Since January, hundreds of Irish surfers have competed in selection events across the west and north coast with the hope of accumulating enough points to make the grade for the Irish surf team.
Following the fourth and final event in Portrush, Keith and John found themselves tied on points for the final place on the team.
Having grown up in Rossnowlagh with the surname Britton, surfing is in John’s blood and he enjoys nothing more than taking his favourite board down to the famous drive-on beach and letting rip in the Atlantic waters.
A primary teacher by profession John recently made the move home from Dublin with his wife Fiona to nearby Ballyshannon. John is familiar with the Eurosurf competition having competed for Ireland in both the 1996 event held in Portugal and the 1998 event held in France – both times in the open division, and is sponsored by Fin McCools.
Having caught the surfing bug from my brothers at an early age of 13, Keith grew up surfing in the competitive environment of Tramore in Co. Waterford.
He currently lives in Dublin with wife Eva and works as a software engineer. Keith has competed for the Irish team on 4 occasions, Eurosurf in Portugal (1999) and at the World Surfing Games – Portugal ’98, Brazil ’00, South Africa ’02. Keith spends his weekend chasing the best North Atlantic swells around the country – he starts checking the charts on a Wednesday evening and can be found parked up at the best waves first thing Saturday morning – the ultimate weekend warrior!
At both aged 32 and 12 days between their birthdays, the “Sea Sessions Surf-off” should provide an entertaining spectacle for viewers as both men clamber to secure the vital points that will lead to a place on the Irish surf team and the honour of representing their country on the European stage this September.
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