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Sunday 24th Surf Session

Fun Day only thing that ruined it was the bad vibes in the water, people seem more inclined to fight than surf, in fact 2 guys were actually fighting on a wave as they were riding. Come on people lets get back to what it should be all about, the waves, the fun and the ride.

04/11/05 Wembry

With clear blue sky's and a light wind, it was with some enthusiasm and hope that we set off for Wembry this afternoon. On the way there visions of a 2-3ft wave with a cleanish face flashed through my head and I drove a little faster to get to these visions of perfection.

However on arrival it they were soon destroyed. The perfection I had expected was not there. The 2-3ft choppy wave was. So it was on with the suit the phrase "well at least it is a wave" banded about off we went for our afternoon surf. It was not good choppy hard to get into and a lot of people but hey least I surfed this afternoon while others were stuck in the office.

More photo's in the Gallery

Surfing With Nat Young

On Thursday of last week the boys and I got a very rare and not to be sniffed at offer. That was to go surfing with the great Nat Young Australian surf legend and world class longboarder.

He was in the country for a book signing as well as promoting the long board he has designed for B.I.C boards. We got the chance to have a master class from him as well as try out the new board. Unfortunately the surf was not very good due to the high on shore winds. However he still made it look very easy I so want to be him when I grow up.

Me                                                                  Paul                                             Ed

In the evening he was in the Red Lion and raffled off one of his new B.I.C boards which a friend of mine won.

 

Jo with new board that cost her only a £1, well actually it cost Andy a £1 she got the ticket for free off him. She says that she gave Andy the pound but I don't believe her

Challaborough Surf Trip   02.01.05

It was a great start to the day, the sun was out, the winds had dropped and the forecast said there was waves. The north shore looked a bit messy and wind blown. The decision was made to head south, with Bantham or Challaborough the planned destination as it was close and as my leg is in a full cast long distance is not much fun.

We arrive at Challaborough to find the car park full and the left hand peak was also looking a bit busy. It was about 2-3 ft with the odd bigger set coming through and a bit messy as the wind was knocking it over. Lawrence, Ed and Paul decided that would go for a surf even though it was not look that great.

With all the hype over localism (referring to the newspaper hype over nothing. Not casting aspersions about Challaborough. I have never had trouble there.) the boys decided to make sure that the break was safe and Surf S.W.A.T was called in.

 "Plough The Road"

After they were sure it was safe to go. The wave assault began.

The session lasted for about 2 hours with Lawrence and Paul getting a lot of the rides, Ed got out pissed off as he had had a bad day and only managed one decent ride, but hey maybe it was his karma! not to ride this day.

The surf was not that good today but at least they got in the water I have to wait another 4 months before I can go again. All I get is to watch them surf and take pictures.

The dog had the best day swimming chasing sea gulls and digging holes. The simple things seem to be the best.

Gary

Plymouth Christian Surfers Trip    11.12.04

The Gang

With the surf being good all week, the Plymouth group of Christian surfers decide to have a day trip to get a blessing from the surf god. The spot decided on was Bude, however no surf trip can be taken on without a good breakfast inside. So the first stop was Katies house for egg and sausage sandwiches, cups of tea and a bit of TV. Then load up the cars with boards, suits and adoring females in Lawrence's case.

Breakfast at Katies                                                               "Do you think I could get one more on?"

Hour later we arrived at Crookletts Bay in Bude. The surf was big and just closing out so it was decided that due to the number of beginners we would move to Widemouth Bay. This turned out to be an excellent idea as the surf was 1-2 ft smaller and peeling. On arrival at Widemouth there was a rousing chorus of "Good call Simon!" as it was his idea to move here.

Once there, the rush to get in the water was on,  however some just wanted to show off their fine physiques like Simon below, Katie came armed with warm water to heat her suit prior to going in, how girlie is that?, others just stood around posing.

       Simon "check the Pecks"                             "mmm toasty"                                "I'm to sexy for my suit"

The surf was great solid 3-4 ft clean sets although the long boarders did seem to be having the most fun, with Lawrence getting some of the best rides of the day, however Ed did beat him to the biggest drop of the day and Paul the most abused of the day due to some idiot not understanding the drop in rule. With the water temp a balmy 12c the surf session for most only lasted around 2 hours before they started to drift in.

The frozen people

                                                                                                                        How stoked?

Sharkbiscuit Man                                                                                       Some rolled in sand to keep warm

"Am I glad to see you or just cold"                        "Warm at Last"                                                        The Youngsters

The day finished off with the classic game of "I bet I get more water coming out of my nose"

Hopefully the next trip will be just as good as this one. The guys were truly blessed with good surf and good company.

Gary

Getting Plastered    19.11.04

Ah Great Weston, when Fistral is blown out and a little on the large side this side of Newquay can be fun. The waves tend to be cleaner and a foot or two smaller. it is also one of my favourite places to surf in Newquay. So bearing this in mind last Sunday I set off with Stanley to get some much needed surf.

The day was over cast but dry, the wind had also dropped so the chances of clean surf was good. we were not disappointed. there was a 2-3ft swell in the bay, it was clean and the bonus was there was not many people out Wahoo!!

We parked at the top by the hotel and got changed very quickly as we did not want to miss out on a minutes surf. As it was not a warm day the winter gear was put on, so wearing the full ensemble of hood, gloves and boots we set off to enjoy the day.

Boy what a day it was two and a half hours of clean fun surf, we did every thing we knew how, hang ten's, hang fives, switch stance rides, close out re-entries ( which we have just mastered) and some just plain old long rides. The only thing missing from the day was a cover up, so bearing this in mind I decided to take one more wave, it was clean and one of the bigger sets, as the tide was dropping it was also getting a little hollow. As I was riding it started top rear up and become steep, I thought here I go it is going to curl over I want to be under it to get the cover up.

Wrong move. The rail dug in, I was flipped, picked up by the wave and then dumped back down right on top of my board. I hit it right on the rail with my left shin. The pain was so extreme I had not felt anything like it since a car accident 16 yrs ago. At first I thought this is just a bad bang and I have only bruised the bone, however as I could not walk on it the pain would not stop I went to hospital to get it checked out. It was broken, cleanly but still broken.

I have been informed that I will now be in a full leg plaster for the next 6 weeks then a below the knee plaster for another 4 weeks. Which as it is now winter and the sea is cold I did not think was going to be too bad, however I was also informed by the doctor that I will not be able to surf for 6 months, yes I know 6 months I nearly freaked, that means I will not be back in the water until the summer just as all the beaches start filling up again. Doh!!

oh well these things are sent to try us, so have a surf for me this winter and I will be back in the summer

Gary