Waterford Volunteer Calls for Statue to Celebrate ‘Surfing Seals’

The town of Dungarvan in County Waterford has long been home to a unique local attraction that blends wildlife curiosity with community spirit: Dungarvan’s surfing seals. These marine mammals have become a focal point for visitors and residents alike, leading to a recent call from a local volunteer to establish a permanent statue to honor the colony.

The seals are most frequently spotted around Dungarvan Harbour, but they have gained international curiosity for their habit of climbing atop a paddleboard fixed in the River Colligan, located in the center of the town. This unusual behavior has transformed the seals into a significant local draw, attracting photographers and tourists who hope to catch a glimpse of the animals “surfing” in the heart of the community.

From a local economic and branding perspective, the seals have evolved into more than just a wildlife sighting. Garvan Cummins, who operates a bike hire business in the town, noted that the seals have become “very synonymous with Dungarvan” and serve as an “iconic symbol” for the area. This organic attraction highlights how niche wildlife interactions can enhance the identity and appeal of a regional destination.

The History of the River Colligan Paddleboard

The phenomenon began approximately 15 years ago when a local resident placed a surfboard in the river. Over time, a colony of roughly nine seals adopted the board as a resting spot, though they are typically seen using it in smaller groups of two or three. The board’s presence has created a symbiotic relationship between the wildlife and the town’s inhabitants.

The maintenance of the board has become a grassroots community effort. During stormy weather, the surfboard can flip, leaving the barnacle-covered side facing upward. Given that the seals will not board the surface when We see in this state, local residents frequently intervene to either flip the board back over or clean off the barnacles to ensure the surface remains amenable to the seals.

Overcoming the 2023 Displacement

The bond between the town and its surfing residents was put to the test in July 2023, when the paddleboard became unmoored and floated out to sea. According to Sar’anne Walsh, a Dungarvan local and volunteer with Seal Rescue Ireland, the community was “devastated” by the loss of the board.

The board was eventually recovered by a local fisherman and returned to the town. However, the process of cleaning the board before its replacement in the river removed the seals’ scent, which created a significant delay in their return. It took nine months for the colony to return to their original frequency and numbers, with the seals only returning to their full presence in the months leading up to the current call for a commemorative statue.

A Permanent Tribute to Local Wildlife

The proposal for a statue stems from the desire to recognize the seals’ role in bringing joy and visibility to Dungarvan. The effort to memorialize the “surfing seals” reflects a broader trend of towns celebrating the specific animals that define their local character and attract global attention.

For residents and volunteers like Ms. Walsh, the seals are a major draw for the town, sparking “big, massive smiles” from those who encounter them. A statue would serve as a permanent acknowledgement of this unique relationship, ensuring that the legacy of the surfing colony is preserved regardless of the physical state of the paddleboard in the River Colligan.

Key Facts Regarding Dungarvan’s Surfing Seals

As the community continues to advocate for a statue, the surfing seals remain a living testament to the unexpected ways in which wildlife can integrate into the fabric of a town’s identity. There is currently no official date set for the commissioning of a monument, but the push for a “seal of approval” for the colony continues to grow among local advocates.

We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the proposal for the statue in the comments section below.