Up to 20,000 visitors are expected to arrive in Bundoran this Friday as both spectators and competitors head to the European Surfing Championships, Eurosurf 2011.
The event is expected to generate €3m for the local economy and considerable exposure for Donegal as a tourism venue.
Bundoran has long been associated with world-class surfing along with the neighbouring surfing destinations of Rossnowlagh, Streedagh, Iascaigh and Enniscrone and is a natural home for the event.
To boost the appeal of the event, Bundoran town is gearing up to welcome the influx of surfers and will have plenty of music and entertainment on offer during the tournament including traditional Irish and contemporary music.
Mr Michael Ring T.D., Minister of State for Tourism and Sport welcomed the European Surfing Championships.
“I am very pleased to see such a prestigious and important surfing event taking place in the northwest. Eurosurf 2011 is not only an important surfing event but is also a positive showcase for Donegal and the northwest region as a tourism destination.
“I would like to welcome all visitors to Bundoran for this event and, with top class accommodation, music, culture, food and entertainment on offer, there will be plenty of opportunities for all to enjoy and sample a genuinely warm Irish welcome.”
The European Surfing Championship is a significant addition to Fáilte Ireland’s calendar of festivals and events and the tourism authority has been working closely with local businesses to ensure that the event is a great success and one that generates as much marketing value as possible, not just overseas but in Ireland as well.
Looking forward to the event Paul McLoone, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations in the Noth West, said –
“The development of surfing is crucial for the further development of tourism in Donegal. In fact, Fáilte Ireland believes that there is great potential along the whole western seaboard to grow our tourism industry by actively targeting adventure-loving visitors who are seeking outdoor activities and water sports such as surfing. An event like this provides us with the perfect marketing opportunity to show that market how good a product we really have.”
Eurosurf Bundoran 2011 can be described as the highlight of the European Surfing Calendar with 16 European countries to take part including Ireland, England, Wales, Channel Islands, Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, Malta.
Ireland is currently ranked 8th in Europe with France and Spain at positions one and two respectively.
One of Ireland’s best known surfers Al Mennie, who has surfed the biggest ever recorded swell in Irish waters (on December 1st, 2007), ranks his home country highly as a surfing destination –
“I’ve travelled all over the globe to surf yet I’ve discovered some of the best waves in the world right here in Ireland. The Irish coastline faces into the wild North Atlantic providing everything from one foot mellow beach break waves to 60 foot expert only monsters.
“We have waves at golden beaches, long point breaks, shallow slabs and huge offshore reef breaks – there really is something to suit every level of surfer here in Ireland. It’s amazing to see our coastline introduce some of the world’s best surfers to some of the world’s best waves.”
For further information, please see editor’s note attached. More details on the event are available at http://eurosurfbundoran.com/ .
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