Introducing X Surf Series

A little series that began on Instagram...

For all the women here and the ones I haven’t featured yet; the young ones like Seren in surf league, the ones who are away travelling, the original ones who were surfing here long before I blew in, the ones who are in the sea all the time but no one has ever thought to capture it for you, the ones who are so shy and humble they quietly asked me not to be featured. I salute you.

Big thanks to all the women and men who helped me collate this little series.

Kate Bluett

Trainee Psychotherapist, keen short boarder, likes going left at the beach and Cornish. Prone to “blueisms”, moments of silliness in hilarious quotes, suffering from a bad back but as keen as anyone to be in the sea. Guaranteed to make you chuckle.

Alison Derham

Occupational therapist & Ballymaloe cookery school graduate, mostly seen at Cregg, comfortable with a longboard or shortboard under her feet. Environmental activist. Bakes the best desserts in west Clare.

Marese Mannion

The Surfing GP, math genius with the energy of a Labrador puppy, often charges the biggest days at our reefs with the lads. As fearless as they come, & one of the strongest women I know. Her boards seem to be shrinking in the wash, does not understand the meaning of a quiet night in.

Sophie Bradford

Tri-lingual Teacher & Organic Gardener. Often seen in questionable farm attire, her surfing ability has improved more in two years than any other surfer I know. Shit taste in films but always mad for the craic.

Sarah Courtney

Paramedic, our local hero. Never off duty and first response to most incidents in west Clare. 4 legged sidekick named coco who has a bit of a reputation around town. Often found kitesurfing but surfs and SUPs too, any craft goes. Mostly surfs the beach, hoping to see her at the reefs more since returning from a trip to Indo. Has been known to drink champagne in fancy dress in our local so that no one recognises her. Lover of weird food combinations.

Ailbhe McMahon

Physiotherapist and all-round charger. Used to be on a longboard but more often than not seen on a shortboard frequenting the rights and lefts of west Clare. Completed a 10-day silent vipassana, plays the harp beautifully and recently fractured her eye socket in a collision with her board. Made eye patches sexy.

Lexi Keating

Physical therapist and new mother left Florida sunshine for tropical Clare. Organic foodie, supportive sunshine sister and animal lover. On a longboard since the birth of Samhradh but a sneaky suspicion her shortboard career will be reinstated come summertime. Always wearing something bright.

Liz Quinn

Surf School Manager with a permanent tan. Hilariously honest & brutally blunt. You’ll find her longboarding at the beach, Cornish or Moy. Quite partial to a board game and a bottle of red. One of the few people who look good in yellow.

Grace Brady

Language teacher, organic foodie, gardener and dessert maker. Known to the children as Farmer Grace. Longboards the beach & Cornish. Always a good dinner guest. Loves her Nokia 3210.

Trish Blount

Nurse and mother of 3 beautiful girls, a powerful & strong woman, size and crowd don’t bother her. Always an absolute delight to see in the lineup, you will hear her hooting at Cornish when relieved from parenting duties. Water baby, in the pool more than on the land.

Sally Smith

Organic farmer and mother of 1 or maybe 2 by now. The widest grin & heartiest laugh. Big waves and baby bumps do not phase her, pictured here kneeboarding with baby Sunshine, 2 hearts beating inside her, and her tribe alongside. Will be seen cruising on a black glittery single fin. Environmental activist and spiritual mama bear.

Olga Dragon

Video Editor, just returned from a couple of months surfing in South Africa. Shortboarder mostly found cruising over at Doolin. Dog lover, craft beer drinker & ukulele player. Coolest surname to boot.

Emily Courtney

Occupational therapist. Longboards, mostly at the beach. Always has a smile and a cheeky joke. Loves her goji berries as much as her parties. Komboucha pusher.

Sanja

Distributor for Ozone Kites. Longboarder, shortboarder and kite-surfer, never far from her dog and her van. Splits her time between here and Germany. Mostly surfs Doolin and Moy but occasionally found on a solid day at the reefs, gentle on land but fierce In the waves. Lights out by 8 pm.

Lisa O'Reilly

Counsellor and Psychotherapist, business owner, mostly seen longboarding Moy right but perfectly capable at the other reefs too, packed full of energy, if not surfing she will be walking, running or in the gym. Energiser bunny.

Vanessa Bohem

Yoga Teacher and property manager. Longboards and snowboards, has apparently been practising her yoga moves in the ocean. Fancy dress wearer and cocktail maker. Mad crochet skills. Has a special laugh just for cat videos.

Seren Brangwyn

To all the women I haven’t featured yet; The young ones like Seren here in surf league, the ones who are away travelling, the original ones who were surfing here long before I blew in, the ones who are in the sea all the time but no ones ever thought to capture it for you, the ones who are so shy and humble they quietly asked me not to be featured.
Big thanks to all the women and men who helped me collate this little series, the ones who took the photos and helped write bios at all hours when I was stuck for words. I salute you.
TO BE CONTINUED….