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Mayo Mayhem: Sponsored by RWE

Mayo Mayhem, Ireland’s premier windsurfing competition, once again lived up to its name and delivered an unforgettable weekend of high winds, big waves and fierce but friendly competition. Malcolm Scott takes us through the highlights of this wild and unforgettable showdown on the water.

Words: Malcolm Scott // Photos: Marco Cavalleri & Eugene T. Cunningham.

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This year’s event proudly retained its three-star ranking on the PWA / WWT World Tour, attracting a mix of Ireland’s best alongside top international riders from France, Germany, England, and Sweden. Competitors battled it out across three categories… Pro, Amateur and Women’s… showcasing the full spectrum of windsurfing talent.

A Risky Roll-Over Pays Off

The decision to postpone the event proved to be a masterstroke. When the wind and swell arrived on Thursday, early arrivals enjoyed a fun warm-up session at Cross Beach, Belmullet, setting the tone for what was to come.

Friday was scheduled to mark the official start of competition, but Storm Amy had other plans. With gusts exceeding 80 knots (150 km/h), conditions were simply too extreme to sail…even for the most daring. Veteran PWA head judge Duncan Coombes, with over 45 years of global experience, declared it the strongest wind he’d ever witnessed.

By late Friday afternoon, as the storm began to ease, around 30 eager windsurfers hit the more sheltered Mulranny Beach for a powerful warm-up session in 50-knot winds and logo-high waves, the perfect prep for Saturday’s main event.

Competition Day – Wind, Waves & Wild Rides

Saturday dawned wet and windy, with organizers debating between Mulranny and Keel as the competition site. Both promised side-shore, starboard-tack conditions, but Keel’s massive surf gave way to Mulranny’s more versatile setup…a peeling reef wave linking into a beach break. Mulranny as a contest location couldn’t be better.

It is a safe bay with a beach break for the Ams fleet to jump and riding that links up with a reef that has bigger more powerful performance wave for the pro fleet to show what they can do. It also has loads of parking and a raised viewing area for spectators to enjoy the action.

With nearly 50 competitors on the water and colourful sails filling the bay, spectators were treated to a day of spectacular jumps and wave riding. Heats lasted 12 minutes with 3-minute transitions, and riders were scored on their two best jumps and two best waves.

Women’s Fleet

The women’s fleet featured six talented riders, competing in a four-round dingle ladder format. The final was an incredibly close battle, but Katie McAnena’s vertical, aggressive style secured her the top spot.

Results:
1st – Katie McAnena (Ireland)
2nd – Milanka Linde (Germany)
3rd – Taina Postec (France)
4th – Amy O’Donnell (Ireland)

Amateur Fleet

With previous two-time champion Tom stepping up to the Pro division, the Amateur title was wide open. Strong performances from Ross, Bob, Pav, and Phil kept the results uncertain right to the end. Ultimately, Phil Hayden’s powerful loops sealed the win, with two young French riders following closely behind.

Results:
1st – Phil Hayden (Ireland)
2nd – Pierrig Dekerdrel (France)
3rd – Noe Desmares (France)
4th – Pav Jankowski (Poland/Ireland)

Mikey Clancy Future Pro award  – Pierrig Dekerdrel (France)
K4 Fins best Wave    –  Pierrig Dekerdrel (France)

Pro Fleet

The Pro division featured 16 of the best riders ready to go all out. Conditions were ideal — strong wind, clean waves, and world-class talent. Event favourite Nicolas faced tough competition from past champion Dan Gardner, local star Niall Mellon, and first-time Mayo Mayhem competitor Timo Mullen.

The day brought major upsets, with Finn Mellon exiting early and Nicolas falling short of the final. In a thrilling showdown, Dan Kealy opened strong with a standout wave, but Timo Mullen’s massive back loop earned him the win and the 2025 Mayo Mayhem Pro title.

Timo Mullen

“I am stoked to have won the 2025 Mayo Mayhem event! We had perfect conditions for the contest…40 knots side shore and logo high waves from first to last light. I managed to win all my heats during the day to eventually take home the victory in the final! I was joined on the podium by my sister in law Katie McAnena who won the Pro women. Clean sweep for family Mullen! Thanks to all the organizers and judges who made the event a success. They are easily the best team I have ever seen at an event! They maintained the hard balance between efficiency and fun! 

Thanks also to the photographers Marco Cavalleri, Michael O’Brien and Eugene T. Cunningham for their epic pics! I kicked off the final by stepping on a weaver fish which made the heat a tad more painful. Thanks to my sponsors Duotone and ION for all their epic gear! I was using the Ultra Grip Quad 88 all day and the 4.0m Super Hero SLS. The last few years have not been the easiest of my life personally but i have changed my mindset and physical training to adapt to what challenges life throws at you. I missed my Dad a lot this weekend. He would have loved seeing all the craic and myself and Katie taking the win. But he was with me all the way in my heart! I finished the weekend with two more epic days up north sailing with Duncan Coombes, treating him to some NW Ireland gold! Oh yes and the €1000 Euro prize money helped by a few pints…what an epic weekend!”

 

Results:
1st – Timo Mullen (Northern Ireland , Duotone)
2nd – Dan Kealy (Ireland, Witchcraft)
3rd – Julius Byrne (Ireland, Starboard)
4th – Rob Creane (Ireland, Himself on  Severne/Flikka)

A Weekend to Remember

From Storm Amy’s ferocity to the electric atmosphere on the beach, Mayo Mayhem 2025 will be remembered as one of the most thrilling editions yet. Huge thanks go to RWE, the riders, judges, volunteers, and everyone who braved the elements to make it happen.