Surfing in Sligo for beginners could not be easier because from your accommodation at Aughris House you can book surfing lessons outside the front door with the Beach Bar Surf School. The Athlantic coastline has several well known opportunities for surfing and all you have to do is take a few steps across from your bedroom and your on the board. The waters in the bay here are good for beginners and surf instructor Andrew has all necessary equipment available.
The beach bar is so close you can almost taste the Guinness or Latte before your heel leaves the water at the close of the day’s exercise.
When you have gained in confidence and want to try your new talent where the waves are a bit bigger off you go a little further along the coast.
Surfing at Easkey
The first beach that is accessible for surfing is Easkey. In summer this small town is quite incredible, it gets transformed into what looks like a movie set, the film being centered about the wonderful, care free world of the surfer. In winter, however the best waves are available so surfers will be seen here all year round.
Take a walk through the town, you are nearly looking out for the movie cameras because the stars of the show are all around. Its easy to pick out the surfer, the male species all have shoulder length unruly wind bleached hair and all possess that unique, weather induced, frustratingly healthy look.
The female species, more so than the male, look even more annoying healthy, with hair a bit longer, so the unruly look stands out much more. Another, seemingly essential stand-out feature for the female is the ragged jeans with strategically placed rips and tears that MUST look faded and be on the point of disintegration. (Lately males have been seen to don this attire also). One thing that stops the rest of mankind from all slipping into this phenomenon of nature is the fatal attraction they all have for latte, cappucchino and espresso and their ability to be armed with a surf board while walking making it look as though it was part of them.
Easkey’s stretch of beach is split in two with two reef breaks, the result of which makes then more sought after than beach breaks that are not as fast. Easkey left is regarded as the more experienced surfers choice, the waves holding form and being more varied.
In 1997 Surfer Magazine called it a place travelling surfers had to visit which is high praise from such a prestigious magazine. Changing, shower and toilet facilities are located at the sea front and coffee facilities not far away.
Surfing at Enniscrone
Enniscrone is another surfing village close by, where “advanced beginners” can improve their confidence and skills on 5km. of beach, to paddling out to reach gentle, beach breaking waves capable of transporting you back to shore. Make sure your partner gets the photo’s. There’s also coffee shops near by if you have reached that level of competency.
For tuition at Enniscrone: 7th wave surf school
Surfing at Strandhill
Strandhill is also for beginners with three schools ready to help the aspiring surfer. Listed below are the relevant details;
No.1. Strandhill Surf School, Strandhill, Co. Sligo. Tel. 087 287 0817.
No.2. Sligo Surf Experience, Strandhill Tel. 087 747 1915.
No.3. Atlantic Surf School, Strandhill Tel. 083 186 2527.
More experienced have options here many areas lack. The swell here can be 4ft. swells where you can decide on long or shortboard depending on the tide. At times like this, when the swell driving inshore reaching 6ft or higher, rip tides and long paddles could be on the cards. It’s always wise to speak to local surfers on your attempt anywhere new.
Perhaps, if you are a VERY able surfer, it COULD be worth CONSIDERING heading quickly up the coast towards Bundoran where there are spots capable of accommodating a bigger swell. It might surprise you to hear that Mullaghmore only 35mins away from Strandhill, has been known to facilitate 60ft monsters called The Irish Mutant Waves that can and have resulted in severe injury. Please check out SURFER TODAY: Mullaghmore Head: the Irish mutant wave.
There are still spots around here with big waves up to and including Bundoran. Check the best time of the year for the surfing that suits you.
