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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… 

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.

Most Notable Achievements

 

50km Surf Swim at night  (Swim Through Darkness) to raise awareness of Suicide,Depression and Intergenerational Trauma in Northern Ireland 2023

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154 Waves ridden in under 2hrs in the dark to raise awareness of Suicide for Pieta House and their 14 Partner Charities 2023

 

100km Surf Swim at  night (Swim Through Darkness) during the Irish winter to raise awareness of depression during the pandemic 2020/21

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Recognised by The City of Nazare, Portugal by being invited to hang a board and Plaque on their Surfer Wall Hall of fame 2018

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Irish National Surf Team Member, multiple times

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World Tow in Cup Championships Chile 2008 10th

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Nazare Tow in Championships Portugal 2011 2nd

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La Vaca Gigante Spain 2011 big wave paddle in finalist (final called off due to conditions)

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Mananan Big Wave Challenge Winner 2004

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Nominee in Surfer Magazine’s Heavy Water Award 2007

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Named as one of the best big wave surfers of all time by surfertoday.com

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Several Billabong XXL Entries

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Freeflow Magazine award winner 2007

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Paddled a board from Giants Causeway Northern Ireland to the Scottish Island of Islay in March 2010 in aid of NI chest Heart and Stroke, ‘The Giant’s Crossing’.

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Winner of British Universities Surfing Championships.

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Guinness Surfing Champion.

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Causeway Coast Junior Champion

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South West Britain Student Champion

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Red Bull Tour Winner

Nazare, Al Mennie
Nazare, Al Mennie
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Al Mennie
Al Mennie
Al Mennie, Nazare
Al Mennie
Al Mennie, Ireland, surfing
Big Wave Rescue
Al Mennie
Al Mennie surfing over a submerged reef far off the west coast. Picture by Charles McQuillan
Al Mennie, tow surfer
Al Mennie Giants Causeway
Big wave surfers
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al mennie surfer
on the head at punta galea1
Al Mennie big wave surfer
Al Mennie paddle boarding
Al Mennie portballintrae harbour Northern Ireland picture by Charles McQuillan
Al mennie big wave surfing
Nazare, Jet ski wipeout
Al Mennie mullaghmore

Al Mennie

Kind words/Testimonials

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Chris Bertish – Mavericks 2010 Big Wave Winner (California) among other feats.
“I have great respect for anyone who is not mainstream, who goes against the grain, dreams big and follows his passion with determination and perseverance – no matter what the cost. Al is one of those guys. Congratulations brother. Keep the passion alive and keep living your dreams…”

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Garrett McNamara – Guinness World Record Holder for biggest wave ever ridden (Nazare 2011)
“Al is a gentle giant. He has really good energy and loves to ride big waves. You can see it in his eyes and feel it in his words. “

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Dave Reed – Director UK Surf Promotions, UK Pro Surf Tour, CEO UK Pro Surf Association
“Al is a leading surfer in the UK and Ireland and has been for a number of years. Whilst competing on the UK Pro Surf Tour he competed and beat many of the best surfers in the UK. It did not matter if the surf was one foot or ten feet. Now he specialises in the extreme big wave conditions were not many surfers have the courage or skill to challenge”

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Andy Hill – 6 times Irish Surfing Champion
“Alastair is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet or share waves with. I have had the privilege of watching his surfing develop over the last 20 yrs here on the Causeway Coast. I first met him as an extremely focused 12 year old grommet and even then he had a real hunger for surfing. To watch him grow into a mature athlete and a surfing ambassador for Ireland is just brilliant. Al has developed the skill and courage to put his life on the line, riding the biggest and most fearsome waves on the planet. Every surfer has a respect for the ocean, and I have total respect for Al as he rides these mountainous walls of water”

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Al Mennie big wave surfing, ireland
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Al Mennie training
Two different vessels Howard Robinson and Al Mennie picture by Charles McQuillan
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Al Mennie prowlers
al mennie paddle boarding, northern
al mennie, portballintrae, surfing

Some of the publications in which Al has featured over the years

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