If 6 Was 9 has been quiet for a long time, so when I found this on their blog I got really excited. I think its a quad fin mini simmons variant , and how Dane rides it, kind of sums up the feeling of how it feels to ride one.

Dane Reynolds Sucks At Surfing. from Michael Kew on Vimeo.

Apologies for all the POV, and lack of effort of late. The GoPro kind of ensures I still get out for a surf, without really thinking too much about my photography. Ultimately it ensures priorities are never compromised.

Really had no plans to surf sunday, as the swell was all but gone. But a chance meeting with Jack and a promise to try out the Mini simmons proved a nice little dawn session, even dragging Henry out for the early morning paddle. Little H (nephew) was on fire paddling into some of his best waves, and found a new confidence on the 7'2 Seedhouse (pin tail with some serious references to MP from the 70's) . Stoked just to be paddling alongside.

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 !!!!'

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.

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.

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 !!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 !!!

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 !

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.

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.

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.

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 !

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.

Forgot to mention we had a great early morning surf with our Californian guest last week. Both wind and swell conspired to make Westward Ho get the compliment that it so clearly deserved - 'heh, this seems just like home' - to which I couldn't help but chuckle.

Worth a thought

As the age of environmentalism continues to drive home the harsh reality; that we consume too many of the earth's resources, the proposed Atlantic Array (one of the worlds largest wind farms to be sited off Lundy) - throws up some interesting dilemmas.

Firstly most popular debate will classically fall into the Not In My Back Yard - NIMBY category, and unfortunately such argument really does little to abate the steam roller effect of such a national sponsored plan (approved by the Crown Commission).

The economist Tobin's view of Intergenerational equity (according to Wikipedia) is the closest thing to being a real thought provoker.
Basically it refers to a relationship that a particular family has on resources. 'An example is the forest-dwelling civilians in Papua New Guinea, who for generations have lived in a certain part of the forest and thus becomes their land. The adult population sell the trees for palm oil to make money. If they do so at an unsustainable level there will be no resources for their children or grandchildren in the future. The unsustainable use of resources would then lead to Intergenerational inequity'.

My concern is that by building such a large offshore power station (akin to the size of the isle of Wight) in both an AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), Unesco Biosphere reserve and Marine conservation area, one might question whether Torridge district council should be agreeing a 1.5 gigawatt cabling through some of the countries finest coast line, and back through the villages of Abbotsham, Littleham and ultimately Alverdiscott.
(see article here from Local Press)

To date, the National Trust oppose this, yet the Local council who run AONB and the Biosphere reserve office, (according to article) have made no opposition.

Could this be that Torridge will be getting a considerable payout from the energy company, as NDDC did for the Fullabrook power plant (£120m into Council coffers). If this is the case, do you want your local council getting a payout/buy off, as it might slightly bias their view on whether to agree or not.

Hence my real concern on this, is I would rather a council that is lean and works hard to balance its books, without necessitating the selling of planning permissions. If this was a single developer, I believe this activity would be illegal ?

A completed wind farm of 418 wind turbines, could provide enough to power more than a million homes, but in terms of Carbon emissions for the build, how long will the £4.5bn spend take to recoup from its enormous environmental impact. Hopefully the UK government (who will be heavily subsidising this through our taxes) has done their sums correctly, and taken on some basic environmental economic premises such as Tobin's (Intergenerational equity).

Certainly - one thing is clear, in terms of view, future generations will never get to share the same uninterrupted landscape and horizon (pictured above) that ours and past generations have.

If you have any view or further interest; perhaps drop by when the consultation is on -
10th September
10am - 5pm
Abbotsham Village Hall, Abbotsham, Bideford, EX39 5AP