Tom Butler Interview and big Bundoran barrel video
A1Surf: Had you planned to head to Ireland or was this a last minute thing?
Tom: I had planned to be in Ireland for all of Feb, but a sponsorship deal fell through so I didn't have the money. Luckily Mum and Dad gave me a few hundred pound for the trip. If any sponsors are reading you can see what im capable of from this video, send me a email if you would like your brand professionaly promoted by me!
A1Surf: What made you choose Bundoran?
Tom: I headed over to stay with Cain Killcullen and shoot some photos with Will Bailey around Cain's local spots. The swell wasnt getting in the same down there so we raced up to the G-Spot for a evening session. I'm still in Bundy waiting for the next good day, Thursday looks really good.
A1Surf: Was getting towed an option or did you just want to paddle?
Tom: Yeah a few skis were out and the boys offered me a go. I paddled into my first wave and got a bit battered, but got very close to making it under the lip, so i just kept trying and got straight into the swing of things. I'm trying to impress people and show them what I'm capable of, so paddling looks much more commited. My Quiver 8'0 was the perfect board for this session.
Tom's best waves, including THE barrel...
Tom Butler finds the spot in Bundoran from Direct Video Tours on Vimeo.
A1Surf: Describe the conditions for us...
Tom: The waves were 8ft on the sets, the wind was blowing into the barrel strong at the start of the session. As the evening went on conditions got really perfect, the sun was out and the wind dropped completely it was a epic evening
A1Surf: Did you know that wave was going to be a good one?
Tom: All the waves were good that evening, but the long one was so so long I had loads of time to think. The drop was close, I just scoped under the lip, Ii was close to getting axed! Then I just held my line well at the start,I had loads of time to think inside. There were 4 sections to the wave, the last part was the trickiest riding on the foam ball. Luckily my skipping and squats paid off and my chicken legs were strong enougth to hold on!
A1Surf: We reckon that barrel was about 8 seconds...was it your longest ever?
Tom: Yep i think it is my longest barrel so far by 2 seconds or so. Hopefully this next swell has more long shakkas on offer.
A1Surf: Did you celebrate that night or just crash?
Tom: We had 1 or 2 beers.Then i crashed out early to drive to Lahinch to surf Aileens the following morning. I was up at 4 am to drive down there. I'm still knackered now, it's been early starts every morning so far.
A1Surf: What are your plans for this year? Any more trips lined up?
Tom: My plans all depend on sponsorship really, I'm going to be over in bundoran for another week. Then I would like to head back up to the Orkney Islands in March, to score more of the waves we have found up there. My immediate plan is to focus on the next swell here and try to get better and bigger barrels than my last one haaaa!
