-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/91.jpgIrish surf legend Alistair Mennie works out in his garage among dripping wetsuits and stacked boards in preparation for the big wave season. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/101.jpgKnown as the Finn McCool of the ocean and Big Red, the 195.6cm (6ft 5in) gentle giant often partakes in underwater training. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/111.jpgMennie uses heavy rocks to assist him in increasing his ability to stay underwater for extended periods. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/121.jpgThe surfer, who has paddle boarded from Ireland to Scotland and surfed waves in excess of 20m (60ft), proves a strange sight for onlookers in Portballintrae harbour Co Antrim. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/61.jpgUnder a midnight sky Mennie reads the latest swell predictions via his mobile phone watched by cohort and trainer Richard Robinson as they prepare to camp for the night in a small harbour in Donegal. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/131.jpgAfter the swell and off shore winds have been calculated Mennie chooses his board. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/81.jpgWhile the world sleeps Mennie races into the surf to catch the first golden rays and waves of the new formed day. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/15.jpgAnd launches himself in to the turbulent surf off the north coast of Co Antrim. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/31.jpgMennie surfs along the White Rocks shoreline. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/21.jpgTo avoid being caught up in the wake of a crashing wave Mennie ‘duck dives’ beneath it. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/71.jpgMennie catches a 10m (30ft) wave two and a half kilometres out to sea off the coast of Co Donegal. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/51.jpgAmid early morning fog Mennie leaves the north Atlantic early morning surf off the Co Antrim coastline. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
-
To the Waters and the Wild
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/10/41.jpgAfter stepping out of the frozen Atlantic he cleanses himself of the salt using an outdoor shower on the beach. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker
