SURF & COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
National Surf Centre, Strandhill
Free surf lessons, fun experiences, tastings and raffle prizes in Strandhill this Saturday 5th October! 11.30am – 19.30pm
The National Surf Centre are hosting a community day of celebrations to honour their first year of operation and to promote the range of activities and experiences that can be enjoyed at the National Surf Centre. The Centre are encouraging Strandhill locals, Sligo residents and visitors, to come visit the National Surf Centre and Strandhill on Saturday 5th October and partake in some of the free activities on offer.
As well as being a Centre for Surf and home to three Surf Schools, Atlantic Surf School, Rebelle Surf School and Sligo Surf Experience, the National Surf Centre work with a number of local expert facilitators to run experiences in or from Centre. The day’s activities kick off at 11.30am in the morning with a Smartphone Safari, with Paul Richardson of Jet Black Squares. Paul will bring you on a short tour of your smartphone camera which, chances are, you haven’t taken properly before, and then embark on a photo experience across Strandhill beach. Culminating in a social gathering in Honestly.
Enjoy a social seaweed foraging adventure at midday with Lucianne Hare and Nourished in Nature. You will learn about the story of seaweed in Ireland, foraging and harvesting, before delving into some seaweed treats and herbal tea served back at the National Surf Centre. Not to be missed is an opportunity to make your own seaweed butter as you enjoy a Seaweed Infused Masterclass with Irish Seaweed Kitchen and the renowned Dr. Prannie Rhatigan. Prannie shares her insights over the last 25 year through her demonstration workshop on the benefits of seaweeds and how we can incorporate them into our daily diet.
The last experience of the day will be a first for the Centre – an inaugural session hosted by award winning photographer George Karbus, as George brings you on an inspirational photographic journey along the Wild Atlantic Way. There are a number of free places for all the activities listed, so please email wave@nationalsurfcentre.ie to book your spot. Because when they’re gone…. they’re gone!
The same can be said of the free surf lesson spots that both Atlantic Surf School and Sligo Surf Experience are offering to mark the occasion of the day and their move into their new premises at the Centre. They can be booked directly or enquired about through the Centre. In between the experiences, there will be a short ceremony at 2.15pm to honour the naming of the meeting rooms and spaces at the Centre, namely the Philip Douglas Room and The Four Winds Plaza in recognition of those that have paved the way for others.
A Showcase of Strandhill will run then up till 15.30pm with Honestly, Mammy Johnstons and Shells, all providing some free tastings and giveaways, showcasing taste sensational products which have made them renowned throughout the county and beyond. “We have such an excellent offering in Strandhill in all of our providers, and I thank them for their support of the day’s events” quotes Rebecca Stevens, Director of Operations at the Centre. “They make a visit to Strandhill special and memorable for many visitors”. “We are very lucky in Sligo to live and work so close to places likes Strandhill”, continues Ms Stevens, “Strandhill is a gem of a village, in a beautiful setting, in a fantastic part of the country. Adding to this are the fabulous sport and social offerings for local, domestic and international visitors. The National Surf Centre further enhances the tourism product for Strandhill and Co. Sligo, and we hope this day of celebrations highlights the fantastic range of activities and experiences that can be enjoyed here”.
