County Line

I thought I scored pretty well yesterday, until I caught up with Luke. This was just across the border, deep into no mans land, and I am quite content to say I was happier on the shore line.

One of those days....

Its not often when you can choose between sailing cross off down the line in head high plus or surf perfectly clean unspoilt rights or lefts. Managed to secure this little gem somewhere near Bude.

Coming Home

Nothing like heading West, in search of family, a perfect forecast and fading autumnal sun. Makes hard work, long drives and the daily grind just that little bit easier to cope with. Have a great weekend !

Just enough wind to ruin the sizeable swell, but not enough to get out for a windsurf. Days like today remind of driving up the pacific coast highway.

Dynamics

of business innovation presented by Cornwall Marine network isn't something that would usually get me excited. But on this occasion, if you happened to be nearby and want to hear a modern day hero speak, then you can catch Chris Hines (SAS founder) speaking at the event. Sadly I have to speak directly after and certainly have a tall order to be even close to comparable, let alone interesting. If you are in any way inclined to learn more on environmental innovation in the surf industry, please come and give some support at the National Maritime Museum (Oct 12/13th).

Grumble

After a stressful 7 hr journey up to the big smoke, 4 hours of sleep last night, and my dread of 'thoughts from the north shore' turning into 'thoughts from the M4' , I eventually got back to my beloved Devon. However, as the swell spanned across the bay this morning, and H Jnr and I watched on in awe, I was just so grateful to call this home. By the time I eventually got in, the swell was still pumping, but I reckon the best part of my day was picking blackberries for our crumble tonight. Thanks Hector - you know some great blackberry patches !

Last Post

After a pretty good run of surfing, windsurfing, and all things blog, it seems like my time may be coming to an end. I can hear a huge sigh of relief from my friends trapped in their city confines, wondering how and when this journey would end. Tomorrow sees the start of a series of interviews which will be interesting to see how they play out. One thing is for sure, as the nights draw in, my hegderow meander on route to the beach, feels all the more special.

Twin Fin Keel Fish

I have to get rid of this little beauty which was hand crafted by Tris at the start of the year. Its ideal in slack waves and is just a lot of fun to play around on in the small stuff up to 4ft. After that my personal preference is something a little less floaty (6'2 x22x3). Email me if interested - its £250 and in amazing condition.

Run

No cars, no people, no noise. Just head time.

Another year...

and the brothers finish up for the season. Always a chill in the air and the question of who will return to patrol for the coming year. If you are so inclined, please donate - these guys do a great job. Thank you.

Turning Point

Yesterday was the first time as a windsurfer, that I actually sought shelter from the wind, just to have a decent surf. Its been a smouldering/slow burn relationship with me and surfing but I think it has me in its grip, so much so that windsurfing just isn't there right now. That said, the RRD team just sent me some new pictures of the Wave Cult 75 and it looks amazing with a totally different hull design for 2011.
The shot above is just after sunrise this morning after a particularly good surf, somewhere around overhead and enough to put a spring in your step for the day.

Camera shy

Paul is apparently never far from the lens, so it was with no surprise that he managed to catch this peak in the final moments of the fading light.

Battleship Grey

As Her Majesty's Forces practise maneouvres on the horizon, Her loyal subjects practise more genteel techniques closer to shore.

Lorax

Met the amazingly talented Richard Stewart today, who amongst many things filmed the Powers of Three film for Relentless (check out his show reel). But what really impressed me was his desire to share his studies around sourcing environmentally responsible surf and snow craft. If you are so inclined, check out the Lorax project and pass it on...

Wood

Managed to score a surf either side of dinner tonight, in part because I have a very kind and wonderful wife, and secondly because it was clean and perfectly offshore. This is LP just about to lay down another 360 on his Alaia. What an amazing day !

Westerly

Under the auspices of 'try new moves', absent friends would have been delighted as I pushed for a shove it/table top. However as neither move really stood a chance of coming off, and my exit was fairly painful, the table shoveit will have to wait for another day.

Friends with Housings

are the best sorts of friends to have. So big thanks to the one that must remain nameless, you helped me shake off my lethargy and made me realise a little shoulder pain is easily forgotten when someone has a camera :)

Fightin'

Its with a little bit of sadness, that I write to share the alleged tale of a full blown fist fight between a surfer and windsurfer on our local beach. I don't really know too much detail, although I gather a windsurfer was sailing at pace and too close to a group of surfers. Suffice to say when your local beach is almost a mile long, you might think there would be enough space to afford each other. Hopefully those guys put to rest any animosity, and perhaps we can all learn a little about respecting each others space.

This is England

Or to be exact, this is Will, just about to pull into another barrel during last weeks swell. What strikes me most about living/working in and around Devon and Cornwall is that despite everything you read or hear about in the national media, of what England has become, there are people out there defining their own version of what England is. Look out for Will Brawn, his shaping, surfing and film making which will debut at the upcoming 2010 Cornwall Board Shorts film festival.

Sore

Its been an endless onslaught of waves since the start of the week, and I am sooo sore. Just glad I managed to catch a few images if just a little late.

Amazing day of blue skies and pumping swell. Think just about everywhere on the north coast was firing. Hope you scored it to !

Got in to the response of 'no way' from 'her indoors' - this is what I saw from the drive home.

Just a small offering of 1-2 ft and nobody other than the odd porpoise. What a beautiful night.

Patience

Passed this at Porthtowan en route to work today. It looked so perfect but couldn't sample it till dusk.

Going Pro

Well its with some concern that I post my latest session up today. After a truly beautiful summers day and a super fun swell, I still can't relax with the thought that we scored some great conditions over the last 7 days. Instead as I pieced my latest offering together, I realised why I had first got into surf/windsurf photography, and that using a GoPro was for the same reason all those years later. It was so that you could push yourself more and more, and continue to improve as you witnessed your mistakes. But when I sift through what I sailed like yesterday, it felt so safe and boring (albeit back loops and shove-its were on the wrong side of the boom to capture). I tried some new moves, but the real ones like the forward loop didn't really come into my consciousness. Years of repressed thoughts - I am gonna do it this summer...etc etc. So without any further mutterings, the bar has been set and I look forward to breaking some stuff very shortly. Will post up my many mishaps.

D-Lo and his bro making the most of it into the last hours of daylight.
Nice work guys and great shots from Luke Parkhouse - thank you.

Gothic Dolphins forenever

Following some new blogs and Gothic Dolphins is definitely worth the trip.
Forget Alaias and move over to the mat - Greenough forever !