Storm Lorenzo threatened to reek havoc on the Irish coastline, atlantic depressions continue to rage on, the memory of a warm, sunny weekend on Achill Island, seems like a distant foreign holiday, but Mayo Mayhem 19 was a celebration of wavsailing and of our highly motivated, fun-loving, wavesailing community.
The third year of Mayo Mayhem, wavesailing competition saw many competitors return and many new competitors get a taste of Achill and wave competition. In the build up to the event, the forecast looked incredible with organisers hoping to witness scenes reminiscent of the first years event. However, as can happen with some forecasts, they can diminish just before the main event.
That did not deter the event crew nor the competitors on Friday morning. After a catch up and event briefing at 09:30 at the Pure Magic Lodge, sailors were rigged and ready by 1030. This year Mayo Mayhem enrolled the help of Dave Garvey (ISA Training Development Officer) with competitor safety, his knowledge and expertise was evident from the outset, with a comprehensive safety briefing before the event started. A short waiting period, allowed competitors to refuel on some delicious “Pain au Chocolat” kindly supplied by Tartine Organic Bakery. Sailors were now really keen to get on the water. Ross Gsamelov, ran the gauntlet and was first to test the conditions. Still light as he gauged the conditions but then the winds picked up and the first heat was called to get underway by noon.
The silver fleet set off first, with both first time competitors and practised sailors testing their skills on Keels renown waves. From the get go, conditions were tricky and finding good waves, certainly upped ones chances of advancing. Condensing all your windsurfing skill, knowledge and abilities into a 12 minute heat is no easy task. Those 12 minutes can feel like you’ve just sailed for 2 hours. With 12 competitors in the silver fleet, each one had to sail their best in order to get through. Even though the forecast was not as strong as predicted, that said, Keel was producing some solid waves. If you got it wrong, the pounding in the white water quickly reminded sailors never to underestimate the power of the ocean. Luka Walshe the event videographer witnessed this first hand and had the arduous task of walking back up the beach with his sail in a number of pieces.
As the heats made there way toward the final, conditions became extremely light, and it took great skill and challenged the other end of the wavesailing spectrum. There are many days when wind is borderline and the waves are pumping. This is when a wavesailor can get some of the best waves rides with silky waves faces and a completely light and neutral sail. So with this in mind the judges pressed on and competitors responded.
Steve Laddiman off the lip…
In the mix in the silver fleet finals, we saw a diverse array of sailors Steve Laddiman from Wales, Nick Fletcher from N.Ireland, Adrien Grelon from Canada and Stephen Lawless from Ireland, then in the Gold Fleet, had Alex Dugan, Finn Mellon, Niall Mellon and the only female entrant this year, but what a competitor and sailor, Katie McAnenna all corners of the country were represented here too. Atlantic conditions continued to challenge but again wave selection proved vital. With very close heats across both fleets spectators where left guessing and especially so in the Gold Fleet final. This heat saw father versus son, student versus mentor. Neither sailor held anything back and at one point, as each rode a wave toward shore they’re movements where almost a mirror image of each other.
Niall Mellon slash
Judges held back results for the award ceremony later that evening at the Festival. The Rockshore tent was taken over by windsurfers and Francis Nogue had the honour announcing the final results.
Sliver Fleet
1 Stephen Laddiman
2 Nick Fletcher
3 Adrien Grelon
4 Stephen Lawless
5 Ross Gsamelov
6 William Revels
7 Luka Walshe
8 John Bedford
9 Kevin Walsh
10 Pawel Bielinski
11 Oleg Antonenko
12 Daniel Streuli
Gold Fleet
1 Niall Mellon
2 Finn Mellon
3 Katie McAnena
4 Alex Dugan
5 Dan Kealy
6 Malcolm Scott
7 Ryan O’Leary
8 Martin Roe
9 Julias Byrne
10 John Adrain
With awards given, competitors where left to enjoy the show put on by Pure Magic and their Team. The next day still held a glimmer of hope for sailable conditions. The plan was to hold a “Tricktionary” inspired expression session but Mother Nature decided otherwise. Competitors then took they’re opportunity to give back and for a second year in a row, carried out a beach clean in conjunction with “Clean Coasts Ireland”. Next saw a prize giving, with every competitor rewarded for effort with some fantastic prizes received. Now even though the wind was light, the waves still rolled in and competitors were supping and surfing until Pure Magic provided a giant Sup. Sailors were still amped for the expression session so the logical step was to see how many people could fit on it and try and catch a wave. This proved to be as enjoyable for the crew on the water as it did the spectators on land.
Unfortunately the wind never kicked back in so competition was called off and wavesaliors could catch up and enjoy the craic, brilliant live music, and Sunday was wall to wall sunshine and waves. What more could you ask for from an wavesailing event. Gathering a great bunch of sailors together, for water action, prizes, music and fireworks. I think next year is going to bigger and better than ever.
Julias Bryne post competition free sail.
