Hearty folk.
One of my very favorite people in the metaverse* is Jimmy the Cynic née Saint who can often be found right here on BeachGrit sharing various wisdoms and hot takes. Now, I have always assumed the aforementioned to be Irish living in Ireland and I feel that I am correct so you can imagine my pleasure, today (on my 11th wedding anniversary), when I stumbled across a report on Raidió Teilifís Éireann that definitively suggested surfing in Ireland improves one’s mental health.
Early findings have shown surf therapy to boost factors that help protect against the development of mental illness, such as resilience, confidence, social skills and emotional regulation. Furthermore, young people reported feeling happier and physically fitter. At the same time, parents noted improved communication and progress at school following a six-week surf therapy course.
However, the question remains, how are these therapeutic benefits achieved through something as simple as surfing? One of the many unique aspects of surf therapy is its use of Ireland’s beautiful, rugged coastline as a therapeutic space. Offering programmes in less traditional, non-clinical, informal environments can reduce the stigma and shame often associated with help-seeking for emotional problems. Moreover, the natural environment may be part and parcel of the power of surf therapy.
Wonderful to know and also makes me very much more in awe of Jimmy and his brethren, sisters as the only surf spot I know in Ireland is Mullaghamore, the “cold water Teahupo’o.”
That making anyone happier is… something.
Viva Ireland.
*Is the internet called the metaverse now or did I miss a turn somewhere?
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Over here in Ireland the key to attaining happiness is years surfing so many windy bitterly cold blown out days and then finally becoming so in tune with the wind, swell, tide, sun to put it all together to finally know when to surf peaks and points and bars that are perfect, glassy (or just a little windy) and sunny. That’s it, it takes a lot of battling through crappy conditions and then once you have it figured out it’s easy to find happiness when the sun shines and the tide is right and the swell lines up.
That Conor Macguire wave is still the most mental ever for my money.
Next up on the cold big wave tour should be Lituya Bay. Tow in 1000 ft waves.
Nic von crap the only surfer to be throwing wild self absorbed claims, no surprise
Go the Local boys!
How bout that Ricardo Bosi?
Having a laugh outdoors with your friends, away from the phone and nagging teachers or parents. Good for wellbeing? Surely not.
I have truly arrived! As for us surfers here, we are all just as bitter and cuntish as you will find anywhere!
It’s really a shame my last name is Smith or I’d move.
You would be welcomed with open arms! A real Cead Mile Failte for you!
Just put an O on the front
Dezza can be O’Reilly
You can be O’Smith
P.S.
(in an interesting aside)
India’s most well known domestically produced whisky is called Oaksmith, but is commonly called O’smith, so the precedent is already set…
I believe Mullen is the Irish version of Smith. Chas Mullen, it has a certain ring to it!
I just googled Charles in Irish- it’s Cathal, so Cathal Mullen!
And as we call it in the Antipodes, ‘mulling’, is the act of chopping up (and smoking) cannabis, weed, pot, MULL !
P.S.
As in, “got any mull ?”
And, “mull up, mate”
And, “mmm, tasty mull”
And, “I’m mulling up, who wants a billy ?”…etc etc etc
‘Muuull glorious muulll’
(Sung to the tune of ‘Food, Glorious Food’ from the 1960’s stage show and movie ‘Oliver’, the popular song and dance interpretation of Charles Dickens’ 1838 story ‘Oliver Twist’)
Stand Up, Jimmy !
Get the Golf on !
That usually applies to the guys who are sexually retarded.
It’s the weirdest thing. At one local spot the grumpy local is definitely going strong. From my experience, the less spectacular the spot, the more likely there’ll be cnuts
It’s the camera, more spectacular the spot more camera’s.
Remember fanning horror drop in on a grommet in the tube at snapper?
Rip curl lost sales in Wales because of it. Mick hasn’t done it again, in front of cameras.
There you will find me!
Goddam. The pic at the top doesn’t even look real, such a mutant of a slab.
It kinda depresses me that a 2/3 in semi tropical climates is now seen as required – by me. I wish I’d stayed on the one year as a grom routine of a long arm springy through winter. Born of necessity due to near poverty. Resilience building.
Wim Hof on steroids – can’t wait till you let me advertise my immunity boost business Chas
Beach McGrit
This seems like a good alternative for the “Covid mentally insane” crowd. Move to Ireland. You can all surf your mental illness away,……well, at least feel better.
Chas, I hate to break it to you but you missed a turn somewhere between grade school and deciding to get a neck tatt.
Many steps to trace.
I meant re-trace.
Bummer to hear that it’s ya wedding anniversary today.
Not because it’s your wedding anniversary, as I’m sure that’s a good thing for you.
But for the fact that I just saw ‘on the line’ that Ben Gravy is getting married live on YouTube today, so you unfortunately always have to share the day with him.
And for that, I feel sorry for you…
Ha! I think the heavy weight lays on poor Ben’s shoulders. He got married live on YouTube on Chas Smith’s anniversary.
He probably planned it on purpose in the hope he’d get ongoing promotion through the fine and knowledgeable never-ending weighty tome that is ‘BG’.
P.S.
I sincerely hope no such promotion shall ever be extended his way…
(nor to Poopies, for obvious brain dept reasons)
Someday we’ll print every story here and sell as a gorgeous encyclopedia set.
Presumably you really meant that you’ll print an annual hardcover set of the comments for a higher comedic quotient…hehe
Exactly what I meant.
Encyclopedia Gritannica