Last weekend, competitors from across Ireland gathered in Bundoran, County Donegal, to take part in the Irish Stand Up Paddle-board (or SUP) national championships. 
Paddlers were competing for Irish titles in three disciplines: The Technical Race - a 3km sprint paddle around a designated course; The Distance Race - a 15km race from Mullaghmore beach to Bundoran main beach; and, The Ultimate Waterman Event - a 500m swim followed by a 1.5km prone paddle and a 1.5km paddle board.
Irish champion David Mangan from Dublin proved his reputation, taking gold in all three events. 
In his debut Irish nationals, Mark Hurst from Enniskillen and representing Rossnowlagh Surf Club, took silver in the Distance Race. 
Having grown up on Lough Erne but currently living in London, Mark took up paddle boarding 12 months ago. Mark reflected: “I began paddle boarding last year because I missed being on the water. It’s easy to take Lough Erne and the West Coast for granted, but since moving away I’ve really come to appreciate them and make the most of them every time I come home”. 
 Mark comes from a family with longstanding involvement in Irish water sports. His younger sister Sian Hurst is a former European Wakeboard Champion and recently won her eighth consecutive Irish title. 
Mark’s now plan is to train throughout the winter in a bid to maintain his No.2 Irish ranking at the Battle of the Bay in Dublin next May with the hope of qualifying for the World Championships in Denmark next summer.