#Surfing - A young surfer from Kinlough talks to the Leitrim Observer about his experiences taking part in the RTÉ series Big Wave Bootcamp, currently showing Fridays at 5pm on RTÉ Two.

Seventeen-year-old Daniel McGlynn was among eight teenagers who were given just three weeks to become expert surfers under the instruction of American surfing professional Ken Bradshaw.

After an audition process for the reality TV series last summer, McGlynn and his fellow teens were flown half-way round the world to Hawaii. But despite the idyllic surroundings, the group faced a punishing training schedule.

“We were in bed at 9 o’clock and up at 6am. We would then train for at least four hours in the day," says McGlynn. "Everything was so much tougher, the waves could be up to 6ft or 7ft tall, even to paddle out on the surf board was a challenge as the current was so much stronger!"

An occasional surfer for almost a decade, McGlynn says he really stepped up his game under the tutelage of Bradshaw.

"He literally taught us everything he knows about the sport, everything. He also rode the biggest wave ever recorded, a massive 86ft in Oahu, Hawaii.”

The Leitrim Observer has more on the story HERE.

#SURFING - Ireland might be growing in reputation as a world surfing capital, but the vast majority of Irish teenagers have never ridden a wave. However, a new reality show for RTÉ aims to tackle that notion head-on by answering the question: can surf pros be made of these landlubbers?

Shooting begins next month on Big Wave Bootcamp, a new reality TV series following eight Irish teenagers given just three weeks to become expert surfers under the instruction of American surfing professional Ken Bradshaw.

As IFTN reports, British production company Rival Media is making the series of eight 30-minute episodes for RTÉ, with filming in Ireland getting underway in early June before the crew moves to Hawaii.

The producers were previously responsible for Mission Beach USA, which for the last two years has followed Irish teens training as lifeguards on a Florida beach.

IFTN has more on the story HERE.