Gearoid McDaid is one the most well rounded surfers on the planet. He’s developed a competitive nuance from his time competing on the QS, as well as from a number of other highlights that include a second place in the ISA European Champs last year. The Irishmen is also not afraid of a bit of heavy water. His big wave game continues to from strength to strength each winter and he’s often one of the standouts at Mullaghmore, Ireland’s death defying XL slab, as well a number of other crazy waves and setups that exist on the Emerald Coast.

His latest edit ‘Rollercoaster’, filmed and edited by Clem McInerney, is testament to his all round game and features unseen footage of Gman charging at his favourite XL spots, as well as other clips which display his rail game and aerial repertoire.

It’s been quite the year for the 27-year-old as he battles the highs and lows of competitive surfing, while overcoming multiple injures. Check the interview below for an insight from Gman into the last 12 months.

What were your plans for 23/24?

Gman: My plans for the 23/24 season was pretty simple, try get as many good waves as possible haha. And try qualify for the Olympics. After a couple of injuries last year ,I was pretty fired up to chase it hard last winter. Unfortunately it ended up not being the best winter we’ve ever had, but it still had its moments 

Do you set goals or take each challenge as it comes?

Gman: For sure I had goals set. I wanted to qualify for the Olympics and push myself in bigger waves as much as possible. It’s a pretty hard thing tryna balance getting ready for comps and tryna chase slabs haha pretty opposite. So ya kinda took things as they came, if there was swell I’d chase pits and if not, I’d keep  grinding it out in the slop and the gym to be ready for whatever 

How were you feeling before the 23/24 season, did you feel better than the previous year?

Gman: Coming into last winter I felt a lot better. The previous winter, I had a little tear in my hip and it hindered my surfing pretty bad. But on the plus side,the injury made me focus heaps on my gym training to try and avoid an injury like that again. But somehow, I’m injured again. I got super unlucky and split my leg with my fin.

What were your highlights from the past year?

Gman: Coming second in the European surfing champs was a highlight in terms of competing and then there was a couple of very special sessions last winter that stick in my mine. One was towing Riley’s for a couple of days, just me and Conor Maguire whipping each other into bombs with no one else around, it doesn’t really get any more special than that. 

What were your low points?

Gman: A low point was definitely having a shocker in the Olympic Qualifier. The comp started well and the waves were pretty pumping in Puerto Rico. But then the forecast deteriorated and I struggled in a couple of heats and lost. Currently, my leg is nearly in half. Luckily, I’ve not missed too many swells and I’m hoping to be back in time for the first swell of the winter. 

Tell us more about your injury, where did your head space go to?

Gman: It was pretty bad. I wasn’t sure of the extent of my injury and as we came towards the end of summer I was stressing about missing the winter ahead. But I’m hopeful I’ll be back soon.

Whats next coming back from this, did you learn anything from it? 

Gman: I’m trying to learn how to take things as they come and enjoy other things outside of surfing. When your life is chasing waves it can be hard, but sometimes it’s nice to slow down and enjoy other things like playing golf haha it’s been a super fun summer of golf and cruising.

While Gman is still out the water, we have no doubt he’ll be back in no time and ready to level up again as winter in Ireland begins to creep in.

Click the link above to watch his edit.