PWA IRISH WAVE GRAND PRIX DAY 3

Carnival Atmosphere Makes For A Party Weekend

Sunday October 6, 2002
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The PWA Irish Wave Grand Prix, which is presented by Bord Fáilte, carried

on in style today as everybody headed down to the competition s
alternative venue. Dumps beach attracted large crowds of locals,
holidaymakers and loyal enthusiasts as the sun again came out to shine.

Surfers were out on the beach in force but not the windsurfing kind! Good
windsurfing conditions have again appeared elusive as race officials now
tip Tuesday and Wednesday as the days to watch. It is thought that wind
levels will begin to pick up throughout tomorrow, as Ireland s
unprecedented Indian summer appears to have finally reached its peak.

Of course, the celebrity status of the sport s highest achievers was given

yet another boost today as people lined up to get event T-shirts and
posters autographed by their windsurfing heroes. Daida Ruano Moreno
(North, Mistral), Nik Baker (North Sails, Mistral) and Vidar Jensen (North
Sails) were among those who took part in the signing. There was a definite
carnival atmosphere as music boomed from the beach while stalls selling
food, PWA memorabilia and surfing goods did a roaring trade.

Competition hopeful Rob Jones (J.P. Australia, Neil Pryde), who will be
competing under sail number K-00, also had his share of time in the
spotlight today, as he took part in one of the many beach-interviews to
entertain the crowd. Rob turned up in Ireland about seven years ago on a
field trip, and just never went home. I literally arrived here on a visit,
and just never got on the bus back home. Without a doubt, Ireland offers
the best windsurfing conditions in the world and so this is definitely
where I want to stay for now. I think if I wanted to be on the circuit
full-time I would have already done it by now.

Francisco Goya (Arrows, Fanatic) is playing host to the troops tonight. He’s
doing an O Neill Evening at Jimmy Fitzgerald s bar in Castlegregory.
Should be interesting…