A Galway windsurfer and watersports business owner has qualified for one of the highest-level wave sailing events in the world.
Julius Byrne (26), from Salthill, has secured a place at the Hawaii 5 Star Quatro Maui Pro, which takes place from March 29th to April 2nd at the world-famous Ho'okipa Beach, Maui. The event forms part of the World Wave Tour and represents the top tier of international wave sailing competition.
This will be Byrne’s first time qualifying for a five-star event, marking a major milestone after years of competing in Irish and UK competitions to work his way up the rankings. He is currently ranked 50th in the rolling world rankings.
Byrne is a two-time Irish Wave Champion (2021 and 2024) and a two-time Irish Vice Champion (2022 and 2023). He also finished 4th overall at the Tiree Wave Classic in Scotland in 2021, one of his strongest results outside Ireland. In 2025 he also finished Irish Vice Champion in Freestyle.
He first started windsurfing as a child through summer camps in Rusheen Bay before beginning serious training at 15 and entering competition at 17. At just 19 years old he began managing Rusheen Bay Watersports, the Galway watersports centre which originally specialised in windsurfing before expanding into kayaking and paddleboarding.
Despite reaching international competition level, Byrne says the sport has always remained something he pursues alongside running the business rather than as a full-time career.
“I never really expected to qualify for an event like this. It’s just been years of training, competing where I could, and trying to improve bit by bit. To go from learning in Rusheen Bay as a kid to competing in Maui feels pretty special,” he said.
“I just enjoy the process of improving. Qualifying is nice, but it’s really just motivation to keep getting better. It’s a great opportunity to represent Galway and Ireland on a bigger stage.”
Byrne says competing internationally also benefits his coaching and teaching at Rusheen Bay.
“I run the business full time so competition has always been something I’ve done alongside it because I love the sport. What I learn from competing at a higher level always comes back into how I coach and teach.”
Byrne is sponsored by Starboard UK and Severne UK and is currently in Hawaii training to compete against some of the world’s best wave sailors.
