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The largest storm in a decade set up the perfect conditions on the West Coast
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2 years she has lived here! More, if you include her first stint. With a body surfin' pro of a father, a board happy family (Paul, Andy, Marty, etc.), and years of coastal CA shredding experience - who'd have thought it would take Erin this long to brave the swell of the Cold Water paradise?! But that's what she did this weekend past. A few years out of the game, it was time for EKD to reconnect with the Ocean (albeit a different one).
I've been a few times this year - always Portrush, a town an hour North of us with a moderate swell tempered by its location on the North East. But this storm forecast promised something special and there are two places you can go which could be called temples of the tube! Clare and Donegal/Sligo. On Friday we packed our bags and hit the road for the 2.5 hour drive to the southern most town of Co. Donegal... Bundoran.
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| Our rented home for the weekend |
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| And the view from the end of our lane |
Saturday was forecast to be moderate. The surf was messy and we did the best we could. It was fun surfing with my wife in Ireland for the first time. We tried to catch a couple of waves together. It was a tad frustrating. Very short period sets. The sun was out though. All was going well until one fateful wave...... Not since I first started dating Erin or since I had to convince Jon to let her marry me have I feared the men in her life so much. Jon, Paul, Andy, Marty, Uncle Kel - I swear it was an accident. For once I'm thankful there are 6,000 miles between us.
It sat up! A nice wee 3 footer. Building slowly, Erin beckoned for me to catch it. We took a few smooth paddles, popped, and ta-da! The Maddens united in surf finally. Erin turned to come towards me - a mid-wave snuggle. What could be a more telling sign of our love. As she neared Niall thought "here she comes. rather close now. nothing to worry about big fella! you're a coordinated young chap with a bit of surf exper... centre of gravity is oddly far back at this point chum! you sure you know what you're.....O.....M....G". As I flew back, Erin crossed my bow, proud as punch and happy to see me. Punch is an unfortunate word. In slow motion I watched as my 7'10" hardboard turned into a projectile locked on square beneath her eyes.........
Forever I will rue that day. Saturday, October 27th 2013. There has not been a night that has gone by since that I don't wake in a cold sweat having heard that CLUNK resonate in my ears. I cannot forgive myself. For 2 years I have been protector over this woman, shielding her from all harm and providing for her as she tends to me. Now I must protect her from myself.
With my shaken confidence there was no way I was braving the 20+ft forecast for the Sunday. Instead, our instructor (we got lessons) told us to head to Mullaghmore in Co. Sligo to a big wave surf spot and watch in awe as jetskis towed madmen into certain doom.
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| The surf crew! Mostly guys from my work. |
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| We braved first light on Sunday to catch a glimpse of the pros. |
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| These boyos are mad! Can you spot the surfer? |
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| Mullaghmore was an enchanting place |
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| A stately residence with a stellar view! |
Video from the film crew on Sunday
So now the process of self-retribution begins. Firstly, I bought her a digital piano. I'd say that's about 30% credit towards the charge of grevious bodily harm. I'll keep you posted on how I make up the other 70%....
