Europe's top junior surfers to compete in Bundoran

Over the course of a week, the top junior surfers from 20 European countries will gather in Bundoran, County Donegal to compete in the EuroSurf Junior Championships. This ten-day event, sanctioned by the European Surfing Federation (ESF), marks the first time Ireland will host the biannual championship. The championship serves as a crucial step for young surfers aiming to reach senior international competitions and potentially secure a spot for the LA Olympic Games.

A parade of nations will kick off the event, followed by surfers competing at the iconic Bundoran break, known as The Peak and Tullan Strand. The championship features 250 surfers competing across six categories, including under 16 and under 18 boys and girls, as well as under 18 boys’ and girls’ longboard surfing. Competitors will face four-person heats, with the top two surfers advancing from each heat until a final of four remains.

Irish Surfing CEO Zoe Lally, who previously helped organize the 2011 Irish events, expressed excitement over the record number of competitors this year. The championship is part of the pathway for young surfers aspiring to Olympic selection, with the potential to move on to competing in LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032. France, Spain, and Portugal are among the larger nations participating in the event.

Organized by Irish Surfing in collaboration with the Saltwater Festival, the championship coincides with the European Week of Sport and will be streamed live on the Irish Surfing website. An Irish team of 14 surfers, mainly from the north-west and western seaboard, will compete, overseen by a management team including European Champion Gearóid McDaid, national champion Maia Monaghan, and surfers Owen Murphy and Ollie O’Flaherty.

The event is expected to attract spectators to Bundoran, offering them the opportunity to witness the best young surfers in Europe riding the best waves in Europe.