Ireland Regional Report

Odin Villarreal — Photo: Kevin Doyle

Regional Report — Ireland

Ireland: A Golden Era

A Irish surfing has had a strong few months. From European titles to JQS results in Casablanca, from heavy slab charging in Clare to a new generation of grom talent coming through Lahinch, Bundoran and Tramore, the depth of what's happening across Ireland right now is hard to ignore. Ollie O'Flaherty has been in the thick of it, and here's his latest dispatch on a scene that's never looked stronger.

Irish surfing has hit new heights. Right around the country there are surfers ripping in two-foot beachbreaks, making European finals and pulling into 20-foot kegs.

From Conor Maguire and Gearóid McDaid to Odin Villarreal, Josh Karbus and Shay O'Sullivan, surfing on our shores is well and truly in a golden era.

What's equally exciting is the rise in female surfing. Isabella O'Reilly's second place at the Under-14 European Championships was one of the standout results of the year, while Hazel Rafferty continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in heavy waves at just 14 years old. Across every discipline, from high-performance shortboarding to longboarding and big-wave surfing, the next generation is coming through stronger than ever.

What's exciting is that it's not just happening in heavy water. The competitive side of Irish surfing has never been stronger either. Gearóid is now a European Champion, while Josh recently finished second at the Pro Junior in Casablanca. The standard across every age group seems to be rising year after year.

I checked in around the country to see what's been happening.

North West

Tom Murphy — Photo: Pat O'Sullivan

One of the standout performers on the Irish junior scene over the last few years has been Tom Murphy. Based in Bundoran, Tom continues to push his surfing to new levels both in and out of competition.

"It's been the best winter up here since I've been a surfer. Our house pretty much became a hostel for the lads from around the country who came up to score waves.

Rory and I have been getting comfortable out at some of the main slabs around Bundoran and Mullaghmore, while also making the odd trip down to Clare to have a go at the Cliffs. The big-wave guys have all been really supportive and willing to help us along.

When it hasn't been barrelling, we've been training hard and running mock heats with the crew. The amount of groms in the water and the standard of surfing is continuing to rise, which is great to see.

We've started to form a little group of surfers from up here and around the country to compete in the WSL Pro Juniors. Having a crew around you definitely helps push everyone forward.

A huge highlight from the winter was Isabella finishing second in the Under-14 European Championships. That was an incredible result and shows the level of talent coming through in Irish surfing right now.

Looking ahead, the Euro Juniors are going to be held in Bundoran this September, which is really exciting. It's a massive opportunity for Irish surfers and for everyone involved in the local surf community."

With surfers like Tom leading the charge and major events arriving on Irish shores, the future is looking bright in the North West.

West Coast

Conor Moroney — Photo: George Karbus

Here in Lahinch and Co Clare, we had a mega second half of the season.

For me, the standout performances at Aileens came from Callum Curtin, Conor Moroney and Odin Villarreal. The lads stepped up when it mattered and put in some serious performances. A mention has to go to Joshy too, who has quietly been honing his backside tube-riding skills on the cleaner, more perfect days.

At the other end of the scale, the same familiar faces have continued to push the level at Riley's. Josh, Conor and Odin have all gone to another level and are now setting the benchmark out there.

Hazel Rafferty

One of the coolest developments has been the rise of female surfing along the west coast. Sadie Shaloo, Ruby Fanning, Hazel Rafferty, Saibh McCullough and Natalie Karbus have all been absolutely charging and taking on some heavy slabs.

The standout for me has been Hazel Rafferty. At just 14 years old, her approach to left-hand slabs has been incredible. Having coached her since the beginning, she's always been willing to commit in the most critical sections. She's helping pave the way for the next generation and it's inspiring to watch.

"At just 14 years old, her approach to left-hand slabs has been incredible."

On the contest front, the Junior Tour arrived in Lahinch and produced some brilliant surfing throughout the divisions.

U14 Boys

1. Tola Rice

2. Django McPhail

3. Matthew McSharry

4. Jake Callaghan

U16 Boys

1. Dylan Brangwyn

2. Albin Parle Fahrlin

3. Cathal Bennett

4. Xavier O'Rourke

U16 Girls

1. Isabella O'Reilly

2. Hazel Rafferty

3. Saibh McCullough

4. Elodie Blount

U18 Boys

1. Rory Murphy

2. Shay O'Sullivan

3. Páraic McSharry

4. Alfie Corcoran

Boys Longboard

1. David Fanning

2. Hugh Downey

3. Joshua Roberts

4. Gavin Downey

Josh Karbus — Photo: Pat O'Sullivan

A final massive shout-out has to go to Josh Karbus for his runner-up finish at the JQS Junior Pro Casablanca.

At just 16 years old, competing with and beating some of the best junior surfers in Europe is a serious achievement. Josh's combination of style and technical ability saw him win his way through every heat to reach the final, eventually finishing as runner-up.

Also flying the flag at the JQS Junior Pro Casablanca was Maria Butler, competing for West Coast Surf Club.

TBay News

Shay O'Sullivan — Photo: Kevin Doyle

The TBay Performance Squad recently wrapped up its annual competition series. Each surfer's best four results from six events counted towards the overall standings.

Girls Performance Squad

1. Ruby Fanning

2. Ella Dooly

3. Giorgi Herterich

4. Ella Moore

Boys Performance Squad

1. Shay O'Sullivan

2. Alfie Corcoran

3. David Fanning

4. Keelan Maloney

A huge congratulations to Ruby Fanning and Shay O'Sullivan, who have now claimed the overall title for the third consecutive year.

The Joe Roddy Trophy for exceptional effort and dedication went to Ella Dooly, a brilliant example of how consistency and hard work pay off over time.

A big shout-out as well to Shay O'Sullivan and Alfie Corcoran, who recently competed at the JQS Casablanca. Both surfers put in strong performances and will be following the tour around Europe this season, so keep an eye on their progress.

TBay can't be mentioned without talking about its longboarders. Tom Breen, Wes Hannigan, David Fanning, John Twomey and Ella Dooly have all been surfing incredibly well.

Inspired by Tom's European final appearance last year and another runner-up finish this season, the standard continues to rise. Ella continues to fly the flag for female longboarding and has become one of the standout performers coming out of Tramore.

TBay is producing some of Ireland's best longboarders and remains the backbone of the Irish Team longboard team setup.

Mikey February / Malibu

Opening day at Malibu with a pumping south swell June 9th, 2006. When you're lucky enough to be in the right spot to shoot one of the most stylish surfers on the planet, Mikey February. Hit play, wind him up and watch him go.

Euro Road Trips: Portugal

2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro

Carissa Moore and Leonardo Fioravanti Win 2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero

Carissa Moore (HAW) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) won the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 5 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). An incredible string of performances from five-time World Champion Moore now includes back-to-back CT wins, after beating fellow World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Final. Alongside Moore as the event’s most consistently powerful competitor was Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), who earned his first-ever CT victory, and the country of Italy’s first CT win, over 2019 World Champion and current World No. 1, Italo Ferreira (BRA).

Carissa Moore Achieves Back-to-Back CT Wins in Dominant Form

An unstoppable Carissa Moore (HAW) now claims back-to-back CT wins in 2026 with a remarkable run through the Surf City El Salvador Pro. This marks Moore’s 30th-career CT victory and first in Central America. The five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Moore, continues to raise the bar for women’s power and progression, putting everything into last-minute heroics and excellent showcases. Now, Moore moves to World No. 2 and heads to the VIVO Rio Pro with her family in full support.

"I'm literally baffled. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their support and love, especially from home," said Moore. "When I saw Tyler [Wright] in the locker room, I just said, 'This is like the old days, this is awesome.' It's really cool to see the veterans make a push this year, make some Finals, and take some wins. I'm inspired by my generation and the next generation; it's such a good combination for women's surfing right now. To be able to share this with my husband. We've been together for 16 years now, and he's my best friend. And we're testing the waters with him as a coach at a few, and it seemed to work out at this one."

Moore opened up a Final of CT icons against two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) with a mid-range 5.50 (out of a possible 10) on her consistently powerful forehand following a quick opener to take the lead. Moore stayed busy under priority and locked into a Punta Roca runner to showcase more of her forehand variety, with glimpses of power in sections that offered, to post a 4.83, forcing Wright to need an excellent 8.00. A critical exchange at the 19-minute mark witnessed Wright use her priority, but the wave didn’t provide the opportunity needed as Moore took off on the next wave and put on a masterclass of power and variety. Moore’s 8.33 put Wright into a combination situation, but only briefly, as the two traded on back-to-back Punta Roca walls with Wright digging into her power form and a 7.67 to catapult herself back into the heat.

It all came down to the dying moments as the 2011 Gold Coast Pro finalists battled it out as Wright found her chance to strike back, posting the required 6.17 to overtake the lead with only five minutes remaining. But Moore’s answer of 6.67 flipped the heat once more, where she remained in the lead until the final horn.

Moore’s road through Finals Day opened with excellence against then World No. 2 Luana Silva (BRA) before outmatching World No. 1 Gabriela Bryan (HAW) in the Semifinals with another 8.17 to seal her spot in back-to-back Finals on the 2026 CT.

Fioravanti Finds Long-Awaited CT Glory To Claim Maiden Win

The event’s most consistent contender, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), completed his phenomenal surge all the way to a maiden CT victory. Fioravanti’s third-career CT Final yielded his long-awaited breakthrough win after posting some of the event’s best performances from start to finish, including the event’s best single-score of a 9.00 in today’s Quarterfinals. Now, Fioravanti firmly establishes himself toward the top of the rankings, currently World No. 3, with the VIVO Rio Pro in his sights.

"It doesn't feel real. This sport is so hard, and I've dedicated the last 10 years of my life to getting this win. I've come close a lot of times, and it feels unreal," said Fioravanti. "My crew is amazing. I've got the best coaches in the world. [Richard] Dog [Marsh] has been with me since I was twelve years old. Having Ramzi [Boukhiam], Connor [O'Leary], and Tyler [Wright]. My filmer Tommy has been supporting me this whole week. My wife, who's back home, always says, 'Don't win when I'm not there.' I love you. There are so many years of believing in not giving up. That Final at Pipe last year really broke my heart, but I never gave up. I tried to just keep going ahead, and keep thinking positive. And always saying my moment would come, and I just kept believing in that. Thank you to WSL and Surf City for providing this event to us, it was just insane."

The men’s Final featured two event standouts in World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) and now World No. 3 Fioravanti. Fioravanti capitalized on the first wave that pulsed into the lineup and unleashed more of his signature forehand power from start to finish to post an 8.33 and apply immediate pressure. Ferreira tried to find a response, but couldn’t get onto a Punta Roca gem as Fioravanti found another opportunity to strike and increased his lead with a 6.17 to put Ferreira in a combination situation, requiring a 14.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total. A pivotal exchange at the eight-minute mark witnessed Fioravanti keep pushing his forehand against the walls of Punta Roca as Ferreira found his much-needed response, posting a 7.50 to earn his way back into the heat. But, Fioravanti’s 7.00 extended his lead and forced Ferreira to require a 7.84 and held that lead until earning his maiden CT victory.

Fioravanti’s Quarterfinal comeback brilliance accrued a 15.93 heat total over fellow European standout Marco Mignot (FRA), before facing good friend and Finals Day breakout Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in the Semifinals, where he posted an 8.50 during their stout battle. Then, Fioravanti left it all in the water to claim his first CT win over World No. 1, 2019 World Champion, and Olympic Gold Medalist, Italo Ferreira (BRA).

Wright and Ferreira Fight Their Way to Runner-up Finishes

Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) made her 2026 statement with an incredible to the Final at the Surf City El Salvador Pro. This marks Wright’s first CT Final since the Lexus Pipe Pro in 2025, and shows she’s still very much in the mix of being a three-time World Champion. Now, Wright heads to the VIVO Rio Pro, ranked World No. 9 and with plenty of momentum following a major performance.

"It's been such a lovely trip, but really, this is Carissa's and Leo's day," said Wright. "They've had an incredible event, and I'm so proud of them both. I know for Leo, this is his first win. I'm so proud to be here and watch it, and him mature over the years. I know just how hard to get your first win, and many more to come. And massive congrats to Carissa, I'm just so proud of them both."

Wright’s road to victory began against fellow World Champion Caitlin Simmers (USA) in a stout Quarterfinal clash before an all-Australian World Champion heat awaited in the Semifinals against Molly Picklum (AUS). Wright took that momentum all the way to a runner-up, and now prepares for Rio.

The 2019 World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Italo Ferreira (BRA), overcame the biggest of odds for back-to-back CT Final appearances. After dealing with a knee injury that occurred before the event, Ferreira showed his warrior spirit in every one of his heats to storm toward a second consecutive Final after winning the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro. Ferreira now prepares for the VIVO Rio Pro in home waters, still wearing the yellow leaders jersey, and building his lead atop the field with every heat.

"The last few days have been really hard, because when I had the injury, I thought I was out of the event," said Ferreira. "It was really bad and the first days after, I couldn't even walk. I just prayed that I would come back, and then there were a few days that gave me time to recover a little bit, and then it was not about performance, that was about fate. God gave me a lot of energy to keep going and stay on top, and that was the greatest thing. I just want to say thank you to my wife, thank you for everything. My family, my kid is here. My team and all the doctors who helped me. The stitches are still here, but they will come out in Brazil. I can't wait to tell this story to my kid and hope that he is proud of me."

Ferreira’s Finals Day tear opened in the Quarterfinals against fellow Olympic Gold Medalist Kauli Vaast (FRA) before taking on fellow Brazilian World Champion, three-time World Champ, Gabriel Medina (BRA) in an all-out battle that went back and forth until the final horn, leading to his victory over Fioravanti.

The 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro event victor, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) entered Punta Roca holding the No. 1 spot on the rankings for a third time this season, and with Tyler Wright’s (AUS) win over Molly Picklum (AUS) in their Semifinal battle, Bryan maintains the Yellow Leader Jersey heading into the VIVO Rio Pro. For Picklum, a fifth consecutive Quarterfinal appearance, earning a Finals showing at Bells Beach and Semifinal here in El Salvador, pushes her to World No. 3 heading toward her VIVO Rio Pro title defense.

A breakthrough event for Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), accruing excellent showcases, landed him in his first Semifinal of 2026 after taking down an in-form Callum Robson (AUS) to kick off the men’s Quarterfinals. But, Igarashi matched up with a good friend, Fioravanti, in the Semifinals and fell just short of besting the eventual winner. The three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) had the beach in an uproar every wave he completed throughout the event, culminating in a Semifinal finish after an all-star bout with fellow Brazilian World Champ, Ferreira. Medina showed his grit to surmount Central America’s favorite Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) in a close battle.

For more information and highlights from the 2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

Surf City El Salvador Pro Women's Final Results:
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.10
2 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.84

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men's Final Results:
1 - Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.33
2 - Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.90

Surf City El Salvador Pro Women's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.17 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 11.33
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.00

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 12.00 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 10.10
HEAT 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.70 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.17

Surf City El Salvador Pro Women's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 14.83 DEF. Anat Lelior (ISR) 7.50
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.67 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 6.07
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) 14.33 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 11.50
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.27

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 14.67 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 13.27
HEAT 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.93 DEF. Marco Mignot (FRA) 13.00
HEAT 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.67 DEF. Kauli Vaast (FRA) 8.33
HEAT 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 8.80 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 8.10
Up Next: VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero

English National Championships

As the podium ceremonies took place at 4pm under glorious sunshine and light winds, it was hard to believe this was the same beach that greeted competitors at 8am. The day began with challenging conditions, as the Under-16 boys paddled out on a dropping tide into gusting winds and light rain that felt more reminiscent of a winter swell than a summer championship event. However, as the competition progressed and the stakes rose, Fistral Beach delivered, producing clean 3–4ft sets and improving conditions that set the stage for a spectacular day.

Heath Gillespie in action. 

The standard of surfing throughout the event was exceptional, with athletes across all divisions showcasing the depth of talent within English surfing. Every competitor arrived with one goal in mind – to become an English National Champion. After a day of intense heats and standout performances, our champions were crowned.

Sunny Ingram. 

Several surfers delivered standout performances throughout the day. In the challenging morning conditions, Seb Whiteley found a diamond in the rough, scoring an impressive 8.17 on a chunky section to secure his place in the semi-finals. His combined heat total of 15.84 stood as the highest heat score of the competition before midday and set the benchmark for the rest of the field.

In the Under-18 Boys division, Joel Nicholson continued his impressive progression after moving up from the Under-16 ranks, where he previously claimed the Grom Search title. He demonstrated confidence and skill throughout the event, delivering powerful surfing all the way to the final. Despite a determined effort, he was unable to find the scoring opportunities he needed in the closing stages of the competition.

Lila Skinner throwing buckets.

Sunny Ingram also impressed in the Under-18 Girls division, consistently posting strong scores with powerful turns and keeping the pressure on her competitors throughout the day. However, it was Willow Smith who proved untouchable in the final. A superb 8.50 on her last wave secured both the championship title and the highest single-wave score of the event, capping off a remarkable performance.

Lila Skinner displayed consistency and composure throughout the Under-16 Girls division, carrying her momentum all the way to the final. Despite strong challenges from Annie Nicholls, Martha Edwards and Coco Arthur, Skinner rose to the occasion and secured the title of 2026 Caravan and Motorhome Club English National Champion.

Cairo Garcia hitting 12 o'clock.

In the Under-16 Boys division, Cairo Garcia's determination was evident from the very start. The first surfer in the water that morning, he was already free surfing before registration had even opened. That commitment paid off as he progressed through each round and delivered a commanding performance in the final. Staying active and capitalising on every scoring opportunity, Garcia claimed his first English National Championship title in impressive fashion.

Willow Smith Under 18 Champ. 

The English Nationals are incredibly proud of every athlete who competed. Reaching the podium at a national championship is no small achievement, and the level of performance across both Under-16 and Under-18 divisions was outstanding. Beyond the results, the event showcased the strength of England's surfing community—from athletes and coaches to families, friends and supporters who contribute so much to each competitor's journey.

Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, whose continued support as our headline event sponsor makes our English Nationals possible.

Under-16 Girls
1st – Lila Skinner 
2nd – Martha Edwards 
3rd – Annie Nicholls 
4th – Coco Arthur

Under-16 Boys
1st – Cairo Garcia 
2nd – Seb Whiteley 
3rd – Jensen Martin 
4th – Harley Miller

Under-18 Girls
1st – Willow Smith 
2nd – Sunny Ingram 
3rd – Kaja Millward 
4th – Harlyn Sykes

Under-18 Boys
1st – Heath Gillespie 
2nd – Jago Tasker 
3rd – Isaac Friend 
4th – Joel Nicholson

A Thousand Lives – Tom Lowe

Told through a remarkable collection of voice notes from the other side of life and death, A Thousand Lives is an intimate, experimental portrait of Cornish big wave surfer Tom Lowe following multiple near fatal accidents in Tahiti at the worlds most dangerous wave, Teahupoo.

Raw, vulnerable and deeply human, the film traces Tom’s journey through trauma, to redemption as he confronts mortality, rebuilds his spirit, and returns to Mullaghmore in Ireland, the mystical wave location that defined his career and becomes the setting for an extraordinary act of renewal.

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