Irish surfing is again thinking big. Although a minority sport, it has already hosted a European championship in Bundoran, Co Donegal, and is currently eyeing up hosting a World championship. The association hope to have secured the championship in either 2002 or 2004.

With president Brian Britton, originally from Rossnowlagh in Donegal, one of the main driving forces behind the organisation, the Irish Surfing Association announced this week a Guinness-sponsored Irish team which will compete at the European Championships in Sintra, Portugal, from September 4th-13th.

Tania Ward from Portrush and Ballybogey's Bryan McAuley are currently receiving Sports Council backing as the two carded athletes on the squad. Both McAuley and Ward, who finished sixth and eighth respectively at the 1998 World Games in Portugal, have spent the summer competing on the European Body Board Tour.

Sligo's 20-year-old Irish champion Colin O'Hare has just returned from a six-month stint in Australia, where he trained with the Queensland team and competed against some of the best.

Also included on the team is Grant Robinson who will be defending his 1997 European Masters. Robinson's home break (home surfing area) is at Tullan, Co Donegal, and he was a winner of the European Masters in France.