Al Mennie Short Bio

Al Mennie is a pioneer, an adventurer. He is intrigued by the unknown, drawn to the moment where feeling alive consumes fear. He is driven by instinct, internally motivated, passionate about the intricate details of the environments in which he thrives. He draws inspiration from life, hard times, good times and everything in-between. Al was born in Belfast during one of the most violent eras in Irish history, the height of the “Troubles”. He was introduced to the sea by his father. He began his career as a surfer, representing Ireland numerous times at world and international events. But, it was his pioneering mindset that eventually led him to the biggest and wildest waves in the world. A pioneering waterman in the frigid waters off his native Irish shores and at the now infamous location of Nazare, Portugal. A highly adaptable man with a diverse skill set carved from deep life experience. He is an International model, a writer, a performer, a black belt, an entrepreneur…. He has a strong passion for helping others and has penned many books transferring his own experiences to paper for others to draw from. Read his full bio here… 

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Al Mennie Full Bio...

Al Mennie is probably best known for his big wave surfing exploits. 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. But, big wave surfing is only part of Al Mennie.

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Al 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.  Al has pioneered and surfed big wave spots in Ireland and globally.  He thrives in wild conditions off his native shoreline.

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For decades Al has searched, discovered, located and pioneered several big wave spots.  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. 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.  Al was one of four men in the water the day the biggest waves ever ridden swung into Nazaré in Portugal in 2011. 

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Al's board and a plaque are displayed on The Surfer Wall among around 30 other international surfers in the lighthouse at Nazare. Al believes this to be the highest honour in surfing as it comes directly from the heart of the Portugeuse local community in Nazare.

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Al Mennie is the epitome of an athlete pushing the boundaries both physically and mentally. In every sense of the word he is a waterman. Other than pushing the limits of big-wave surfing he has also paddled a surfboard from Ireland to Scotland, against the tide, and has a reputation as having one of the most gruelling and effective training regimes in the world; his activities range from rock running on the cold ocean floor to being held underwater by his trainer after sprinting up his local sand dunes.

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He recently swam 100km in the surf zone, in the dark, during the coldest and darkest months of the year to raise awareness of depression and funds for charity Aware. Swim Through Darkness.

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As well as his passion for the sea Al has a particular passion in helping others survive what life throws at them…

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Al is a writer and has written several books from an autobiography to books to help adults and children with fear, anxieties and being confident! He has also written a book about the loss of his father in the hope that the book may help someone else survive the depths that can come with bereavement. Al has written several pieces for other authors and publications too.

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At 6'5" Al holds a third degree black belt and a Master Instructor position in Krav Maga Northern Ireland!  He is an imposing but gentle figure. He has also written a self defence guide and teaches regularly with a particular interest in teaching young people self defence!   

Always articulate, Al is a very experienced public speaker having spoken at everything from multinational sales conferences to emergency consultants, schools, clubs and small businesses.

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Al's image has recently been featured in campaigns for international brands such as House of Fraser, Johnson and Johnson, Guinness, and Air BnB among many more.  He recently performed stunt work for Kristofer Hivju the actor known for his roles in Game of Thrones, TWIN, Beck, Downhill etc

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‘A surfing colossus has arisen from the chilly waters off Ireland’s Causeway Coast. I think of Al Mennie as the modern day Fionn MacCool.’ Mark Patterson BBC.

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