Bundoran

2nd September 2011

'Soul Surfer' Gala Screening at Eurosurf 2011

A new film telling the true story of Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton will have its gala Irish screening following the opening ceremony of Eurosurf 2011 in Bundoran on Saturday 24 September.

http://afloat.ie/watersport/surfing/

Soul Surfer stars AnnaSophia Robb as Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack yet battled against all odds to become a champion again.

The film features an all-star cast including Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood in her film debut.

The story also has a special connection to Bundoran, as Bethany Hamilton is descended from a well-known family in the area. Bethany even visited the town some years ago to find out more about her heritage.

"We are thrilled to have the gala Irish screening of Soul Surfer as part of the opening festivities for Eurosurf," said press officer Shane Smyth. "Such an inspirational film is bound to inject even more enthusiasm for the competitors taking part in the European Surfing Championships as the contest prepares to kick off.

"Having already seen the film, I can say that viewers are in for a treat – some stunning photography and some awesome surfing.”

The European Surfing Championships take place in Bundoran from 24 September to 2 October.

A new film telling the true story of Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton will have its gala Irish screening following the opening ceremony of Eurosurf 2011 in Bundoran on Saturday 24 September.

Soul Surfer stars AnnaSophia Robb as Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack yet battled against all odds to become a champion again.

The film features an all-star cast including Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood in her film debut.

The story also has a special connection to Bundoran, as Bethany Hamilton is descended from a well-known family in the area. Bethany even visited the town some years ago to find out more about her heritage.

"We are thrilled to have the gala Irish screening of Soul Surfer as part of the opening festivities for Eurosurf," said press officer Shane Smyth. "Such an inspirational film is bound to inject even more enthusiasm for the competitors taking part in the European Surfing Championships as the contest prepares to kick off.

"Having already seen the film, I can say that viewers are in for a treat – some stunning photography and some awesome surfing.”

The European Surfing Championships take place in Bundoran from 24 September to 2 October.

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21st August 2011

Ireland Among FT's 'Hottest Emerging Surf Spots'

The Financial Times has highlighted Ireland as one of the world's top emerging surfing destinations.

http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/surfing/

"The quality of Irish surf has been recognised for many years, writes adventure journalist Alf Alderson, "but it’s only recently that it has really taken off as a top destination for everyone from beginner to big wave expert."

Bundoran in Co Sligo gets the biggest props among the west coast's surfing hotspots, boasting a range of surf for everyone from beginners to expert waveriders.

But Ireland's largest waves at Mullaghmore Point also get their due - with its 50 foot swells putting it in league with the best in the world.

http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/surfing/item/15024-surfers-take-on-big-waves-in-sligo/

The Financial Times has more on the story HERE.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/f3ab7fb0-c4cf-11e0-9c4d-00144feabdc0.html

The Financial Times has highlighted Ireland as one of the world's top emerging surfing destinations.

"The quality of Irish surf has been recognised for many years, writes adventure journalist Alf Alderson, "but it’s only recently that it has really taken off as a top destination for everyone from beginner to big wave expert."

Bundoran in Co Sligo gets the biggest props among the west coast's surfing hotspots, boasting a range of surf for everyone from beginners to expert waveriders.

But Ireland's largest waves at Mullaghmore Point also get their due - with its 50 foot swells putting it in league with the best in the world.

The Financial Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Surfing

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3rd August 2011

Kilfeather Retains Irish Open Surf Title

Stephen Kilfeather retained his Irish Open Surfing Championship title at last weekend's County Sligo Open.

http://afloat.ie/watersport/surfing/

The 24-year-old Sligo native squeaked past fellow Team Ireland members Cain Kilcullen and Ronan Oertzen to clinch the title for the second year in a row at the final event of the 2011 Irish surfing tour.

“I’m stoked to win it again," said Kilfeather, who also came first at the weekend. "Back to back for two years running is a great achievement.”

He said the competition was “a great warm-up for the European Surfing Championships in Bundoran" next month.

Team Ireland members did well in the overall rankings in Sligo, with John Britton taking the senior title, Ashleigh Smith the women’s body board title, Shane Meehan the Bodyboard title, Easkey Britton the women’s title and John McCurry regaining the longboard title. Team Ireland manager Stevie Burns was also successful, winning the Masters title.

Stephen Kilfeather retained his Irish Open Surfing Championship title at last weekend's County Sligo Open.

The 24-year-old Sligo native squeaked past fellow Team Ireland members Cain Kilcullen and Ronan Oertzen to clinch the title for the second year in a row at the final event of the 2011 Irish surfing tour.

“I’m stoked to win it again," said Kilfeather, who also came first at the weekend. "Back to back for two years running is a great achievement.”

He said the competition was “a great warm-up for the European Surfing Championships in Bundoran" next month.

Team Ireland members did well in the overall rankings in Sligo, with John Britton taking the senior title, Ashleigh Smith the women’s body board title, Shane Meehan the Bodyboard title, Easkey Britton the women’s title and John McCurry regaining the longboard title. Team Ireland manager Stevie Burns was also successful, winning the Masters title.

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22nd April 2011

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Rescues Swimmer

A female swimmer was rescued from the sea at Bundoran, Co. Donegal by Bundoran RNLI lifeboat yesterday afternoon. The alarm was raised by a member of the public before 4.00pm. The swimmer was aided by another person in the water off the main beach in Bundoran and then she was brought ashore safely by the RNLI crew.

Commenting after the call out, lifeboat press officer Colm Hamrogue said, "We are delighted that the young swimmer is home safe and sound. We also want to thank the member of the public for calling out the lifeboat. We advise everybody to take care when enjoying the water over the coming summer months. It is important to follow safety advice when taking to the water.

Irish lifeboat rescue news here

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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31st August 2010

Bundoran RNLI Pushes the Boat Out

This Saturday (4 September 2010) Bundoran RNLI lifeboat crew will literally be pushing the boat out to raise funds for the life saving charity. They will be holding a boat push from Ballyshannon to Bundoran in Donegal and want people to turn out and cheer them on during their 9.5km push.

The boat push will start on Donegal Road in Ballyshannon at noon and members of the lifeboat crew will have buckets with them on the route for people to make a donation.

The fundraising drive comes as Bundoran RNLI recently received a new state of the art Atlantic 85 lifeboat. The new lifeboat can carry a fourth crewmember and has more room for casualties. It can also reach speeds of up to 35 knots in responding to an emergency.

Commenting on the fundraiser, lifeboat press officer Colm Hamrogue said, "The lifeboat crew wanted to do something a bit different to raise funds for the station. Many people have done a bed push but not too many people have done a boat push, which makes sense for a lifeboat station. Our volunteer crew count on the generous support of the public to ensure that the RNLI can continue to provide all year search and rescue coverage and we hope to get lots of support on Saturday."

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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28th July 2010

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Has a Busy Day with Two Callouts.

Bundoran RNLI lifeboat was called out twice yesterday (Tuesday, 27 July) to two individual callouts in Bundoran, Co. Donegal. The first call out was to three children off the main beach in Bundoran. Two of the children had been taken to shore by local beach lifeguards and the lifeboat brought the third child to shore safety. The three children received first aid and oxygen and then were taken to Sligo General Hospital by ambulance. They were three children from the one family on holiday in Bundoran from Co. Down.

The second callout was to two adults in their mid twenties who were walking on the famous “Rougey Walk” and stepped off the walk, on to the rocks at the Fairy Bridges and with the large swell in the waves, the two persons got into difficulties with their dog. The lifeboat crew assisted the two persons to get back to safe ground on the shore.

Commenting after the callouts, Colm Hamrogue, Press Officer, Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat said, “Thankfully everyone was rescued safely today. It is very important to be fully aware of your surrounding when enjoying sea for the rest of the summer. When you are on the shore and you see something you are not sure of, please do not hesitating in calling the RNLI Lifeboat on 112. It is better to be safe than sorry as we want everyone to have a safe and happy summer.