SHE’S well-known around these parts but Irish champion surfer Easkey Britton’s decision to become the first female surfer in Iran (complete with hijab swimwear) is to broadcast on French TV.
The Rossnowlagh woman has surfed big waves from Donegal to Tahiti.
But it was her trip a year ago to the Iranian town of Chabahar to go surfing there that has captured the imagination of documentary-maker Marion Poizeau.
“Iran is not known as a surf destination, but experiencing a country through surf gives you a different perspective. It was a leap into the unknown, but I thought I’d give it a go,” said the 26-year-old.
Local police and fishermen joined a huge crowd who had never seen the sport before.
“Iran has a short swell window in the summer when the monsoons spin up and hit the southern coast and you get beach breaks,” she said.
“The most incredible thing was being out in that landscape and being out in the water on your own. Everybody gathered around and they were all enormously curious and excited.”
She was Ireland’s first female big wave surfer – and there’s plenty of those around the beach at home.
“I couldn’t live without it. Being out in the sea, being part of a wave that only lasts a few moments, is like an addiction,” she added.
The TV documentary about her trip to Iran will be broadcast on French TV at the end of the month.
Let’s hope RTE, TV3 or TG4 show it here.
