Press Release, Saltwater – March 2025 The
Bundoran, April 2025 –
Saltwater Brings First Junior WSL Event to Northwest Ireland.
Saltwater Festival is set to make history in Irish Surfing as it brings the first World Surf League (WSL) event to Northwest Ireland this September. The four-day competition will take place from 4–7 September 2025 in Bundoran.
Organised as part of Saltwater Festival, the high-profile surf event will feature over 100 of the top under-21 male and female surfers from across Europe, competing in the European leg of the World Tour. Entries for the competition will open on the World Surf League website from 9 am this Thursday. “This is huge for Irish surfing and recognition of the quality of surf, the talent emerging in Ireland and the importance of surfing along the Wild Atlantic Way” said Pete Craig one of the Organisers of the event.
The main competition will be held at the iconic wave “The Peak” in Bundoran, with Tullan Strand, and Strandhill designated as backup locations
Rob Gunning World Surf League, Joan Crawford Failte Ireland, Daniel Browne and Pete Craig Saltwater Festival, Shane Smyth Donegal Tourism, Ryan Vail Saltwater Festival at the Iconic Surf spot The Peak in Bundoran which will host the first-ever World Surf League Pro Junior event to be held in Ireland this September
The World Surf League (WSL) is renowned for organising and promoting professional surfing competitions worldwide. Now, Ireland’s coastline will serve as the next stage for young surfing talents, further strengthening the country’s reputation on the global surfing scene. “WSL Europe are very excited to be part of this new project!
For the first time ,we will be taking our athletes to Ireland and the exceptional quality waves of Bundoran. Adding such a stop to our European Junior Series is a great plus for us and our members”, said Rob Gunning, The WSL Europe Tour Manager. “The European Junior Pro Series is very important to the development of the future surfing stars of Ireland and Europe as a whole.
I would like to thank the organizers, Failtes Ireland, Bundoran and all the event partners who have made this inaugural event possible. I am certain it will be a great show and a great platform to show the world the waves and surfing talent Ireland has to offer.’ added Gunning. Over the weekend Strandhill will also see the “Expression Session” surf event for contestants from the World Surf League event to take on the top Irish Surfers creating a unique opportunity for Irish surfers to take on the professionals.
The same weekend will also see the European Surf Ski Championships held in Easkey Co Sligo with over 100 competitors from across Europe battling it out on another of the region’s iconic waves. In Rossnowlagh, the Liquid Therapy Open Day will see Liquid Therapy, the award-winning charity, welcoming surfers with special needs into the Atlantic waters, celebrating diversity and inclusivity in surfing. “The stretch of coastline from Easkey to Strandhill and Bundoran to Rossnowlagh along the south of Donegal Bay is one of the best stretches of coast in the world for surfing.
With Saltwater we want to celebrate and honour that and the unique Irish surf culture that has emerged”, said Pete. Running alongside the WSL event, the Saltwater Festival will celebrate coastal life with a diverse lineup of beach sports events, food experiences, film screenings, and a music trail, offering an unforgettable experience for attendees. Proudly supported by Fáilte Ireland, Donegal County Council, and the Wild Atlantic Way, Saltwater aims to be the heartbeat of this celebration, bringing the spirit of Ireland’s west coast to life in the country’s surfing capital.
Media Contact: Martina Borutova info@saltwater.ie For more information and event updates, visit : www.saltwater.ie
