has anyone tried surfing or swimming at a beach in Ireland?
Apr 23rd, 2006, 03:18 PM
#1
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has anyone tried surfing or swimming at a beach in Ireland?
mid June trip to Ireland
traveling with teens...they found some info on line about surfing in lahinch...
I have seen pictures of surfing...usually people had body suits on, not sure of water temps...we walked on a beach, never got in, looked cold
does anyone know about swimming or surfing in Ireland...we will have stays in westport, donegal, doolin, dingle, and kenmare
traveling with teens...they found some info on line about surfing in lahinch...
I have seen pictures of surfing...usually people had body suits on, not sure of water temps...we walked on a beach, never got in, looked cold
does anyone know about swimming or surfing in Ireland...we will have stays in westport, donegal, doolin, dingle, and kenmare
Apr 23rd, 2006, 04:23 PM
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Chip, We watched people surfing in Lahinch and on Inch beach on the Dingle peninsula. In fact, there seemed to be several good places to surf on the Dingle Peninsula. We were there in May and most seemed to have on wet suits. We were checking it out because we plan to take our son who is into surfing as well.
Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:46 PM
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If you google on "surfing ireland", you'll find pages and pages about this. Google on "surfing UK" and you'll find even more: the sea around Britain is, if anything, slightly colder than off Ireland's SW coast.
With a wet suit, you'd have to be a real wimp to find anything unpleasant about Irish surfing, though on a chilly, rainy day changing out of the suit can be a bit character-forming. Not nearly as bracing as changing back into a wet wet suit after lunch though.
I learned to swim (without a wet suit) in these waters, and from about the beginning of June, it's fine.
The secret is that it's a great deal warmer in the water than out, especially if you're doing something vigorous. So spectators typically get cold, or huddle behind windbreaks, while the participants wonder what all the fuss is about.
The big problem is that on a grey, drizzly morning there can be a huge willpower barrier to overcome, Once they've reminded themselves they're men, not mice, and actually got into the sea they'll have as much fun as everyone else.
With a wet suit, you'd have to be a real wimp to find anything unpleasant about Irish surfing, though on a chilly, rainy day changing out of the suit can be a bit character-forming. Not nearly as bracing as changing back into a wet wet suit after lunch though.
I learned to swim (without a wet suit) in these waters, and from about the beginning of June, it's fine.
The secret is that it's a great deal warmer in the water than out, especially if you're doing something vigorous. So spectators typically get cold, or huddle behind windbreaks, while the participants wonder what all the fuss is about.
The big problem is that on a grey, drizzly morning there can be a huge willpower barrier to overcome, Once they've reminded themselves they're men, not mice, and actually got into the sea they'll have as much fun as everyone else.
Apr 24th, 2006, 12:41 AM
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Agree with Cotswold Scouser - I've surfed and swum in these waters for the past, er... over 40 years. Body-surfing is really good exercise and keeps you warm - much better than sitting on the beach in a cold wind. You'll be able to rent or buy a wet suit in most seaside towns and villages. And the Gulf Stream means that the water is (really!) not that cold (my son was surfing in Cornwall this week). It just feels cold when you first get in.
Apr 24th, 2006, 12:57 AM
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You can surf in many beaches around the North, south and west coast of Ireland.
See http://www.isasurf.ie/ for details of surf schools that will rent your teens all the gear they need.
p.s. Carrinewsky beach near westport is great, as is Inch near Dingle.
See http://www.isasurf.ie/ for details of surf schools that will rent your teens all the gear they need.
p.s. Carrinewsky beach near westport is great, as is Inch near Dingle.
Apr 24th, 2006, 01:57 AM
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I am not a surfer (too old to start): we were quite surprised to encounter a California-style 'surf shop' just down from the beach in Lahinch. The first time I visited there was in late May (no surfers). The next time, in September, I just saw one surfer and he was wearing a wet suit. I don't know if the surf shop rents wet suits or boards ...
As you are probably aware, Lahinch is near Doolin. You'll be close enough to go check it out.
As you are probably aware, Lahinch is near Doolin. You'll be close enough to go check it out.
Apr 24th, 2006, 05:48 AM
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Beaches which are clean and safe to swim in are described as "blue flag beaches", see attached for details of those beaches in Ireland http://www.iol.ie/~discover/beach.htm
The water is pretty cold, so a wetsuit will be needed for surfing. Surfing is popular the whole way around the coast. For particular areas/beaches, check out http://www.beachwizard.com, select Ireland and then select the map/region you're interested in.
The water is pretty cold, so a wetsuit will be needed for surfing. Surfing is popular the whole way around the coast. For particular areas/beaches, check out http://www.beachwizard.com, select Ireland and then select the map/region you're interested in.
Apr 24th, 2006, 07:27 AM
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We have been there twice in may and june and have seen surfer all wearing wet suits. We are from Florida and the water was extremely cold. If you are from a Northern part of the US it may not be that bad. I thought Lakes Michigan and Huron were cold in June, but that's just me
