EuroSurf Schedule of Events
Schedule of events for Eurosurf Bundoran 2011. Please see below schedule. Surfing contest times will be dictated by surf conditions, tides etc. Pop into Surfworld to find out the most up-to-date information.
Saturday 24th
3pm - Parade of Nations – all welcome – route walks through Bundoran from East End (near KFC) to the “Rock of the Birds” monument at The Peak
3.45pm - Opening Ceremony – all welcome – “Rock of the Birds” monument
8pm - Soul Surfer Gala Screening followed by Q&A with Bethany Hamilton (this is by invitation only – there will be simultaneous screenings of the movie at Eclipse Cinema – more at www.bundorancineplex.com)
Sunday 25th
8am- 6pm Contest
Monday 26th
8am- 6pm Contest
Tuesday 27th
8am- 6pm Contest
Wednesday 28th
8am- 6pm Contest
Thursday 29th
8am- 6pm Contest
Friday 30th
8am- 6pm Contest
Saturday 1st
8am- 6pm Contest
Sunday 2nd
8am-6pm Finals
NB Contest times will be dictated by surf/ tides.
The European Surfing Championships alternate each year between the senior event “Eurosurf” (odd years) and the Junior event “Eurojunior” (even years). The separation into a junior event and senior event happened in 1992. The Euro’s were first held in 1970 in Jersey. 2011 will be Irelands 4th time to host Eurosurf, and 3rd time in Bundoran. The previous Eurosurf events held in Ireland were 1972 in Spanish Point, Co. Clare which was won by England, 1985 in Bundoran, co. Donegal won by France, 1997 in Bundoran, co. Donegal won by Portugal. Until recently there had been a trend that the winners in Ireland retained the senior title until the Eurosurf returned to Ireland. England held the title from 1970 to 1985, and then France held it from 1985 to 1997 when Portugal won the senior title for the first time. They then lost the title to Spain in 2003, who proceeded to relinquish it once more to Portugal in 2005. Portugal retained the title in 2007 before losing it to France two years ago in Jersey.
Each team is entitled to bring up to 13 surfers and at least 2 judges, as well as team staff. The surfers are split into the following divisions – Open, Womens, Senior (over 28), Masters (Over 35), Longboard, Bodyboard and Womens Bodyboard. There were teams from 13 countries at Eurosurf 2009 and indeed Eurojunior 2010, neither Israel nor Scotland had teams at those events, we hope to see a return of representatives from those nations in 2011. The International Surfing Association has added 3 new European nations to their roster – Malta, Greece and Hungary, and we hope to see those countries join the Eurosurf family as well.
The Irish Team…
The Irish Surf Team to compete at this event will be selected from best three results out of the following four events- Easkey Open, 2/3 October 2010 and the first three Irish Championships Tour events of 2011 (Tramore, Bundoran, Portrush). In the event of unsuitable conditions (no surf or storm conditions) in Tramore, Bundoran or Portrush, an ISA selection event may be run on the scheduled weekend at an alternative venue or an ISA selection event may be run on the 16/17 April if required for selection. In the event of a tie for any team position a surf-off will be held by the ISA. Junior surfers may compete on the senior tour but will not be eligible for selection to senior Irish Surf Teams.
- Manager x 1
- Coach x 2
- Judge x 2
- Open Surf x 4
- Women Surf x2
- Open Bodyboard x 2
- Longboard x 2
- Womens Bodyboard x 1
- Senior x 1
- Master x 1
We have seen a return to competitive action of a number of top irish surfers in anticipation of this years Eurosurf in Bundoran. The location of Eurosurf being on our home territory has enticed many surfers back to the competitive scene. Some who competed in the Open division for Ireland back in 1997 are now aiming for selection in either the Senior or Masters division for 2011.
As well as the return of many familiar faces there have also been a number of top juniors in Ireland that have moved into the seniors ranks and will be battling with each other for the Open division slots.
At Eurosurf 2009 Ireland had one podium finisher in the shape of women’s bodyboarder Ashleigh Smith, she will undoubtedly be hoping to finish even higher on the podium this year.
