Ireland / Basque Country 2014 > Zarautz

Phase 2 of this exchange took place in Zarautz (Basque Country) during Easter 2014 and was funded by the European Union Youth in Action scheme. This time it was the turn of the Irish to make the 2 hour flight across the water, and we were blessed with incredible weather for the whole week. Activities included daily surf lessons with the Axi Muniain Surf School, cultural identity workshops, Basque dancing, team-building challenges, an introduction to Bertsolaritza, a guided tour of Zarautz, day trips to Mundaka, Gernika and Donostia, an art initiative sponsored by Posca, a slackline workshop as well as inspiring talks from blind surf coach Aitor Francesena (“Gallo”) and Axi Muniain. We also had an exclusive European showing of the film Beyond Sight, that shares the story of Derek Rabelo, a blind surfer from Brazil. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience a new culture and to make new friends!

We would like to thank everyone that helped make the week a great success, including: Zutundu, Axi Muniain, Zarauzko dantza taldea, Alex Diaz, Jonny and Jordan Wong Loi Sing, Nerea Ibarzabal, the Zarautz town hall, Zarautz tourist board, Bilbotex, Posca, Awesome Maps, Craig Sage, Mundaka Surf Shop, Gernika town hall, Inguru Abentura, Autocares Mallabia, Gallo, Walking on Water, Christian Surfers and Ruben Santonja.