The IT Sligo Surf Club were declared ‘Irish Student Surfing Champions’ at the Irish Student National Surfing Championships in Portrush on February 19 and 20.
A team of six IT Sligo surfers captained and coached by IT Sligo lecturer Kerry Larkin, took home five gold medals, one silver and the title of Irish Student National Surfing Champions 2011.
The event was hosted by University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus Surf Club and took place in West Strand, Portrush.
The waves were small but perfect for competition with IT Sligo Ronan Ortzen of Health Science and Ione Byrne of Applied Archaeology performing exceptionally well.
The women’s longboard title was taken in style by Ione Byrne who surfed with style and dominated this event, whilst Ronan Ortzen proved why he is considered one of the strongest surfers in the country, easily winning the men’s open division.
The IT Sligo team demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise, dominating all categories they entered.
In the Men’s Bodyboard, IT Sligo’s Ryan McEnroe pulled off all the stops and claimed the gold medal and managed to retain his title for a second year in a row. Nicky Schiffer managed to claim 1st place in the Women’s Bodyboard after seeing off some stiff competition, and IT Sligo’s Christian McCleod was narrowly pushed into second place to take silver in the men’s longboard division.
The Sligo Surf Club also provided lessons for 20 novice members of the club over the weekend, including IT Sligo Erasmus students Daniela Peifer and Maike Möllers.
The IT Sligo Surf Club will host the Competition next year in Sligo and it is intended to develop IT Sligo as a surfing and educational hot spot for young and up and coming surfers.
Team Members and Categories:
Team Captain: Kerry Larkin
Ranking Categories
Ronan Ortzen: First Place, Men’s Open (Exercise Health Science) Ione Byrne: First Place, Ladies Longboard (Applied Archaeology) Ryan McEnroe: First place, Men’s Body Board (Bachelor of Business Studies) Nicole Schiffer: First place, Ladies Bodyboard (International Marketing) Christian McLeod: Second Place, Men’s Longboard (Mechanical Engineering) Dan Simpson: Men’s Open Semi Finalist (Exercise Health Science)
Other Categories
Christian Mcleod: First place, Stand Up Paddle Board (Mechanical Engineering)
Team Ancillary Support:
Peter Kelly (BBS Recreation & Leisure)
Dean Loftus (BBS Recreation & Leisure)
Sean Costello (BBS Recreation & Leisure)
Cian Corrigan (BBS Recreation & Leisure)
Ronan Bilboa (BBS Recreation & Leisure
From Left to Right are Irish Student National Surfing Champions 2011; Ione Byrne (with cup), Christian McLeod (seated), Ryan McEnroe (seated at back), Nicole Schiffer (on surfboard), Ronan Ortzen (kneeling in front), Dan Simpson ( standing at back holding board) and team coach and captain, IT Sligo lecturer Kerry Larkin.