The waves came up in Bundoran yesterday and the European Surfing championships finally took off. Waves of four to six feet, the erection of a new podium by the organisation and a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. running order got Eurosurf '97 back on track after five days of no waves.

Through to round three of the Premier Open is 18-year-old Strandhill surfer Colin O'Hare with two spectacular heat successes. Unfortunately the Open is Ireland's weakest division and out went the other five surfers in this category with only Gary Butler from Tramore having the satisfaction of a first round heat win.

In the other categories Irish surfers really excelled. Irish women's champion Zoe Lally beat England, Wales and the Channel Islands to reach the quarter-finals. Through to the Masters semi-final is Grant Robinson, Rossnowlagh, while Portrush Body Boarders' Adam Wilson and David Shields had excellent heat wins to reach the quarter-finals.