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YAK Latest News
Yak Team Surf Kayaker wins at Mundaka
Promising young paddler Andy McClelland has been successful in his quest to be crowned Junior European IC surf kayak champion.
Held in Mundaka, Northern Spain this year, the championships proved to be extremely tough, with local competitors especially putting up a great fight in the finals on the world class wave.
A very early start on the 22nd of April saw the beginning of what was to be a super trip to the Basque Country for Andy. Arrival in sunny Spain marked the start of the wave hunting. As the swell forecast wasn’t looking great for the first couple of days, sun bathing took priority!
The first day of the contest started well for everyone in the Northern Ireland surf team and Mundaka was doing what it does best! The wave was firing and there were plenty of barrels to be had. A very high standard was on show from all taking part and competition was very strong.
The high standard of surfing continued to finals day with waves reaching head and a half high, as surfers would describe it, which is around 15ft. Slightly smaller surf than what Mundaka is used to but still providing for the world class athletes to show what they could do.
Finals lasted for 20 minutes each so not a very long time to show what you can do. There were 5 people in the junior IC final, Andy and 4 other lads from the Basque Country. Luckily things went Andy’s way and he came out on top!
Andy comments: “I went out with the attitude that I would just enjoy myself and have fun – not a strategy that I would usually go for but it paid off this time!”
Later this year Andy will travel to Portugal to compete in the World Championships.
Junior IC results:
1º- ANDY McClelland (Northern Ireland)
2º- BEÑAT Elorza (Basque Country)
3º- JON Fernandez (Basque Country)
Photograph with thanks to Gerry McGaghey
May 2009
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