The prowess and skill of IT Sligo’s students on the waves was rewarded in Strandhill, Co Sligo when the Institute’s surfing team won the 2016 National Intervarsities Surfing Championships.
IT Sligo beat off stiff competition to secure the overall team title for the second time in the Institute’s history.
The event which was streamed live online, was organised by the National Surfing Association (NSA) in conjunction with IT Sligo, and saw 148 competitors from 18 third level institutions take to the water.
“Conditions were very challenging for the surfers,” said Jack-Tim Murphy-Malone, one of the event organisers and President of the IT Surfing Club (pictured).
“Our surf club had been working towards this event since the start of the academic year,” said the Recreation & Leisure student, who also runs his own surf school in Curraroe, Co Wexford.
“The standard was very high, particularly in the men’s open event – but the atmosphere in the water amongst the competitors was very friendly – and showing the event live online helped capture the imagination of the wider surfing community.”
Surfers completed in a team event across five disciplines: the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Longboard, Bodyboard and Stand Up Paddling (SUP).
As well as winning the team prize, two IT Sligo students claimed individual titles. Gavin McCrea from Rossnowlagh, a Fine Art student, took gold in the men’s Longboard while Strandhill’s Aidan Kelly, who’s studying Pharmaceutical Science (online) won the Bodyboard event.
It is IT Sligo’s second Intervarsities title, having previously won the event in 2011.
Photo Caption:
Jack-Tim Murphy-Malone, President of IT Sligo Surf Club, was part of the winning Institute team in Strandhill last weekend.
The IT Sligo team & support crew:
Front Row: L- R: Ken Gunning, Daniel Simpson, Ronan Oertzen
Middle Row: L-R: Julliete Guichard, Marie Olsson, Killian Weir, Patrick Weis, Gavn McCrea, Jack-Tim Murphy
Back Row: L-R: Kerry Larkin, Nicole Martin, Ann-Marie Smith, Michaela Gaffney, Nis Kaden, Alex McCloy.