As the crew for our Portugal trip all slowly started filtered towards the boarding gate introductions were made. There were surfers from all over Ireland there as well as an Estonian, Polish and Swiss surfer. A few were nervous that their skills wouldn’t be up to scratch but after a few minutes it was obvious that we had a very easy going crew and everyone seemed excited by the trip.

As we all arrived in Lisbon we were worried by the locals wearing jackets and they all seemed to be in winter mode however when we walked outside the airport it seemed like a normal Irish windy summer’s day. We all arrived in the camp and sorted who was in the older (party) house and the younger (quieter) house. All seemed in high spirits and ready for food and a bit of craic. We headed for the nearest restaurant were the local waiter was delighted to see 20 odd Irish hungry and thirsty surfers walk in the door. We all sampled the local fish dishes and drank the local beer and wine and had a great meal getting to know each other. The best bit was when we got the bill and including alcohol the bill was only 13euro each. We headed to Chris’s bar and the 1 euro beers went down a treat.

The next day the weather turned and it seemed like the stormy weather reflected the hung over mood in camp. It was wild wet and windy but there was still a few waves at the sheltered Mona leste beach break. On Monday the mood was upbeat as the sun came out and the waves cleaned up. We headed back to Supertubos were there was a few waves on offer. Mona leste offered protection from the wind and the swell. Some found the conditions tough as the wave was a shore break and unlike Irish beach breaks broke fast and close to the shore. There were loads of impressive wipe-outs and while a few found it tough others loved the challenge. The waves were breaking fast so it meant take offs had to be quick. We hung at the beach all day and surfed twice with a short lunch break at the beach bar.

The next day the wind and swell dropped off so we headed to the North shore of Peniche. The waves were mellower than the day before but had less shape so they had less shape but were easier to catch. Surfing twice both days meant everybody was drained and went for an afternoon kip. However in true Irish style all turned up at the evening BBQ that the surf camp arranged. All you could eat with beer and Wine for 12 euro. The surf report looks promising for the next few days so there was a buzz amongst the crew and all seemed in high spirits.

For more photos info etc checkout www.surfbreaks.ie or check their facebook profile at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-breaks-Ireland-and-Abroad/180040166553

We are heading to Morroco in Feb so drop us an email if your keen.

Surfing News

Pete and Tom are heading off to Portugal with the surf school and have promised to keep in touch with a few blogs. If interested in the trip to Morocco in Feb give us a shout. http://www.bundoransurfco.com/blankpages/blank2colum2.asp

With winter approaching we have bloogged a few tips on choosing a winter wetsuit. check below

Marc Geegan emails a good excuse to go out this weekend."Prepare to beat those Winter Blues with some great music at The Chasing Bull Music Venue. Friday night sees Greg Gorman’s Bluestack Jam Club take the stage. On Saturday, there is a double bill with the thrilling Mirenda Rosenberg hosting a night of jazz, blues, funk and soul with special guests Mark Black and Aine O’ Doherty and Oisin Canno."

We are having an end of season sale on all shortboard board bags. Up to 50% OFF. Also the new Qicksilver battery powered heated rash vests have just arrived in the shop.


Weekend Surf Forecast

Been a few protected spots working this week with the huge swells but bundoran has been maxed out. Looks like lots of swell for the weekend and changable winds but there will be waves arround.'

On saturday the swell will be massive at open beaches and reefs and will be fairly onshore. The swell will be big enough to wrap into protected beaches and coves that will be cleaner. Streedagh will probably be the best bet for a beach break and if this maxes out Mullaghmore will have a small clean wave.

On Sunday the swell and wind will back off. There will still be swell at most spots in the 4foot range. The wind will be light onshore which means most spots will have a bit of chop but as the wind is light it should be well surfable.There is a huge fishing contest on Saturday in Rossnowalgh so best avoided. The big swell and winds mean streedagh should be a better option anyway

Later

how to choose a wetsuit

Winter is here with a bang the last 2 days. Cold NW winds mean a big drop in air temperature, and the sea will be dropping in temperature also. That means its time to break out the 5mm suits. Had a quick surf yeaterday in my 4mm and felt cold while the other guys out looked toasty in their new 5mm suits - mine is still an a hanger in the plastic wrapper gathering dust. We have some great prices on winter suits at the moment, with good quality 5mm suits starting at €130 for both men and women. http://www.bundoransurfco.com/SurfShop/Suits.asp

If you are unsure about which suit to go for, here is a little bit of advice:

1) What are you going to use it for? If you are going to be in the water a lot over the winter then you will need something extra warm. If you are only surfing a few weekends on and off then something more mid range should be fine. All decent winter suits will keep you warm but the top end suits will keep you even warmer.

2) What is the quality of the suit? Cheaper suits will use a lower grade neoprene and also have cheaper features in terms of knee pads, stitching, zips. They will also be less flexible. As you spend more on a suit you should see noticable differneces in the flexibility and feel of the neoprene. Zips and knee pads should be better. You will also see that the seams are covered with a taping or liquid seal, on either the outside or inside of the suit, or both. This tape or seal will protect the stitching of the suit. It also minimises the amount of water that could seep through the seams. Mid range suits will have some taping around the critical stress points (wrists, ankles, underarm). Most winter suits have glued and blind stitched seams (GBS) while basic, cheap suits have flatlock seams. With GBS the water is less likely to get in through the seams.

3) Try on a few different suits. There are plenty of wetsuit brands out there. Top brands include O'Neill, Xcel, Quiksilver/Roxy, Billabong, Rip Curl. Most of them make a range of suits, from basic, cheap suits to top of the range, expensive suits. All of them have slight variations in their sizings, so try on a few and see which one fits best. They all have size charts on their websites.

4) Make sure your suit fits. Modern wetuits use very flexible neoprene so ideally your suit should fit like a glove. It should be the right length on your wrists and ankles. It should have a firm seal around the neck and should not be baggy or loose anywhere. Tell tale signs of a too big suit is bagginess around the armpits. Even though suits are very flexible it is not receommended to buy a suit that is a size too small for you and then plan to stretch it out - this will put undue stress on the seams. Never buy a suit that is too big.

5) Environment. Most wetsuit brands seem to be moving towards using Japanese Yamomoto neoprene. From an environmental point of view this is positive as the neoprene is made from a limestone base, while traditional neoprene is petroleum based. Not many options for recylcing old wetsuits that we know of so maybe try and pass on your old suit to somebody or try and use it for repairs on other suits.