Study and surf

[Nogs]

BaNZ, thanks for the input man. I found some courses taught in English, but I found it kind of hard to apply. Also, I didn't find the courses I wanted, so I will have to wait. But I've met so many people praising Taiwan, so I have to visit at one point for sure.

[Nogs]

Anyone ever surfed in Portugal? I'm looking at Lisbon and Porto at the moment, wonder if I can surf daily there without too much stress?

[jaffa1949]

Lots of surf spots peniche and Baleal near Lisbon and spots near Porto , a bit of a commute to the beaches from either so daily might not work out, but universities being what they are they may well have a surf club?

[Nogs]

Just an update for those who are interested: Just got in at Plymouth and Cork - so it looks like I'll be in Plymouth (school is good and the surf is available daily). Finding courses in Portugal in English was a challenge, and even though I'd love to live in Portugal I fancy living somewhere I can surf daily. I've been in Colombo, Sri Lanka the last year, and having the surf 2-3 hours away really makes it difficult to improve (especially as I am a beginner+). Hit two flat weekends and you haven't surfed for almost a month.

Anyway. I'll update if anything changes. Thanks everyone for your help!

[BaNZ]

Good luck! But I don't think Plymouth have good surf. At least it won't be far for you to get to the West coast.

[Nogs]

Thanks BaNZ. Well, I spoke to a friend who studied there and he said there are breaks just a 15 min drive from the Uni. If he's wrong then please let me know! Also, it's easy to go along the coast in the weekends, so I hope I can surf weekly there. If I'm right BaNZ, you surf in the UK? Where?

Also, Limerick University is an option as they've got a great Entrepreneurship master. Do you know anything about the surf in the area Jester? How far will I have to drive from Limerick (same as Galway probably)? Any info on the town itself?

Thanks!

[Jester]

Limerick! Affectionately known as 'stab city' haha actually it's much better these days but most places have rough areas. There's some nice spots there now and I've heard the night life is good.

As for surfing it's great, it's only an hours hop away from lahinch which is near Ennis in county Clare, that's where I go surfing so I'm passing through there a lot. I don't know what the bus routes are like but if you have a car or access to one you're sorted. To be honest, most places in Ireland require your own personal transport. Public transport is probably not as useful as you're used to. Like was mentioned there's probably a club or something of people who go from there regularly.

In Ireland you don't find things advertised that much, it's more who you know so ask around the campus and just get to know everyone! I'll always give you a lift on the odd day I'm passing through if we can both fit our stuff in the car! like I said it's who you know here and people are very friendly and helpful so if you did have your own board I'm actually pretty certain you could talk to my old surf instructor and he'd probably let you leave your board at his place in lahinch. Think I heard him say he does that for others.

If you're in limerick it makes the better breaks of bundoran and easkey further north in closer striking range too! Still about 3 hrs drive though..like I said, you really need a car here!

[Nogs]

Guys, Jester, I've finally decided on Limerick - even got a place to stay now! It was between Cork, Plymouth and San Sebastian (!!) but I chose Limerick for the school, which was the most important factor in the end. So I put Spanish senoritas aside for some Guinness and rain, hope it's worth it!
Still, I've got Lahinch not too far away, looks like a good spot so I guess that will be fun.

Jester, is there a way for you to PM me in here? Would be awesome to join for some surf. Thanks everyone for putting in comments here, really helpful.