Ollie O'Flaherty: Waves of Consequence on The Emerald Isle
Photo by Luke Gartside
Irish big wave surfer, environmental educator and surf coach Ollie O’Flaherty is based in Lahinch, County Clare. Whilst he’s probably most well known for surfing giant waves at Mullaghmore in Co Sligo, the 35-year-old C-Skins rider has had his fair share of hectic hold downs and heavy slabs.
Photo by Kellian Bier
He first started surfing at the age of 4, influenced by his uncle Alan Coyle. “He was a long time surfer, one of the pioneering local crew here in the early 80s in Lahinch. I was very lucky to have him to teach me to surf and show me around the coastline.”
Photo by Luke Gartside
Irish born and bred, Ollie understands the waves of his country, both charging them and treating them with respect. Having waves of consequence like Riley’s and The Cliffs of Moher on your doorstep doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll surf them. However, the surf community on Ireland’s west coast is made up of a lot chargers who not only give them a go, but champion them. Ollie explained why this is, “I think the reason we have a deep connection with heavy waves in Ireland is because a lot of Irish people have a warrior mentality. I reckon it’s an islander thing, similar to Hawaii and other island nations. We’re just a little bit tapped, y’know? Little bit wild. Throw caution to the wind kind of attitude. I find a lot of connection with Hawaiian’s, Tahitian’s, Canary Islanders’. I think it’s just in our blood, in our nature.”
Photo by Luke Gartside
The epic waves in Ireland are no secret and often gain the attention of international chargers. “The waves in Ireland attract the best surfers in the world. It’s usually the braver big wave surfers, those who can put up with the cold and harsh conditions,” Ollie said, “The waves are heavy and hard to get into. A lot of guys come here and get skunked. They arrive for swells that look for certain nailed down, but they’re not nailed down, it’s never nailed down here. Things can change in a moment. It can go from looking on to off, and off to on, very quickly. I think that there’s a mystical air to it and because of the harshness it keeps the crowds down quite a bit. People really do have to put in the effort and time to get here.”
Photo by Luke Gartside
As well as sharing waves with surf industry legends such as Nathan Florence and Wade Carmichael, the local boys are a solid team with a constant presence in the water. “We’ve got a great, solid crew that look out for each other. There’s an epic group of bodyboarders and surfers, a few locals and a group of people who have moved here in the last 10 years and made it their home.” He explained how in Ireland you have to earn it, “it’s not just laid out for you on a plate, you have to have patience.” The harsh conditions stop people from getting out there whether it’s average or pumping, but the locals know you have to surf in everything. “Having extremely good wetsuits from C-Skins makes a difference. I try to have a dry one most of the time!”
Photo by Gary McCall
Touching on sharing the waves with high profile surfers, Ollie told us about how he enjoys the visits from the overseas guys. “Most of them have a really good rapport with the locals and we’ve had some of the best international big wave surfers come here to hang out and surf with us. It’s really special. I think it adds to the surfing community and gives everybody a lift. Sometimes it shows us what the highest level surfers can do, but it also reminds us that we are totally capable of matching that level, which is something that we’re really proud of, and I’m really proud of, here in Ireland.”
Photo by Luke Gartside
2023 is looking good for Ollie O’Flaherty. He has plans to get more paddle attempts at Mullagmore, hopefully head out on a few strike missions over the summer and is working on a cool project with Kev Smith, too. We’re looking forward to seeing where the year takes him.
