This article is from page 10 of the 2012-05-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
CLARE big-wave surfer Ollie O’Flaherty will be one of the main attractions at the first ever Wavemasters Surf and Music Festival, which takes place in Spanish Point over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
The Lahinch man has become the hottest prospect in Irish and Euro- pean surfing following his thirdplace finish at the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards earlier this month. Ollie will be joined at the festival by current Irish champion Stephen Kilfeather, as well as a number of leading Irish surfers.
In total, six surfers, each of whom are current members of the Irish surf team, will take part in an ‘Expression Session’ on Spanish Point beach from 2pm on Sunday, June 3. Prizes will be awarded for best move, best wave and best overall performance.
The festival will also include a number of live music performances taking pace at the Bellbridge Hotel in Spanish Point. The organisers are hopeful that the Wavemasters Surf and Music Festival could become a regular event in the county’s annual festival calendar.
The music portion of the festival will be headlined by Irish funk-rock band Republic of Loose. The music line-up will also feature Bellharbour musician Jim McKee and his band.
Over the last number of weeks, Jim has been travelling the world promoting his role in the new film, Songs for Amy , alongside Kinvara singer-songwriter Ultan Conlan. The pair wrote and recorded much of the soundtrack for the film. In recent weeks, the film has received a good reaction, winning an award at the Newport Film Festival in Los Angeles and also appearing at the Cannes Film Festival.
It will receive its official Irish premier at the Galway Film Fleadh next month.
Tickets for the Wavemasters Surf and Music Festival are currently available from 087 1841555.