Circle One Team Rider
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It's fair to say that Al's been doing more than sitting on his backside lately. Recognition of his Big Wave Riding achievements, as well as Ireland's surfing potential, has exploded recently and as a result he's been busy promoting his favourite sport, attending events, working with Media partners and ok, enjoying himself along the way. Here's what's been going on..
Filming in South Africa for Gethin Jones' Danger Hunters : Deadly Waves, June '08. Gethin Jones (of BBC Blue Peter and Strictly Come Dancing fame) experiences a taste of Big Wave Riding at the hands of Al and Cotty. Focus on the preparation, training and psychology required for this high risk sport whilst travelling from Ireland to Cornwall and then on to South Africa. Tune into Virign1 channel in September to see this extreme action documentary aired for the first time. Click here to see a trailer on 'You Tube'.
Billabong XXL Awards Ceremony, California, 11th April '08. Hosted this year by none other than Mark 'Occy' Lupo, this event brings together the cream of the surf world and its media entourage. To receive an invitation at all is impressive. Al Mennie and tow partner Andrew Cotton (Cotty) found themselves rubbing shoulders with surf giants Carlos Burle, Garret McNamara, Grant Baker and Maya Gabiera whilst footage was screened of their exploits in July last year at Aileen's and their epic session on Decemeber 1st at Mullghmore Head. As if that wasn't enough to get the pair smiling, Occy then blew them away with his personal congratulations 'to the Irish guys - Alastair, Andrew and Duncan - for bringing Irish Surfing to the world stage'. An honour indeed (though not technically correct as Andrew's English and Duncan's South African) as recognition doesn't get much better than that. None of the British guys won a prize that night but knowing that they came close to the world's top Tow In sessions was for them a real accolade in itself.
Coming Up..
Association of Professional Towsurfers World Cup '08, Punta de Lobos, Chile. Punta de Lobos is Chile's most powerful point break with waves in excess of 50'-60'. Competitors for this World Class event will consist of the top 8 rated teams from the 2007 APT season, Chilean representation and professionally established big wave riders from Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Mexico, California, Brazil and yes - Ireland. The holding period for the event has recently been extended to 15th September due to some massive swells dropping quickly. Al and Cotty are on the Alternates list this time but we all hope that Al and Cotty get the all important call soon...
The Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic, Oregon, USA. If Al ever needed confirmation that he's at the top of his game, the invitation to compete at this truly global event nails it. There's no higher classed Tow In event with invitees including Greg and Rusty Long and Tyler and Rusty Smith, however Al and Cotty are the first Europeans ever to be invited. This year will see a Paddle In contest added to the Classic, with its own seed into 2009's event and own cash purse. Click here to find out more.
This means that out of the three key Tow In events held across the world on an annual basis, Al and Cotty have been been invited to two of them. In Al's own words "This is huge for me".
Introduction
Alastair's passion for big waves is notorious. Footage of him and fellow surfers riding 40' faces at Mullaghmore Head in Northern Ireland last year captured the imagination - and horror - of millions of people as pictures of a small spec (although he's 6'5") on a monstruous wave leapt out of National press including the Sun and The Observer and from BBC and Sky News programmes to name but a few. This session on the 1st Dec literally hit new heights for Al, but it certainly wasn't the first time he has pushed the limits of wave riding..
Background to Al's Big Wave Riding Passion
As a boy growing up in Northern Ireland, surfing really got under Alastair's skin and became his passion. Entering the UK competition scene, he was National Student Champion and went on to become a successful UK Surfing Tour Professional, but all the while he was scouting and surfing little known spots on the Irish coast looking for bigger waves and fresh challenges. Al has also surfed a number of spots that probably have never been surfed around Ireland as well as some of the world's meanest waves such as Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Northern California, by all accounts a totally awesome experience.
Now off the circuit, Al focuses on the big waves that drive him to push his surf to the limit whilst balancing this with his work life which is property-development and being his own boss. But despite his achievements, the man himself keeps his feet on the ground stressing that solid training, skill, determination and total committment are the keys to doing what he does - and staying alive.
