Saturday, February 2, 2008

SURF REPORT-- Bundoran Reef: surf, grass & Guiness

Above: Pipeline wave breaks on Bundoran Reef


Home to the Reef Rider Surf Team, Bundoran Reef is nestled between the West of Ireland to the South, Crab Island to the North and the big wave break of Neart to the East. Named after the surf capital of Ireland (RL) in County Donegal, Bundoran Reef offers some of the best mixed-wave surf in Second Life and as the name suggests, the waves break over a rock reef and then roll in for about 210 yards onto rocky beach. Bundoran Reef has a striking green coastline, which gives its own special ambience, distinctive from SL's many golden sandy tropical beaches.

Surfers can teleport into Bundoran Reef and paddle out past the break, but its also possible to TP into the ajoining Crab Island which is near to where the waves begin. A good variety of pipeline and ocean foam waves with good frequency break down most of the length of the beach. Bundoran Reef offers some interesting terrain and features for spectators. A green headland juts out about 40 yards on each side of the reef break, providing a raised platform to watch the surf. The West headland also has a medieval stone lookout post which is ideal for surveying the surf below. The East side has a semi-submerged rocky headland which extends almost to the end of the sim: good for taking a short break from surfing the waves, but you wouldn't want to have a party on it! An eternal wood fire burns on the main beach suitable to gather round for after-surf story telling.

The lookout post bearing the Reef Rider Surf Team's coat of arms

Just inland, bordering Neart, Bundoran Reef has an inlet which provides anchorage for a recreation of a 16th century Spanish galleon. Surf shops on Bundoran Reef beach sell Heather Goodliffe and Namiko boards and wetsuits (no doubt essential, for Bundoran Reef's temperate climate!). A few steps away in West of Ireland are more shops (including Analog Surf) and Nancy Blake's Irish pub, ensuring the sim's flow of draught Guiness continues uninterrupted.

SLURL: Bundoran Reef

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