About - Tramore Surf School

About Us

Tramore Surf School is one of Ireland’s longest-running and most trusted surf schools, proudly based right on the golden sands of Tramore’s Blue Flag beach. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping people of all ages discover the joy of surfing in one of the safest, friendliest beginner beaches in the country.

We’re a local team who live and breathe the ocean. Most of us grew up surfing here, and now we get to share that passion with the next generation of groms, visiting families, schools, youth groups, and absolute beginners who want to give surfing a go. Whether it’s your first time on a board or you’re returning for another summer of camps, we’re here to make your time in the water relaxed, safe, and unforgettable.

Surf instructor giving directions to students holding boards on the beach before a lesson.

OUR MISSION

Surfing Made Fun, Safe and Accessible

To create a fun, welcoming, and safe environment where anyone — no matter their age or ability — can experience the thrill of catching their first wave. Surfing should be for everyone, and we’re proud to help people build confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy the sea in a positive way.

Meet Our Staff

Come along and meet the crew! We’re all totally stoked to meet you.

Bernadette run the show with a host of surf-loving dudes and dudettes to help you on the way to becoming a surf pro.

Portrait of the surf school owner in front of the shop wearing a purple hoodie in front of the shop sign.

Bernadette Butler

Bernadette is the owner of Tramore Surf School and a long-time champion of surfing in Tramore. With years of experience and a real passion for the ocean, she’s built a welcoming surf school and shop that’s all about community, fun and safety.

Portrait of a surf school staff member standing in front of a beach mural.

Craig Butler

Craig is a keen surfer and works in the surf shop alongside his mum. Growing up in Tramore, he knows the local waves inside out and is always happy to help customers with gear, advice, or tips on the best conditions.

Portrait of a smiling surf shop staff member wearing a red jacket indoors.

Morna Jackman

Morna is the manager of the surf shop and keeps everything running smoothly day to day. Friendly and super organised, she makes sure customers are well looked after and leaves the shop with exactly what they need.

Portrait of a surf shop staff member wearing an orange beanie and red jacket indoors.

Brendan Mayer

Brendan is an experienced surfer with serious knowledge of wetsuits, surfboards and skate gear. He’s the go-to person for honest advice, helping customers choose the right equipment to suit their level and style.

Portrait of a young surf shop staff member holding shopping bags in front of wetsuits.

Shay O’Sullivan

Shay O’Sullivan is a 15-year-old Irish surfer sponsored by Tramore Surf Shop and Billabong. Surfing since 2017, he’s competed across Ireland and Europe, loves the Bundoran area, and believes progression comes from time in the water and having fun.

Portrait of a smiling surf shop staff member wearing a red beanie and staff jacket indoors.

Orla Lonergan

Orla is the go-to expert for surf fashion and style in the shop. As assistant to manager Morna, she helps keep everything running smoothly while making sure customers look the part, with great advice on fit, comfort and the latest surfwear trends.

What makes us different

Ireland’s safest beginner beach

Tramore’s long, gentle waves and shallow sandbanks make it the perfect place to learn.

Experienced, qualified instructors

All our coaches are ISA-qualified, Garda vetted, and trained in beach safety and first aid.

Personal, friendly approach

We take the time to get to know our surfers, keep groups small, and tailor lessons to each person’s pace.

25+ years in the water

We’ve taught thousands of people to surf — kids, adults, families, schools, corporate groups, and everyone in between.

Community-focused

We’ve taught thousands of people to surf — kids, adults, families, schools, corporate groups, and everyone in between.

More Than Just Surf Lessons

We offer:

Kids Surf Camps
Adult Lessons
Group & School Sessions
Corporate Team-Building
Private Lessons
Surf Rentals (boards, wetsuits, boots, gloves, hats)

No matter which option you choose, you’ll get expert instruction, top-quality gear, and a friendly team cheering you on from the sand.

Surf instructor coaching a small group standing on boards on the sand during a beginner lesson.

Summer Surf Camps

Weather map showing a powerful storm system approaching the coastline with pressure lines and wind intensity colours.

Our Commitment to Safety

Your safety is our number one priority. We monitor conditions constantly, use structured ratios, and follow strict safety guidelines. If waves or weather aren’t suitable, we adapt sessions or move to land-based training so everyone stays safe — but still has fun.

Group of happy children in wetsuits celebrating outside a surf shop with surfboards.

Part of the Tramore Community

Tramore Surf School is woven into the local community. We support local clubs, youth groups, and charities, and we’re proud to welcome generations of families who return to us year after year. Many of our coaches started as kids in our own surf camps — which says everything about the kind of place this is.

Silhouetted group of surfers running along the beach toward the ocean at sunset carrying boards.

Join us on the beach

Whether you’re here for the summer, trying surfing for the first time, or looking for a fun group activity, we’d love to welcome you. Drop down to the beach hut, say hello, and let’s get you into the water. Tramore Surf School — where every wave starts with a smile.

Surf School in Action

See our lessons come to life, one wave at a time.

A man in a navy blue "Vans" hoodie and a woman in a full black wetsuit standing together in a surf shop filled with apparel and gear.

A man and a woman stand smiling in a surf shop while holding white shopping bags from "Tramore Surf Shop," with skateboards and clothing visible on racks in the background.

A group of surfers in wetsuits and rash guards stand together on a grassy cliff overlooking a wide sandy beach and the ocean under a cloudy sky.

A crowded sandy beach filled with people, strollers, and umbrellas under a bright blue sky, with a paved promenade and lampposts on the left.

A woman in a grey tunic makes a "shaka" hand gesture while standing outside next to a man wearing a denim jacket, sunglasses, and a black baseball cap.

Two young boys in purple "TBAY" hoodies and beanies standing against a low yellow wall, proudly wearing medals around their necks with a beach and ocean in the background.

A smiling man in a beanie and a "Santa Cruz O'Neill" t-shirt holds up a large silver trophy while wearing a medal with an orange, white, and green ribbon.

A group of young people, some in wetsuits and others in casual jackets, posing playfully in front of the "Tramore Surf Shop & School" building, which features a large blue wave mural.

Four young women stand on a tiered blue winner's podium at an outdoor event, holding gift bags. A blue van with a "Sligo Surf Club" flag and a checkered backdrop featuring various sponsor logos are visible behind them.

A group of surfers in black wetsuits and blue rash guards standing outside a surf shop, with one person holding a large blue longboard in the foreground.

Four young men stand on a blue tiered podium at an outdoor awards ceremony, with three of them wearing medals.

A person wearing an "INSTRUCTOR" rash guard watches from the shore as a group of surfers head into the breaking waves with their boards.

Two men pose in a surf shop, with one making a "shaka" sign and the other a "thumbs up" gesture.

A woman in a black wetsuit sits on a pink surfboard in the ocean, face-to-face with a small sea lion.

A group of women in wetsuits and colorful rash guards pose and cheer outside the "Tramore Surf Shop".

A group of surfers in black wetsuits paddle through the churning white water inside the barrel of a breaking wave.