Surf Safari Tour 1999

I came across some clips while working on a project recently. These clips ( Video... https://www.almennie.me/media#?wix-vod-video-id=92521ee706e549f386736862090b0624&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jee9hxc9 ) are me aged 18 surfing in Ireland between stops on the first Red Bull Surf Safari Tour. It was a series of competitions that stopped at a variety of surf spots from Portballintrae all the way down to Donegal, Mayo and Galway. The winner from each stop travelled on a tour bus owned by the Spice Girls (I know random eh) to the next stop to compete against the locals there! Californians Shane and Gavin Beschen, Dino Andino, Justin Matheson, Australian Derek Hynd and a few others travelled on board experiencing their first time in Ireland and making it onto UTV in the process. The UTV interview by Justin whilst standing on the rocks at Portballintrae no doubt amused many Northern Irish viewers being that it was 1999.

I was the winner from various stops in Ireland and I went on to compete against the welsh and english. I ended up finishing 2nd across the three countries. Welshman Nick Swinnerton took first and we went to JBay South Africa with Gareth LLewellyn as the prize! The series was filmed by Channel Four in the UK and aired across two one hour slots on consecutive Saturday mornings.

https://www.almennie.me/media#?wix-vod-video-id=92521ee706e549f386736862090b0624&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jee9hxc9

Al Mennie, Ciaran Haresnape and Aussie Stevie at Portballintrae 1999. Photo by Ester Spears.

Winners trophy