image (c) Conn Osborne Photography

Wow!

That was more difficult than I expected!

Video here filmed by Causeway Media Solutions and Jamie Russell and edited by Rauiri Cunningham….

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/17538066

Pictures here are from my brother and Conn Osborne.

Leah came with me down to the Causeway at 530am on Tuesday morning while Richard Connor, Howard Robinson, Joe Kennedy, Jamie Russell, Conn Osborne, Charlie Adjey, Tim MacDonald, Connor McClelland, Colin and my brother Andrew loaded up the support boats The Causeway lass and Chasers Surf Tours rib in Portrush harbour.

As they made their way to the Causeway to meet me I lay on the ground and told my self “When you get into the water, you are not stopping until you get to Islay”.  Leah saw me off and I set off in the dark to meet the boats a few hundred yards off the coast.

I had planned for this to be in bad weather and freezing as it is March but it turned out to be roasting and I was sweating loads.  The sea was choppy despite a light offshore breeze, it was unsettled and made standing on my board difficult.  I managed to stay stood up for the first 12 miles travelling at about 4mph.  It soon became counter productive to try and stand as the currents continually threw me off my board and I resorted to prone paddling.  I’d trained for this eventuality as I knew it was fairly likely.

As I approached the middle bank; a huge rise in the sea bed, the wind went easerly against the flow of the current making the surface even more chaotic.  My speed dropped to below 1.6mph and I began to become very demotivated.  Huge tankers, trawlers and even an oil rig passed me.  Richard was giving me a course and Howard was supporting me close by with Jamie.  They were constantly radioing Richard for updates on time and distance as I was barely moving forward against the flow of the tide.  I knew I had to fight the tide somewhere on route but by choosing to leave on this day in particular with neaps we thought it might be possible to keep pushing on but it was definitely a struggle.  Hours 4,5,6 and 7 became a blur of constant paddling.

It sounds like a nightmare but to be honest was one of the greatest experiences of my life.  I didnt once feel like stopping or giving in despite it being difficult at times and to be out there with such a good group of guys, most of whom are my friends was really good.

There was a fog at sea which meant I only saw Islay come into sight within about 10 miles of it.  It just didnt seem to get any closer for hours.  In my training 10 miles would have taken a lot less time but it seemed like I was going nowhere and the cliffs didnt seem to get any closer!

Richard Connor of Causeway Lass keeping an eye on me with Howard, Jamie, Conn and Joe in the rib

Finally I got to within about a mile from shore and the two boats came alongside me to support.  Richard knew the last bit was going to be tough as there was a counter flow raging along the coast of Islay from east to west.  As I got to within 500m of it it sucked me really quickly down the coast.  All the guys were shouting and encouraging me and I raced across the flow and onto the rocks right below the American Monument which was built to remember soldiers lost nearby from two war ships.

image (c) Conn Osborne Photography

I was met by local surfer Marcus Covell at the base of the huge cliffs.  I carried a gift for him donated by the Causeway Coast Surf Club so I gave it to him and he presented me with a gift to remember the occassion by (see below)

We were welcomed in islay by some locals in Port Ellen and lots of them made doantions to my chosen charity NI Chest Heart and Stroke.

Coming back on the boat was time to reflect on the mission.  I knew it would be difficult but I didnt expect it to be that difficult.

I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated (especially the legend Finn Mullen!).  Also a huge thank you to all the guys on the boats especially Jamie who helped me in my training a lot by sitting on the ski and keeping an eye on me.  All the guys were so good to have there and were a crucial part in it all.  Also thanks to Alan Simpson for drumming up support and donations for the crew and I. Also to Joyce Rankin and John Bustard. Thanks last but not least to Leah for helping me in my training and supporting me all the way through!

Connor McClelland and I on The Causeway lass

Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and the crew including…

Surftech paddle boards, Chasers Surf Tours, Causeway lass, Tonys Marine Service, Tommy Evans, Richard Robinson Personal Training, Coleraine Borough Council and The Mayor Maurice Bradley, Pure Krav Maga Causeway, Darkfin Gloves, Future Fins, Tim MacDonald Paramedic, BMCG Plant Hire, Little Green Fox Sun Cream ( I actually wore in March!), Causeway Coast Surf Club and Snugg Wetsuits.

So far over £2000 raised for NI Chest heart and Stroke.  You can contine to donate via http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

Just finished

Im so lucky to be a surfer and live by the sea and be able to take part in all these things I love.

Thank you so much to everyone helping me organise and plan the crossing including all the guys coming on the day and to everyone who has donated time and equipment to support.  Thanks also to all the media people that have shown support so far and raised awarenss and donations by giving me time.  Hopefully we can arrange a lot more of both right up until I leave for Islay.  Thank you so much.

http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

or text SURF55 to 70070 to doante £2.

http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

Local skipper Richard Connor has very kindly donated his knowledge and experience not to mention his fishing boat to help support me on the crossing to Islay.  Richard charters fishing tours all year round out of Portrush and Ballycastle and knows the stretch of water extremely well.  He is a great asset to the paddle and along with Howards rib I am in safe hands.

http://www.fishportrush.net/

Richard and I along with local man Charlie Adjey have been calculating and planning the navigation of the channel in relation to the training times I have been doing over varied distances and in varying conditions.  Because the tide is flowing out and back into the channel means I will be crossing the flow and therefore going one way with it and then back again with it making timing and conditions crucial so i eventually end up on Islay at the right time.

Richards generosity now allows us to keep all the crew safe and dry and gives us space to bring along some media crew that may be able to help promote NI Chest Heart and Stroke to gain further donations.

Thank you for all your kind donations, it means a lot to me that so many individuals have donated where they can and I hope that we can spread the word further to hit my target of £2000.

http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

Thursday was supposed to be a training day for my charity paddle but that quickly got binned when this swell came on the charts.  I ended up doing my 23 mile training session on sunday instead which basically meant paddling the entire length of the causeway coast!

We still need a fuel sponsor for the support boats so if anyone can help then please let us know asap as I plan to cross within the next 3 weeks.

http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

This winter has been our worst on record in terms of big waves here at home.  Cotty and I had some huge waves in October and November in Portugal with Garrett McNamara but despite Cotty moving over here for three months we didnt score any really big days.  The La Vaca Gigante big wave paddle event also hasnt had the swell to run yet despite a long waiting period.

Thursday saw a huge swell come right at the end of the season for Mullaghmore with shifting wind patterns that allowed us some windows throughout the day to ride a few big waves with plenty of new faces in the water along with the regular crews.

Most of the waves were similar in size but one was a standout which Cotty and I just happened to be in line for.  It was his first wave of the day and I whipped him in right on the peak.  You dont have to look far to see the images and video online.  Between us we have been making xxl entries into the Biggest Wave Category for years now but this latest one of Cottys is special.  It isnt just that its huge, as we have all ridden waves as big as that out there but it is so hollow and heavy too not to mention the line he took on it making it a real standout wave across lots of sessions.

http://www.surfline.com/surflinetv/primetime/one-wild-irish-ride_67933

Those were the words hurled at me 5 miles into a 16 mile training session yesterday by three kids near Coleraine!  I must admit it did make me laugh!  Thanks for the kind words guys.

Anyway, training is going well, please donate to NI Chest Heart and Stroke here…http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie   to help make a difference.

Al

I’ve been training loads for the crossing in all sorts of conditions.  I’ve got a training plan from Richard at www.bespoke-pt.co.uk that incorporates weights, circuits, sprint paddle sessions and distance sessions.  There have been some pretty tough days over the past few weeks with bad weather making it difficult to keep on the water but hopefully training in those difficult conditions will make it easier if I manage to pick a good day to cross on.

I want to say thanks to local man Robin Ruddock for his invaluable experience and advice on handling the heavy currents and tides between here and Islay.  Robin has paddled all sorts of canoes, kayaks and other craft to Islay in the past so it helps me that he is willing to share his knowledge on the area.  If anyone is looking for guided tours of our coastline then get in touch with him here www.robin-ruddock.com

Snugg wetsuits made me a high tech suit to keep the wind of me and ive been wearing it training so that I can get used to it.  Don’t think there is much chance of getting cold as Ive been sweating buckets in it even on the coldest days www.snuggwetsuits.co.uk

I’ve never used webbed gloves before but seeing that I have been spending a lot of time in the prone position as the sea is so rough at the minute darkfin gloves sent me a pair of their webbed gloves over from the states.  I didnt really know what to expect but they are really well fitted and give me way more glide in each stroke when im not able to stand. www.darkfingloves.com

I have some exciting news coming in the next few days about a couple of other sponsors who have come onboard to help support the crossing and i will write about them all here then.  It’s been amazing as lots of people have been very generous in helping me do this and to be perfectly honest it wouldnt be possible without all the supporters especially in the form of peoples time and advice.  Thank you.

So far there is over £1000 raised which is great but I really want to get it to at least twice that.  I have some people running the justgiving link in their publications but so far social media seems to be the best way to get donations for NI Chest Heart and Stroke so please share this on your blogs etc.  http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

Also, some people have been asking where to send donations to as they can’t use computers.  If you have a donation from someone who can’t use a computer please let me know via email and will send you an address for them to send it to.

I trained on Saturday in some pretty chaotic seas and I know most people probably think I’m in trouble when they see me so far out but i’m not.  So if you see me out at sea please do not call the coastgaurd, I am only training and there is no need to waste their valuable resources as I have planned routes and at least a spotter on land at all times if not somebody on a jet ski.

I’ve attached a photo that Jamie took as we set off from the Causeway a few weeks ago.  Conditions were amazing that day.

Thanks

I’m doing a charity paddle in aid of NI Chest heart and Stroke at the end of March from Northern ireland to the Scottish Island of Islay.

Please donate to them here http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

Thanks to all the support I’m getting from Surftech paddle boards, Chasers Surf Tours, www.bespoke-pt.co.uk, Gecko Head Gear, Bunk Campers, Futures, snugg wetsuits, little green fox, Pure Krav Maga Causeway.  Thanks also to those planning on helping in the boat and ski and during training including my bro and Leah and Jamie Russell and Conn Osborne among others.

Thanks also to the only surfer on Islay Marcus Covell who has been helping me with local info on his side of the channel.

Thanks to all you kind people who have already donated to the charity!

I still need a few things so we can all do it safely so if anyones businesses can help with fuel for the boat, fuel for us, warm weather gear for the whole crew and navigation equipment then we would be really appreciative of it.

Thanks

Al

http://www.justgiving.com/TheGiantsCrossing-byAlMennie

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbctoBGog7I

Bunk Campers, Ireland’s largest campervan rental company have come on board!

They have sponsored me with one of their ‘Ranger’ models.  No more changing in the back of the van and sleeping in the cold below boards.  My new wagon has 4 beds, a shower, a toilet, a tv, a full kitchen unit and wait for it….gas central heating!  Think I might start charging in the carpark for hot showers after the surf!

It’s pretty perfect for surfing, boards fit in, even my 10 footers and I can still use the double bed with quite a bit of stuff in it.  How lucky am I!!!!

I have a secret password that I can give you if you want to rent one that gets you a discount.  I know loads of you guys fly in, hire cars and houses but these work out cheaper and are all in one.  When i go to California I always rent campervans instead of house, car etc…its way better and you can stay anywhere so if you’re coming over for the winter or the summer let me know or go on their website. www.bunkcampers.com

I’ll put up some decent photos inside it in the next few days.

Bunk are sponsoring the raffle at the Boxing Night Big Wave Night too!

There she is!