Irish surf attracts world's best

Dave Macauley from Australia takes part in the event

by BBC surfing writer Simon Alexander

No fewer than 15 world champions have been lured to one of Ireland's premier surfing locations to do battle at the Quiksilver World Masters Championships.

The 10-day event at Bundoran in County Donegal, is a coup for the Republic of Ireland since it is the first time the contest has been held north of France.

There are world-class waves in Bundoran

Wayne Bartholomew

Defending grand masters champion Michael Ho from Hawaii, and masters supremo Australian legend Gary "Kong" Elkerton, will have to pull out all the stops in their surfing repertoire at Bundoran's renowned reef, The Peak.

The years have been kind to them both; their skill, balance and aggression fine-tuned for this event.

Ireland's hopes

But it is the will to win which is the real driving force behind their bid to make it back onto the winner's podium.

Britain's hopes rest with Welsh "Wizard" Carwyn Williams and Grant Robinson and Henry Moore from Ireland.

Robinson, originally from Belfast, has three Irish open amateur titles under his belt and two European Masters titles, the last won at Bundoran in 1997.

A teacher for almost 20 years, he currently works with children with learning difficulties in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

The Peak is a place he views as home and to surf there is a dream come true.

He said: "It's a bit like getting a wildcard for Wimbledon at the end of your career.

"I'm surfing against the heroes which I looked up to during my early days of surfing. I'm just going to enjoy myself and if I can beat a couple of them, I'll be stoked."

For Moore, it has been a case of the luck of the Irish.

He stepped into the shoes of ex-world champion Mark Occhilupo forced to pull out with a back injury.

A well-respected local in Bundoran he intends making the most of his chances.

"It was a surprise but a wonderful opportunity to share waves with some of the world's greatest surfers. I'm going to savour every moment," he said.

World surfing kings

The line-up reads like a who's who of surfing history and brings together 32 of the sport's all-time greats including four-times world champion Mark Richards, fans favourite, American Tom Curren and Sydney's Tom Carroll, recognised by many as one of the best free surfers in the world.

The president of the Association of Surfing Professionals, the sport's governing body, Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, says staging the event in Ireland was not a difficult choice.

"There are world-class waves in Bundoran. This is the most well-travelled group of surfers in the world.

"Many have never been to Ireland before and for them the place conjurs up real intrigue and excitement."

The action continues until 8 September and the decision has already been taken to stage the next masters championships at Sunset Beach, in Hawaii, in March 2003.