32

InGear
ACTIVE
FERGAL PHILLIPS

thesundaytimes.ie

01.09.13 33

ITS A SHORE THING

A LESS STRENUOUS WAY TO SURF

This is kind of like yachting for the common man, isnt it, I ask Carl Russell of Troggs Surf School as we glide through the waters of Portrush Harbour. After a morning being introduced to the high spills world of coasteering (see main article), I am spending an afternoon stand-up paddleboarding, and the opportunity to relax is greatly welcomed. Russell, however, is intent on teaching me skills and, having mastered carrying my board, holding my paddle, paddling lying down, kneeling, and eventually standing and paddling, I am required to attempt turning. Turning, I quickly learn, is a close relative of falling. These manouvering techniques, he explains, must be mastered if I am to take SUPing to the next level surfing waves as opposed to cruising. The beauty of the sport, however, is that both are possible and the latter, while not as exciting, is still really enjoyable. Stand-up paddleboarding has become very popular. People are taking it up because its easy to learn and its a great way to get out on the water. Its less strenuous than surfing, but you are still getting a workout and its a very effective way of improving core strength, Russell says. Stand-up paddleboarding was first tried in Hawaii, mainly by surfers seeking an alternative way to train, and became popular when users realised they could get into position to catch waves easily. If you did a week of just getting a feel for it, you could try stand-up surfing on small waves. In a month you could become proficient. Youll have fun no matter what, Russell says. He argues Portrush is a perfect location to try paddleboarding. You can cruise off the beach on calm days and surf the rest of the time. When the waves are big and you just want to paddle, you can go to the harbour and if you want to explore, you can cruise along the coast near Dunluce Castle, he says. To try stand-up paddleboarding you need to be over eight years old and able to swim 50m comfortably (see turning, earlier).

Make like a pro with these essential bits of coasteering and paddleboarding kit
PENTAX Optio WG-2 GPS When you absolutely have to shoot every coasteerer in the rock pool, accept no substitutes. This Pentax camera is waterproof to 12m and shockproof to 1.5m. Its also able to withstand -10C temperatures. The 16-megapixel WG-2 even comes with a GPS chip for geotagging pictures so those with a jetset lifestyle can really show off. 209, pixmania.ie ONeill Mutant 5:4 If you want to enjoy a two-and-a-half hour coasteering session, youre going to need a quality wetsuit. Most activity providers should be able to supply at least 3mm versions, but if youre planning repeat visits and want to buy your own, then this 5/4mm, flexible and light option would make a clever choice. 200, greatoutdoors.ie

Get the Gear

If you like adventure and dont mind getting wet, coasteering offers a thrilling, high-energy workout. Richard Oakley jumps in

am standing looking down on the swelling waters off the coast of Northern Ireland as my manliness is called into doubt by a portly teenager in a wetsuit and white Converse All Stars. Are youse gonna jump first or am I, big man?, he asks in a thick Antrim accent. Nodding to the 20ft-odd sheer drop, he is sporting a youre going to bottle it but I wont grin. I briefly think about calling his bluff. Let him take the lead and if he makes it in one piece, fair enough, I go next. If he doesnt then Ill be the only reporter to witness what might be a rather dramatic marine rescue. Careful there now, Converse boy says as I move a little further towards the cliff-edge. Seaweed flays about in the churning ocean beneath my feet and large waves crash against the rocks where Im supposed to exit safely as Con McBride, our instructor, puts it. Further out, a seal looks on, clearly enjoying this display of human folly. My biggest concern is slipping just as I go to jump. I picture myself flipping upside down and hitting my head before sliding lifelessly down the rock face. Sports psychologists call this technique visualisation, but Im not sure Im doing it right. Time ticks by as I ready myself and then I jump. For a second or so I float upwards and out before pausing and then descending at speed. Plunging deep into the sea I finally get to experience what its like to be a stolen

Thats the technical definition anyway and if it sounds a tad daft, thats because it is. So daft, in fact, that its actually a complete blast even if youre 37 years old and a wetsuit only serves to remind you that burning off a third helping of dessert is no longer a possibility. Despite my intro, I should also admit that its actually extremely safe and, when organised by an activity provider, always closely monitored. Jumps of about 20ft are something you build up to over the duration of a session that also involves sliding gently into rock

the sea, swimming around the place and climing out sounds silly, but its completely exhilarating. You get to really experience the power of the ocean and connect with the marine environment, Martin says. He is quick to point out that leaping from rocks is only one part of it. You explore shoreline features from caves to pools and you get to look at the coast from a completely new angle. There are elements of rock climbing and scrambling involved, too, as well as swimming, so you get a full workout, he says. The activity, as an organised pursuit,

Oakley rides a wave through a rock chute

'FOR ADULTS WHO GIVE IT A GO, IT DELIVERS A FEELING OF FUN THAT THEY PROBABLY LAST EXPERIENCED AS CHILDREN'

Are you ready to take the plunge?

If youre tempted to give coasteering a go, contact a recognised activity provider. Safety must be a priority, and qualified instructors will be able to bring you to locations where they have tested the water depth and are familiar with the tidal patterns, access and exit points. They will also provide you with the necessary equipment. All you need to bring is a towel, swimming gear, a long-sleeved thermal top and a pair of old runners. Most providers operate from May or June to the end of September, but some start earlier or extend the season, depending on conditions. While wearing a high-quality wetsuit, you should remain warm for at least two-and-a-half hours. For information on activities in Northern Ireland, log on to outdoorni.com. Ardclinis Outdoor Adventure centre (ardclinis.com) in Co Antrim runs a range of activities including rock climbing, kayaking and coastal walking. A two-and-ahalf hour coasteering outing costs 25 (29). Troggs Surf School (troggsurfschool.com) is in Portrush. It offers lessons and courses for all abilities.

shopping trolley and then I remember the golden no showboating rule. I pop to the surface, swim to the edge and stuggle to dry land with, ahem, the aid of a rope that has been thrown my way. My nemesis, meanwhile, strides forth with purpose and takes a quick look at his planned landing spot. He then retreats, does a little jig and breaks

into a run before flinging himself into the air. When he emerges through the surf, triumphant, I discover his grin is waterproof and then watch as he scrambles out over the rough rock with ease. No rope required, he announces, skipping past me and heading back up for a second jump. Welcome to coasteering, Ulster-stylie.

Like other eerings, such as mountaineering or orienteering, this is an outdoor activity and it happens to be one that anybody can try, provided they dont mind getting wet, that is. Coasteering, as Wikipedia puts it, is a physical activity that encompasses movement along the intertidal zone of a rocky coastline on foot or by swimming,

without the aid of boats, surf boards or other craft. It may include climbing, scrambling, sea-level traversing, jumping or diving, but a defining factor is the opportunity to move in the impact zone where water, waves, rocks, gullies, caves, pools and other features all come together to provide a highenergy environment.

pools and simply flicking backwards into deep water. My two-and-a-half hours took place near the Giants Causeway in Dunseverick, Co Antrim, and were organised courtesy of Damian Martin, manager of Ardclinis Outdoor Centre, which is based in nearby Cushendall. Coasteering is a magic activity and its one anyone can try so long as they are comfortable in the water, he says. All you need is a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and a sense of adventure. Martin is 39 and has been running coasteering outings for seven years, often in the same locations, but he never bores of it. On my visit he was leading a separate group with another guide, Matthew Kemp, but both couldnt resist later joining McBride and helping to show me what its all about. There is a great sense of freedom involved and, for adults who give it a go with an open mind, it delivers a feeling of fun that they probably last experienced as children. Jumping into

first emerged in the 1990s along the cliffs of Pembrokeshire in Wales. Outdoor companies offered it alongside more established activities such as kayaking and walking. It then spread to other areas and can now be tried in several locations in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Dunseverick is a great spot for coasteering, Martin says. This part of the north coast is really beautiful and varied. There is a huge mix of things to do from jumps to gullies or pools. Sessions can be tailored to suit individuals or groups as there is a large number of access and exit points ranging from easy to more difficult. Children and teenagers get a great kick out of it, but we also talk to them about water safety, tidal awarness and marine life. People ask me all the time to explain why its such a great activity, and its difficult to put it in words, but the fact I never have trouble finding instructors to work, even on Sunday mornings, says it all.

Bic 104 ACS SUP Activity centres will provide stand up paddleboards, but if you want to continue with the sport, this multipurpose, entry-level number would make a solid investment at 699.99. The matching paddle costs 74.90. greatoutdoors.ie Jobe Hustler helmet Watersport helmets, used in kayaking, are pefect for coasteering, too. This one features a soft inner lining, removable ear protection and adjustable chin straps. It should fit comfortably and is fast drying. Try not to make it work too hard though. 50.95, surfdock.ie

Adrenaline Fix
Races to get the blood flowing

Ardcliniss coasteering guides, from left: Martin, the centres manager, with Kemp and McBride

Round four of the Gravity Enduro mountain bike series takes place next weekend in Wicklows Djouce Woods, site of the countrys first ever enduro event. With practise on Saturday and racing on Sunday, riders complete a full cross-country course but are only timed on downhill sections. The technical nature of the trails means this one is not for beginners. Saturdays Achill Roar, taking place in Keel, Achill Island, Co Mayo, has three distance formats. Competitors get a choice of swimming or kayaking the first stage before cycling and mountain running 18km, 31km or 63km across the island. Competitors tackling the Expert course need to be prepared for a 15km run section over sand, rocks and trails with a tough 500m climb. Saturdays Lost Sheep Triathlon in Kenmare, Co Kerry, is a tough half iron distance race. It starts with a 1900m swim in Kenmare Bay followed by an 80km cycle up and over the Beara Peninsula with some Tour de France-style hairpins along the way. The final leg is an undulating 21km out-and-back run along the Kerry Way. gravityenduro.ie, roar.ie, corktri.com