Conor Maguire Wins the Winter Session

Conor Maguire is The Winter Session winner, as chosen by the panel of 36 shortlisted surfers and filmers, each edit had one vote and it was tight at the top. Following hot on his heels were Jayce Robinson and Naxto González but this unassuming Irish ripper just pipped them to the post in the eyes of his peers. The prize is a trip for three around Northern Sumatra aboard the Jiwa.

When the votes were totalled at MSW HQ and it became clear that an Irish session had won, we concocted a sneaky plan to tack the announcement onto the end of the forthcoming Shorehots Irish Surf Film Festival (thanks guys for letting us slip in). The element of surprise is everything in these situations, right? Allan Mulrooney quietly made sure Conor completed the journey from the West Coast to the prize giving audience, and then all we needed to do was make sure he was sober enough to collect his prize. We nearly failed on that second element.

How does it feel? *We asked him when his head had cleared a little.

I had no idea the winner of the Winter Session was going to be announced at Shoreshots and I certainly had no idea I was going to be the winner. I was over the moon to hear that I won and having all my best mates around me at the time made it that bit more special. Thanks for an amazing contest and night Magicseaweed, Monster and Nixon."

I certainly had no idea I was going to be the winner. I was over the moon to hear that I won and having all my best mates around me at the time made it that bit more special. Conor Maguire

What is your abiding memory from the night?

What good humour everyone was in and the start of Cain's clip. The beginning of his video was the trippiest thing I've seen in a surf edit. That, along with Cain's surfing, made for amazing visuals.

Where did this journey start out? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I started surfing at the age of 12 in Bundoran with one of my best mates, Iarom Madden. Like most people, after the first wave we were surf junkies. We grew up surfing together and always had a really healthy competition going. Iarom was always amazing in competitions and I was always fascinated by the bigger stuff. I remember growing up, hearing the older guys in the water talk about waves Richie was catching at Mullaghmore. I looked what he was doing up online and was blown away by the size and power of the waves he was riding in the photographs. From that moment I knew I would do everything I could to surf that place. Richie’s head must have been wrecked listening to a 3ft tall, squeaky grom pestering him how to tow surf. He told me I would have to take everything in steps and work my way up to Blackspot, PMPA and Mullaghmore. That’s exactly what I did. I trained hard but also never forgot that the most important thing is having fun. It seems nowadays, a lot of groms are more focused on becoming ‘pro’ surfers than having a fun surf.

Tell us little more about what the session felt like?

I went to Richie’s house to borrow his tow board the night before and he gave me some amazing advice. He said, ‘Sham, don’t check the waves from the headland, just get straight in the water. You will be scared shitless otherwise.’ I checked it from the headland. I was scared shitless. I didn’t want to go out and didn’t think I was going to get a wave. Dylan reassured me and pulled me into the best waves of my life. It was my first time and to see how happy people are for me is almost a better feeling than one of those kegs.

The session was a huge mix of emotions. I’ve never been so nervous or scared for anything in my life. I got three hours sleep the night before because I was so excited and petrified for the next day I just couldn’t get to sleep. I felt like I was going to puke when I was waiting for my first tow. I fell the first two times I tried to stand up because I hadn’t really had any proper experience towing before. After my first wave that nauseous feeling began to subside and I became more relaxed. Everyone was getting some amazing waves and it was sick to be out there with the people I’ve looked up to for so long. There was a really cool vibe lingering in the air the whole session. Everyone was so stoked for each other. No jealousy whatsoever. I was shaking for like an hour after I got out of the water. Not because of how cold it was but because of happy I was. The whole crew were in a similar state. Just stoked for each other.

What does winter mean to you?

Winter means chasing heavy waves, with amazing people in Baltic conditions. I broke my leg at the start of last Winter and missed some amazing swells. The past months have more than made up for what I missed last winter.

Cheers!

*Nothing is ever perfect, you can always do things better – especially in web land – but watching The Winter Session grow from the germ of an idea to a comp full of blood and guts has been a real privilege. Thanks to everyone who got involved in this most ridiculous of winters. Now its time to enjoy the summer before doing it all again.