Hey guys, check out this link. The pics are from a mate in Dublin, Ireland at a beach called Dollymount. Summer over there means sunshine till 11pm every day! They had sunshine and 20-20knot onshore over the weekend.http://gallery.mykitephoto.com/main.php?g2_itemId=15461

summer also means 5mm wetsuit. :)

I lived in edinburgh for a while and (like dublin) surfing everyday after work until 11pm is awesome. Problem is in winter its dawn at 9:30 and sunset at 3:30.

12m Kites are the most common.

I'm from Cork [South Coast]but i did windsurf in few comps in Dublin back in the 80s.

Of all the European capitals Dublin would be the bes for a kiter i reckon. Irealnd is the windiest country in Europe and Dublin cops quite a bit but not as much as the west coast. Winds from an easterly quarter are clean and onshore everywhere but with a drive around the bay you can find a clean wind in any direction. because the bay is so shallow and the surrounding land so flat even winds from a westerly quarter can be kited

The prevailing South westerly attracts loads of kiters to Sutton where there is butter smooth flat water.

The local crew are keen and increasing in numbers

For real waves the west coast is between 2 and 3 hours away but has miles of surf beaches points and reefs with the best wave windsurfing and -kiting in Europe. Id' advise any keen wave kiters to check out the North Mayo coast and Brandon bay and North west donegal. All fully swell exposed with prevailing sideshore winds.

The only down side is the temperatures. Not a 5mm in summer as some one mentioned a 3/2 short arm will do fine but definitely 5mm semi dry suit, hat and booties recommended for winter. the west coast is warmed by the gulf stream and is warmer than most of europe in the winter, rarely experiencing snow or frost, water temps vary from 20 peak summer to 8 mid winter. If you were from tassie youd feel right at home. The east coast water is similar in summer but can get seriously frigid in winter.

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Originally posted by niall barrett


The only down side is the temperatures. Not a 5mm in summer as some one mentioned a 3/2 short arm will do fine but definitely 5mm semi dry suit, hat and booties recommended for winter. the west coast is warmed by the gulf stream and is warmer than most of europe in the winter, rarely experiencing snow or frost, water temps vary from 20 peak summer to 8 mid winter. If you were from tassie youd feel right at home. The east coast water is similar in summer but can get seriously frigid in winter.

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Niall, i think it may depend on what you are used to. I had a 3mm elastmo(similar warmth to a 5mm), the daddy of stretchy wetsuits with double taped seams and i wore a 1mm long sleeve top underneath with special fleece like fabric, but then again i might just be a big girls blouse.

Joespencer, is a good idea to test out the water for yourself when you get there, but don't buy a cheap wettie. you will regret it.

The other thing to think of is buying two wetsuits(i know it sounds crazy), but you won't have a huge drying area for your suit and theres nothing worse than putting a wet wetsuit back on. brrrrrr.

Yeah winter and especially Dec-Feb can be grim, but in summer you could be lucky and have a session with just a rashie on!

I had some excellent surf in Ireland a few years ago around August on the SW coast which isn't too much of a drive from Dublin. There are some crowded spots but also some empty spots. I surfed a reef called Inch reef which was going off - just me and a farmer on his longboard out.

Check out the Surfriders guide to Europe.