VOTE NOW....

The AIB AWARDS/Surf2Heal vote lines have been opened! Please text "KINSALE C" to 53099 to log your vote.

John, Alayne and Nollig have put a huge amount of work into Surf2heal. To win this award would allow them to continue to provide a calming environment for kids with autism through surfing.

Voting ends on the 6th June. Each text vote costs 60c (including VAT) plus standard network charges, and all proceeds (after operator charges & VAT) will go to the relevant short-listed group.

Check out www.surf2heal.com right after you cast your vote. Tell you friends, family, colleagues and people you dont know to text 'KINSALE C" to 53099.

Surf2Heal

Last night we wandered up the the Surf2Heal table quiz at Scotts in the big smoke and bright lights of Cork city. Arrived at 8pm and its a good job we did cause we got the last table, it was packed solid! Jon Hynes from G-Town Surf School was throughly entertaining as MC with bad D'unbelievables impressions, quick wit, spot prizes galore and a very well organised event. The pretty faces behind the scenes are Nollaig and Alayne, co-organisers and score keepers - Dont know how good a job they did cause my team where not on the prize list - Stewards enquiry on that one I think!

Event winners where a table from EMC so congrats to them. Murphys kindly donated a couple of kegs to this very worthy cause, as I'm sure a few heads will testify this morning, went down very well!

Check out www.surf2heal.com for further info

After a bit of a flat spell surf is looking promising this weekend so hopefully we will see some of you down at the beach. If not for a surf then a mean hot chocolate from CoffeeDock.

Before you go for the hot chocolate at CoffeeDock though, suit-up, get wet and take part in the Dawn to Dusk Surf this Sunday(20Apr), also organised by Jon, Alayne and Nollaig from Surf2Heal. The idea being to have somebody in the water from 6am till the sun goes down. Please lend you support to this event.

As usual we are open seven days a week if you are passing be sure to pop in....

Andrew

Stand-Up-Paddleboarding

Stand up paddelboarding, given a second wind by Laird Hamilton is proving to be a popular alternative when the waves are not as you wish. This surfboard is suitable on flat water, lakes, point or beach breaks. SUP's are ideal for endurance paddles and a fantastic core training method. Board size varies depending on ability and purpose. Longer boards for distance, shorter boards for increased performance on waves. As these are new to the line-up as with surfing there is etiquette involved. As you are using a paddle and a board 4-5ft longer than your average surfboard, you have a considerable advantage with your speed and flotation over other surfers allowing you to catch a wave before anybody else. You also have the obvious superior vantage point from standing on the board. So no hogging the waves!!!

When in the line-up, be considerate to other surfers and call out the sets when they come.

I have had my board for a year now and can highly recommend them. Perfect for those flat, hot summer days when you just want to get in the water and go explore.

Boards are available from Offshore including paddles and instructional dvd's.

If you are interested in taking the next step check out www.surfgtown.com for information on lessons starting on the 08Apr08 with Jon Hynes from G-Town Surf School.

In conjunction with G-Town we are offering a free carbon fibre paddle with every SUP purchased in store on production of a Surf G-Town SUP lesson receipt.(Offer ends 31May)

Find what you've been surfing for......

Easter Bonanza

In one style of Ladies Clothing and one style of Mens clothing lies a hidden prize. Offshore goodie bag to be one by purchasing the winning style this Easter weekend.

Also 40% off all winter wetsuits in stock. All suits must go.

We are open all weekend so since there is no surf at the mo', pop in to top up on wax, get your board repaired, or choose from our impressive dvd selection. Bodyboards, booties, clothing, leashes, wax combs, hoods, gloves, ear plugs, bags, towels all in stock. Latest Surfers Path featuring a write-up on Irish Surf movie "Waveriders", and a search for the left-hander featured in the surf movie classic, Litmus in Fins magazine. Stormrider guides, surf forecasting books and much more also in stock.

So come on in and check it out.

Free sex

FREE SEX....FREE SEX.......FREE SEX.......wax with every purchase for the next week. Also 40% off all wetsuits while stocks last. Summer is coming so avail of this fantastic offer as soon as you can. Majority of summer stock now in store, Latest Irish surf movie SEA FEVER documenting Aileens now in store aswell as 50 other titles. Hardware and accessories for all your surfing needs. Find what you've been surfin for.....

Offshore

Waveriders

22Feb08 - 2030 - Cineplex, Parnell St, Dublin.

A few of us made the journey from the Rebel county upto Dublin to check out the impressive, Waveriders - The latest Irish surf movie featuring Richie Fitzgerald from Surfworld, Bundoran and Professional Surfer Gabe Davies, The Malloy Brothers and one Mr Kelly Slater as they surf Irelands big waves spots including Alieens and the climatic Mullaghmore. After a few brief words from the director, producer and cast on the production the lights went down to some hoots and whistles from the sold-out audience.

The film was well received with a detailed history of how surfing came about by George Freeth, the worlds first lifeguard in California. The minute this film gets a general release make sure you get a chance to see it on the big screen for the full effect and sheer scale.

Well done lads, it was worth the wait.

Andrew

Surf Info/Paddle Sandycove

Offshore Surf shop and G-Town Surf School have set the bar for fundraising having raised over 1200euro from two events run over 26/27Jan08 in aid of the Old Head Cliff and Rescue and the RNLI.

On the 26Jan they ran a Introductory surf night in the Speckled door for Beginner and Intermediate Surfers. Entry was free and there was plenty of prizes to encourage raffle tickets to be bought. Top prizes included a 7’9 BIC Board Package including bag, leash and wax and a Rip Curl Core wetsuit.

There were three speakers on the night first up was Jon Hynes from G-Town Surf school to discuss water safety, surf etiquette, water currents and other beach hazards to be made aware of. Presented on the big screen Jon’s talk was a great introduction to the evening with Jon’s humour coming through in spades.

It was an honor to have Jason Coniry’s company for the evening representing Rip Curl/Incide Surf Shop to talk us through the different technical aspects of wetsuits, booties and hoods and everything you need to stay warm in the water and innovations still in the pipeline with this leading wetsuit brand.

Local surfing legend Dr David Nagle was generous enough to donate his time and dare I say it ample years of surfing experience to explain common health issues for surfers who are spending a lot of time in the water and prevention methods. Dr Nagle has been surfing 37years, when he talks, everybody listens.

The evening ended with the raffle. Congratulations to Billy Nyhan who is the proud owner of the Rip Curl wetsuit and to Ed Leach who won the BIC Board Package.

The 27Jan was the date set for phase two of Operation ‘raise money’. Location was Sandycove Island, Time – 11am. Local Swimmers got to the water first and the surfers held back give them a head start.

Paddle Sandycove is in its first year and there was a great turnout from the local community to support the 1.1mile paddle.

The underaged took to the water first making it to the island and back in record time, the ‘Overaged’ joined them in the water for photos before taking on the journey around the island. Conditions were close to ideal with the sun making an appearance and very little swell made the event a huge success.

The Cliff and Rescue team and the RNLI were on hand offering support and a few rescue demonstrations to keep the crowds entertained during the event.

Hot Drinks were available from Coffeedock with all proceeds being donated to the cause.

Stand up paddleboards made a special appearance on the day courtesy of Offshore Surf Shop and G-Town Surf School offering participants a chance to try them out. Don’t worry if you did’nt get a chance. Watch this space for further details.

The RNLI/Cliff and Rescue Old Head are volunteers and are on call 24/7. As water users they watch over us, even though we don’t see them, if anything happened they would be there asap. Some interesting facts are that it costs 300euro to send a member of the group on a radio course, 1000 euro to train a rescue boat coxman and if it comes to the worst and a rescue has to be made it can cost upto 2000euro. Any further donations can be made at Offshore Surf Shop or G-Town Surf School.

Offshore Surf Shop and G-town Surf School would like to thank all the participants over the weekend, The Speckled door, Jason Coniry of Rip Curl, Dr David Nagle and all the people who supported this very worthy cause.