June’s Personality of the Month is local water aficionado Seamus (Shambles) McGoldrick.
He is not only one of the best bodyboarders in the land; he is also a talented musician, writer, eco warrior and one of the most humble individuals we have ever met.
Shambles lives and breathes the word challenge and is arguably Ireland’s most daring bodyboarder. If you were one of the brave souls who dragged themselves to the cliffs at Mullaghmore in early January this year then you would have encountered sights of even braver souls being towed into waves 30ft high. Just when you think these people can’t get any crazier in their attempt to defy laws of hydraulics, turn your attention to the rocky cliff side and witness the sight of two Strandhill locals, Shambles and Connor Flannigan (another local charger) paddle out old school style to catch their own monster of a wave. The most iconic image of that day was the shot above, taken by Christian McCleod and is of Shambles cascading down the face of a massive wave, frog legged and plummeting to the reef below. Sure it would be rude not to!
When he isn’t dropping in on waves three stories high he is doing his bit for the local community and is an ambassador for numerous charity groups including Darkness Into Light, Rennafix Group and The Donal Parson’s Trust.
He is also a keen writer and has written for surf blogs and publications nationally and internationally. Shambles is sponsored by Science Bodyboards the same brand that sponsors 9 X World champion Mike Stewart.
You are always is good company with Shambles, whether he is regaling you with stories of his latest surf adventures, belting out a tune on the banjo or rallying people to do their bit for the environment.
Get a load of our interview with this liquid anthropologist and ambassador of positivity.
Can you tell us what the word challenge means to you?
The word challenge to me means something or some event which is complicated, even difficult, so it requires all my attention.
Can you tell us how you like to challenge yourself on a personal and professional level?
Well, my professional life is not very challenging anyway, and not very complicated either. But I think the one thing that really challenges me on a personal level is bodyboarding.
What is the scariest thing you have been faced with?
I don’t know, lots of things I suppose. That is how I challenge myself on a personal level, it’s feel the fear and do it anyways kind of thing. Louise L. Hay said that or the Dali Lama or one of those writers. With regards surfing it is interesting. So the bigger the wave the scarier it is. So the biggest wave you have ever seen in your life is the scariest thing in your life. But when I was 15 a 6 foot was the scariest thing I’d ever faced in my life. When I was 20 a 12 foot wave was the scariest thing I’d ever faced in my life. When I was 25 a 20 foot wave was the scariest thing I’d ever faced in my life.
What happened over those ten years. Where did the fear go? It is all relative. What is fear, fear is in the mind. Nothing to fear but fear itself they say.
So I think the moral of the story is that our past experiences, although sometimes scary, equip us with experiences we will need to face what’s coming around the corner.
What advice would you have for others who are looking at setting up their own business?
My advice to someone setting up there own business is fine, but don’t do it in Ireland. Look on Ryan Air for tickets to China of some place. Do Ryan Air do flights to China?
If you could be anyone else for a day who would you be and why?
Barak Obama obviously. I would withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Iraq and withdraw America from its ‘permanent’ seat on the UN security council while sprucing up the Stars and Stripes by introducing the rastafarian colours on to it. Then, I would make an address the nation but slip in a few curse words towards the end of the speech, maybe finish it my thanking the first lady of those ‘fine ass pancakes you cooked me this morning.’ I could fit all that in in a day right?
What has been your greatest challenge to date?
Probably losing a family member to suicide.
What would be your number one piece of advice to your younger self?
Quit smoking.
Who is your hero or who do you look up to?
I really look up to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher, or any musician who has real courage. Bob Marley, he’s another one. I look up to musicians and poets and those sort of people.
What is the last song played on your MP3 player/iPod?
I have a cd player and today I was listening mostly to Irish trad music.
If you were to be abandoned on a desert island what 3 things would you bring with you?An I-pod, and I Pod charger, and my sun glasses. Wait, how long are we gonna be on this Island, is there a shop to buy sun cream?
Give us a suggestion for an EG challenge?
You have to teach me how to speak Spanish in a week or come for a surf lesson at Tullan Strand.
What are your 3 tips for success?
PMA – Positive Mental Attitude
A good supply of rock & roll cds
Remember the six Ps
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Cheers of the interview Electric Green.
SMcG
Electric Green 