Andrew Cotton is one of Britain’s free surfers. Over the last few years he’s been at the forefront of the tow-in surf revolution – whipping himself into mutant slabs over at Aileens in Ireland with partner Al Mennie. His antics were featured in the indie movie ‘Driven’, and have resulted in invitations to the international big wave championships. Cotty is a free surfer with the off wave thrown in to mix it up, he hates contests but enjoys surfing quality waves, getting barreled and towing in. If he were not a surfer what would he be? A Labrador breeder.
Andrew is nominated for the “Biggest Wave” award at the 2012 Billabong Global Big Wave Awards for his epic ride off Mullaghmore Head. Cotton and tow-surfing partner Al Mennie camped out at Mullaghmore the previous night in anticipation of a swell they had tracked for a week. They awoke to find some of the largest surf ever witnessed off Ireland, and surprisingly light and accommodating winds.
"All these swells that hit Ireland can be hit and miss with wind and this one couldn't make its mind up," Cotton said. "I've spent so many swells on that headland with the wind howling but not quite in the right direction and I honestly thought that this was going to be another swell like that. After watching for about 30 minutes and deciding to pick a few off, Al towed me into an absolute bomb. It was my first wave of the day. It felt like a reminder of how good it can get there and why I put the time and effort in."
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Bio courtesy of: Drift Surfing
