Monday September 26^th 2011 –

After a fantastic opening day of The European Surfing Championship, France are proving to be the dominating team with Arauzo Remi scoring an impressive 8.6 in the best wave of the day(longboard), followed closely by Salvaire Oliver (Surf Master) and Deniel Alexis (Longboard). 

Whilst the surfing conditions have been challenging, Strandhill native Shane Meehan is straight through to the second round after a tough heat in the body boarding division.  In the seniors, Portuguese David Raimundo dominated his heat to cruise through to the second round whilst John Britton (IRE) narrowly missed out on second place to Thomas Schmidt (GER) and will fight to continue on in the contest in the Repecharge contest.  Should he fail to place 1^st or 2^nd he will then be eliminated from the competition.

In the surf Masters, Paulo Rodrigues (POR), Greg Owen (Wal), Salvaire Oliver (Fra) and Mike Raven (Eng) all won their heats, with Oliver taking the highest overall points in the masters, 12.33.  Local boy Richard Fitzgerald is also through along with Spain’s Dani Garcia, Marc Fessler (Swi) & Jan Erik Jensen (Nor).

It has been a tri-nation tussle  for the long boarders with England, The Channel Islands and France all claiming two 1^st places in the opening rounds, Arauzo Remi (Fra) led his heat from the outset, destroying the competition and becoming the surfer to beat.

The open is currently being led by Portugals Eduardo Fernandes, followed closely by Pablo Gutierrez (Spn), Alan Stokes (Eng), and tied at 15 points Jules Thomet (Fra) and Savalli Hugo (Fra).

The contest will continue until the 2^nd October, for live results and full scoring go to www.eurosurfbundoran.com/live

Sun shines on Eurosurf Opening Parade and Ceremony

Monday September 26^th 2011 –

The sun shone brightly in Bundoran as Eurosurf 2011 officially got underway this afternoon in the northwestern seaside town. Over 1000 Competitors, supporters and spectators from all over Europe gathered in the town and subsequently at the “Peak” surf break to watch the opening Parade of Nations and Ceremony which was conducted by Eurosurf Press Officer Shane Smyth and officiated by Mayor of Bundoran Michael McMahon, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Dinny McGinley, Marie Ahearne of The Irish Sports Council,  Eileesh Buckley of the Irish Surfing Association, Paul McLoone of Failte Ireland, Huw John of the European Surfing Federation and special guest Pro Surfer Bethany Hamilton subject of the movie Soul Surfer which receives its gala screening in Bundoran later that evening.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister McGinley said “Events such as this provide a tremendous boost to the local community and indeed to the wider hinterland of Bundoran. Up to 20,000 visitors are expected to arrive in Bundoran – both spectators and competitors and the event is expected to generate €3m for the local economy”.

Bethany Hamilton, Pro Surfer assisted European Surfing Federation Acting President Huw John with the traditional “Sands of the Nations” ceremony whereby sand is brought from each of the participating nations and poured into one vessel in “Olympic Spirit”.  The “Sands of the Nations” are currently on display in the “Fáilte Room” at the Fáilte Ireland Tourist Office at Bundoran Bridge.