Maybe later...

Far from appealing...

Last nights waves were replaced by crosshore 1 ft scrap this afternoon. Decided to keep the wetsuit dry in hope of something better this evening when the winds forecasted to turn offshore and the swell increase a little in size again. Here's hoping...

Teaching the kids howda SUP...

Team Ireland and two flags you wouldn't usually see together...

Lake times

On duty

Poland rocks. The kids are awesome. The weathers been very mixed but there's a lake, kayaks and a few old windsurfing boards which I've been teaching the kids how to Stand Up Paddle on. I know teaching kids to SUP might not been the best thing but its as close to surfing as I can get! Hopefully get another wee update before I get home too!

I'm off...

I wish...

Been flat as a crepe round here for the past 10 days or so and I'm off to Poland to do some kids work for the next couple of weeks. Raging I haven't surfed since Last saturday but such is life! Have a great couple of weeks y'all!


ps. My degree classification was released today. Turns out I've passed with a 1st. Stoked!

More flat distractions...

From such great heights

Bodies in flight

When he's not learning to save peoples lives, Stephen can be found throwing himself of things

S'Campbell getting reintroduced to Irish waters

Swedish love

Went somewhere different to enjoy the sun show

Pity I turned up a bit late

Taking the tour

The walk back

We might of missed the sun but the light show lasted for ages...

A Sunday at the folks...

Sponge sized pocket

Bro's

Hooded

Into the wild...

Road home

Handed in my last ever bit of uni coursework on Friday past. One exam left and thats it. Feels good to be getting back to normal. Only managed to fit on a couple of hours surf on Wednesday this week with the wonky singlefin. Left the boards in the Port this weekend though so the excursion with the bro was strictly terrestrial based. Not complaining though. This place is magic...

Explosions in the sky...

Light through the dark on Binevenagh

Kinda symbolic of todays moment of insecurity/fear/clarity.

Happy Easter and enjoy catching some waves with one less in the lineup. I gotta go a studying some more...

Beauty and the Bland..

The light through the thorns...

Taken during a much needed break from the dissertation this evening. Few things clear the head better than a walk by the beach and a good ol' ice cream!

Silent Night...

Inscribed: In loving memory of Brian Connor Smyth 03.01.44 - 06.12.07 Here forever at his favourite place.


Starting to agree with you there mate.

Small waves. Strong offshores.

Small windy peeler

Isolation

Missed the end of the comp at Ballyhiernan but had to head on round the coast for a view more observations. Windy, small and not getting where I wanted were the results.

Observations for a Dissertation...

Beach state observation site #6 (small but would've been fun on the singlefin)

West of Site #3 (Strong onshores but still worth a go)

Access problems

Left the parents round 6 to catch low tide and make some beach state field observations for my dissertation. 250 miles of driving, 8 sites observed and 100 odd photos. Resisted the temptation to bring a couple of boards despite last weeks anti-climax (Only got out one day after an anticipated and hyped "week of surf") and ended up doing some mind surfing instead. Remember the North West Surf Clubs Spring Classic this weekend in Ballyhiernan. Looks like a bit of a wild forecast but I'm always told they're great events!

Leaving our mark...

Stencils

Stickers

Stone

Spray

Yesterday

I know this isn't exactly Dogtown but I just noticed yesterday how we strive to leave our mark. Putting our opinions and names on things. Claiming them, expressing ourselves or simply just advertising.

1st day of advent...

Yup, its time to start opening those calenders...

Pity the surf wasn't giving out any presents today.

So today is the first day of December. The month when its ok to eat chocolate for breakfast and eat so much more than you really should. Went looking for surf this morn but the Northernlys were really killing it. Took SLR out and took a few shots instead. Looks like the wind might turn by the end of the week and hopefully combine with a bit of swell too!

What could've been...

Morning peelers

Only one guy out

More of those lines

Was up well before day break on Friday. We had the first hard frost of the winter and the place was sparkling in the morning sun. I knew that there was swell about and the light offshores would be grooming it into damn cold perfect lines.

Unfortunately I had my backside stuck to the chair at my desk finishing off a habitat conservation plan, whilst dreaming of ice cream headaches and some of the longest rides I've had in a while. Still I managed to snap these shots on my housemates cam on the way to class and at least capture some of the magic...

Fairweather Surfer...

The view from my desk.

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Been spending way too much time here lately. Had stick some shots on the wall to make up for my lack of view and inspiration. Kinda have myself to blame too. There were definately waves yesterday and whilst they were far from picture perfect I elected to return to my desk. I guess theres a season for everything. And right now thats getting the head down to some work...

Marathon Man

"Marathoning is just another form of insanity." John J. Kelly

Yours truly doing the relay last year.

.

Signed up for my first full marathon today. It doesn't happen until the 4th of May so theres still plenty of time to prepare. I used to run abit when I played rugby and a marathon was always one of those things I wanted to strike of the list. So here goes nothing. 26 miles and 365 yards of fun fun fun.

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In the meantime the surfs been pretty dire. This morning was Mush (with a capital M!) and strong cross/onshores look like persisting all week...

Junky Sloppy Onshore

Hit the beach again on the way to work

Junky Sloppy Onshore

All was not lost though. Our friend the sun...

.

Thought I'd try to get another Friday surf before work. It just wasn't to be though. Haven't got wet in over a week now. Essays, onshores, snow, day light saving time (it now gets dark at 5 pm) and life have kinda got in the way. Next weeks looking better though. Less swell, but hopefully less wind too. Not sure how the contest is gonna run with the forecasted swell but hopefully I'll get a look on Sunday.

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ps. Happy Hallowen!