A surfer from landlocked Co Tyrone has been making a splash at the World Surfing Games in California this week.
Maia Monaghan from Fintona travelled to the United States to compete in the games for Team Ireland.
While the 22-year-old was ultimately knocked out in the heats of the competition on Wednesday, she said it was an experience she will never forget and hopes to come back stronger next year.
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“The heat on Wednesday just didn’t go my way so I bowed out of the competition, but to get to day five of it was pretty solid,” Maia told MyTyrone.
“I’m really happy with my performance though, especially because it’s my first world games at senior level.
“It’s been amazing, I’ve never been to an event on this scale before. I’ve been to European events as a junior but this is just on a completely different level.
“I’ve been competing against the best professional surfers in the world so it’s just an amazing opportunity to even be here.”
Maia said her love for surfing came from her family trips to Donegal which started at just three years of age.
“It comes from spending a lot of weekends at the coast in Donegal,” she added.
“My mum put me on a surfboard when I was three and as I got older I made some really good friends at the surf club.
“The world games happen every year so I’m hoping to qualify for next year and do a bit better - I’m definitely not done with international competition just yet.
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