ISA Intervarsities

Saturday dawned small, still and clean.

Things remained much the same for the first heat of the mens open

Where lots of pumping went on

and even more sinking...

Some were able to make the most of it.
About as performance as you could get considering the conditions

Not your typical contest shortboard (mmm....)

Good from a far but far from good.

The tide started to fill and onshores blow as the day drew to an end and the finals commenced

Yours truly representing Coleraine and stoked to be in a final

Pretty in Pink

Your eventual longboard winner Stephen Kelleher

Easkey bringing home the goods for UUC in the womens final ran alongside the longboard

Sun down on Strandhill signalled an alternative source of liquid entertainment

Collecting 3rd in the Longboard (Buzzing)

Goofy superstar Stephen Murray in his post heat interview

El Capitano gracing us with a few words of wisdom

UUC on tour...

The morning after the night before

Sunday morning. Contest over and not a ripple...

Cheers to NUIG, the ISA and all involved for a great contest and a HUGE shout to Lauren, Eugene and Emmett from UUC for making the weekend such a success.

Emptys at East...

Empty right...

Owen doing his best to psyche himself up before the Uni mini-compThere were a few lefts being riddenBut most ended like this

Section beater

Took a few photos before the University's minicomp at East last Wednesday. Some nice waves last week but I was dosed with the cold till about Friday when I got a short but very (very very) sweet sunset session on the longboard. Very little in the way of waves forecasted for the next wee while so I made the best of a nice evening tonight and paddled out in 2ft of the worst onshore dribble you'll be likely to see. Was still better than enjoying the end of daylight from my desk though...

Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship.

Thought I'd share some images which have made up my last week of Uni life and living in the Port. Sunday with the ladies family, teaching the girls how to surf, enjoying some sunsets, camping on Rathlin and a wee bit of time spent in the pub throughout...

Today I packed up the last of my stuff, said my goodbyes, handed in the keys and and finally moved back home. Thom has once again become another urban dwelling city surfer!

wind, waves, parties and some mush...

Another sunset at the local though today was no where near as clean...

The first of many "final" flings...

Been pretty windy and wild up North recently. Saw the almighty Foy Vance again on Monday and enjoyed the start of many inevitable "final flings" as uni winds down. Heard tale of some big waves at East near the end of the week but today was my first time in the water, having fun on some seriously mushy waves at the local just before dark.

Changes...

A (unrideable?) slab on a coast very much dominated by beach breaks.

Last weeks real changeable conditions kinda portrayed how I've been feeling lately. I'm fast approaching the end of my undergraduate life (and the end of an era in many ways) and whilst its thrilling and exciting there's a lot thats gonna change too. I guess I gotta just keep on paddling, make the drop, hold on for dear life and see where the ride takes me.

In the mean time I really got balance this study/surf caper. Especially when I'm still only a mile away from the local and its light till 8 now. woop woop!