Irish Intervarsity's 2011 Results

Ione Byrne raises the cup on behalf of the overall winners, Sligo IT

Sligo IT claimed the 2011 the Irish Student National Surf Championships held on the 19^th-20^th of February beating stiff competition from the hosts, University of Ulster Coleraine who came second, Queens University Belfast third and Trinity College Dublin fourth. A total of 8 clubs and 125 entrants from across Ireland contested the two-day event at Portrush’s West Strand in 1-2ft clean waves, groomed by light offshore winds.

Poor conditions did however postpone the start of the contest to Saturday afternoon when it commenced with the 1^st round of the novice competitions and the championship’s first ever stand up paddle event, won by Sligo IT.

After a fantastic night’s entertainment, competitors awoke to a small consistent wave across the beach allowing the remaining heats to take place. The call proved a good one and by the afternoon the pushing tide provided a more than contestable wave for the finals to take place in.

The novice category again proved to be the most contested with over 70 entries between the men and women’s divisions. The very worthy eventual titles went to Moira Donoghue (IT Carlow) in the women’s division and David Lynch (UCC) in the men's.

The men’s longboard final proved a close affair with UUC’s Rory McNeary narrowly defeating Sligo IT’s Christian McCleod whilst the women’s longboard title was taken in style by Sligo’s Ione Byrne. Sligo also collected both the men and women’s bodyboard titles with the honours going to Ryan McEnroe and Nicole Schiffer.

In the Women’s Open Easkey Britton (UUC) took her 3rd open title at the Championships and as the light faded, the waves grew leaving 4 clubs to battle for the coveted Troggs Men’s Open title. As anticipated by his performance in previous heats the improving conditions provided a stage for event standout, Sligo IT's Ronan Oertzen who earned top spot and simultaneously attained the prize for highest two wave total, sponsored by Portrush Surf School.

The University of Ulster Surf Club would like to thank all who took part and the contests sponsors: Troggs.com, SurfDock.ie, Flow Boards Ireland, Bundoran Surf Co., Woodies Surf Shop, Portrush Surf School, WestCoastSurfer.com, Lahinch Surf Shop, Incide and The Playhouse Portrush.

Special thanks go to Causeway Coast Surf Club, the Irish Surf Association and Coleraine Borough Council for their invaluable help and experience.

-Thomas Smyth

Men's Open finalist Owen Murphy making the most of the small conditions on Sunday Morning

Longboards found the going slightly easier. QUB's Brian Cox finding some tip time to progress to the mens longboard final.

Your's truly couldn't match last years form and failed to progress through the first round.

The men and women's novice divisions were again hotly contested with over 70 entrants between them.

Sligo IT's Christian McLeod finding a shapely wave in the mens longboard final.

The swell steadily improved for the finals. Easkey Britton on a West Bay peak.

Ronan, Stephen, Aaron and Owen all battling for position in the Troggs Mens Open Final

The fading light and growing breeze didn't stop a good crowd for gathering to watch the finals.

The winning team

Men's Open finalists with Trogg's Andy Hill

Massive thanks to Adam and Andy for the shots!

Full list of results:

Mens Open

1^st Ronan Oertzen (SIT)

2^nd Owen Murphy (GMIT)

3^rd Aaron Dees (QUB)

4^th Stephen Murray (UUC)

Womens Open

1^st Easkey Britton (UUC)

2^nd Clare Stephens (QUB)

3^rd Niamh Marie Smyth (QUB)

3^rd Alice Jameson (TCD)

Mens Longboard

1^st Rory McNeary (UUC)

2^nd Christian McLeod (SIT)

3^rd Brian Cox (QUB)

4^th Cathal Sheridan (CIT)

Womens Longboard

1^st Ione Byrne (SIT)

2^nd Daniela Eckstein (UUC)

Mens Bodyboard

1^st Ryan McEnroe (SIT)

2^nd Patrick Alan O’Connaire (GMIT)

Womens Bodyboard

1^st N. Schiffer (SIT)

Mens Novice

1^st David Lynch (UCC)

2^nd Luke Storey (UUC)

3^rd Colin Burgess (QUB)

4^th Adam Karakurt (IT Carlow)

Womens Novice

1^st Moira Donoghue (IT Carlow)

2^nd Alice Garcia (IT Carlow)

3^rd Maria Hall (QUB)

4^th Aoibhin Curran (TCD)

Stand Up Paddle

1^st Sligo IT

2^nd Carlow IT

3^rd Queens University Belfast

4^th Trinity College Dublin