Trip, Ireland - Wojciech Piotrowski - Alan Kavanagh // Strapless Kitesurfing - Strapless Kitesurfing

Want to discover the Irish West Coast ? This winter we ask Wojciech Piotrowski to give us a sneak peek of some magic spots in Ireland. Shades of green from mountains to the ocean…

Hi Wojciech, can you introduce you ?

My name is Wojciech Piotrowski and I’m Polish, I’ve been living in West Coast of Ireland for last 11 years. From a very young age, I’ve been involved with various kinds of sports like gymnastics, skiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing. I’m Physical Education teacher and personal trainer, also kitesurfing and ski instructor. I’ve launched “KiteZone – Lahinch Kitesurfing School” 6 years ago and between kite sessions I teach kitesurfing and provide personal fitness trainings.

Why Ireland ?

Ireland is a magical place surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Western coastline is rugged, with many islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays with beautiful beaches. Weather here provides strong consistent winds and highest quality waves. Spots are never too much crowded… so, for the guy like me, it’s perfect destination to live and progress wave riding.

Tell us something about the spots & weather conditions

I’m based in Lahinch(Co. Clare), the surf capital of Ireland and other watersports including kitesurfing, windsurfing and SUP. It’s scenic town with renowned restaurants and hotels, offers its guests a vibrant nightlife. There is a healthy blend of both local and multi-cultural people who share the same love and appreciation for the ocean.

There are kite & surf schools working all year round – http://www.lahinchkite.com/

Brandon Bay shot by Lucas Machowski

Due to heavy winds and swells during winter, West Coast of Ireland became a superb destination for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers looking for extreme conditions.For example: Brandon Bay (Co. Kerry) is a former PWA wave spot and Red Bull Storm Chase has been organized there in 2013. Ireland is known for heavy storm surf and howling winds. The West Coast offers plenty of options for all wind directions in cross – shore and cross off – shore conditions with huge waves.There’s a large preference for gale force winds in October and November. With a strong west circulation on low latitudes, several storm depressions can reach the west coast.During a gale waves can build up to 8-10 meters, sometimes even more at exposed coasts. Local knowledge is essential to enter the water in most spots here. I travel a lot to search for the best conditions (wind & waves) from Co. Kerry (SW) to Co. Donegal (NW) and I use 5 and 7 sqm kites during winter, occasionally 10 or 11 sqm during summer time.

The Gulf Stream provides the west coast with very mild conditions but sometimes temperatures may drop below 10°C due to strong N winds. In case of that I use 5/4 mm fully sealed wetsuit for winter and 3/2 mm during summer.

More pics by Lucas Machowski