Finn Ni Fhaolain
Finn Ni Fhaolain an Ocean scientist, sustainable clothing guru and celebrity chef! New mum to a gorgeous baby girl, Finn is the creator of @saltwaterstories.me and she’s always up to something new and creative.
‘When I was 16, my dad got me a week of lessons in Strandhill (he’d moved west and wanted something “fun for a teenager to do”) it worked, I was hooked! I spent that summer saving for my first board.
Despite finally having a board made for me, my go-to love-of-my life board is still a 5″8 single fin from a shaper in France. I picked it up cheap on Surfboards for Sale. I will repair and surf her till she’s so waterlogged she’s underwater!
Surfing has brought so much – it’s why I chose to go to college in Galway (not quite as close to the waves as Sligo, but I loved my course, earth & ocean science). Its also why I’ve lived in Bundoran for nearly 10 years!
I used to love a good reef or left breaking point break, but since having my baby last year, I am all for the cruisy longboard beachy.’
What do women bring to the line up?
LIGHT! I still remember my first all-girl line up on a reef in Sligo. It was HEAVEN, so much positivity, so much encouragement. Miraculously, everyone got lots and lots of waves, what a concept!
What is missing in the lineup?
More women! I want my daughter to grow up seeing just as many women as men and I love seeing all the amazing grom girls coming up.
Best comedy kook surf moment?
Oh god many. My favourite has to be, super sunny day, hopping off a cliff into the surf, I’d already strapped on my leash and it caught on a rock, I landed in the water, but the board slid out from under me and got caught on the cliff. Ultimate kook-life moment.