Irish Surf Team Depart
The Denny Irish Surf Team has departed for the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games taking place at Playa Hermosa, Jaco, Costa Rica from the 1st to 8th August. The event will be hosted by the Costa Rican Surfing Federation and is expected to attract over forty surfing nations form all over the World. The team will be lead by Manager, Stevie Burns and Coach, Marcos Dias and includes eight of Ireland’s top surfers.Two new caps, Liam Joyce (Open) and Emmet O’Doherty (Longboard) will be flying the flag for Ireland. Eighteen year olds, Ronan Oertzen (Open) and Tahlia Britton (Women) will compete at senior level for the first team. Both have represented Ireland in the past at European and World Junior events.
Ireland’s big wave charger, Fergal Smith (Open) will be taking in the event on his return journey from Western Australia were he spent the last couple of months chasing monster waves. Sligo surfer, Stephen Kilfeather (Open), who claimed a podium finish at European Junior level in 2002, makes his return to the team.
Nicole Morgan (Women) will be arriving at the games with high expectations having finished in 13th at last years event held in Portugal. John Mc Curry (Longboard) will also be aiming to improve on his 17th place finish at last year’s event.
The team will be aiming to maintain its current ranking having finished 16th at the 2008 World Surfing Games, the team’s best result for many years. Surfers will have a number of days training in Costa Rica prior to the start of the event.
Denny Irish Surf Team
Open
Fergal Smith, Westport, Co Mayo
Stephen Kilfeather, Strandhill, Co Sligo
Liam Joyce, Dublin
Ronan Oertzen, Belfast
Women
Nicole Morgan, Bundoran, Co Donegal
Tahlia Britton, Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal
Longboard
John Mc Curry, Portrush, Co Antrim
Emmet O’Doherty, Bundoran, Co Donegal
Manger
Stevie Burns, Portrush, Co Antrim
Coach
Marcos Dias, Dublin
