Donegal Adventure Centre's Weblog

Alumni August

donegaladventurecentre — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:05:32 +0000

Calling all those between the ages of 12-17 who’ve been to the DAC in the last year.

Alumni August Donegal Adventure Centre

As promised before Christmas , we have a very special offer for all our Alumni this year. August has been set aside for our best ever offer for Teen Surf camps - so good that we aren’t putting it on our website. You have contact us and say alumni august and tell us when you or your family member were here , with what school or organisation and we will send you are brilliant offer. This is open to people who were here with schools, youth organisations , birthday parties or day trips as long as you or someone in your family were here. This offer runs from the Monday the 6th of August until Sunday the 26th and is hands down the coolest deal we’ve ever had. Full surf camp with other teens from all over the world. Food, activities, supervision , cinema, bowling, equipment etc all included.

Anti- Valentines Surf Weekend

donegaladventurecentre — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:45:34 +0000

Donegal Adventure Centre will be once again offering the ‘Anti-Valentine’ activity weekend : a welcome alternative to the couples packages that tend to dominate

Anti-Valentines Surf Weekend

this weekend. Donegal Adventure Centre invite all single people, with no ‘significant other’ to join us in Bundoran on February 10th for a great weekend of fun, activity and craic with other singles, unattached, and those who are clouded in mystery.
Arrive to Homefield Rock Hostel on Friday evening for check-in and some friendly meet & greet with other arrivals, and on to The Chasin’ Bull pub for some anti-valentines craic, games and pints!
On Saturday, we begin the day with a fun session of rope climbing and group activity with our wonderful instructors, and again the emphasis is on enjoying yourself with your friends, and other people who are not wrapped up in hearts and flowers for the weekend. Later that afternoon, we’ll have a surf session for beginners, if you haven’t surfed, you haven’t lived, and you have to give it a try!
Absolute beginners and non-swimmers are welcome, the beginner lesson is very gentle and very well supervised, and we provide all the equipment you need. Later that night, we all meet up in the rock hostel for a glass of wine, and then move on to The Chasin Bull for some live music, more craic and somewhere safe from the dreaded Valentine couple…And the cost of this weekend, including 2 nights B&B and two activities, all of the above: 90 euro per person sharing a private room. €80 pp for a dorm room.

There is limited availability of twin/double rooms, and then rooms are 4-6 bed sharing. Groups of singles welcome, and single individuals very welcome. Dorms offered will be female only and male only sharing

Anti-Valentines Surf Weekend

Christmas at the DAC

donegaladventurecentre — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:19:11 +0000

Hi all – hope 2011 has treated you right – even though the nights are long we still have a lot going here at the DAC.

Our brand new FÁS course is up and running which means we will stay open all winter this year with the exception of Christmas week. We have a few groups over December but we are also available for Christmas Vouchers (more on that later ) and taking bookings for our January OITC course .

Christmas specials
There is some brilliant value on packages bought as Christmas vouchers this year.
Our Recession Session deal (2 nights B&B in a private room & any 2 activities) for 2 people is just €160 to buy as a voucher (worth €198)

Our Group deal – 4 People 2 nights B&B in a private room & any 2 activities is just €200 total for all 4 people.

Teen Surf camp.

Easter Surf Weekend
Our First ever Surf weekend. 3 nights
Friday evening to Monday afternoon full activities including 3 surfs , cinema, meals and full supervision all inclusive Voucher price just €180.

Summer Surf weeks – Voucher price 20% off all Surf camp prices.

Madness but you know we, we do kinda like you.

New Fas Surf Instructor Course at Donegal Adventure Centre

donegaladventurecentre — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:21:40 +0000

There is a new FAS Surf Instructor & Lifeguard Course which will run at Donegal Adventure Centre, Bundoran, from November 2011 until March 2012. This is a full time course, fully supported by Fas. Anyone who is currently unemployed and receiving social welfare benefits is eligible to apply. To apply, you should contact your local FAS office and register (if you are not already registered) and then speak to your fas officer. The course code is EZ1Z3. Candidates should note that strong swimming ability is a pre-requisite, and that a swim time-trial is part of the interview. The course is for people who would like to be trained to become surfing instructors and beach lifeguards, and work in outdoor adventure centres and surf schools when qualified. The course will take place in Bundoran over 20 weeks, and will include intensive surfing practice and lifeguarding training. Canidates will then be put forward for the governing body assessments in Surfing and Lifeguarding. Interviews will take place on November 8 & 9, and the course begins on Monday November 21^st. Accommodation is available on campus: for information on accommodation, please email collie@donegaladventurecentre.net Please contact your local Fas office for further information, and you may also contact Donegal Adventure Centre at info@donegaladventurecentre.net.

Donegal Adventure Centre FAS course

Eurosurf line up

donegaladventurecentre — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:32:14 +0000

Thanks to Eurosurfbundoran for all the information below

The musical entertainment line-up has been revealed for Eurosurf Bundoran 2011 Party – the festival end of The European Surfing Championships. Headlining the event will be Derry band The Undertones who are this year celebrating their 35^th anniversary – they will play Paris Nightclub in Bundoran on Saturday 1^st of October and perform some of their time-loved hits including “Teenage Kicks”, “My Perfect Cousin” and “True Confessions”.

Dubliners Royseven will also play Paris Nightclub following the gala screening of SOUL SURFER on Saturday 24^th September – the night before the official contest begins. Best known for their infectious pop hit “We Should Be Lovers” Royseven will no doubt rock Bundoran for the second time this year and help to kick off the European Surfing Championships in style.

Popular Irish traditional fusion band, Kíla will kick off the Eurosurf Party at Gallagher’s Astoria Wharf in Bundoran on Friday September 23^rd and are looking forward to opening up this ten day event in the “Surfing Capital of Ireland”. Kíla are always a treat for the senses and often bring surprise guests.

A host of other acts have been lined up to perform during the Eurosurf Party which is hosted by Discover Bundoran and supported by Fáilte Ireland. Boxtie, The Rare Groove funk Orchestra, Big Generator, Pump Up the Jam, The Kinky Wizards, The Logues, The Vintage Infants and the X-Presidents all appear during Eurosurf – the full line-up is available to view on www.discoverbundoran.com

Speaking about the entertainment line-up, Eurosurf Bundoran Press Officer Shane Smyth said “We are thrilled with the calibre of musical acts which have been confirmed to play in Bundoran during Eurosurf. Internationally known names such as The Undertones, Royseven and Kíla are sure to offer visitors and spectators an exciting and complementary plan which will ensure that between surfing and entertainment, a great time and experience will be had by all. The music line-up would not be possible without the great efforts of the Discover Bundoran members and the Eurosurf committee thank them for this contribution”

Train To be An Outdoor Instructor

donegaladventurecentre — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:08:13 +0000

10 Week training course in surfing, water safety, climbing, leadership and child protection.Learn the skills of outdoor insruction at Donegal Adventure Centre. Improve your personal fitness ,gain work experience at Ireland’s premier outdoor centre,enhance your CV with qualifications in sports and child protection and enjoy training and working in a busy fun enviroment.

Course description
The Outdoor Instructor Course OITC is a training course for candidates who wish to become instructors working in the area of surfing and other beach activities. This course concentrates mainly on training for the ISA level 1 surf coach award, the RLSS Beach Lifeguard award, and over the ten weeks candidates will also train in child protection, adventure (land-based) activities, leadership skills, team training and development and beach first aid skills. Candidates are expected to attend Monday-Friday for the duration of the course.
Candidates must be able to swim. Candidates do NOT have to be able to surf, as you will be taught the skills of surfing if required. Surfing and swimming training are major parts of this course, and you can expect to be in the water every day. Students are expected to be (or get) fit through training every day. Training will include water-based (Swim & surf) and land based activities ( running, circuit training etc.)

Candidates will also do basic training in low ropes, climb & abseil and high ropes instruction . Candidates will also participate and learn to skills of conducting team-training activities and land-based activities. Candidates will do child protection training, and Beach first aid. The fees for the course are 950 euro.

Qualifications
All candidates will be put forward for the following qualifications:
1: The Irish Surf Association Level 1 Surf Coach award (200 euro for assessment & certification)
2: The RLSS Beach Lifeguard Award (350 euro for assessment & certification)
3: Chid Protection
4: DAC certification in Adventure Activities
5: DAC certification in Leadership Skills (Children & Teenagers)
6: DAC certification in Work Experience

You can also add on a canoe/kayak module which will take place each Friday of the course. This is run by Mr. Jon O’ Neill at The Lakeside Centre, Ballyshannon. This will give qualifications in Kayak and Canoeing. This is an excellent add-on to the course, and Jon is a superb trainer. There is a minimum number of 4 persons required to deliver this module, so please let me know if you want option 1 or option 2. Please feel free to contact Jon at 087 7920302 for further information.
What do you need ?
You do need to be able to swim – there is swim coaching included in the course for those who would like to improve their swimming. You need a willingness to learn, a sense of humour and an interest in meeting new people and learning new things.
You don’t need any surfing or outdoor sports experience – if you have them, that’s a bonus but not necessary. As well as being trained and coached by our multi-qualified instructors, you will get a chance to interact with clients and learn leadership and management skills by shadowing and helping our staff with school, adult and special needs groups.

Candidates who complete the full course will be offered the following assessments & qualifications:

1: The Irish Surf Association Level 1 Surf Coach Award*

2: The RLSS Beach Lifeguard Award *

3: HSE Child Protection

4: DAC certification in Adventure Activities

5: DAC certification in Leadership Skills (Children & Teenagers)

6 DAC certification in Work Experience

*The following assessments are conducted by the national governing bodies, and an examination fee is payable. The awards are assessed independently, and DAC does not guarantee that students will pass these awards: that depends on student’s own performance during the assessments.

Teacher Preview Weekends

donegaladventurecentre — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:07:14 +0000

We are very pleased to offer another brilliant value teacher weekend this year. These weekends offer the chance for teachers and youth leaders to sample what we have to offer here with a full refund for teachers that bring a group in 2011 /2012.

We offer 2 nights B&B in private rooms, lunch and dinner on Saturday and 2 fantastic expression session activities for you and your friends to experience on Saturday. All this and evening entertainment in Bundoran, Ireland’s surf capital.
Friends and partners are more than welcome to attend the weekend for the same price.

Schedule.

Friday 29th of October.
8 pm – 9 pm wine reception and registration.

Saturday 30th

9:am Breakfast.
10 -1 Surf lesson – all wetsuits, transport and equipment provided
1:pm Lunch
2 – 5 High Ropes / Zip Line / Archery session.
7:pm Dinner La Sabbia restaurant.

F.A.Q.
How do I get a refund?
Any teacher who arranges a trip for a group of 8-30 will receive a refund for up to 2 spaces when the group pay their balance. For groups of 30 or more and extra teacher weekend space will be refunded for every extra 15 students.

Does everyone have to be a teacher to take part?
No – as long as one member of your party is a teacher / youth worker, you can bring as many friends as you like.

How many people can I bring?
As many as you want as long as you book in advance. 2 places will be refunded for every group up to 30 and and extra place for every 15 after that whether they were teachers or not. People travelling on their own are very welcome too.

Are there children / students there that weekend.
No, this is an adults only weekend.

What is on at night-time?
Bundoran is a lively and fun holiday town. There are many pubs and clubs as well as restaurants, cinema, bowling etc. We will we putting on certain evening events such as the annual fancy dress party in the Chasin’ Bull on Saturday that we would love you to attend but equally you are welcome to do your own thing if you prefer.

Come join the fun

Eurosurf 2011

donegaladventurecentre — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:42:30 +0000

Eurosurf – the European Surfing Championships takes place in Bundoran from Friday 23rd September until Sunday October 2nd.

Both the Rock Hostel and the Donegal Adventure Centre will be providing accommodation for teams and fans that week. For the best rates email us here at info@homefieldrockhostel.com or call Collie on 07198 29357.

Here is some information about the event.

* The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday 24th September at 5pm, with the competition will begin on Sunday 25th September at 8am and will run daily until 6pm.

* 16 european countries are expected to take part – Ireland, England, Wales, Channel Islands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, Malta, Switzerland and Israel MAY submit a team. Teams should be confirmed by August 15th.

* The Irish team is made up of Shane Meehan, 29, from Strandhill, Stephen Kilfeather, 23 and Ashleigh Smith, 24 from Sligo, Cain Kilcullen, 24 from Enniscrone, Ronan Oertzen, 20, Shauna
Ward, 24, Darragh McCarter, 25 & Richie Fitzgerald, 36 from Bundoran, Easkey Britton, 25, and John Britton, 32, from Rossnowlagh, John McCurry, 26 from Portrush & Oliver O’Flaherty, 24 and Stephen Kelleher, 24 from Lahinch, County Clare

* Eurosurf 2011 is supported by Fáilte Ireland

* This will be the fourth time the European Surfing Championships have been held in Ireland and the third time they’ve been held in Bundoran – the previous times were 1985 and 1997. They were first held in Ireland in 1972 in Lahinch.

* The competition will be run mainly at the Peak and at Tullan – depending on conditions – podiums will be built at both of these locations with temporary podiums being built at Tullan and at The Peak.

The Opening Ceremony.

The official opening ceremony and parade of nations will take place on Saturday September 24th at 5pm. Each national team will gather at the bottom of the town around KFC/Marlboro House (in similar fashion to the St Patrick’s Day parade). Carrying their national flag, the parade route will take each group (one group to include the judges that each team will also bring with them), up Main Street, they will take a right onto the Promenade with the parade itself finishing at the “Carraige na Nean” monument – the site of one of the main podiums for the competition.

The traditional “sands of the world” ceremony will also take place at this time. All teams will bring sand from their own corner of Europe and, in Olympic spirit, all sands will be joined, signifying Europe’s surfers coming together regardless of international, political or religious boundaries.
Following the opening ceremony there will be the gala screening of the movie “Soul Surfer” at the Bundoran Cineplex. This movie has already been released in the US, however the opening of the movie in the UK and Ireland has been specifically delayed to coincide with the opening weekend of Eurosurf!
A Film Festival of classic surfing movies will happen across the week at Bundoran Cineplex with a movie being shown each

The Schedule
Week of September 19th Teams Arrive

Thursday 22nd September
All day Teams Registration

Friday 23rd September
All day Teams Registration

Saturday 24th September
5pm Parade of nations followed by Opening Ceremony
7.30pm Gala Irish Screening of “Soul Surfer”
10pm Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue

Sunday 25th September
8am – 6pm Day One of competition
7.30pm Film Festival movie #1
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #1

Monday 26th September
8am – 6pm Day Two of competition
7.30pm Film Festival movie #2
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #2
Eurosurf Bundoran Briefing Document
4

Tuesday 27th September
8am – 6pm Day Three of competition
7.30pm Film Festival movie #3
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #3

Wednesday 28th September
8am – 6pm Day Four of competition
7.30pm Film Festival movie #4
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #4

Thursday 29th September
8am – 6pm Day Five of competition
7.30pm Film Festival movie #5
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #5

Friday 30th September
8am – 6pm Day Six of competition
7.30pm Film Festival movie #6
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #6

Saturday 1st October
As most of the competitors will be knocked out at this stage, it is expected there will be a fairly substantial party taking place tonight!
8am – 6pm Day Seven of competition – Semi Finals (the comp may be down to a single podium at this stage depending on conditions
7.30pm Film Festival movie #7
10pm + Entertainment at Eurosurf Venue #7

Sunday 2nd October
8am – 6pm Final Day of competition
Medals presented on beach/The Peak
7.30pm + Closing Ceremony
Closing party for competitors and Eurosurf staff – trophies awarded.

Summer time at the DAC

donegaladventurecentre — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:13:40 +0000

Hey how are you doing.

We that was a crazy first half of the year. From the Adventure Centre being flooded at the start of the year to the massive crazy success of Seasessions last weekend , it’s been a fantastic first 6 months of 2011 – even if the weather could have helped us more. But there’s no rest for the wicked here and we have loads planned for you this summer.

For Families:
We have brilliant deals on family rooms available in the Rock Hostel Sunday to Thursday and there are camps for tots, 8-12 year olds and 12-17 year olds Monday to Friday – just €15 pp. There is also Surf lessons for all at 12 o clock every day. Plenty do in the evenings too with special family activities running every evening Monday – Thursday just €15 pp with MUMS & DADS FREE! Now that’s value but don’t worry you don’t have do the activity if you’re a fraidey cat

Teens: Residential Surf camp for 12-17 year olds has just started. Includes accommodation , food , all activities & tours – you can come join teens from all around the world & surf some of the best waves on the Atlantic for 5 days, 1, 2 or 3 weeks. For more information contact us on 07198 42418 or email info@donegaladventurecentre.net

Adult Breaks : Every weekend is a surf weekend – we also have budget packages available during the weeks too , with special discounts for College students on their holidays . We also have a brilliant selection of Bank Holiday offers for the August Bank Holiday , which for our money , is always the best one here in Bundy

May & June things to do.

donegaladventurecentre — Sun, 08 May 2011 09:56:42 +0000

Hey Gang

Busy times here in the DAC & the Hostel - we have a lot of school stuff over the next few weeks but we have a couple of weekends you should definitely put in your diary – we have a couple of really good adventure weekends coming up on the 20th & 27th. The first weekend only has a few spaces left for surfing & The High ropes session so get in touch soon.

June brings both The Rory Gallagher Festival and Seasessions which are going to be awesome this year. Judging by the bookings Rory G is going to be bigger than ever this year – it runs from June 2 and we have just about sold out the hostel and rooms in the DAC are selling out fast.

Seasessions starts on June 24th and has three fabulous days of music, surf, skate & craic. It will sell out -Nearly all the private rooms have sold out in both centres so contact Collie on info@homefieldrockhostel.com if you want to take part in the coolest Surf & Music festival this year

Lots of shout outs to do
Firstly to Colaiste Eoin & Cambridge house for being 2 awesome groups on a really busy week
Secondly to all our italian friends for an amazing 8 days -Siete sempre i benvenuti qui in casa irlandese
and thirdly – Huge congrats to Team Ireland cheerleaders http://www.cheer-ireland.com/ who finished 10th in the world championships. They are old friends of ours and believe me , if you think cheerleading isn’t a sport – you’ve never seen these guys perform.