SOURCE: IRISH SURFING ASSOCIATION

ISA ADVANCED GROM PROJECT
The ISA Advanced Surf Skills Project intends to provide advanced surf training (including bodyboarding and longboarding) focused on high performance development to those who have either completed the ISA Future Surf Groms Project, previously competed with the Irish surfing team or who have considerable competition experience and want to improve their technique and competition skills.
Participants of previous Advanced Surf Skills weekends are welcome as this is an ongoing project.

It is a practice-based program with a video analysis module. During the weekend, each participant's performance will be assessed individually and in groups of similar levels. A written report is given to each participant at the end of the weekend and details of their performance are kept on file for future reference.
There will be a strong emphasis on developing proper technique through individual drills and also on competition performance under pressure through tactical drills and simulated heats.

The total cost is 60 euro for the weekend, with a deposit of 20 euro payable to the ISA (accompanied by booking form) by cash or cheque to book a place. The cost does not include accommodation or food. Participants must book and confirm participation in advance. Waterproof watch is essential. Maximum of 8 participants.

BUNDORAN BOARD RIDERS BEACH CLEANUP
While most folk were shaking the after effects of Halloween on Sunday morning, a 25 strong group of young surfer groms and the older brigade hit the main beach of Bundoran and the reef at the front of the promenade for a beach clean up.
The conditions were perfect for what was a very high spirited, organised and social event. The clean up was organised by the Bundoran Board Riders surf club and the result of their clean-up was processed by the Bundoran Urban Council.

The results of what was collected can be seen below in a list that may sound surprising. Among some of the material found on the beach were beer cans, plastic drink bottles, sweet wrappers, lollypop sticks, beer bottles tops, broken glass, bailing twine, cigarette buts, tyres, traffic cones, syringe needles, beer ring pulls, black and white bin liners, insulating foam, timber, baby wipes, sanitary towels, rope, dead seal, dead seagulls, plastic hosing and the list goes on.

The club will be organising a further clean-up some time in December, (keep an eye in the Bundoran notes for details). A big gora mile maith agaibh goes out to all who gave up their time and effort on Sunday, may you be blessed with waves.
Brendan Mc Gloin Sec. Bundoran Board Riders surf club.

SLIGO TRIUMPH AT 40TH INTERCOUNTIES
The Irish Surfing Community gathered in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal for the weekend to celebrate the 40th Intercounties Surfing Championships and the 40th anniversary of the founding of Rossnowlagh Surf Club. 

Teams from 23 counties participated, including well established surfing counties such as Donegal, Waterford, Mayo and Sligo to the less well known Offaly, Laois and Louth. After a solid day for heats on Saturday, four teams remained in the event on Sunday morning to battle for the title of 2008 Intercounties Champions.

The first semi-final saw Donegal A go down to Sligo while in semi-final two defending Champions, Waterford beat Donegal B. An exciting final ensued with a young Sligo side up against a seasoned Waterford team. It was quickly evident that the cup would not be returning to Waterford with two of the young Sligo surfers, Ronan Oertzen and Aaron Reid trading high scores while the Waterford surfers battled for waves.
The final result saw Ronan Oertzen 1st, Aaron Reid 2nd, David Blount 3rd, Andrew Byrne 4th, Keith O’Brien 5th and Iarom Madden 6th. Sligo took the title with twelve points ahead of Waterford on nine. 

The final was followed by a prize giving in the Surfers Bar where the Sligo Team was presented with the Vinny Britton Cup and magnificent canvases by surf artist, Gavin Mc Crea.

Former Irish Surfing Association President and founding member of Rossnowlagh Surf Club, Brian Britton was invited to cut the cake to commence the 40th Anniversary celebrations of Rossnowlagh Surf Club. Special presentations were made to Brian Britton, Conor Britton, Barry Britton, Aidan Mc Guinness, Roci Allan and Zoe Lally for their contributions to Rossnowlagh Surf Club over the years while Angeleen Bannon was presented with the 2008 Club Person of the Year.

About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980. 

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since.  The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA).

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