Surfers to make waves at family festival

EVERYBODY’S going surfing ... down Tramore way.

Surfer babes hit the waves yesterday to launch the third annual Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival which takes place from September 23 to 26.

Festival chairperson Linda Tuohy said the event promotes Tramore’s beautiful natural resources.

“The festival is all about the sea, surfing, maritime heritage, and the tradition of celebration of these events within the town,” she said. “A huge attraction to the festival to date has been the full, free, family-orientated programme which takes place on the Sunday.”

The festival begins on Thursday, September 23, with a Coastal Art and Photography exhibition by artist Sinead Ní Chionala and photographer Carmel Cleary.

A Taste of Tramore event, including beer tasting and seafood seminar in The Sea Horse, will feature in participating restaurants on the Friday.

A mini Surf Film Festival will be screened at The Victoria House at 7pm.

And on Saturday, September 25, a ladies surf weekend will begin at Oceanics Surf School with 60 free places available courtesy of the school, The Irish Surfing Association and the Women in Sport Initiative and Waterford Surf Lifesaving will hold the Ultimate Beach Lifeguard Challenge competition on the beach.

A seafood foraging tour will take place on Tramore beach and a local writers reading on “Old Tramore” will take place at the town’s library. A live music entertainment programme will feature through the town’s pubs and hotels on Saturday evening.

Sunday is Free Family Fun Day from 11am with eco-walks, wind and kite surfing exhibitions, and beach games planned.

A full programme of all festival activities can be viewed on www.oceanics.ie or on Facebook page Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival. To register for a free place on the ladies surf weekend call 051 390944 or email [e-mail].