Big Wave News

Cornish big wave surfer rides huge waves after patient wait

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 February, 2008 : - - Great things come to those who wait for Doom Bar sponsored big wave surfer Dan 'Mole' Joel, who has successfully returned from surfing some of the biggest waves in the British Isles this season, tackling swells of up to 40ft.

‘Mole’ and two other Cornish surfers Ben Skinner and Tom Doidge-Harrison, have had to wait many months for the perfect combination of huge swell and offshore winds, in order to tackle the giant waves but have been rewarded with some of the best conditions yet.

This big wave session took place at Aill na Searrach best known as ‘Aileens’ on the west coast of Ireland.  It is part of an ongoing project to ‘ride the biggest surf the Atlantic can offer’ along the British Isles coastline in the Doom bar big wave challenge.

North Cornwall based Sharp’s Brewery provided Mole with the ‘Doom Bar’ Kawazaki 1500cc jet ski capable of speeds in excess of 70 mph, allowing him and tow-in partner to catch waves that are too big and fast to reach using conventional paddling.

 Dan 'Mole' Joel : photo Mike Newman

Mole said: “With waves of this magnitude the slightest mistake could have disastrous consequences so this has to be a real team effort. Having a highly skilled tow-in partner like Ben is essential, who’s job it is to drive the Jet Ski and put you exactly in the right spot.”

“It has been great to have local support and I'm really stoked that Sharps Brewery have provided the jet ski. It is an amazing boost to the project and means we can now access and ride some of the biggest swells that the Atlantic can throw at us.”

Nick Baker, managing director of Sharps Brewery said: "We have been delighted to sponsor a champion surfer like Mole and it is fantastic to see the Doom Bar jet-ski allowing him and his tow-in partner to ride these record breaking waves.

“Sharp’s Brewery has a proud tradition of supporting Cornish sports including rugby, sailing and gig racing and therefore big wave surfing is an exciting development that we are happy to get involved in.”

Mole and several other big wave surfers have been entered into the world wide “Billabong XXL” contest alongside some of the best in the world like Laird Hamilton. His entry can be seen on billabongxxl.com. Big wave surfing is becoming increasingly popular amongst the Cornish surfing community with thrill seekers aiming to ride the largest waves off the county’s coast.

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Rosie Halloran

Big Wave - Surfersvillage