Irish surfer Liam Joyce is set to take on the planet’s best surfers at the up-coming ISA Billabong World Surfing Games. The competition takes place in Costa Rica from 1st until 8th August. Joyce will be part of a four man team that is representing Ireland. 

  
Following the World Games, Joyce will be travelling down the west coast of Europe competing in the ASP World Qualifying Series contests in Spain, Portugal, France and the Canary Islands. Joyce will also represent Ireland at the European Surfing Championship in Jersey from the 26 September until 4 October. 
  
Speaking about the up coming World Games Joyce said, “It’s great to represent Ireland in the World Championships. It’s great too to have support from the guys at Captain Morgan to help me compete on the European leg of the QS tour." 
  
Ireland has in the last few years stamped its name on the map of international surf destinations with an abundance of natural reefs throughout the coast providing the best possible conditions for Atlantic swells to break.  Until recently the surf industry has largely neglected the potential of the Irish market but as the industry looks to more emerging markets for growth, Ireland will play a huge role in the fast progression of European surfing due to the quality of the waves and the unique surf culture that it offers. Surfing is now recognised as the fastest growing sport in Ireland, it only takes a visit to any west coast beach during the summer to realise the potential of this market moving forward. 
  
Liam has cemented his place at the top of the surfing world here in Ireland,  winning double second places at the 08 and 09 Irish Surfing Championships and winning the expression session at the Sony Cois Farraige Surfing Festival in Kilkee in 2008. 
  
Liam is from a large Irish family that emigrated to New Zealand from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway but has been living back in Ireland for the last two years.  His surfing journey can be followed onwww.frankthewanderlust.blogspot.com