Quiksilver Expression Session
The Sea Sessions Expression Session is returning in 2014 with the cream of European performance surfing taking on the best in Ireland. The event is the only event in Ireland/UK to be accredited by ASP Euope and is this year being sponsored by Quiksilver and Roxy. The event format as usual is ‘best move/air’ and is organised in a way to allow the surfers to express themselves and push their performance.
“It is a really spectator friendly format”, said Pete Craig event organiser. “Most surf events are quote technical and not really that engaging for non-surfers. This unique format allows for and encourages explosive surfing that everyone can get”, he said.
The competitors will range from countries such as France, Spain, Portugal the Caribbean, UK and Ireland.
William Alotti (St Martinque) is returning to defend his title and is an early favourite. Toby Donachie (UK) was one of the standout performers last years with some huge boosts is also returning to challenge William for a total prize pot of €3000.
Noah Lane (Australia) was the dark horse of the event last year and after having settled in Bundoran may have some local knowledge that might aid him this year.
Irish Talent
Geroid McDaid (Sligo) and Andrew Meanie (Castlerock NI) were the top local performers last year and will be hoping to show the international surfers the best Ireland has to offer. Geroid in particular has been making his mark on the international scene over the winter.
Bodyboarding
Sea Sessions will again have a bodyboard event that will showcase the best bodyboarders in Ireland. Ireland is at the forefront of European bodyboarding with images of Irish chargers circulating all around the world. This event will be looking at establishing who the best bodyboarder in Ireland is at the moment.
Getting Retro
New for 2014 is the Malin Waters fish challenge. The fish challenge will see a selection of local surfers and the travelling pros attack the waves in some old school shapes.
Fish boards are all about fun and funky lines so this event will be judged on style. The event is more of a fun event and all the surfers will be forced to surf the boards that have been selected for the event so it should produce some interesting outcomes.
Niall Hassett and Monica Twomey of Quiksilver/Roxy Ireland said that with an event of this size to get the opportunity to get involved was fantastic.
“It is great to see how the festival has grown and developed over the last seven years to become the major event on the Irish festival calendar. Not only has it survived it has gotten bigger and bigger every year and that’s a real testament to all who are involved.
“We are delighted to be bringing the Quiksilver Expression Sessions to Sea Sessions as it is a hugely important fixture in Irish surfing as it is the only event on the ASP fixture list in Ireland and the UK. That shows what high regard the event is held across the surfing community not just in Ireland but internationally.
“We travel an awful lot with work, and everywhere we go we are always asked about the west coast of Ireland and Bundoran in particular. The waves in Ireland are really making waves in the surf community and it is fantastic that we have an event that can show this off in such a good way.
“And what a musical line up to see after a hard days competing, not sure which I am looking forward to more, the surf or the tunes, but that’s the good thing about a festival you can have loads of both” he said.