Seven things: Inspirational Donegal figures receiving national attention

Easkey Britton: Most Devoted to the Outdoor Scene nominee

With the release of Ebb & Flow: How to Connect with the Power and Patterns of Water, the hugely inspirational surfer, academic and author has written a rallying cry for water connection and protection in this country.

Easkey, who is from Rossnowlagh, has long been a surf pioneer, she was the first woman to paddle out at the big wave spot, Aileens, at the Cliffs of Moher and the first woman to surf in Iran, where she encouraged girls and women to try the sport.

Currently, having been immersed in academic research on our connection to the blue spaces and the psychologically restorative aspects of water, she’s written a book about what we can give back to water ourselves.

“I’m a huge promotor of nature connection and the benefits of blue health, but a lot of the research done in the western world looks at what water can do for us, rather than what we can do for water,” Easkey shared.

“I wanted to look at water as its own entity, its own life force, rather than just turning it into another commodity for our consumption, enjoyment, recreation and health kicks.

“The book calls for healing of the heart, mind, and body of our collective water planet,” says Easkey. “I wanted to show how we are connected to all the waters of the Earth, wherever we are. Water is the source of all life, and I think there’s a responsibility and power in the stories that we tell about it.”