In the land of extortion, you have to watch your back, as word has it ...
In the land of extortion, you have to watch your back, as word has it ...
In the land of extortion, you have to watch your back, as word has it ...
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drive ahead <strong>of</strong> me (no waves on <strong>the</strong>e<strong>as</strong>t co<strong>as</strong>t where I live). <strong>In</strong> place <strong>of</strong>my cute bikini and matching r<strong>as</strong>hguard,w<strong>as</strong> a $400 O’Neill wetsu<strong>it</strong>complete w<strong>it</strong>h gloves, booties andhoodie (twice <strong>the</strong> price <strong>of</strong> my board<strong>it</strong>self). You can imagine how stunningI looked, like a big neoprene seal!!And instead <strong>of</strong> paddling out in<strong>to</strong>warm turquoise water w<strong>it</strong>h <strong>the</strong> sunbeating down, I w<strong>as</strong> paddling throughwind and rain in ice cold water.I’ll never forget paddling out for <strong>the</strong>first time and my whole body seizingup <strong>as</strong> <strong>the</strong> ice cold water trickled inthough my zip and down my <strong>back</strong>. Itw<strong>as</strong> pure <strong>to</strong>rture! When my face (myonly exposed bodily surface) h<strong>it</strong> <strong>the</strong>water, I can only describe <strong>it</strong> <strong>as</strong> beingh<strong>it</strong> by a train in <strong>the</strong> face!But, surfing is surfing, and when a setrolls and <strong>it</strong> starts <strong>to</strong> break, <strong>it</strong> doesn’tmatter if <strong>you</strong>’re in Spanish Point inCounty Clare or Waikiki Beach, <strong>you</strong>still paddle <strong>you</strong>r bootie <strong>of</strong>f and hopefor that perfect wave that makes <strong>it</strong> allworth <strong>it</strong>!!For those who are unsure, Ire<strong>land</strong> islocated on <strong>the</strong> very west <strong>of</strong> Europe,enclosed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> e<strong>as</strong>t by <strong>the</strong> IrishSea and <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> west by <strong>the</strong> AtlanticOcean. Although <strong>the</strong>re are occ<strong>as</strong>ionalswells, <strong>the</strong> e<strong>as</strong>t co<strong>as</strong>t is usually free <strong>of</strong>decent surf. So, we e<strong>as</strong>t co<strong>as</strong>t inhab<strong>it</strong>antsmust migrate west, where <strong>the</strong>Atlantic Ocean <strong>of</strong>fers ample opportun<strong>it</strong>ies<strong>to</strong> catch brilliant waves.As <strong>it</strong> turns out, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’smost perfect waves w<strong>as</strong> recentlydiscovered <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> co<strong>as</strong>t <strong>of</strong> westernIre<strong>land</strong>. Now, surfboards rolling <strong>of</strong>f<strong>the</strong> carousel at Shannon Airport areno longer <strong>the</strong> unimaginable sight <strong>the</strong>yonce were.This wave is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s truemonster waves, soaring 20-30 feethigh, and requiring both a <strong>to</strong>w-inand a death wish for those willing <strong>to</strong>ride <strong>it</strong>.Only about ten people <strong>have</strong> done soContinued next pageWhat <strong>you</strong> need <strong>to</strong> know...Before <strong>you</strong> go!Flights:LAX <strong>to</strong> Dublin from $900 + tax.Best time <strong>of</strong> year <strong>to</strong> vis<strong>it</strong>:The surf in summer is very unpredictablein Ire<strong>land</strong> and in winteralmost guarantees hypo<strong>the</strong>rmia orserious frostb<strong>it</strong>e, so spring is <strong>the</strong>optimum time <strong>to</strong> vis<strong>it</strong>, when <strong>the</strong>wea<strong>the</strong>r is improving and <strong>the</strong> surfis guaranteed.Try <strong>to</strong> co-ordinate <strong>you</strong>r vis<strong>it</strong> w<strong>it</strong>hSt. Patricks Day (March 17th) for atruly memorable trip!!Places <strong>to</strong> stay:Ire<strong>land</strong> is l<strong>it</strong>tered w<strong>it</strong>h l<strong>it</strong>erallythousands <strong>of</strong> B&B’s, most re<strong>as</strong>onablypriced, and nearly all will takebookings at <strong>the</strong> l<strong>as</strong>t minute, leaving<strong>you</strong> free <strong>to</strong> follow <strong>the</strong> surf and <strong>the</strong>craic!!Language: English.Drink: Guinness, <strong>of</strong> course!!Craic: Irish phr<strong>as</strong>e <strong>to</strong> <strong>have</strong> fun!Pho<strong>to</strong>s courtesy <strong>of</strong> Grady Varner wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 29
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