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The Tramore Bay Surf Centre has
just completed its second year in operation. The final
and most important stage of the development of surfing
is well underway. It's seems to have been a long journey
but in essence it has taken just 4 years to get to this
stage. The final cost of the Centre worked out at around
£175,000.
We have come along way from when
we first set out our ideas back in October 1996 when
the club got together and decided to create Irelands
first dedicated Surf Centre. In that development plan
we clearly set out that the development of surfing was
our primary objective and that we would offer all our
services to the local community and visitors to the
area. We had collected, through the hard work of Danny
and Henry Moore, Hugh O'Brien Moran and others, over
£10,000. This was done mainly through board hire
and to a lesser extent Surf Lessons that had been going
on for years previously. The Development of Surf Coaching
(SURF SCHOOL) at ISA level was achieved many years prior
to 1996 mainly by many people including Tramore's Henry
Moore and Hugh O Brien Moran and from 1996 by Billy
Butler all who's contribution to developing surfing
should not be underestimated.
Surf School
The base for teaching Surfing
was therefore well established by 1996 and was addressed
as a cornerstone of the proposed Surf Centre. We were
going to make both hiring of equipment and surf lessons
along with memberships and showers the way to pay for
the running of the new centre/ clubhouse. This was clearly
set out in October 1996 and there should be no doubt
in anybody's mind about this. We have succeeded in all
areas.
Opening
Times
This winter we have chosen to open only for a couple
of hours each day when either surf or weather conditions
are bad and open later in the evening when conditions
are good. We also have decided that 8 months of the
year should be considered differently to the summer
season, and that money will be made in the summer months
will help us to operate over the winter. I'm sure that
opening later into the evenings when conditions are
good will be welcomed by all. It has to be stressed
that we intend to continue to open throughout the year.
Membership renewal is also vital and
we ask all members to renew their membership as soon
as possible.
There is no doubt that being the
first of it's type in the country the Centre have had
to adapt quickly to survive and below are some points
to consider.
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All Construction bills have
been paid , Total cost £175,000 |
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We have no outstanding loans
or bills, excluding mortgage of £57,000 |
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We have introduced surfing
to over 2,500 people in the first year (£29,000
in Hire and coaching alone) and almost 3,000 people
in the second year. I'm sure you will all agree
that this is an enormous figure |
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We broke even in the first
year (including money spent on fixtures and fittings)
and have made much better progress this second year |
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Over £50,000 in wages
has gone into the local economy in the last 2 years |
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The surf Centre was declared
building of the year 1999 by institute of Architects |
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The running costs and maintenance
costs are quite small due to the unique design of
the place |
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The Centre/Club is not profit
taking |
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We have financially assisted
all national teams members as much as possible |
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Developing surfing/watersports
is still our prime directive |
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We have over 170 members |
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Successfully ran the European
Club Surfing Championships |
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