Hossegor charger Benjamin Sanchis (aka Sancho) comes around the corner on a big, thick Mullaghmore bowl. Photo: Gary McCall

Here's Sancho again, during the early morning freesurf -- just warming up. Photo: Bonnarme/Aquashot.fr

The happy winners: Sancho (L), event director Paul O'Kane and son (middle) and Éric Rebière (R). "When we came back to the pub, France beat Ireland in rugby, so it was an extra special day for us!" laughed Rebière . Photo: Bonnarme/Aquashot.fr

"That left is crazy. One of the best lefts I've surfed in my entire life," smiled Rebière. Photo: Bonnarme/Aquashot.fr

The event was the first of its kind in Ireland. Each team competed in one, one-hour heat, and each team was scored on the highest wave of each of its members. Photo: Gary McCall

On an earlier wave, Irish charger Al Mennie managed to snag the Best Barrel Award. Photo: Gary McCall

Mennie and Andrew Cotton ended up third in the Open division and second in the Irish division. Photo: Gary McCall

Second place winner Peter Conroy flashing on the coldwater Teahupoo comparison. Photo: Conn Osbourne

Éric Rebière about to navigate the boil section in the morning's freesurf. Photo: Bonnarme/Aquashot.fr

L-R: Francois Liets, Lyndon Wake, Éric Rebière, Sancho. Photo: Gary McCall

British surfer Gabe Davies helped pioneer Mullaghmore; he was involved in the Irish film Waveriders -- along with Bundoran's Richie Fitzgerald -- which ended here. He nailed the Wave of the Day award. Photo: Gary McCall

Easky Britton charges. She grew up down the street from Mullaghmore and has been pushing the limits out here for a few years now. Photo: Conn Osbourne

Ireland or West Oz? Photo: Bonnarme/Aquashot.fr

Francois Liets, tracking a high line across the bowl. Photo: Gary McCall

"It was so cold out there, we were on the water all day and the first thing we did when we got back in was grab a Guinness," Eric explains. Photo: Bonnarme/Aquashot.fr