This article is from page 36 of the 2008-01-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
SURFS up in Miltown Malbay for hundreds of international surfers as the seaside town has become on of the newest and coolest places in Eu- rope for surfers.
So good are the waves at Spanish Point that Ennisman and long time surfer Pat Keane along with his wife Orshlaith (sic) have moved there to live and open a surf shop.
The owner of “White-water Surf Company” lays the popularity of the area with the quality of the waves and the fact “it is less hectic than La- hinch”’.
The high price of property in Lahi- nch is also benefiting Miltown Mal- bay as keen surfers are buying homes
and moving there instead.
The town is also lively throughout winter making it attractive for those keen on the sport that is at its peek during the cold windy months.
“IT know a number of people who have opted for Miltown because of the price of houses,” said Pat.
Surfers traditionally ride the waves around the reef near the Armada Hotel. This area remains popular as it has middle and outside reef and a very good point break.
“If the swell is from the north, coming from Iceland, it bypasses La- hinch to Spanish Point. So you could have a flat day in Lahinch and good waves here,” explained Pat.
While the reef remains popular a number of other “obscure waves”
have become popular with top surf- ers especially at White Strand Point and have featured on the cover of a number of English magazines.
There is a budding body board scene also in Spanish Point.
“There are plenty of waves around Spanish Point that would rate with the most challenging,” said the keen Uae
As all the well known waves have become crowded surfers who com- pete at a higher level, and are not content with regular waves seek deleyenmelelm
The top surfers will challenge themselves on these waves but will not go past their own ability and risk their lives, according to Pat.
“It 1s extremely rare to see a surf-
er in difficulty, I don’t think I ever have.”
While September, October and November are popular because the waves are high and the water reason- ably warm there are a group of surf- ers that will surf all year around.
Surfers in the area also avail of Doughmore in Doonbeg, and it be- comes a haven of long boards in the summer.
‘In the summer when the rest is flat you would get small waves there. It picks up waves when other places don’t,” said the surf shop owner.