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Danny Mulryan
INTERVIEW NO. 2 – Danny Mulryan - Co-Founder of the Irish Slalom Series
Bigsurf took the oppertunity to interview the co-founder of the Irish Slalom Series, Mr. Danny Mulryan. A Galway man true and true, hes been windsurfing since before the voice broke (we have the pics to prove it below!), and is right up there on the start lines with the rest of us. Known as "The Terrier" amongst the ISS crew (hes the only one that gets things done!), Danny has the experience, the know how and the dedication to see the ISS on the right course into the future. A top man to talk to on the beach and very knowledgeable in all things windsurfing. Over to you now Dan...
Who are you?
Danny Mulryan
Danny Mulryan
Danny Mulryan - IR555
Where are you from?
Salthill, Galway – Home to Ireland’s top windsurfing school and some of Ireland’s top Freestylers (myself not included – hard job keeping up with all the young hotshots!) although I do remember teaching most of them years ago at the Summer camps.
Where are you based?
Based in Salthill, Galway with a daily excursion to the world famous paradise of Tuam!
Based in Salthill, Galway with a daily excursion to the world famous paradise of Tuam!
Years Windsurfing?
Hmmmm: 1, 2, 3 emmm now 14 in total
Hmmmm: 1, 2, 3 emmm now 14 in total
With the X-Team
Where did you learn to windsurf?
Rusheen Bay Windsurfing
Rusheen Bay Windsurfing
Some time ago...
Favourite Windsurfing Discipline?
At this stage I am just happy to get out on the water on anything. Nothing like a good summer evenings blast on the slalom kit. I have a big respect for all the freestyle and wave guys.The level of wave and freestyle sailing in the country has racketed in the last few years. Looking forward to getting some smaller kit again and getting back out on the waves
At this stage I am just happy to get out on the water on anything. Nothing like a good summer evenings blast on the slalom kit. I have a big respect for all the freestyle and wave guys.The level of wave and freestyle sailing in the country has racketed in the last few years. Looking forward to getting some smaller kit again and getting back out on the waves
Favourite Windsurfing Location?
Roundstone, Co. Galway – bring back the event!!!
What is your favourite windsurf board ever
Starboard 111 – great fun in 30 knots. Although I still have fond memories of my first board. A 2 and a half tonne proteus 290 - a big thank you to all who helped carry that yoke down to the waters edge – it was a 2 man job!
Roundstone, Co. Galway – bring back the event!!!
What is your favourite windsurf board ever
Starboard 111 – great fun in 30 knots. Although I still have fond memories of my first board. A 2 and a half tonne proteus 290 - a big thank you to all who helped carry that yoke down to the waters edge – it was a 2 man job!
Who would be your windsurfing idol?
Robby Naish
Robby Naish
Leading the fleet in Downings - July 2008
Favourite Windsurfing Move?
Attempted Back Loops (its been a while!!)
What Windsurfing move do you want to learn next?
Forward Loop and that spock thing.
Forward Loop and that spock thing.
Ever Kitesurfed? Surfed? SUPped? Kayaked?
Kitesurfed – tried it once in Wellington with Maurice. Van got stolen two hours later, so I reckon its bad luck. No real interest.
Surfed – given it a few go’s and it shows. Good fun when theres no wind.
Supped – a few times – great fun and will definitely get more popular. Boards are bit big though.
Kayaked – 10 years of taking kids out in Rusheen
Kitesurfed – tried it once in Wellington with Maurice. Van got stolen two hours later, so I reckon its bad luck. No real interest.
Surfed – given it a few go’s and it shows. Good fun when theres no wind.
Supped – a few times – great fun and will definitely get more popular. Boards are bit big though.
Kayaked – 10 years of taking kids out in Rusheen
Favourite Watersports Video?
RIP – Robby Naish
RIP – Robby Naish
Most Memorable Watersports Moment?
Being in 8th place after the first day of racing at the Formula Worlds in Lake Garda
Being in 8th place after the first day of racing at the Formula Worlds in Lake Garda
Concentration at Malahide - April 2009
Most WORST Memorable Watersports Moment?
Getting lost on the charity windsurfing run from the Aran Islands to Spiddal in a bad mist. Hypothermia is not fun. Being lost at sea for a few hours is also not something I will forget. The thoughts that go through your head are rather interesting!
Getting lost on the charity windsurfing run from the Aran Islands to Spiddal in a bad mist. Hypothermia is not fun. Being lost at sea for a few hours is also not something I will forget. The thoughts that go through your head are rather interesting!
Gareth Nihill likes to be frightened when windsurfing. You ever get scared?
Yup – everytime I go into a gybe mark with Maurice behind me. Probably stems from the time Cathal ran over me at full speed – carbon fins leave quiet a mark.
Yup – everytime I go into a gybe mark with Maurice behind me. Probably stems from the time Cathal ran over me at full speed – carbon fins leave quiet a mark.
What are your watersports goals in 2009?
Goals have moved from personal to the Slalom Series. I would love to see the slalom series grow even more. Would be great to see some more newcomers and also an increase in female participation. To see some of our young hotshots sailing internationally would really make all the hard work worthwhile.
Goals have moved from personal to the Slalom Series. I would love to see the slalom series grow even more. Would be great to see some more newcomers and also an increase in female participation. To see some of our young hotshots sailing internationally would really make all the hard work worthwhile.
If you did not windsurf, what would you be doing?
I was mountain biking before I caught the bug – so I guess Id still be giving that a go.
I was mountain biking before I caught the bug – so I guess Id still be giving that a go.
Gybing in Cork - August 2008
Thoughts on Irish Windsurfing?
In general it is going well. I would like to see more established clubs and centres who’s goals are to keep the customers. We need to get rid of the business led drive through operations. More kids clubs and local racing/ events. Also it would be great to see the established windsurfing business supporting the IWA events a bit more.
In general it is going well. I would like to see more established clubs and centres who’s goals are to keep the customers. We need to get rid of the business led drive through operations. More kids clubs and local racing/ events. Also it would be great to see the established windsurfing business supporting the IWA events a bit more.
Where do you think Irish Windsurfing will be in 10 years time?
I think it won’t have changed too much. There will be a new committee – these don’t tend to last forever – the grief and moaning from people who are not willing to help out is hard to take at times. I hope the Slalom will still be going as well and maybe we will have a few guys competiting internationally. Also that the young bunch of wavesailors get together and put some effort into regenerating the wave tour. The speed tour will also be popular for sure. I think we will have had another visit from the PWA tour by then also….
I think it won’t have changed too much. There will be a new committee – these don’t tend to last forever – the grief and moaning from people who are not willing to help out is hard to take at times. I hope the Slalom will still be going as well and maybe we will have a few guys competiting internationally. Also that the young bunch of wavesailors get together and put some effort into regenerating the wave tour. The speed tour will also be popular for sure. I think we will have had another visit from the PWA tour by then also….
If there was one thing you wanted changed tomorrow about Irish Windsurfing, what would it be?
The funding available for associations and international competitors.
The funding available for associations and international competitors.
Presenting Hannes his prize in Galway - September 2008
How many people have you thought to windsurf in the last year?
Lots – I generally try and bring lots of friends and family out to Rusheen Bay during the summer months. I’ll also try and help people out anytime I am on the water.
Lots – I generally try and bring lots of friends and family out to Rusheen Bay during the summer months. I’ll also try and help people out anytime I am on the water.
Do you prefer to rock up to the beach in the camper or the estate car?
Without doubt the camper is the business. Can take a bit longer to get there and the task of getting the gear of the roof can be interesting in 40 knots. Hot shower, cooking facilities, a few beds, tv, dvd player and a loo – what more could you want! Although the owner is now realising how good it is and its disappeared to France for a while – back to the awl estate and peeing in the wetsuit!
Without doubt the camper is the business. Can take a bit longer to get there and the task of getting the gear of the roof can be interesting in 40 knots. Hot shower, cooking facilities, a few beds, tv, dvd player and a loo – what more could you want! Although the owner is now realising how good it is and its disappeared to France for a while – back to the awl estate and peeing in the wetsuit!
Racing in Italy at the Youth Worlds
Racing at the Volvo Ocean Race - May 2009
