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Weather in Ireland
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The average air temperature in spring and autumn is 16–18 °С. The warm Gulf Stream gives the island a mild and comfortable climate. Many people confuse the country with Iceland, but they are two completely different regions. Ireland is home to an abundance of evergreen plants, giving the island its nickname of the Emerald Isle.
Autumn and spring are the best seasons for surfing and are off-peak times for tourists.
Ireland's climate is characterised by frequent, short downpours alternating with bright sun and double rainbows. You'll grow to love the unpredictable weather here.
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What clothes to take
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As the weather is changeable, and we'll be spending all day outdoors, you'll need a few changes of clothes. You'll need: a waterproof jacket, a jumper, jeans, a T-shirt, a pair of comfortable walking boots, sunglasses and even sun cream—the Irish sun is very bright.
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Water temperature and wetsuits
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The water temperature in autumn and spring is 13–15 °С. Our wetsuits are modern, advanced and warm. You'll feel comfortable in the water even after a few hours of surfing. Don't be afraid of the low temperatures—once you take the plunge and surf in the cold water, you'll understand that wetsuits are no different from the clothes we put on every day to go outdoors. In summer, it's shorts and T-shirts; in autumn and spring, it's jeans and jackets. The same is true of wetsuits.
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I'm new to surfing. Can I learn how to surf and start riding waves in Ireland?
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You can take your first steps in surfing anywhere on the planet. You don't need to go to a trendy, overcrowded surfing spot to do it. Irish beaches are uncrowded, and our European-quality training will help you progress swiftly and have fun in a safe setting. You'll never forget how you learned to surf on the Emerald Isle!
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I have surfing experience. Will there be suitable spots and waves for my level in Ireland?
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Ireland is famed for its amazing waves—professional surfers and beginners alike will find what they're after. Here, you can ride point breaks, reef breaks and beach breaks that stretch for kilometres and make for perfect opportunities to progress. The waves In Donegal can be up to 23 metres high. We'll find the right wave for you! ;)
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What boards do we use?
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We use high-quality Spanish boards. We offer custom classic soft top boards for beginners. The large volume of these boards allows you to maintain your balance easily when lying, standing and making sharp turns. The boards have markings to help you quickly find the right position when surfing. We offer hard top boards for experienced wave riders. The length and volume of these boards are chosen in accordance with your surfing ability and the conditions of the spot.
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Why do we only organise camps in autumn and spring?
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Autumn and spring are the best seasons for surfing and are off-peak times for tourists. In summer, the swell isn't as consistent, and in winter conditions are too harsh, and the breeze is too strong.
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What visa do I need to visit Ireland and how difficult is it to get?
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You need an Irish tourist visa to visit Ireland. There's a misconception that the visa is hard to get. In fact, it's no harder than getting a Schengen visa: you prepare the required documents, submit them and receive your visa from the consulate. We provide visa assistance**.
To apply for a visa, you need to take the following steps:
The processing time for applications can take between five working days and six weeks, so we recommend that you apply well in advance.
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Which airline should I choose to travel to Ireland?
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As our transfers are oriented around Aeroflot's Saturday flights, those are the ones we recommend you take:
Moscow (SVO) to Dublin, takeoff 7.35 pm, arrival 10 pm (Saturday)
Dublin to Moscow (SVO), takeoff 10.55 pm, arrival 4.55 am (Saturday)
Other airlines fly to Ireland, but you may need to transfer en route. If you fly with another airline, you'll have to wait at the airport or arrange an individual transfer.
Find more information in the prices section.
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Can I stay at the camp for more or less than a week?
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Yes, you can stay extra days with or without surfing and take a sightseeing tour of Dublin before or after you come to the camp. Find more information in the prices section.
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Can I have a single room?
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Yes, you can arrange a single room at an extra charge. Find more information in the prices section.
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Currency in Ireland How much money should I take for souvenirs, personal spending etc?
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The official currency of Ireland is the euro. Remember that our programme covers everything, including three meals a day, so you'll only need money for evening visits to pubs, extra tours, souvenirs and other personal spending.
We would advise taking around 250 euros and a bank card with you.
We'd also like to remind you that you may need to notify your bank of possible transactions before arriving in Ireland to avoid having your card frozen.
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Sports medical insurance
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As part of your visa application, you'll need to buy travel insurance to cover your trip. Don't forget to mark the extra item: sports and outdoor activities
→ surfing.*
www.cherehapa.ru is a convenient online insurance aggregator.
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Wi-Fi/local SIM
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(three.ie offers 8 GB for €20)
We have full Wi-Fi coverage at our surf villa. If you want internet access at all times while in Ireland, you can purchase an 8 GB Internet SIM for €20 from three.ie. We can arrange this at your request.
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How many people are in the group, how many trainees are there per coach?
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To maximise your comfort, we accept no more than 10 people. In the water, each coach works with a mini group of up to 4 surfers.
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Are there any age or fitness limits?
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There is an age limit for children only (4+ years old). We don't have an upper age limit. You can (and should!) learn how to surf and enjoy spending time in the ocean and riding waves at any age. Our primary requirements are that you can swim and have a base level of physical fitness.
We strongly advise that you prepare for the trip in advance to save you having to adapt physically and psychologically at the location. We offer a Surfing for Beginners basic course in Moscow. Those who have 1 to 3 trips' worth of experience and a medium level of physical fitness are suitable for our Advanced Surfing (level 1) course. If you're an advanced surfer, you can take our Advanced Surfing (level 2) course.
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How well should I be able to swim to surf?
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If nothing else, you shouldn't be afraid of being in water without touching the bottom and should be able to swim at least 300 metres. If you don't feel confident in water, you'll have hard a time thinking about surfing. You can learn how to surf from scratch or improve your skills in our Moscow courses.
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Can I take a friend with me who doesn't surf?
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Yes, your friend can take advantage of our 'Surfer's Friend' package. Your friend will take part in the rest of the programme, just not the surfing. They can have surfing sessions if they wish for the price of an individual lesson (€140 per lesson).
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What language is spoken at the camp and at surfing sessions?
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The group will be entirely Russian, and there will be a Russian-speaking manager on site to help you. The surfing sessions will be held in English, but the manager can help you communicate with the coaches if necessary.
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Navigation at the location (distance to the airport, spots etc)
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The camp is about 4 hours' car ride from the airport. The nearest spots are 10 minutes' car ride away. The ocean is within walking distance.
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Can I buy equipment at the location?
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Yes. We have a surf shop where you can buy souvenirs and outfits from famous surfing brands as well as a personal wetsuit and board.
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Do you have a vegetarian menu?
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Yes, you can make a special food request in advance.
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Are there any shops and restaurants nearby?
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Yes, there are pubs serving good beer and restaurants with delicious food in the village. There's also a shop that's open 7 days a week. We'll be happy to help you find them when you arrive!
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What does the programme's photo and video filming involve?
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There will be photo and video filming of surfing sessions with follow-up analysis of mistakes.
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Can I order personal photo and video filming during the trip?
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Yes, and you can tailor the filming to suit your needs.
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Trip Checklist
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Here you can download our Surfing in Wetsuits checklist.