Swell looks set for a return visit on New Years day, which is a great omen for the new year. Enjoy and get out there. Happy New Year

Nice day...for some

Got a little lost today in my own vibe, and drifted from the peak. It was a strange setup, with the sets that did push through, sizeable enough to keep me off the peak. That combined with a paddle directly back into the rip, had me looking like the man who hasn't really been on top of his surfing for some months now.

Cold Turkey

The swell machine switched back on, and I for one am not missing out just because it was sub zero. That said the swell was bigger than Sunday and warmer too, so no complaints. A perfect day !

More Ski Videos

For Sale

7'2 x 22 1/2 x 2 7/8 - Flying Carpet from the backwoods of North Devon. This is all British made, and crafted under the careful eye of Tris. The finish is outstanding and I have 2 brand new boards for £199.

Merry Christmas

Couldn't think of a better christmas present to share. If you haven't got all of Sufjan Stevens albums yet, then maybe start with 'Chicago'.

Pre-work slidin'

The walk in

Weak forecast, but a wave is wave. Christmas day onwards looks set to deliver. Praise the lord, its been too long.

The look out

Seedhouse

Patagucci

180º SOUTH Trailer from Woodshed Films on Vimeo.

I have to confess that whenever I see any Patagonia sponsored adventure, I just want to go out and buy their stuff. Funny huh ?

New direction

The past three months have seen a change for the worst on my personal development, and sadly lacked content from which to blog. I have been bashing away at a troubled project and often left wondering why ? Its been a bit of an uphill struggle but the end is in sight, and with it brings the hope of catching up with friends and family and playing with new toys. New Cameras, lens, and super duper blanks made from Sucrose (lighter, stiffer, and more friendly for our wonderful planet), not to mention the relaunch of the highly sought after Cake Boy - soon to be Seedhouse Shapes or surfboards or perhaps just Seedhouse. I am still trialling logos for him, and will post one up very shortly. Justin's boards were amongst three of the 6 man team that won the National Interclubs, and this secretive surfer still remains a mystery to many. Google free, and free from the chatter of the Interweb, any enquiries for North Devon's nicest and perhaps humblest shaper please email me to get in touch.

Radio 4

Radio Four is in part my main reason why I live in England. Its shipping news, and general discussion is so quintessentially English, so when I heard James Naughtie (pronounced Nocherty) on my morning commute, usually with flawless delivery, I couldn't stop snickering for the rest of my drive.

Stab and Dodge.

If you have seen this elsewhere, apologies. But it made me chuckle and I just thought it was too good to pass up. Besides no one wants to see cold, flat North Devon coast line (with SUP's).

Brrrrrr

Sat freezing in my little office at home, lots of pressure from work, and little solace on the horizon. So slipped out for a quick walk with bear, and looked at the clouds with a degree of hope. Hope that they might bring warmth, and perhaps a sign that swell will arrive for the weekend.

Polar 'Bear'

Literally chilling in the frozen gorse, Bear is my newest buddy. He's very clean living, as we don't drink much alcohol together, and we tend to walk a fair bit, usually just to the bottom field to check the surf.

Norske

Got my haircut on the weekend, and read this article in the barbers; on the Norwegian Black metal scene. Some pretty dark overtones, but made for a great read. Funny to think that the land of trolls, telemarking and Fjords has such a twisted side. That said, all those mullets remind me of growing up in Canada in the late 70's and 80's. (If you can't stand the music move the slider to 1min 15 to hear the narration).

Missed

I heard a few rumours that the swell was big during the week, so was a little surprised to see the beach firing. Looks like Westward does get some swell, no wonder the locals cleaned up at the Tiki Inter clubs : )

Weekend

Well despite missing a week of seemingly amazing surf, there was still enough to give me a buzz and weaken me sufficiently to come down with cold/flu.

Sat on the shoulder.

Keep forgetting to take my camera out in the surf, and always seem to be in a rush right now. So, it was really nice to sit back on the shoulder of this head high set, and let Andy paddle for it. Clear blue skies, and a clean little swell, cleans my head from the stresses of a rather grim week of work.

Homesick

Missing home, missing the air, the cold winter skies, and most of all the people to share it with. Every weekend, whether swell forecast or flat, they all seem so special.

The Horror

I don't know if it was worse missing the epic winds of mid week, or arriving very early morning to see this blown out mess. Such is the life of the digi slave, and I am begining to understand how people can get jealous if you are out there continually gettin' some. Full respect to the brothers who have enjoyed it this week, you have nothing but my admiration.

Same storm different coast

"The Hunt" Nicole from ALEK PARKER on Vimeo.

Prowlers

Thanks Ed for so many reasons, in part for sharing this, but really for not telling me what i missed today. Getting up up at Six tomorrow just to catch the last of the hate winds. It just sounds so angry outside, can't believed I missed it.

Woon

For those who like to watch clouds !

Secrets

Solo'd this morning, as I didn't want to harrass anyone with the poor forecast. On that note it was pretty fun, although definitely getting close to boots weather.
I always find as the chill sets in the number of takers for a dawn patrol tail off all too rapidly.

Lane time

To and fro back to the beach, and managed to miss it all. However on evenings like tonight, it isn't just about time in the water. The seasons are changing and it's this transition from Autumn into the bleakness of winter, that I just love.

Weekend

I am now firmly in the stable of the weekend warrior, so it was great to score this little two day bonanza of clean and small at home. Just can't believe how lucky you feel when wind or swell falls on the same day as the weekend.

Life is short...be kind.

Haven't been on the web much lately, so when I saw this I could barely believe it. How terribly sad, somehow makes you think how short our little existence is. Full respect to a truly talented surfer, and to someone who must be a considerable loss to all his friends and family.

Mighty Jordan

Jordan and team put Westward Ho! back on the map, winning the Tiki National Surf Interclub event held at Croyde. I haven't caught up with any of them yet, but just makes me proud to call Westward home. Well done to a truly talented group of guys, and check out Jordan's blog at Living the Dream