Local Waves: Episode 1

National Museums NI

The Ulster Transport Museum and NI Science Festival presents Local Waves, a four-part podcast series hosted by Curator of Transport and Industry, Clare Ablett, interviewing local people from across Northern Ireland who interact with the sea in different ways to learn about their 'local waves' and for insight into how water-based activities can help to improve mental health and establish connections with the sea. This series aims to encourage people of all abilities to engage with the water on a sensory level, using sound as a way of making our local waves more accessible to everyone. Stay tuned at the end of each podcast to relax and listen to the sounds of waves from around our coastline.

In episode 1, Clare speaks to the legendary surfer, Al Mennie, about his local waves along the north coast. As well as surfing some of the biggest waves in the world, Al has also written several books on the subject, with a focus on surfing helping to overcome and deal with anxiety and fear. His most recent project has been a sponsored 100km swim in the dark to raise awareness of depression during the coronavirus pandemic. Al describes what it’s like to ride a 70ft wall of water and how his time in the sea has impacted other areas of his life.