72 THE SURFER’S PATH
THE SILVER SURFARI

Words and photos by Alan Rich (unless otherwise stated)

With a typical Irish glint in his eye and a microphone in hand,

Brian Britton recounts how the idea first came to him: “It was

around two or three in the morning, and I was having a pint of

Guinness with Roci. A few pints actually.” He pauses, grinning

at his understatement, “and I thought, why not get everybody

together from the old days? Have a big reunion? Celebrate

40 years of Irish surfing and honour those recently departed

patrons who had supported us all. A Patrons’ Pilgrimage.

Wouldn’t that be grand?”

His friend Roci approved. “Sure. We don’t see much o’ each

other these days, and if only the two o’ us turn up, we’ll share a

couple o’ pints together. Anybody after that’s a bonus.”

Opposite (top to bottom) Kevin Naughton talking to Stan Burns. Brian Britton in foreground. (photo by: Evelyn Rich); Note my stubbies holder wetsuit “booties” (photo by: Evelyn Rich); Kevin Cavey, Ireland’s ‘oldest gremmie’.

Main The-Secret-Spot-ThatEverybody-Knows-About. Aka Everybodys on the crowded day.

THE SURFER’S PATH 73