Panther 2 Review

Its been almost three months since buying the 2010 Ezzy Wave Panther 2, and I feel a little more positive than after my first couple of sails.This isn't so much reflective on the sails but more what happened to me on the water.

On my very first session, I managed to break my nose, as the board connected with me during a routine harness line adjustment. What made it slightly more bearable was that the blood poured in sub zero temps, and my nose was so numb that the pain didn't really hit to later.

Second run with the same sail; then saw me take a massive catapult which would have ripped any normal sail, and leave a significant shoulder depression as my shoulder compressed into the sail. It was actually so hard that I had to stop sailing that day, and it seems to have only settled down in the last couple weeks.

So after this last little bout of wind, I can honestly say the Ezzy 5.2 & 4.5 were amazing. They felt so light yet there was still plenty of power/depower depending on how you rigged. As a result, when I let a friend demo them on the weekend, his rig (Naish Boxxer) felt so heavy and really not at all conducive to early planing, or throw around in the light wind. I don't know how he managed to sail it. So, I guess I have to rate the Ezzy Panther 2 as a solid 9 out of 10. I can't give it 10, because I still have more to learn with regards getting the best out of the sail.

The Bore !

When they aren't cheese rolling, folk from Gloucester also like to ride the wild bore. Amazing to see a 'wave' so far inland, when the sea is so flat today.

Light Wind

Sunday saw none of the carnage we expected, instead a smallish wave and more blasting for those with big enough sails. Suffered on and off the plane in c.5 degrees North North Westerly. Still nice to get out though and watch Paul having the time of his life on the old trusty Screamer.

Cake

The Fish cake has just arrived in Biofoam, and really looking forward to trying it if I can ever wrestle it from the hands of its proud father; Justin. Amazing looking board and really cool to see some boards being used in such alternative products.

Windisgood

Nice to finally get some wind and make me realise why I actually windsurf. Winds somewhere between 25-35 mph and a nice little groundswell to play in. Super relaxeing and so nice to see all the familiar faces. This is Matt M. hopping out into some bigger stuff.

Home

is where the heart is...and so much sweeter when it works like this. Wednesday rocked and so many out too.

Wind returns

Justin paddles out back on yet another hand crafted, ever evolving board from his workshop. I am really excited to see what his latest creation is going to surf like, albeit a slight wait, as the wind is finally returning.

DC

Those of you who have sailed long enough will remember the name Duncan Coombes. I caught up with him this week, whilst he is taking a break from his PWA judging commitments. In the meantime we are planning to hit Gwithian to catch some cross off conditions. But whilst I was chasing around today, just to rub it in, he scored a great session and sent this shot.

Rise

Found this amazing shot on Magic Seaweed and discovered a new site called RISE. Great to see other spots around the UK that are a little further north, and what an amazing photographer.

The Tale of the Whale

Work was cut short today, as the news of the washed up Fin whale reached our little office just up from Porth Towan beach. I guess it wasn't the biggest news story in the world, but to a small maritime community it has been quite an event. So by the time three o'clock rolled round, machetes were being weilded in a bid to claim a trophy jaw bone or some other spoil. Instead I left the noble savages and headed north, back to the fair shores of Devon and its slightly less babaric inhabitants.

Gulfstream

Winner of the Fish o' the year - Gulfstream surfboards (Braunton, N Devon)have produced their latest creation in Biofoam from Homeblown (UK). I got to meet Skelly and discuss the merits of their latest board and whether such blanks can indeed make a difference. If you get the chance, drop by and check it out (should be in the window by tomorrow).

Relentless

Pretentious maybe, particularly if you are cynically inclined. But I really enjoyed this FREE DVD with Carve this month. Its a great insight into three groups of people I really didn't know all that much about...

Hydrophobia

When an environmentalist such as Chris Hines paddles out for a surf, its not on the latest and greatest Al Merrick, but more of a yellowed well worn locally shaped board. So when I bumped into him at lunch the other day, I had to ask him what was so special about his board, that meant he seemingly never needed to replace it.

In short, he explained that in an attempt to keep his carbon footprint neutral he still uses the same board after 10 years, as even when dinged it doesn't take on water. The board is still lovingly thrown bagless into the boot of his car, but because it uses the less toxic technology of MDI, even if dinged it doesn't weaken or take on water. Homeblown now produce these blanks in all shapes and sizes, and you can request your local shaper (supportyourlocal shaper.org) to craft using either the biofoam or regular MDI blanks.

Skin Dog

Had the pleasure of spending some time with Ben Skinner (European Long Board champion) today, and really enjoyed listening to his tales of big surf. But I reckon his best gig to date is about to start this coming weekend, as the King of Morocco is flying him up to surf a break somewhere off of the Western Sahara. I couldn't help but keep thinking of the Clash - Rock the Kasbah. Enjoy it Ben !

Elsewhere

These were sent from a friend of mine,
of a friend of his,
before the crowds swelled
but not before the swell dropped.

Pinniped

An amazing blog I have been following posted up this short film by Shaun Freeman. I don't usually like to borrow, but this was too good not to share.



PS - The accompanying music is 'The Album Leaf' well worth a listen.

Che Palle !

Its not all about the surf surf surf. Sometimes there are other things that grab your attention and since finding these in Chamonix many years ago, I decided it best to blog about these pineapples rather than the seriously over hyped surf of today.

For a while it felt like summer today, but the tide was making the peak shift so much, that I felt intimidated. So in an act of desperation, I left this thing of beauty and chose the dumpy beach and all of its closeouts. In retrospect somewhere in between would have been ideal, and looking at the forecast I am staying dry for the next 24 hours. It looks too big.

Missed it...

America

My desire to learn guitar has been reignited with the goal of playing this song.

Lovefilm

Waiting for my next Lovefilm delivery to arrive....

Homeblown.

Sadly not the case, as the wind cranked all day and a little thing called work got in the way of potential windsurfing. Went to spend the day with the crew at Homeblown and focused on all things surfboards. These guys have a truly amazing outfit and I just can't understand why more shapers aren't using this blank technology. If you are getting a locally crafted board, demand the best and ask for Homeblown !

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Fish Shoal

From the dark woods of North Devon comes a wonderful creation in Homeblown foam. This is 'Cakeboys' latest edition to his ever growing shoal of fish. I'm not sure if the random snap does it justice, but this is truly a thing of beauty and boasts 30% soya content, not to mention the foam was blown in Cornwall (UK) and shaped even closer to home. A remarkable board and will post some more pictures when it is complete.

Sneaking off

Sharing the love

I think comments on my blog really keep me going sometimes. So I am trying to find out how people can leave comments in a rather less painstaking way.

So in the meantime I have posted an excerpt from an email ...as his positive vibe was too good not to share.

"Looked at your blog and thought it was great,but couldn't`t comment as I only have my work email.


Also in reply to your comment regarding the surf and how you enjoyed it.

You don't need great surf to make it a great surf. It was the day,the surprise surf I never expected, you and Mat and sharing your stoke and smile on that long ride you had.Sometimes some one else's enjoyment can be better than your own, or at the very least help to fuel the enjoyment of those around you. Believe it or not it was one of those I will remember, so thank you.

As I said I didn't`t realise how big it was and the attached picture from you made me realise.

Cheers and see you soon."

Hardy

I don't really consider myself particularly hardy, especially when you see things like 'Deadliest catch ' and 'Ice road truckers'. In fact watching such treacherous conditions really makes me think whats wrong with windsurfing in sub zero temps and why isn't everyone else out. With that said, there was still a good core of us sailing vs. those with the excuses. Matt is charging on his New Ezzy Wave Panther and I managed to crease my new Ezzy with an enourmous catapult, and am now nursing some really sore shoulders.

Thanks

Really great to paddle out today on what I was expecting to be somewhere around 4-5 foot. Instead the interval meant an easy paddle out and small but powerful sets pushed through. The rides I shared today were so much fun, that it was like learning to surf all over again. I just really can't even begin to explain what it meant to ride with someone kind enough to share a wave and yet tear it to pieces at the same time. Thank you Justin and all the others that have helped me paddle in to such beautiful places. Whilst they have been keen to share, the threat of violence has never been far away to those uninvited. Whether this is dished out by the wave, or the dark sentinels waiting quietly in the lanes.

Under cover

Photos I should have posted in the week.

The low down

at the Ho! Bumped into an old friend and couldn't help but admire his new board and shoot the breeze. Meanwhile my wife and favourite photographer was snapping the sunset and our little chat.

Housing

I haven't really considered getting a camera housing, that is until Luke showed me his shots from the water after yesterdays session. Of course, it also means you can't actually take your child strapped to your back, but the end product is amazing.