Friday 30 September 2011


Crystal perfection, what a day, and Happy Birthday Luke.
Amazingly clean and almost a half mile paddle out, to long peeling sections. Feel totally worn out as I took some beatings, but it was all worth it just to be out in blue skies and 25 degrees ! Oh and did I say '25 degrees !!!!'

Tuesday 27 September 2011



Managed to get another convert to the Mini simmons today. Instead of the funky looking and hard to grapple Diplock, Alex enjoyed my own handcrafted version, and it was a delight to see someone quadruple their wave count on far from a sizeable wave. Weather has really snapped back warm again, bright blue skies and a joy to paddle out in the perfectly groomed micro sets.

Monday 26 September 2011


Amazing day really, unique light and a great wave despite a very long paddle. Definitely my best surf to date on my 6'1 as it really felt possible to gouge the wave, and of course give Matt a run for his money on his longboard.

Sunday 25 September 2011


This morning's surf was blighted only by the fact that I missed something, really really special last week. The European Fish Fry at Crackington Haven sounded pretty interesting, but I felt it to be more of a connoisseurs event, and for the more discerning surfer who knew what they liked and loved. Besides I felt if I had time to trawl along to events like that, I probably needed to be surfing more. So being windy that day (more to the point), I recollect squeezing in a quick sail, as well as a long list of family duties. So the Fish Fry went by without much notice on my part, and it was sufficient just to catch up reading blogs and seeing the photos. That is until, I discovered the fact I just couldn't cope with. Mysteriously Thom Yorke turned up, and played a rare acoustic set. I still can't quite get over this, but heh according to the NME - it really did happen !!!

Saturday 24 September 2011


It's been a hectic 24 hours, and a rather pain staking building project is nearing the end. Sadly we are still exposed indefinitely to the elements, and hopefully the winds and rain are over for the moment.
Beach served up very little to be excited about today, and where I paddled out, it was endless closeouts. Elsewhere a little closer to home was just great.
LSORO is the blog that always makes me smile, even when I am not quite sure what is going on. The only thing I am clear about is that the repeating face in all three shots is Richard Kenvin. Smile, life is short.


Monday 19 September 2011


A digital Nikonos ? (Nikons Iconic Underwater Camera) Nobody had a digital Nikonos, Nikon never manufactured them, as they clearly didn't exist. Nor did they exist in 1998 when this shot was taken, and Nikon cancelled the Nikonos in 2001, three years after this photo was 'never' taken. Guess the Navy Seal Team One are all on GoPro now, but it just doesn't seem quite the same.

Have been admiring so many different surf creations lately, that I decided to build my own rack where I can easily locate my boards. Hence it seems to be a little top heavy in the mini simmons department, so might need to say goodbye to the Diplock (second from left). If there is any interest, please email.

Sunday 18 September 2011






Wind was pretty full on this morning, my current smallest is a 4.5 and it was solidly 4.0 weather. So combined with some very tired arms I didn't have a great session as I was just trying to keep the board in the water. After I pulled the outhaul to max setting, the sail felt very twitchy, and I just couldn't really enjoy it out the other side of the estuary or in close in the peeling sections. I still enjoy sailing off the beach a lot, and dare say those who make it out this afternoon will get the best of it.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Missed the Fish Fry in Crackington Haven today (hosted by Rob Lion, Royal Surfboards) but for good reason. Wind blew just enough to sail, so apologies for the uninspired footage.
Typically, the wind backed off when I finally got on the water, but it was still great to get out, and had me charged to go bouldering with H Jnr in the afternoon. Wind is now back in full roar tonight, and hoping to sail at first light.


Oh yes - more storms are upon us, according to the webcam this morning. Autumn is definitely in full swing this year, and its blowing 25mph WNW; see you there.

Thursday 15 September 2011


What a week, super fun little wave today and scored really clean swell on the 6'1 Seedhouse. Wind still offshore tomorrow at first light, and then the wind cranks back into play in the pm. Can't wait, although barely a dry wetsuit here, and my first autumnal cold on its way.

PS - Many thanks to GoPro for agreeing to send me a replacement wrist band, after losing part of it dragging my hand in this attempted dip into the barrel.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Passed on from a friend, and I had to share. We have fortunately endured similar sized swell but been pinned to the shore with onshore conditions. If they had been side shore, I think the size would have been comparable.

More Windsurfing Videos

Tuesday 13 September 2011



Still the battering continues, super windy with bright blue skies again. The Baxter was fully old school riding his latest purchase; that resembled a tooth pick. Crazy thin, and its interesting to see how much boards have changed in 8 short years.
Still reckoned he would have been flying better on his 70litre, but he seemed happy with his choice. Forecast is going offshore for the end of the week, and the swell holding !!!

Monday 12 September 2011


A new ginger brotherhood is emerging from the shores of Westward Ho, with Mark M leading the charge. Mark has really got dialled in this season on his new kit and my old Ezzy sail. SSW today, tonnes of wind and nearly drowned as I got my harness bar stuck to the boom on the under side of the sail. Took about a minute or so to detangle, with a long hold down, against a surging tide !

Sunday 11 September 2011



Wasn't allowed in the water today as I was babysitting (and recovering from Dan and Jo's wedding), but it was one of those rare times of preferring to be behind the lens. Charlie was literally flying on this one, and a joy to photograph.

Wind and swell are currently pounding the coastline, and amazingly only the talented manage get to surf it like this. Good job Luke.

Thursday 8 September 2011


I'm certainly not a fan of the SUP for so many reasons. But this throws a new dimension to another board in the quiver, and the concept of unstrapped windsurfing. Of course, the fact that this is Punta San Carlos (Baja) helps make anything look more attractive.


Wednesday 7 September 2011

Nothing but my GoPro to show as evidence of a pretty good session . Wind WSW 21-30knts, but just can't seem to keep my feet locked in on my rotations.

Tuesday 6 September 2011




Couldn't really sleep through the night as the wind chimes were on overtime, and the rain was seemingly unstoppable. So I started the day at 4am, and by 8, I felt really tired at the thought of sailing in the storm. After dropping the kids off for school, I met with a smaller than normal crew, and we headed off the front. Wind seemingly had calmed down from the 61mph gust recorded at Chivenor, but still solid enough to score a good session, and some painful back loop attempts. Most impressive of all though, had to be Luke, with his large frontside airs surfing in almost blown out conditions. Amazing !

Monday 5 September 2011


Finally got to the beach after a rather fraught day (more to follow). Wind was a little up and down but managed to have an ok session in the much decreased swell (reading over 6 mts this morning). Almost cross shore at times so quite fun for the wave riding back in. Think the kiters had the best of it though, it was actually nice to watch them ripping around !

Wind is howling and the skies are turning from deep blue, to fast squally rain showers, and then clearing again. Bit gutted to not be hitting the water on the high tide, but hopefully catch a late afternoon session when the wind has stabilised and the blue skies will be holding.
Photo updated from sail this pm.