Four years after windsurfing off Sligo’s Mullaghmore Head, Katie McAnena took advantage of the right wind and weather conditions to catch the infamous surf break again.

As The Irish Independent reports, the Galway-born GP launched her windsurf board late last month off Mullaghmore harbour.

With her on jetski was Chris McGloin to provide tow support.

Galway-born GP launched her windsurf board late last month off Mullaghmore harbour Photo: Clem McInerney

“It’s exhilarating, the might of it and the sound of the ocean rumbling and roaring in your ears and vibrating under your feet,” McAnena told the newspaper.

“You’re looking at Ben Bulben and Ben Wiskin and Classiebawn castle and there can be dolphins, and it is just such a buzz to feel the power of Mullaghmore,” she said.

Conditions need to include a low Spring tide and a south-westerly wind to ride record waves at Mullaghmore Photo: Clem McInerney

She explained that conditions need to include a low Spring tide and a south-westerly wind – as well as having to be “in the right frame of mind”.

McAnena became the world’s first woman to windsurf “Jaws”, the surf break at Pe’ahi in Hawaii that can generate waves of more than 18 metres high, during a gap year from her medical studies in 2013.

Four years ago, she and her husband Finn Mullen were among five people to windsurf a record wave at Mullaghmore, recorded by videographer Clem McInerney.

She secured her tenth national windsurfing title in the highly competitive national wave championships in Kerry’s Brandon Bay off Castlegregory, Co Kerry, last October.

That Scottish word dreich aptly described the weather at Ballyholme Bay on Belfast Lough the last weekend in October – wet, dull and dreary – but livened up by the colourful windsurfers and wingfoils.They were there for the Ulster Windsurfing Championships – an Irish Windsurfing Association-ranked event.

The event was run in association with the Irish Windsurfing Association and sponsored by Boardwise, OTC, Energia Group and Wild Atlantic Surf Co. It was billed as being made up of the Ulster Championships and Coastal

Windsurf/Wing foiling on the Saturday and Novice Windsurfing on Sunday, 23rd October 2022, but the absence of novices did cut the entry considerably.

Ulster Windsurfing Championships on Ballyholme Bay

The light winds on the first day curtailed the excitement, but the Sunday brought a better breeze with some challenging conditions, especially to the east of the headland called Ballymacormick Point.

On the podium on Saturday were Hannes Louet-Feisser from Carlingford in first place, who won overall last year, and the runner-up was the far-travelled Martin Pelican from Cork. Third was the local man, Richard Honeyford.

Sunday saw the Coastal Foil Race in more testing conditions, open to windfoils (foiling windsurfers) and wing foils (foiling boards with inflatable wing sails).

The overall first prize and 1st windfoil went to Andrew Gallagher, with Martin Pelican runner up. In third slot was Chris Loughridge from Belfast.

Mayo Mayhem windsurfing wave competition held its fifth edition on Achill Island, in County Mayo, at the end of September, and the organisers have released a post-event video (below). 

The Mayo Mayhem weekend results also decided the Irish windsurfing wave title.

The competition was held in superb condition for a windsurfing wave competition, with Keel beach looking more like Hawaii as it was sunny all weekend with side shore winds of about 20 knots and good size waves of up to three metres.

Previously the competition has had two starboard and two Port tack conditions; this year, it was back to starboard tack. These conditions allowed the competitors to show their wave-riding skills and super-high jumps and loops. In total, there were 36 competitors across the Pro and Amateur fleets.

Two days of competition were run with points awarded each day, and then the points were combined to get an overall result.

In the end, the Pro fleet win went to Alex Duggan, with Julius Byrne in second and Nial Mellon in third.

In the Amateur fleet, Ross Gsamelov took the win from Bob Hagan in second, with Ant Byrne in third.

There was particular praise for Amy O'Donnell, the only female competitor to take on these fun but challenging conditions.

Björn Dunkerbeck added another accolade to his legendary windsurfing career by posting the fastest ever time on the water with a top speed of 103.67kph during the Lüderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia.

Ever since French windsurfer Antoine Albeau broke the 50-knot barrier, Dunkerbeck has been on the hunt for 100kph after a career that started in 1986 and has featured over 100 Professional Windsurfing Association (PWA) titles and numerous PWA Wave World Championship crowns.

Dunkerbeck's first speed record is now almost 30-years-old when he hit 43.30 knots (80.1kph) in 1992 however - as the technology to measure speed and windsurfing equipment evolved - he kept chasing the next milestone, which led him to what may be the last big one: 100kph.

The 52-year-old Dutchman knew that hitting such insane speeds on the water requires an incredible amount of skill, experience and intimate knowledge of your equipment but, ultimately, it's the perfect spot and wind conditions that would make this record-breaking run possible.

Björn Dunkerbeck seen at 2021 Bora Challenge, Trieste, Italy, September 30, 2021

On Thursday, November 18, in Namibia, Dunkerbeck broke that speed barrier, hitting 103.67kph over a two-second time gap and holding an average speed of 101kph over a 100m stretch of water.

The site of the record, Lüderitz, has become famous for 'The Ditch' – a 500m long canal where the water stays flat even when the wind howls – making it the perfect place as long as you don't crash.

He explained: "No crashes. I try not to crash at that speed because if you do, your day is over."

While he had fast runs over the last three weeks, he knew he needed the perfect day to break 100kph with consistent gusts of strong wind finally allowing him to break 100kph at least five times.

After five years of attempts and months waiting around the barren, wind-blasted sands of Namibia, Dunkerbeck revealed: "We had quite a few days of wind around 35-38 knots, so the equipment was feeling really dialled. I was on a 40cm-wide AVBoard speed windsurf board, with a 19cm fin and a 5.5 Severne Mach 4 Lüderitz Speed Challenge LT sail – it all had to work perfectly to hit top speed!"

Despite his age, Dunkerbeck is fired up and now wants to maintain 100kph for over 500 metres and you wouldn't bet against him doing it.

The fourth edition of the 'Mayo Mayhem' Windsurfing Wave Competition was run successfully on the weekend of September 24th to 26th in Belmullet on Ireland's famous Wild Atlantic Way

This year's event was very special as the 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid. It had been two long years since the windsurfing community got together to compete. Full lockdowns and travel restrictions had kept windsurfing competitions off the calendar in Ireland all of last year.

This year's competition was held at the beautiful remote Drum beach on the Belmullet Peninsula Co Mayo. The new location and the third different spot in four years proving that the mobile location model works, with the event just an hour's drive from the main base in Achill.

Drum Beach was chosen as the forecast was showing side shore winds with mid-size waves. The location had easy access and enough parking for the full fleet and with great visibility for everyone to see all the action.

Mayo Mayhem Windsurfing Wave Competition had excellent, side to side onshore winds allowing most people to use 4.7 to 5.2 sails and waves maxing out at two metres

The conditions for the competition were excellent, side to side onshore winds allowing most people to use 4.7 to 5.2 sails and waves maxing out at two metres, big enough for the pros yet not too challenging for the amateur fleet.

With the added bonus of a full day of sun and dry 16 degrees temperature made for perfect conditions for the competition. A fleet of forty windsurfers competed at Mayo Mayhem 2021 with competitors coming from
various parts of Europe including Italy, France, England, Wales, Scotland as well as from all over Ireland.

Next year's event will be held on the weekend starting Friday, September 30th 2022. A rollover will take place on the following weekend in the event of not having contestable conditions.

An entry of thirteen on Saturday 23rd October was certainly not an unlucky number for Ballyholme Yacht Club's first windsurfing event, the Open Ulster Championship, as the Irish Windsurfing Association intends to include this as a ranked event in the calendar next October.

Racing for four classes was scheduled Gold, Silver, Bronze and Youth. The overall winner was Hannes Louet-Feisser who had made the long haul from Limerick (one of several who travelled considerable distances to be there).

He counted six first places and two seconds with Martin Pelican runner up with one first, four seconds and a third. First in the Silver fleet was Barry Murphy with local Andrew Gallagher second.

Barry Murphy (right) first in the Silver Fleet of the Ulster Windsurfing Championships with BYC Commodore Aidan Pounder Photo: Catherine Gunning

Winds were offshore, with strong gusts and a flat sea and the fleet launched from Ballymacormick Beach on the east side of Ballyholme Bay. The club had the use of some of the car parks for the event where there was the registration gazebo and an RYA NI information tent as well as the regular coffee trailer.

Andrew Gallagher runner up in the Silver Fleet of the Ulster Windsurfing Championships

Commodore Aidan Pounder who organised the Championships was delighted with the event. "Ballyholme had about 30 people in the support team covering two Committee Boats, safety boats, overseeing the car park, and back at the Clubhouse - a mid-afternoon Barbecue. We are pleased with the compliments from the Irish Windsurfing Association and from the competitors and are delighted that this will be a ranked championship event next year".

Martin Pelican runner up in the Gold fleet of the Ulster Windsurfing Championships

And Richard Honeyford, Chief Operating Officer of RYANI was one of the Competitors; "Ballyholme Yacht Club provided a great welcome for competitors for the Ulster Windsurf Championships. Despite some shifty conditions, well laid (and adjusted) courses allowed for eight races. Thank you to Aidan Pounder and the whole BYC team for putting it together, from set up, shore support, racing and safety. Thanks also to Ards and North Down Borough Council for their support. Everyone appreciated the effort to get good racing in."

Ballymacormick Beach on the eastern side of Ballyholme Bay on Belfast Lough will see next Saturday (23rd), the first-ever windsurfing event hosted by Ballyholme Yacht Club when the Ulster Championships competitors will take to the water.

There will be eleven races for three fleets – Gold, Silver and Bronze/Novice, in six subdivisions from Junior to Super Veteran.

The Club will have exclusive use of the Banks Car Park off Groomsport Road, and the welcome and briefing is scheduled for 1000 at that location.

The NOR is downloadable here 

Entries should be made in advance through the BYC website, and online pre-entry closes at 1200 on Thursday 21st October 2021.

BYC Commodore Aidan Pounder is enthusiastic about the event; "We have had great support from the Irish Windsurfing Association, and it is hoped that in 2022 we can host an IWA ranked event. The Club looks forward to welcoming windsurfers from all over Ireland to the Bay next Saturday".

The 2021 Kona windsurfing national championships were hosted by Malahide Yacht Club on Sunday, 5th September. Under the direction of race officer Niall Gallagher of MYC, the sailors enjoyed a windward-leeward course in a 10 to 15 knot south easterly on Malahide estuary.

In the final race, Joe Galeckas of MYC dominated to gain victory over RStGYC sailor and 2020 titleholder Robbie Walker.

Fellow RStGYC sailor, Des Gibney, earned a well-deserved 3rd place whilst Damien Dion of NYC placed 4th overall and Miha Rothl came in 5th. The youth category was won by Mika Sacolax, who placed 11th overall.

After 4 races and going into the final race of the day, Walker and Galeckas were on equal points, and the title was up for grabs. A good start and excellent windward beat put Galeckas in a commanding position, and he was able to hold his lead and claim victory.

This is the 9th Year that the National Kona Windsurfing championships have been staged, with the winners receiving the Alan Harris memorial trophy. MYC sailors have dominated the event with 6 winners in the last 9 years. More recently, RSGYC sailors have challenged the MYC stronghold, winning the trophy on 3 occasions.

The sailors extend their thanks and congratulations to MYC for hosting an excellent event and to Surfdock for their generous sponsorship.

A group of the Kona windsurfers on a windward leg in 15 to 20-knot south-easterly breeze on Malahide Estuary 

Roy Guinan is in the foreground. The Kona Fleet on a leeward leg of the national championships hosted by MYC. 

 Des Gibney of the RSGYC, with sail number 2677, finished 3rd overall in the Kona National Championships.

The fleet was challenged with shifty wind conditions at the top mark, close to Malahide village. 

David Jullo of the NYC placed 8th overall, participating in the event for the second time.

Winner Joe Galeckas of the MYC, cruising to victory in the 5th race of the day

This Sunday, 5th September sees the return of the Kona Windsurfing class to contest their national championships on the Malahide estuary in County Dublin.

The class has over 20 members in Ireland and is unique in that sailors of all ages and weights compete on the same course. Each weight category has a different sized sail to compensate for weight so that all competitors have equal speed. Unlike with Olympic classes, the Kona doesn't allow pumping which means racing is more about strategy and skill, and less about strength. This event is in its ninth year with racing normally held on a classic windward-leeward course.

Current national champion, Robbie Walker of RSGYC is expected to face stiff competition from Joe Galeckas of MYC who won the championships in 2019. Also vying for podium finishes this year will be Cormac O'Brien and Andrew Christofides, both of Malahide Yacht club who both previously held the title. Another favourite for this year's title is Des Gibney, of RSGYC who has narrowly missed out in previous years but has recently shown strong performance on his home waters of Dun Laoghaire.

Charter equipment is still available, and entries don't close until midnight on Wednesday 1st September. Further information on the event and entries can be found on the MYC website.

After a successful 2020 event in late October last year, a fleet of 38 women and 69 men for a total of 107 windsurfers gathered on Lake Garda for the 2021 iQFOiL International Games hosted by Univela Sailing in Campione del Garda. 20 nations are represented here despite the still standing international travel restrictions.

This new one-design windsurfing class will be raced at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Racing on Day One started around noon as the typical local thermic breeze from the South filled in to reach about 12-15 knots. The first to hit the water were the men with three flawless slalom races, followed by the women who had to face a major wind drop and could only finish two races.

The provisional ranking at the end of Day One is a French affair, they occupy all top three spots in the Men. Nicholas Goyard won all of three matches, followed by Clement Burgeois and Adrien Mestre. The defending champion Sebastian Koerdel (GER) closed the day in the fifth position with a win in the last race and a ‘dive’ in the first one.

“We had some strong wind slalom races today, and I have to admit I was a bit rusty, and in the first race I fell into the water and had to swim a bit, but then the next two races were better with a 5 and 1, so overall not a dominant performance but I am getting there. The last race was a win and I plan on continuing like that” said the German 2020 iQFOiL International Games winner, Sebastian Koerdel.

Two French sailers within the best three also in the Women fleet, outstripped by one of the only two female British boarders here, Islay Watson. Delphine Cousin capped the day in second place and fellow countrywoman Lucie Belbeoch in third.

Among the athletes coming from far away Sarah Quita Offringa, from Aruba, today tasted the still winterish cold water and cool breeze.. “It was the first day of the event and we had two good windy slaloms, I thought it was cool to start in the line with 20 women and it was exhilarating, I didn’t do too great but it was definitely a good learning experience. One of the biggest challenges was the temperature for me, I’m from the Caribbean and in Aruba when the sun is shining is 30 degrees, and I went out at first in my sleeveless wetsuit, then went back inside and wore the thick one, but no more races for the day.”

Tomorrow’s conditions won’t be as sunny with potential rain in the afternoon, and the Race Committee opted for a morning start, with the ladies going out first at 10 am and the boys following them at 10,30.