In what was a proud moment for Irish paddle sport the European Championships of Waveski and Surf Kayak landed on Irish shores, with Easkey, Co. Sligo providing the stunning backdrop for four days of world-class competition. The event took place on the renowned Easkey Left reef break, where athletes were tested in excellent surf conditions, with consistent waves reaching between six and eight feet throughout much of the competition.
The championships brought together teams from across Europe, including an always strong contingents from the Basque Country, France and England, along with the home Irish team. The event also drew many familiar faces from Ireland’s surf kayaking history, with past competitors from the 2003 World Championships and 2008 European Championships returning to both compete and spectate. Their presence added to the atmosphere and highlighted the close-knit community spirit that defines Irish surf kayaking.
The competition was warmly embraced by the people of Easkey and the wider Sligo community. Local hospitality was on full display, with evenings of ceoil agus craic at the Community Centre giving international visitors a taste of traditional Irish culture, music and dance.
A notable development at this year’s event was the introduction of a new priority system for competitors, implemented under the guidance of the Irish Surfing Association and coordinated by the Paddlesurf Committee. This system was widely praised by athletes and ensured smooth, fair competition across all categories. The successful running of the event was spearheaded by the Paddlesurf Committee, and in particular Rowan Johnson and Autumn O’Donnell, whose efforts delivered an outstanding event and no shortage of positive feedback.
The Irish Surf Kayak Team delivered strong performances throughout the championships, narrowly missing out on a podium finish in the overall team standings by the tightest of margins. On the individual stage, Irish athletes shone across a range of categories:
- Men’s IC Open – 3rd place, Kieran McDyre
- Women’s Masters IC and HP – 2nd place, Aisling Griffin
- Men’s Grandmasters IC – 3rd place, Anthony Coyne
- Men’s Masters IC and HP – 2nd place, Michael Barry
- Men’s Masters IC – 3rd place, Richard Greaves
- Men’s Masters HP – 3rd place, Finbarr Donovan
- Men’s Masters HP – 4th place, Richard Greaves
- Men’s Masters IC – 4th place, Ian Power
- Men’s Grandmasters IC – 4th place, Fergal Hayes
- Men’s Waveski Master – 4th place, Mark Taylor
These results, combined with the team’s competitive spirit and resilience, highlight the depth of talent within Irish surf kayaking and mark a promising foundation for future international events.
The 2025 European Surf Kayaking Championships in Easkey will be remembered not only for the high-level competition but also for the warm welcome, community celebration, and passion for the sport that defined the occasion. Canoeing Ireland extends its thanks to all organisers, volunteers, and the Easkey community for making this event such a memorable success.
