Surf or Windsurf

It didn't really matter, although Ed looked like he caught a few nice waves. I opted for the other end of the beach and caught some clean little sections.

Waterproof

Or at least thats what I thought when i demo'd the new Lumix FT. Just took a few photos before it decided it wasn't really. Shame it was such poor conditions - and note to Tom in Morte Ho, you didn't miss a thing.

After this...

and this,

it doesn't seem fair that Mark's session ended like this !

Spot X

After I left the crew and headed for South Devon, it seems like the action had only just started. After speaking with Andy, it transpired that Ed had turned up full of pent up rage (fresh from the city) and just charged it. This is him in full flight, and makes me realise that going for huge air is just as nice as any loop. I think if he had been much higher he could have lofted over the hills in the background. I can't wait to get back home now, and am so stoked with the other photos Andy took.
Thanks for a great day !

4.0

It was great to see such a commitment from everyone so early today. Kickoff for 7am and the wind was firing. Both Jem and I lost our sails at one point as we just weren't used to the strength of the conditions. Also I was literally amazed to see Mark on a 4.7 when Jem and I were on 3.7/4.0. How did he do it, not to mention going for forwards and back loops in the mayhem.
It was real survival today, and the fun continued round the corner - check next post to see Andys shots.

The Morrow

Just got in from a great run, and the wind is already blowing. Had there been a little more light I would have gone out as it was already a solid Force 5 and the ramps looked perfect. Hopefully will be on the water for 8am, it should be 4m weather, so see you out there !

AJ..

Appledore Jem or just plain old Jem, deserves a mention after yesterdays exploits. Not only did he sail for literally hours and hours, when some of us were umming and ahhing, but he was the only guy still out whilst the kiters were smugly prancing around in the light air. So if you are thinking of getting a kite for those light days, save your pennys and stay true to the sport that loves you back. 2010 kit is almost here and the ability to plane, loop and generally have a great time, is set to displace our four line friends.

Mistimed

Met some more of the ever growing windsurf collective here at Westward. Sets were coming through, but the wind was definitely better earlier. Just mistimed it!

The House of TAD

Just a quick mention to TAD in Exeter. Had a great chat with the owner, who left me inspired to go home and really enjoy where we live. They had some lovely looking boards by JP, Bilbo, Christenson and many others, and the store had a great boutique feel, with some real quality items. Despite living on the wrong coast, the owner was a seriously dedicated surfer, often driving up every night for that right swell. Made me feel that living right by the beach and always holding out for clean lines can be a touch fascist.

Just keep paddling...

was all that was going through my mind today. Wind was onshore and the swell was seemingly a little onshore, not to mention some guys were out windsurfing. I had a quick panic as I dithered on the ridge wondering if i should go out. But as I didn't have my windsurf kit with me, and only a small window of time, I made a dash for the water. I grabbed the 6'3 fish and just paddled for the horizon. It was consistent punishment for about twenty minutes as I tried to head out back, so as the sun was out, I just kept battling on. When I finally reached the 'outside' it was a lot better than expected, and I watched the only other guy alongside doing 360's. In fact it was worth the paddle out just to see this guy, and despite the wind slop I still scored some decent rides. Wind looks perfect tomorow for some down the line sailing, but will have to see if work gets in the way.

Wind returns

tomorrow, and I can't wait. Hands not yet fully repaired but, will be sailing anyway. 2010 kit arrives in just over two weeks !

The wife returns

Paddling out to the small surf felt like a salve today. My hands are so sore and blistered from the windsurfing over the last few days and it looks to return tomorrow. So I finished off all my chores and thought the only way to deal with my final hours of freedom. was surfing for as long as possible. Four hours later, I finally got out of the water and took some shots in the fading light.
Enjoy.

The other side..

of the camera has not been much of an option lately, but massive thankyou to Luke for snapping me mid back loop. Wind has been firing again, and swell out back was near three quarter mast high. What a great day, and am pleased to say that the windsurfers have been owning it ! Jem, Dan, Sean, Andy, Matt and the others who were charging today.

Ps- Dan L pulled an enourmous back loop on first run, just to show who was boss. Sadly Luke didn't catch it.

Boards of Canada

Have been into these guys for just so long, and we seem to have a shared history. The music is so haunting and takes me back to a time of watching homemade deep sea diving movies with a Jean Michel Jarre soundtrack c. late 70's. I once narrated a documentary for the Film Board of Canada, and I notice these guys seem to have sampled a lot FBofC back catalog.

Primo DTL

Packed off the family, and the pangs of guilt started to hit me. Such precious little folk being bundled off to Granny and Grandad whilst Dad charges the coastline. Actually I am officially job hunting and organising yet another house move. But, you don't want to read about that, instead I am happy to update you with news of blistered palms from another great soul session. Today the wind was perfect cross-shore and we had down-the-line sailing for the last three hours. Waves were almost as clean as the picture, and they were peaking around head high. Thanks Jem for the call and apologies to Matt and Andrew for not calling ahead. It caught me by total surprise and I am a little out of touch with this whole socialising business !

Next few days.

Pretty excited about the next few days, as its windy and I have zero , I repeat ZERO family commitments. Hopefully catch some swell too, so standby for a flurry of updates. Thanks eyeball for tonights live webcam picture. A little too small but scored a great run instead.

Soul Session

No forecasts, no camera, no phonecalls, no expectations, I hadn't really given windsurfing a second thought today. It was only after taking the children to the beach, that I spotted two sails in the rivermouth. They looked like they were quite big so I wasn't really sure if my 5.2 would work.
I must admit after that sighting the sand castles did become a little hurried and at the first sign of boredom we turned and headed for home.
About 30 minutes later, I was rigged and heading out and the unexpected turned into a great little session. The small swell seemed to pick up as I headed out, and I really understand why some of the locals don't go out on big days in winter.
If a big swell is running it can actually be too big. Even with just a 1-2 ft swell, some of waves out back, in the channel were almost mast high. The wind was at bare minimum for a decent sail, so rather than get all crazy in the shorebreak, I just kept my speed and went on some massive reaches over to Saunton. Its been so long that I can recall such a sail, and whilst it's always preferrable to sail with friends, sole sessions are good for the soul.

Coming home

The one thing I love about going away, is coming home.

Zippos

We never made it to the circus, but it was great just watching all the activity and some of the sights that rolled out of the big tent. I was kind of fascinated by this little truck towing the motorcycle when this lady strolled into the photo. It was only because I was holding the camera that she went in for further investigation, to examine what was so photogenic.

Sunset at the park

A week of early morning skating has got me dialled. Dropping in from the quarter pipe I just about manage to manual over the box, and then boost an ollie air off the transition. This has been my morning routine, straight after a strong black coffee. My half pipe skills still leave a lot to be desired but am hoping for some more early morning sessions when back in North Devon.

Jeff Divine

Found this great gallery; Crane Kalman in Brighton which was featuring the work of Jeff Divine. If you don't already recognise these shots then you don't have the right coffe table books. Jeff's work like Hugh Holland, is pretty iconic of 1970's California surf and skate scene. Amazingly tempted to part with some money over one of these. Not to mention throwing away and burning anything related to digital photography. Oh to be Lo Fi.

Only in Brighton.

Having been ripped from my native North Devon for the week, we have been house sitting in Brighton and so far its been great. We are staying literally opposite the recently built Hove lagoon skatepark, so I couldn't resist taking my board. Now as I am no longer anywhere near a reasonable age to skate, I have to pick my times to ride. Mid day is just a total nightmare with kids of all sizes, chasing around and generally doing what its meant for. So after several early morning 'dawn patrols', I have discovered that between 7.30-8.30am is 'Dad's hour'. Yesterday I even had the privelege to watch two reprobates who were literally charging the park, and not only did we share the same age, but both turned out to be Lawyers 'who also should have known better'. Thanks for the inspiration, and keep charging. (Photo courtesy of Flickr)

The return of summer

Blue skies, with a small fog bank sat off Lundy - what a great session at 6am. Thanks Graham for the heads up.

The other place

In another spot not far from here, the swell was just enough to suggest a return for 6am dawn patrol.

Caught by surprise

Paddled out earlier only to find it shoulder high and really clean. Pretty much rode every board I had, and nothing felt quite right. Then I went back out with Johnny and Carl and had a nice little session swapping boards and sharing waves.

Blue skies...

at last, and a nice little wave when the wind switches back round to cross off. See you for the evening session.

Aperture experiment

The swell had detoriated so badly, that I started to get 'creative'.

Coastal Erosion

Small and Clean

Ok, so the rain is starting to hamper what we can actually do with the kids for the holidays. So far just trying to keep up morale, as we are stuck in doors and they both have colds. Managed to sneak out for a little surf yesterday and it was really fun. Tried Carl's Nine plus board, which was great. But sad, that my Atlantic didn't feel the same, still awaiting the correct fin setup and not my cut down Mistral windsurf fin. Hoping for some North Westerly windsurf action today.