wobble and it was straight pucker time until I made a solid bottom turn. No Waimea Bay Chrsitmas waves for me, too big!

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Insane surfing in Ireland

Those guys are brave but I bet the got small balls.....that waters gotta be fuggin FRIGID!!

I did some 4 footers when I lived in Hawaii and that was as best I could do....Struggling to the surface and not knowing how far away it is is scary as hell....

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Insane surfing in Ireland

Switch, you boogied Waimea in winter? You animal. lol.

An old platoonmate lives in Kaunakakai, Molokai. He keeps telling me to come down. I just need to buy the ticket. Hopefully I'll be in a position to take him up on the offer sooner than later. He got out and immediately got a job working at one of the nature conservancy places. He gets paid to hike around and fly in choppers to manage animal populations. Apparently they cull quite a bit in addition to data collection. Lucky bastard he is, eh?