Mikey at work

Mikey Clancy  IWA representative on the PWA world tour had a great final  event in the exceptionally tough conditions in Sylt, Germany last week. With huge winds and  rough seas Mikey coped very well  with the conditions winning a second round elimination which should put him close to an  overall top 20 tour placing for 2009. It was Mikey’s first year to compete on the PWA tour having competed in  IWA events now for a number of years. Its back to College in DIT marketing student and then on to Belmullet for the Irish Championships in October, For more info on Mikey see PWA.com and Mikeys website mikeyclancy.com

In his 3rd World Event in three months next week, having competed well in Pozo and just finished the bruising Reunion Wave Classic last week  in Reunion it’s now on to the Super World Cup in Sylt Germany over the next couple of weeks.

We wish him the best.

Round 2 of the Irish Windsurfing Association Wave Championships was held in Achill Island, over the weekend of the 5-6th September 2009.  Full report by Patrick Kavanagh on bigsurf.ie

Happy Birthday!

WOWI  is a celebration of all the hard work put in by its members and the great long lasting friendships made from this group – not to mention tons of windsurfin’. This event is open to everybody with a love of the water; so do come along and bring your friends!

Here’s a flavour of what will be on over the weekend: Red Bull Tent | Demo Gear | Fancy Dress Party [theme - anything beginning with ‘w’] | GPS Equipment available | DJ and Live Music | Great food in Spillanes Pub | Table Quiz | discount on gear rental & lessons through Jamie Knox | Spot Prizes |

Full details online here www.wowi.ws

Mikey Clancy( IR253) is to take part in the ‘ International Reunion Wave Classic 2009′ Windsurfing Contest from 4th – 16th September on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. The event will feature: Thomas Traversa, Victor Fernandez, Klaus Voget, Camille Juban, Scott Mckercher, Robin Goffinet, Colin Siffenlo, JB Caste, Julian Taboulet, Dani Bruch and Alex Mussolini.

All the Windsurfers will be self judged and a DVD of the action will follow. Mikey made his PWA debut at the World Cup in Pozo earlier this year.  Mikey says “I’m stoked to get to the Reunion Classic and I’ll see how my new kit of boards and sails get on. Most of those taking part are guys who’s style I admire and Victor is a mate of mine so it should be fun to  rock out there with these guys, I cant wait to get there!”

For further info on this kid go to www.mikeyclancy.com

Achill Island

WindWise Watersports and the Irish Windsurfing Association are holding Round 2 of the National Windsurfing Wavesailing Championships on Achill Islands Tramore Strand (Keel beach) on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of September 2009.

The best wave sailors from the around the country will come to compete for the top spots and strutt their stuff on the water. Spectators watching the event will be blown away by the huge jumps and loops being pulled off by the competitors. They will also see some awesome wave riding; set to the backdrop of the beautiful Minuan Cliffs.

WindWise Watersports have been hosting the Wavesailing Championships for 6 years and each year grows from strength to strength. Local business play a key part in the success of the event giving prizes and support. The event also has a fun fleet for people interested in seeing what it all about or just in it for the fun. Registration takes place in the Minuan View bar on Friday 4th or on the beach on Saturday morning. Saturday night is all about letting the hair down, a raffle for the competitors takes place in Achill Head Hotel and then on to Club Zamba.

For more information on the Event contact WindWise on 098 43958 or Check out www.windwise.ie

ISS Galway

After four very succesful rounds of the 2009 Irish Slalom Series, Ireland’s top windsurfers will travel west for the final opportunity to battle it out for the 2009 National titles. The event will take place on Silver Strand beach. Fleets for all levels will be run with plenty of free coaching and the buddy system. An expected turnout of 80 competitors will ensure some exciting racing. Lunches will be provided on both days by Magnetti Italian foods. A special accomadation rate of €95 (2 B&B + 1 Dinner) – check out www.waterfront.ie An event dinner will also take place on Saturday night at the Galway Bay Hotel. Whether your a seasoned windsurfer or just interested in having a look – get youreself down to Silver Strand on Sept 12th/ 13th to witness the high speed action. Check out www.irishslalom.ie for more details.

ISS 5 Cork

August 15th and 16th saw the Irish Slalom Series travel to Co.Cork for Round 5 of what has been a fantastic year so far. With wind at every event this year Cork would prove no different. Saturday morning dawned with a fresh SW breeze. The ISS team hit the road at 7am in search of the most suitable beach. With insufficient breeze in Coolmaine, the event was moved to GarryLucas. By 9am, local event organiser Pearse Geaney (www.bigsurf.ie) was kitting out the beach for the days racing.

With registration complete and the beach awash with colourful sails, competitors were summoned to the briefing. Many local sailors took the opportunity to enter there first event, while Gartan OEC’s John Boycee ensured Ireland’s top young sailors made the 9 hour trip from Downings.  Race officer, Greg Day explained the race course to the 51 strong fleet. The gold fleet course was a 4 mark downwind course, while the silver fleet battled it out on a shorter course. The silver fleet aided by their gold fleet buddies kicked off the racing on the button at 11am. (more…)

Slalom - Cork

After one of the biggest windsurfing events held in Ireland over the past 15 years we are now less than two weeks away from the penultimate round of the Irish Slalom Series.

Downings was a major success with over 130 competitors ranging in age from 6 to 72. Check out the event report, photos and results on www.irishslalom.ie Thanks to all of you who helped promote this event – well done to all involved!!!!

Round 5 being held in Coolmaine, Co Cork on August 15th/ 16th – hosted by www.bigsurf.ie

- Racing for Gold and Silver Fleets only
- Excellent location
- Hot lunches on the beach both days supplied by Cully & Sully
- Excellent prizes – great list of sponsors
- Guaranteed fun on Sat Nite in the famous party town of Kinsale
- Buddy System for Silver Fleet
- Further details, NOR and Party details @ www.irishslalom.ie

Mikey in action at Pozo

Mikey Clancy IR-253 has just competed for Ireland in the PWA World Cup event in Pozo Gran Canaria winning a double elimination round and 25th in the wave event. 19 year Mikey told us “It was an amazing experience to compete at such a high level,the intensity of the competition is unreal. I was really nervous in my first round against Peter Voltwater but really got into it in my Double elimination rounds”. “The heats were 12 minutes duration and I was going for everything including doubles and would have got further if the wind had not dropped when I was up against Robbie Swift “. An exhausted but happy Clancy finally said “We have the best conditions to train in here in Ireland and I know now whats needed for me to break into the worlds top 20 sometime in the future”. See www.mikeyclancy.com and PWA for more reports videos images .