IRELAND SURFING!! Lahinch & Tramore (8.9 & 8.11)

Last summer, Jacob's dad, Ernie, came back from Ireland and was telling us how great it was. After all his stories, we decided that we should all go as a family. It doesn't take much to convince Ernie to travel or plan a trip. He planned a trip for all of us for Summer 2011.

Surfing wasn't initially part of the trip, but I thought we should bring our wetsuits and booties just in case if we found some swell. We knew there was surfing, but didn't know what spots were the best. Thankfully some locals told us where to go and when the tides were best. I am glad we brought our surf gear because we surfed in two different spots, Lahinch and Tramore. 

Lahinch is located near Donegal bay on the west coast. It was mellow knee to thigh high and crowded with surf schools. We rented foamies from a surf truck in the parking lot. We caught a lot of fun ones and Jacob's mom took a bunch of pictures of us!

Surfing in Lahinch:

Tramore is located on the south of Ireland near Waterford. From the shore, it looked choppy and wind blown. We almost skipped out on surfing but a local, Brent, told us that it has been as flat as a lake until today and that we should surf it. With his advice, we quickly rented a water logged fiber glass board and a foamie. The rental options were pretty sparse. When we got out there the surf was really fun waist to chest high. As the tide rose, the waves and wind got better. Brent joined us on his 10'2 longboard and we all caught fun waves!

Surfing in Tramore:

Brent, Local Tramore Surfer:

Besides surfing, we have traveled to Doolin to hike the Cliffs of Mohr, climbed on the rocks at "The Burren", whiskey tasting and guiness drinking in Dublin, and Smithwick's Brewery tour in Kilkenny. Ireland is a beautiful country filled with cliffs, castles and cathedrals. The people are so friendly. 

I would love to come back some day and find more places to surf. Brent told us about a bunch of good places and that the Fall and Winter are when the best waves arrive. We told Brent that if he was ever in California to look us up and we would love to surf with him again!

While we were in Ireland, one of our good friends from California, Beth, passed away from a sudden brain aneurism. She is in our thoughts constantly and we are anxious to get back to California to see our friends. There will be a paddle out on August 20th to celebrate her life. We miss you, Beth, and are in shock of losing you. We love and miss you!

Costa Rican sunset and waves for you, Beth: