New experiences, good people, the outdoors at its best.
Where did we come from?
BigStyle as it is today is the brainchild of Ben McDonald and Kris Goodbody — two friends from Dublin with a love for watersports, adventure, and building things.
It all began in 2013 as a kitesurfing school run out of a van in Ringsend, Dublin. Since then, we’ve built it year by year, bit by bit. Along the way, we’ve chased plenty of wild ideas and adventures: from running trips around Ireland on SUPs, surfboards, and kites, to opening a kitesurfing centre in Tanzania and running kite safaris in northern Sri Lanka.
We opened the Lodge in May 2019, and despite being struck almost immediately by COVID, we’ve had a blast running it over the years. It feels like a living, evolving organism — shaped by the creativity of our staff and the energy of our guests. In 2020, in the depths of COVID, we launched the Stand-Up Paddleboarding school in Dublin, and in 2022 we built the Big Dipper spa here in Mayo. Every build has been hands-on, and we hope you can feel the love and care poured into every corner
We rarely go long without taking on a new project, and our next adventure is a brand-new space in Slane, consisting of a SUP school, a riverside sauna and glamping style accommodation opening in 2026.
Watch this space!
Who We Are
BigStyle runs on an experienced core team and a great crew of seasonal instructors, chefs, guides, and hospitality heroes. Together they bring the craic, the energy, and the know-how that make every adventure unforgettable.
Kris Goodbody is the founder of BigStyle and a seasoned entrepreneur in watersports,
adventure tourism, and wellness. Since starting a small kitesurfing school out of a van in Dublin in 2013, he’s grown BigStyle into a lifestyle brand spanning surf and SUP schools, an all-inclusive adventure hotel, sauna and spa experiences, and international retreats.
adventure tourism, and wellness. Since starting a small kitesurfing school out of a van in Dublin in 2013, he’s grown BigStyle into a lifestyle brand spanning surf and SUP schools, an all-inclusive adventure hotel, sauna and spa experiences, and international retreats.
Kris has overseen every project from concept to operations, spotting opportunities, building
innovative experiences, and leading teams that deliver unforgettable customer moments.
Passionate about both entrepreneurship and the outdoors, he’s combined creative vision with commercial savvy to make BigStyle one of Ireland’s most dynamic adventure and wellness brands.
Ben McDonald is a graphic designer and videographer by trade, with a love for the outdoors that first drew him into setting up BigStyle with Kris in 2013. He is also the majority owner of BigStyle Media House, a media production agency he runs alongside Kris and another partner.
As Creative Director of BigStyle, Ben oversees all things design — from websites and branding to the look and feel of the Lodge, the Big Dipper spa, DunLaoghaire harbour and Slane. He also produces the videos and imagery that bring BigStyle’s experiences to life across social media and digital platforms.
On the operations side, Ben spearheads the Mayo ventures, ensuring the Lodge, surf school, and spa run smoothly and maintain the high standard BigStyle is known for. His blend of creative vision and hands-on management keeps both the brand and the west coast experience thriving.
Yuka Goodbody is Chief Operating Officer at BigStyle and a seasoned operations and business transformation leader. With over a decade of experience across consulting, healthcare, humanitarian aid, and hospitality, Yuka has led BigStyle’s operational growth, increasing profitability, introducing high-margin offerings, and implementing scalable systems for long-term success.
Before BigStyle, she worked with Vision Consulting as a senior consultant on national health service reform, including Ireland’s COVID-19 response, managing contact tracing in sensitive locations and setting up school testing programs. Earlier, she held senior management roles with Médecins Sans Frontières, leading global teams in emergency operations, coordinating with governments and humanitarian partners, and delivering results in complex, high-pressure environments.
Yuka brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational expertise, and team-building skills, ensuring BigStyle runs smoothly while supporting its ongoing growth and new ventures.
Nicole van der Wolf is the manager and lead instructor at Bigstyle SUP. A 100% water baby, Nicole’s been part of Bigstyle antics since the early days and took the helm in Dún Laoghaire in 2022. Years in the Irish Sea have left her with an unhealthy tolerance for cold water; off the water, she warms her bones at the jeweller’s bench, making art in silver and gold.
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