The people who aim to get NI active this summer
Longing for something exciting and different to do over the coming weeks? Lee Henry talks to a surf school owner in Portrush, the manager of a Co Londonderry outdoor activity centre and a mother who organises races in great places
We have had everyone here from Ulster rugby players to NW 200 riders who are fearless ‘I love being by these a, it has a calming effect and the North Coast waves are world class’
Carl Russell (35) is owner and manager of Troggs Surf School in Portrush. He says:
Itook over Troggs Surf School in 2005 and became manager and owner two years later. Since then, the school has progressed and is now the only award-winning Quiksilver and ASI surf school in Northern Ireland.
The activities we specialise in are surfing and stand up paddleboarding (SUP), for people all different ages and abilities.
We have three staff in surf school at present and we are all ASI level 1 or 2 Surf and Paddleboard Instructors with RLSS beach lifeguard qualifications.
The surf school is open all year round for lessons, but prime time bigger surf is from September through to April. Conditions outside those months are generally good for first timers or beginners.
We see a big pick up in July and August. The equipment that we use means that people can surf all year round without being too cold. Wetsuit technology is changing the game.
We have all kinds of people who come surfing with us, from kids in our camps to businesses, sporting teams and tourists from all areas of the world.
At kids camp, we spend time focusing on surf safety and awareness, which is essential for kids to stay safe when they go to the beach.
Ulster and Irish rugby players like Ruan Pienaar, Andrew Trimble and Johann Muller have surfed with us.
I think Andrew did his first lesson with myself and if I’m honest he was one of the fastest learners I’ve ever seen. I’m pretty sure he still surfs.
We’ve also had all the top NW 200 riders come along for a session and they were pretty fearless.
Most recently we had the Mini Lions rugby team.
They did a team building ses- sion with us before they went off to play in New Zealand.
With regards to the surf, the North Coast has its world-class days, without a doubt.
Having surfed many places all over the world, I have caught waves here on the North Coast that are as good as anywhere.
It may not happen quite as regularly as it does elsewhere, but when it’s good, this is the place I want to be with my friends, encouraging and laughing at each other.
It’s a breath-taking place with a large number of world class beaches in a pretty confined space. There is a great community spirit here and I love being a part of that.
We also get big waves over the winter.
All of Ireland offers fantastic surf and people perhaps don’t realise that. During the summer months it’s warmer and water temperature generally goes up, and I feel people are more attracted to outdoor sports at this time of year.
Many of the people who come to us like a challenge and follow a more active lifestyle.
I love being near and in the sea. It has a calming effect on me and to be able to combine my passion with my career is special.
I love to see people’s performance levels progress from something that my team or I have done.
To see people have fun and enjoy being active is great.”