Hundreds of surfing enthusiasts descended on Strandhill, Co Sligo for the 2012 National Student Surfing Intervarsities from March 2 to 4.
As holders of the national title last year, the IT Sligo Surf Club hosted the event.
NUI Galway managed to narrowly steal the national title from the IT Sligo team, but a number of gold medals were won by the club nonetheless.
Third year archaeology student and sport scholarship recipient Ione Byrne won a Gold Medal in the Women’s Long Board category; Ryan McEnroe was placed first in the Men’s Body Board category, and Daniela Attard came second in Women’s Body Board category.
There was also some great new emerging talent in the novice division with Michael Callaghan, Sean Costello and Cian Corrigan putting in great performances.
The event saw male and female surfers competing in seven divisions, using bodyboards, surfboards and stand up surfboards. 150 surfers entered the event from 12 third level educational institutions across the country in what was described as a welcome ‘early start to the season’ for Strandhill.
The IT Sligo Surf Club extends its sincere thanks to all the sponsors for supplying the prizes, to County Sligo Surf Club for providing hot showers and changing facilities, to the lifeguards who patrolled the beach, the emergency services for keeping everyone safe, and to the Strand Bar for looking after the catering and entertainment.
The sponsors of the event were as follows: IT Sligo; Surf World; The Strand Bar; Shells Café; 7th Waves Surf School; Strandhill Surf School; Perfect Day Surf School; Turf n’ Surf; Donegal Adventure Centre; Bundoran Surf Company; Wax On Surfboards; Huku Balance Boards; and Sunset Sail.
Above: IT Sligo Sport Scholarship recipient Ione Byrne who won first place in the Women’s Long Board category in the National Student Surfing Intervarsities. Photo: IT Sligo
Below: The IT Sligo Surf Club Team. Photo: IT Sligo
