Surf conditions are firing on the west coast all week and in to the weekend. As the saying goes, ‘fill your boots’.
And in a break from our scheduled programming we go over now to the newsroom for some breaking news.
Surf’s Up!!
Well what is the point in having a campervan if you can’t be spontaneous and go with the flow?
The flow in this case is cascading towards the west coast all week. The surf has been pumping along the Wild Atlantic Way – check out www.magicseaweed.com – if you don’t believe someone from the most landlocked county in the country.
You will be spoilt for choice as the charts show that it’s firing on all cylinders up and down the coast. It’s a good honest Atlantic swell giving clean sets all week and right into the weekend of between 3ft to 6ft, with an excellent period from 11 seconds out to 16 second intervals, keeping it nice and tidy. That easterly wind, while making things more chilly for this time of the year, it is also ensuring a stiff offshore breeze along the west coast will keep that incoming swell righteous and in good shape. With some sunshine even forecast over the next few days that’s sort as good as it gets in terms of an ideal line-up. As the saying goes, ‘fill your boots’.
Put all that in the mix along with it holding into the weekend, when people have a chance to get away and you have to down tools, (prioritise Laois Surfers!!) and head west.
Among those taking advantage of the good waves in Lahinch this week was none other than Hollywood star, Domhnall Gleeson, who hooked up with Ben’s Surf Clinic Surf School for a lesson and dip. And Ben even grabbed a selfie to prove it. Cool.
Two stars, Ben and Domhnall
The water is a nippy 10 degrees but once you have the wet suit, booties and gloves, (which you can easily hire locally) you’re good to go for an hour or two and the forecast is for temperatures overall to go upwards of 12 degrees, not a scorcher but it all helps.
I’m definitely heading to Lahinch or Rossnowlagh my two pet spots and if you are going to Clare, do keep in mind that the West Coast Surf Club C-Skins Junior Championships are being staged in Lahinch this weekend, April 14/15, which will make it a bit busier, but also bring a bit of a buzz.
The conditions currently firing on the west coast and the Magic Seaweed forecast below.
John Whelan is a vastly experienced midlands based journalist and editor who has contributed extensively to the country's leading national and regional titles, as well as broadcast outlets. He runs the media services company, Communicate Ireland www.communicateireland.ie.
John is a keen camping and campervan enthusiast with an interest in music, culture, heritage and outdoor pursuits. He has written for the Sunday Times, Sunday Independent and the Woman's Way on these topics.
He is also an author, and his latest book, The Last Beekeeper, reflects his love of nature, the landscape and our shared responsibility to protect the environment. The Last Beekeeper is available to preview and purchase at www.thelastbeekeeper.ie.
Safe travels...
“You write a brilliant account of your trip and the photos are fantastic. I know this area and it really is as you say” – Rachella O’Donnell“The Vanhalla blog is well worth reading for the pictures alone” – Jim McCormick, Total Motorhome Ireland
For me, the campervan and surfing 🏄♂️ 🌊 have always gone hand in hand. There's a great crossover from campervan culture with surfing, the roadtrip, the open road, and the sense of anticipation of what the day might bring, what the ocean might have in store...not to mention the great people you meet and great places you discover, lifelong connections...
Other than quitting smoking (40 Lucky Strikes-a-day-man) surfing (and the campervan) are the best decisions I ever in terms of health and well-being...
I'm not a great surfer or even a good swimmer and have enrolled for improver lessons in the @portlaoise_leisure_centre
However, I really love the surfing and have never gotten out of the water that I didn't feel better, totally stoked and thrilled with myself if I managed to catch a 4ft swell... and massive respect and admiration to those riding the 40ft monsters at Mullagmore and The Cliffs, I'm in awe of their courage and athleticism... go safely.
There's something about an early morning start in the dark and the sense of wonder as you hit the road for Lahinch or elsewhere. Immerse yourself in the moment just chatting to yourself and the waves, the beaming smile when you catch a good one, a hot shower @benssurfclinic
Totally wiped out and exhausted, looking forward to a pint and fodder in the taverns of this seaside town, our LA, mulling over how glad I am to have bought my fire engine 9'6" Beach Beat board by Chopps from Tom at @lahinchsurfshop a few years back now...
I'm not going to get surfing this weekend, but I'm constantly thinking of the next time and how I'm going to try to be better at it, working on my paddle, finding my sweet spot, pop-up, composure in the water...
I feel better even thinking, daydreaming about it... have a great weekend, and I hope you too find your sweet spot 😊 #SurfCity#surfing#sweetspot#LAhinch#campervanadventures#campervanculture#roadtrip#Vanhalla#campervanlifestyle#CamperHeaven Discover Ireland @vanderlust_ltd@lahinch.ie @kennysbar@frawleysbarlahinch@vaughansontheprom@lahinchsurfshop@benssurfclinic@lahinchleisurecentre@lahinchsurfschool@lahinchsurfexperience@visitclare@visitnorthclare@hugos_lahinch@dodicafe@randaddys@saunasuaimhneas@tourismireland@thewildatlanticway@wildatlanticwayclare@juliaslobstertruck
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Looking good for the next few days check out the following for Web Cams … Nice few in at Bundoran . Peak just now …. http://www.onitsurf.com/surf-cameras/donegal-bundoran-peak.html