ISWC board member Alain de Gendt visited the venue of the 2008 ISWC production worlds a few days ago. Here is what he has to report: 

Dungarvan or better said the sandbar connected to the “Cunnigar” in front of the nice town of Dungarvan, is one of the best speed spots I ever laid eyes on. The “Sunny South East Coast” of Ireland has a lot to offer to windsurfers.  This is due to the south-westerly’s that regularly come in from the Atlantic Ocean. The stats we got from the Department of the Marine speak for themselves.

Martin Waldron (IRL1798), the man who found this tidal spot at Google earth (difference in tide up to 3.7m), was the first one to do some speedsailing here. Nevertheless there are some local windsurfers here, but they prefer the waves instead of the extremely flat water next to the sandbar. What makes the spot so exceptional, is the fact that it’s a peace of cake to get to the speed strip. A football wide grass field, next to Augustine’s Church will be the storage. It’s only 300m away from the strip! With high tide it’s only 10 m away from the water. The place will be guarded during the night. Bring your sailbag with you and something to anchor your equipment. The army will provide a tent for shelter and other sponsors promised to put up a marquees and drop a container there as provisional race office. Mobile homes can park next to the water.

We checked the spot in similar tidal conditions like we will have during the event and found a time frame of 6 hours for good sailing. You might sail an hour longer, be it on GPS (Nautical mile). Prior to the WC there will be held the Irish Nationals (see events).

Our local host will be the “Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club”. The official race office will be there and we can use their facilities (shower, toilets,…BAR)
The Moorings bar and The Local bar will host two parties and we’re still talking to other local pubs to support the event. Once we can show them the list of competitors, they will be easier to convince.

Some practical things:

We have a deal with the Park Hotel and leisure centre. (www.flynnhotels.com)
Check their site and only do bookings after you are confirmed as participant and under reference ISWC Speed WC. They made us a nice price, close to a B&B but with some more facilities like Sauna-Steam room-20m swimming pool and a bar that can easily deal with 80 thirsty competitors. The exact prices will be put on the site asap. We already reserved 30 rooms.

The best way to make it to Dungarvan is by ferry/car to Cork or Rosslare. We can’t organise transport for those whom choose to fly to Dublin or Cork due to the different hours of incoming flights. Cars can be rented at usual agencies at these airports (check the sites of these airports)

Check the ISWC site regularly for further info. You can find some pix on my site (www.surfgasm.org)

Greetz

Alain