Sun, Sea and Surf are the order of the day as details of the Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival 2009 were launched on Tramore beach in County Waterford. The festival will take place on September 19 and 20 in the coastal town.

A ladies Surfing weekend will take place on September 19 and 20 which is sponsored by Women In Sport Ireland will be hosted as part of the festival, the ladies surf weekend hosts a packed programme of Pilate’s instruction sessions, Indian head massage for the pamper factor, Surf lessons an expression session as well as a BBQ and entertainment.

A Family Fun Day of surfing and entertainment will take place on September 20 with a fun filled programme of activities open to all on Tramore beach from 11am including Eco-walks, Kite Surfing, Surf Hire, Exhibitions and Kite Building, Martial Arts, Beach Volley Ball, Rock Climbing instruction, Orienteering, Sea Weed Workshops, Historian sessions and much more.

The festival took place for the first time in 2008 to huge success and a bigger programme is planned for the 2009 festival according to Festival Chairperson Linda Tuohy, "We are really excited about the programme of events this year, we have been planning this year’s festival since early spring and there is a huge line-up for events for all the family to take part.

The festival was thought up to revive a circa 1920’s Tramore tradition Michaelmas day, which was traditionally a women’s celebration and to celebrate the natural amenities in Tramore and we are celebrating that theme with the Ladies Surf Weekend during the festival."

A Monster Skate Jam will also be taking place on Sunday September 20 sponsored by Monster Energy Ireland.

The festival is being held at the close of the traditional bathing season in the sea side town and this is no coincidence; traditionally circa 1920 the ladies who worked the ‘Bathing Boxes’ on the beach for the season always held an event at the close of season on ‘Michaelmas Day’ – they celebrated the end of season and St Michael’s Feast Day the patron saint of seafarers by making and carrying seaweed dolls around the town and then later tossing them into the sea, this tradition will be revived by the Surf and Sea Festival, where on Sunday at the festival close a parade along the Tramore promenade with the sea weed doll will take place and which will be then thrown into the sea just like our seaside ancestors did nearly 100 years ago.

According to Linda Tuohy, Festival Chairperson "Michaelmas Day denotes an equinox and change of season, surfing conditions in Ireland improve in the autumn / winter season so not only will this celebration close the summer season but it will also begin a whole new season for surfing."

Further information on the festival can be found on www.oceanics.ie. To take part in the Ladies surf weekend email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photos

708e Surf Instructor Lorna Walshe, Surfers Michelle Kirby and Claire Dempsey getting some practice in for the upcoming Ladies Surf Weekend at the Oceanic Surf & Sea Festival which was launched today on Tramore beach in County Waterford, the festival will take place on September 19 and 20 in the coastal town; further information can be found on www.oceanics.ie – Photograph Gavin Downey

741e Getting some practice in for the upcoming Oceanic Surf & Sea Festival are Surfers Claire Dempsey and Michelle Kirby with Surf Instructor Simon Moore, the festival was launched today on Tramore beach in County Waterford and will take place on September 19 and 20 in the coastal town; further information can be found on www.oceanics.ie – Photograph Gavin Downey

718e Looking forward to the upcoming Oceanic Surf & Sea Festival (Sept 19 & 20) which was launched today on Tramore beach in County Waterford are Surf Instructor Simon Moore, Surfer Claire Dempsey Kite Surfer Emmet Kelly, Surfer Michelle Kirby, Surf Instructor Lorna Walshe and Raya Touhy and Ellen Barry - further information can be found on www.oceanics.ie – Photograph Gavin Downey

Photography: Gavin Downey 087 7585791