![]() In every sense of the word he is a waterman. Al believes this to be the highest honour in surfing as it comes directly from the heart of the Portugeuse local community in Nazare.Īl Mennie is the epitome of an athlete pushing the boundaries both physically and mentally. Al was one of four men in the water the day the biggest waves ever ridden swung into Nazaré in Portugal in 2011.Īl's board and a plaque are displayed on The Surfer Wall among around 30 other international surfers in the lighthouse at Nazare. ![]() From 2010, Al worked with American surfer Garrett McNamara in Nazare Portugal over a three year period in the early days of tackling huge waves off the Portuguese coast. He rode the record breaking storm on December 1st 2007 at Mullaghmore Head when the biggest swell ever recorded in the Atlantic ocean smashed into Ireland. He thrives in wild conditions off his native shoreline.įor decades Al has searched, discovered, located and pioneered several big wave spots. Al has pioneered and surfed big wave spots in Ireland and globally. But, big wave surfing is only part of Al Mennie.Īl was one of the originals that began launching boats and jet-skis in Ireland in pursuit of giant waves and the first person to push the barriers of what is possible in our ocean. From humble beginnings playing on the beach at Castlerock, Northern Ireland to eventually becoming a pioneer of big wave surfing in both Ireland and at the infamous location of Nazare in Portugal. Read his full bio here…Īl Mennie is probably best known for his big wave surfing exploits. He has a strong passion for helping others and has penned many books transferring his own experiences to paper for others to draw from. He is an International model, a writer, a performer, a black belt, an entrepreneur…. A highly adaptable man with a diverse skill set carved from deep life experience. A pioneering waterman in the frigid waters off his native Irish shores and at the now infamous location of Nazare, Portugal. But, it was his pioneering mindset that eventually led him to the biggest and wildest waves in the world. He began his career as a surfer, representing Ireland numerous times at world and international events. He was introduced to the sea by his father. Al was born in Belfast during one of the most violent eras in Irish history, the height of the “Troubles”. He draws inspiration from life, hard times, good times and everything in-between. ![]() He is driven by instinct, internally motivated, passionate about the intricate details of the environments in which he thrives. He is intrigued by the unknown, drawn to the moment where feeling alive consumes fear.
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