Down here at gigrin farm with the crew. Amazing to see 100 kites swirling around above me!
Friday 22 May 2009
Red kite feeding centre
Down here at gigrin farm with the crew. Amazing to see 100 kites swirling around above me!
Goshawk in slo mo
Up in deepest darkest mid wales at the mo with springwatch and simon king. We filmed gelert a juv goshawk with a high speed camera and got some amazing footage so keep an eye out for that next week on tv. You can keep up to date on the bbc wales nature Blog.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
The motorised surfboard...
Motorized Surfboard, 1948 - image courtesy of Getty Images
Hollywood inventor Joe Gilpin riding his motorized surfboard.
http://www.life.com/image/50451002/in-gallery/25371/30-dumb-inventions
Imagine gliding along on that to work, reading the paper and slurping on a nice cup of tea, chatting to passers by.
Life was so sedate back then.
And now for the modern take on it... 'sans bowler hat'
Hollywood inventor Joe Gilpin riding his motorized surfboard.
http://www.life.com/image/50451002/in-gallery/25371/30-dumb-inventions
Imagine gliding along on that to work, reading the paper and slurping on a nice cup of tea, chatting to passers by.
Life was so sedate back then.
And now for the modern take on it... 'sans bowler hat'
Sunday 17 May 2009
Thy will be done
swell: 2m
wind: 33kmph SE easing around 9.30am
period: 10.5 seconds
tide: mid tide, incoming
I was awoken at 5am by my wife's gentle coughing in my ear, so decided to get up and make some breakfast.
As I was up it felt only proper, that I woke up some friends and shared this lovely morning with them...only 2 managed to answer their phones and I could hear a girlfriend in the background sounding less than impressed...but like the old proverb says - you'll die in bed one day, so the less time spent in it, the better!
The wind was absolutely howling this morning but at least it was SE. After copious amounts of tea to keep my now tired mind and body going it got near enough to 9am to make a trip to the beach worth while.
I met up with Doc and just as we were leaving for the walk down, met johnny raincloud and harv looking beaten.
They spoke of heavy dark waves, 1.5 x times overhead and near death experiences and wished us luck....Doc and I just smiled and remarked "we're the anka point crew, 12ft is nothing!" ;)
At this point Doc revealed his secret weapon (no, not that) This was something else - dark black, wellington boots. Winter rubber is now officially out, so Doc had the next best thing. Besides giving excellent warmth, they had a lovely chunky grip and you could leave them on, and do some gardening straight after surfing.
It's a win, win situation and I'm pretty sure we're going going to see alot more of this in winter lineups as people catch onto the idea. The only thing you must remember to do is gaffa tape up the tops of each boot - this is important!
We arrived at the beach to find a despondent looking sven pacing up and down the beach looking very down trodden. I asked if he was collecting shells but he wasn't. The waves had beaten him into submission and there was nothing more I could do for him.
Doc and I paddled out into seemingly heavy 5-6ft but the paddle out was surprisingly simple apart from a few heavy sets.
Out back we were greeted by some fairly hefty looking sets, easily 6ft+ and hollow. Alot of the waves were spitting air out of the barrel but catching them was another matter altogether...
It felt great to be out there, dak grey seas, holwing offshore and rain with rogue set waves to keep you on your toes. This is why we do it!
Doc eventually broke the mould and stroked into an absolute peach for his first wave, a 6ft+ left hand wedge that seemed to rear up and add a few feet to it's height. The takeoff was late and steep and then the whole thing walled up perfectly for him.
Wilky and I were positioned in the channel alongside and screamed our lungs out as he took off, made the turn and then flew along the face before aiming slightly too high up the face, being grabbed by the wind and then unceremniously slammed off the front of the board...crunch!
But Doc surfaced shrieking like some sort of demented howler monkey with a grin from ear to ear.
We opted to sit deep after that and wait for the bombs and they came, not often but they came and we both had some lovely drops into big meaty lefts.
I had one beautiful right hander, took off left, faded towards the lip and then corrected as the wave broke too early so ended up with an almost 'glassy' overhead right, as consolation.
Wilks and sven sat way inside so not sure what was happening there but they seemed to pick off waves now and then.
Doc had a lovely forward roll off the end of his mal at one point - on a wave of consequence. I screamed him in and he paddled like a banchee, jumped to his feet to take the drop and rolled off head first down the face ;) Luckily for him the wave moved on without him and he was left unscathed.
The session continued for around 2hrs and we were pleasantly surprised by the wave height and cleanliness considering the strong winds and forecast.
wind: 33kmph SE easing around 9.30am
period: 10.5 seconds
tide: mid tide, incoming
I was awoken at 5am by my wife's gentle coughing in my ear, so decided to get up and make some breakfast.
As I was up it felt only proper, that I woke up some friends and shared this lovely morning with them...only 2 managed to answer their phones and I could hear a girlfriend in the background sounding less than impressed...but like the old proverb says - you'll die in bed one day, so the less time spent in it, the better!
The wind was absolutely howling this morning but at least it was SE. After copious amounts of tea to keep my now tired mind and body going it got near enough to 9am to make a trip to the beach worth while.
I met up with Doc and just as we were leaving for the walk down, met johnny raincloud and harv looking beaten.
They spoke of heavy dark waves, 1.5 x times overhead and near death experiences and wished us luck....Doc and I just smiled and remarked "we're the anka point crew, 12ft is nothing!" ;)
At this point Doc revealed his secret weapon (no, not that) This was something else - dark black, wellington boots. Winter rubber is now officially out, so Doc had the next best thing. Besides giving excellent warmth, they had a lovely chunky grip and you could leave them on, and do some gardening straight after surfing.
It's a win, win situation and I'm pretty sure we're going going to see alot more of this in winter lineups as people catch onto the idea. The only thing you must remember to do is gaffa tape up the tops of each boot - this is important!
We arrived at the beach to find a despondent looking sven pacing up and down the beach looking very down trodden. I asked if he was collecting shells but he wasn't. The waves had beaten him into submission and there was nothing more I could do for him.
Doc and I paddled out into seemingly heavy 5-6ft but the paddle out was surprisingly simple apart from a few heavy sets.
Out back we were greeted by some fairly hefty looking sets, easily 6ft+ and hollow. Alot of the waves were spitting air out of the barrel but catching them was another matter altogether...
It felt great to be out there, dak grey seas, holwing offshore and rain with rogue set waves to keep you on your toes. This is why we do it!
Doc eventually broke the mould and stroked into an absolute peach for his first wave, a 6ft+ left hand wedge that seemed to rear up and add a few feet to it's height. The takeoff was late and steep and then the whole thing walled up perfectly for him.
Wilky and I were positioned in the channel alongside and screamed our lungs out as he took off, made the turn and then flew along the face before aiming slightly too high up the face, being grabbed by the wind and then unceremniously slammed off the front of the board...crunch!
But Doc surfaced shrieking like some sort of demented howler monkey with a grin from ear to ear.
We opted to sit deep after that and wait for the bombs and they came, not often but they came and we both had some lovely drops into big meaty lefts.
I had one beautiful right hander, took off left, faded towards the lip and then corrected as the wave broke too early so ended up with an almost 'glassy' overhead right, as consolation.
Wilks and sven sat way inside so not sure what was happening there but they seemed to pick off waves now and then.
Doc had a lovely forward roll off the end of his mal at one point - on a wave of consequence. I screamed him in and he paddled like a banchee, jumped to his feet to take the drop and rolled off head first down the face ;) Luckily for him the wave moved on without him and he was left unscathed.
The session continued for around 2hrs and we were pleasantly surprised by the wave height and cleanliness considering the strong winds and forecast.
Friday 15 May 2009
Gull watch in spring?
I've got an exciting 3 week assignment coming up > following the O.B.(Outside broadcast) unit and the legendary wildlife presenter/camera-man Simon King around wild destinations in Wales for Springwatch 2009.
I'll be in Mid and North Wales blogging and filming for BBC Wales Nature and Springwatch, in a joint venture.
So can't wait for that!
Keep an eye on my other blog for all my updates and who knows - you might even catch a glimpse of me on TV, falling over tripods in the background whilst wrestling an otter...
Some locations I'll be visiting:
Lake Vyrnwy,Bardsey Island,Anglesey.
BBC Wales Nature website
BKSA National Freestyle Tour 09
I know it's not surfing in it's purist form but it's a close relation and we do have the current World Wave Kitesurfing Champion representing us, in the shape of Kirsty Jones.
The action is kicking off all weekend down at Swansea Bay where round one of the tour begins.
All the top UK pros are in town for this event and the wind forecast is excellent, so expect plenty of action from the freestylers.
Also happening:
Course Racing Kitesurfing, Freestyle Kitelandboarding and Freestyle Kitebuggy racing
+ an opportunity to have a free go at power kiting so if you're not surfing, get yourselves down there.
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Weekend wave warriors
We've had a bit of a wave drought on our hands this week. An early morning dip on Sunday delivered fairly gutless, yet clean 2-3ft with some fun head dips and cover ups but nothing to get your teeth into.
Windguru is promising better things to come for friday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Saturday and Sunday don't look too shabby either with SE (offshore winds) predicted and the water has warmed up nicely.
The debate is still out on whether 'one' should still be wearing a winter suit, boots, gloves. I for one, am staying firmly in the 'winter rubber with boots' camp for the time being.
Sea temperatures are currently a barmy 11.25c so it's almost time for buckets and spades...
Sunday looks very promising with a nice 996 > 992 deepening fairly rapidly down in the bay of Biscay so we should have a decent hit off that in South Wales.
The latest from BBC Wales weatherman - Derek Brockway:
"Weather wise the weekend doesn't look great. A little sunshine in places but with further showers or longer spells of rain at times.
Some places could get a good soaking with a risk of thunder.
Breezy on Saturday and feeling cool. Lighter winds on Sunday."
Windguru is promising better things to come for friday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Saturday and Sunday don't look too shabby either with SE (offshore winds) predicted and the water has warmed up nicely.The debate is still out on whether 'one' should still be wearing a winter suit, boots, gloves. I for one, am staying firmly in the 'winter rubber with boots' camp for the time being.
Sea temperatures are currently a barmy 11.25c so it's almost time for buckets and spades...
Sunday looks very promising with a nice 996 > 992 deepening fairly rapidly down in the bay of Biscay so we should have a decent hit off that in South Wales.
The latest from BBC Wales weatherman - Derek Brockway:
"Weather wise the weekend doesn't look great. A little sunshine in places but with further showers or longer spells of rain at times.
Some places could get a good soaking with a risk of thunder.
Breezy on Saturday and feeling cool. Lighter winds on Sunday."
Tuesday 12 May 2009
The father of British surfing dies
A few weeks ago I blogged about UK surf history and Bilbo surfboards.
I acquired an original Bilbo 1970's single fin a few years ago and a friend has recently just got his hand on one too - in much better nick than mine I might add!
Sadly the man behind them and the Bilbo surfing empire - Bill Bailey, died a few weeks ago (28 April 2009) aged 75.
Bill pretty much invented the UK surf scene and set us on the path we now follow so his influence should never be underestimated.
I acquired an original Bilbo 1970's single fin a few years ago and a friend has recently just got his hand on one too - in much better nick than mine I might add!
Sadly the man behind them and the Bilbo surfing empire - Bill Bailey, died a few weeks ago (28 April 2009) aged 75.
Bill pretty much invented the UK surf scene and set us on the path we now follow so his influence should never be underestimated.
Thomas Meyerhoffer’s board revolution
Surfing has always been about pushing boundaries whether they be personal or functional/innovative changes in board design.
This is what helps our sport progress and remain fresh.
It doesn't get much more innovative than these new Thomas Meyerhoffer shapes that resemble a doodle a kid might draw during double maths.
I just wish his name was easier to spell!
Cheers JT for the link.
This is what helps our sport progress and remain fresh.
It doesn't get much more innovative than these new Thomas Meyerhoffer shapes that resemble a doodle a kid might draw during double maths.
I just wish his name was easier to spell!
Cheers JT for the link.
Monday 11 May 2009
Billabong Pro Teahupoo - Tahiti
The world's heaviest 'contest wave' is currently under performing so the event is on hold at the moment, but there's plenty of action to check out from earlier heats.
Good to see Luke Egan running the show too - an all time favourite of mine from the Jack McCoy 90's film era.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Robin Hood - men in tights
Wanted: Physically fit men, aged 18-60yrs
The day of the Robin Hood auditions dawned and I got up early and headed down to Pembs.
I was meeting up with a couple of friends - carlos and dusty and we arrived at the location 30 mins ahead of time to find around 200 people had already beaten us to it.
We queued for around an hour before we eventually squeezed in through the door to join another queue and fill in the all important forms.
The form included a section where we could list any 'extra skills' we had.
This included: archery, sword fighting/fencing and professional stunt training/combat!
I figured that all the hours spent shooting arrows at cardboard boxes with an old archery kit in my garden would hold me in good stead as an archer, so I ticked. I figured it would also put me into the 'outlaw category' where I'd feel more at home. ;)
Some of the guys there were ticking all three boxes so it will be interesting to see how they filter out the wheat from the chaff, although 'chav' would be a more accurate description in some cases...
A handful of hopefuls had gone the whole hog and dressed up in character.
I spotted a few Robin Hood/outlaw types, some knights and some pretty strange types who I'm convinced dress like that normally and live in Narbeth...
This guy wandered past, looking like he was just back from the crusades:
Once inside, we were measured up - chest and waist, and of course I protested at the measurement - 34.5" waist?!
Carlos, standing in the queue opposite found this highly amusing until he discovered that he'd come in at a gut busting, 35"...But as we all know, soldiers come in all shapes and sizes and there's no been no mention yet, as to who will play 'Friar Tuck'.
The nice lady then informed me that this was a 'medieval measurement' taken from higher up the waist than normal, so if we're picked, I've a feeling we'll be wearing Simon Cowell trousers on set.
After that we had a quick mug shot taken. We even got to hold up a piece of paper with our number on it and I began to realise how Hugh Grant must've felt.
As we left, the queue outside had swelled to around 800 people and it was still only 10.20am. The auditions were due to last until 3pm so I think the organisers were in for a busy day.
Now, we just have to wait and see if we're one of the 'chosen' 600 extras needed.
I was meeting up with a couple of friends - carlos and dusty and we arrived at the location 30 mins ahead of time to find around 200 people had already beaten us to it.
We queued for around an hour before we eventually squeezed in through the door to join another queue and fill in the all important forms.
The form included a section where we could list any 'extra skills' we had.
This included: archery, sword fighting/fencing and professional stunt training/combat!
I figured that all the hours spent shooting arrows at cardboard boxes with an old archery kit in my garden would hold me in good stead as an archer, so I ticked. I figured it would also put me into the 'outlaw category' where I'd feel more at home. ;)
Some of the guys there were ticking all three boxes so it will be interesting to see how they filter out the wheat from the chaff, although 'chav' would be a more accurate description in some cases...
A handful of hopefuls had gone the whole hog and dressed up in character.
I spotted a few Robin Hood/outlaw types, some knights and some pretty strange types who I'm convinced dress like that normally and live in Narbeth...
This guy wandered past, looking like he was just back from the crusades:
Carlos, standing in the queue opposite found this highly amusing until he discovered that he'd come in at a gut busting, 35"...But as we all know, soldiers come in all shapes and sizes and there's no been no mention yet, as to who will play 'Friar Tuck'.
The nice lady then informed me that this was a 'medieval measurement' taken from higher up the waist than normal, so if we're picked, I've a feeling we'll be wearing Simon Cowell trousers on set.
After that we had a quick mug shot taken. We even got to hold up a piece of paper with our number on it and I began to realise how Hugh Grant must've felt.
As we left, the queue outside had swelled to around 800 people and it was still only 10.20am. The auditions were due to last until 3pm so I think the organisers were in for a busy day.
Now, we just have to wait and see if we're one of the 'chosen' 600 extras needed.
Shell Cottage
I popped down to see the beach elf, now living at 'shell cottage' at Freshwater West on Saturday.
Here's a brief video tour. The first view shows the garden they've recently added onto the back complete with palms and a hedge.
The old wooden path at the North end has now disappeared under a blanket of sand, so it looks 'au naturel' and the largest dune appears to have more sand on top.
I'm not sure whether this is down to JCB construction or nature gaining a foothold again due to the restricted access?
The house itself looks amazing though, decked from head to toe in giant clam shells.
It's a shame it can't become a permanent fixture really and has a view that most surfers would die for:
Here's a brief video tour. The first view shows the garden they've recently added onto the back complete with palms and a hedge.
The old wooden path at the North end has now disappeared under a blanket of sand, so it looks 'au naturel' and the largest dune appears to have more sand on top.
I'm not sure whether this is down to JCB construction or nature gaining a foothold again due to the restricted access?
The house itself looks amazing though, decked from head to toe in giant clam shells.
It's a shame it can't become a permanent fixture really and has a view that most surfers would die for:
Friday 8 May 2009
Robin in da hood
Wish me luck. I'm off to find fame and fortune in my old manor of Pembrokeshire on Saturday to try and gain a part in the new Ridley Scott movie - Robin Hood.
I've just been informed that the main role has been taken by some guy called Russell whose got crows feet?
so I'm a wee bit disappointed about that so I guess there may be some minor 'arrow fodder' roles going and I'm good at lying down.
Anyway I've been practising my sword lunges, staff fighting and forward rolls and I used to have a bow & arrow as a kid so we'll see...
I hear quite a few of my surfing brethren are turning out for the film auditions as we consider ourselves to be 'fit and below the age of 60' and it's being filmed at a lovely surf beach, so I might see some of you there.
Why, we may even end up sword fighting each another so don't take it personally.
Remember a sword cut to the groin can result in instant death as there are some major arteries situated down there, so it's a good way to quickly dispatch the enemy.
The things we do for money, eh?
Sea-Grass Roots Tour
Susfers Against Sewage (SAS) are on the road again and coming to a beach near you.
If you'd like to learn more about the campaigns, help protect your local spot a bit more or have any burning questions you'd like to ask, then catch up with them at a tour stop.
Eco-board Test Rides
SAS will be bringing a quiver of the latest eco-boards on the tour, courtesy of the The Eden Project. These will be available free for you to demo at a local beach from 4pm - 6pm on the afternoon before each event. For more info get in touch - info@sas.org.uk or call 07711 767548 on the day.
Tour Stops
Firth of Forth, 10th May, 7pm
Coast Cafe
Dunbar Railway Station
Station Rd, Dunbar, EH42 1JX
Scarborough, 11th May, 7pm
Le Chat Noir
10 Eastborough
Scarborough
North Yorkshire, YO11 1NW
Aberystwyth - Tuesday, 12th May, 7pm
The Court Royale Hotel (Harleys Bar)
21 Eastgate Street
Aberystwyth SY23, 2AR
Isle of Wight - Wednesday, 13th May, 7pm
The Sun Inn
Hulverstone
Newport
Isle of Wight, PO30 4EH
Plymouth - Thursday, 14th May, 7pm
Ride cafe/bar
45 Tavistock Place
Plymouth, PL4 8AX
Odd choice of locations for a surfing eco tour if you ask me, but pop along if you it's coming anywhere near you - Aberystwyth? Isle of Wight?
Thursday 7 May 2009
Super Slo-mo surfing in HD
Incredible detail of the inside of a tropical barrel from BBC South Pacific.
Watch more footage from the series.
It's a shame they didn't invest a little bit more £ in the commentary - "a monster 12ft barrel wave".
I've no idea what a 'barrel wave' is?
At the end of the day you have a wave and you have a barrel and if you're really lucky you end up surfing both i.e. catching a wave and pulling into a barrel.
In natural history terms it would be akin to calling something a 'lamb sheep' or a 'hog pig' but it looks stunning all the same!
For those of us who surf - this definitely isn't the first time this kind of footage has been seen or captured but perhaps it is a first for it to be filmed in HD.
I guess this could be the future of the humble surf movie as we know it?
Well done BBC for making the effort though and hopefully they'll invite me along to do the commentary next time - preferably on location rather than a dingy edit suite in Bristol ;)
South Pacific starts at 8.30pm on BBC2, Sunday, 10 May and continues for the following 6 weeks.
Watch more footage from the series.
It's a shame they didn't invest a little bit more £ in the commentary - "a monster 12ft barrel wave".
I've no idea what a 'barrel wave' is?
At the end of the day you have a wave and you have a barrel and if you're really lucky you end up surfing both i.e. catching a wave and pulling into a barrel.
In natural history terms it would be akin to calling something a 'lamb sheep' or a 'hog pig' but it looks stunning all the same!
For those of us who surf - this definitely isn't the first time this kind of footage has been seen or captured but perhaps it is a first for it to be filmed in HD.
I guess this could be the future of the humble surf movie as we know it?
Well done BBC for making the effort though and hopefully they'll invite me along to do the commentary next time - preferably on location rather than a dingy edit suite in Bristol ;)
South Pacific starts at 8.30pm on BBC2, Sunday, 10 May and continues for the following 6 weeks.
Magic oil
Bought from Neil's Yard, this tiny bottle of Arnica oil packs a big punch.
It's just the thing for sore muscles and aches and pains from a hard days surfing.
I have to say I wasn't totally convinced when my wife waved it under my nose. It smells like someone with a sense of humour has mixed bovril, light road kill (sparrow or mouse) and olive oil together, but it seems to work.
I went to bed last night aching after a couple of hours playing touch rugby.
My calf muscles were in pieces so I massaged a bit of oil into each leg and hit the hay.
I woke up this morning feeling fully restored, dancing around the bedroom like 'Billy Elliot', with not a trace of sore muscle anywhere!
Coincidence? Or does it just do what it says on the tin...
The best thing about this magical oil is that it's 100% organic. Give it a go next time you're aching and let me know how you get on.
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Howling at the moon
I'm a bit of a weather nerd at heart and find all things meteorological fascinating and as we all know, moon phases = tides.
I just discovered that our current moon phase is called 'waxing gibbous' which made me chuckle so did some digging and found some more for the Northern Hemisphere...
Phase
Darkened moon Not visible
New moon Not visible, or traditionally, the first visible crescent of the Moon
Waxing Crescent moon Right 1-49% visible
First Quarter moon Right 50% visible
Waxing gibbous moon Right 51-99% visible
Full Moon Fully visible Fully visible
Waning gibbous Moon Left 51-99% visible
Last Quarter Moon Left 50% visible
Waning Crescent Moon Left 1-49% visible
Image courtesy of wikipedia.
I just discovered that our current moon phase is called 'waxing gibbous' which made me chuckle so did some digging and found some more for the Northern Hemisphere...
Phase
Darkened moon Not visible
New moon Not visible, or traditionally, the first visible crescent of the Moon
Waxing Crescent moon Right 1-49% visible
First Quarter moon Right 50% visible
Waxing gibbous moon Right 51-99% visible
Full Moon Fully visible Fully visible
Waning gibbous Moon Left 51-99% visible
Last Quarter Moon Left 50% visible
Waning Crescent Moon Left 1-49% visible
Image courtesy of wikipedia.
Mavericks gets the green light
Gull @ Mavericks:
Image courtesy of www.surfline.com
California's only big wave competition has been given the go ahead!
The surfers have been selected and competitors have just 24 hours to get there or their place goes to one of the 15 subs.
This year, the invitees will compete for a cool $75,000 prize purse broken down as follows: $30,000 for first place, $12,000 for second place, $7,500 for third place, $3,500 for fourth, $2,500 for fifth and $1,500 for sixth place.
Image courtesy of www.surfline.com
California's only big wave competition has been given the go ahead!
The surfers have been selected and competitors have just 24 hours to get there or their place goes to one of the 15 subs.
This year, the invitees will compete for a cool $75,000 prize purse broken down as follows: $30,000 for first place, $12,000 for second place, $7,500 for third place, $3,500 for fourth, $2,500 for fifth and $1,500 for sixth place.
Monday 4 May 2009
Welsh National Surfing Championships '09
Saturday 2 May: 4-6ft, clean faces and hollow sections, cross offshore, light NW winds and some strong rips.
Sunday 3 May: 2-3ft, choppy/messy surf with strong onshore NW winds and plenty of close outs in the afternoon.
My vantage point on Rat Island:
The competiton was finished off on the Sunday in testing conditions with strong NW winds making it feel very chilly if you were stood around watching or in my case filming but competitors made the most of it.
I saw Greg Owen get a lovely first couple of waves with some solid lip bashes gouging spray everywhere before blasting 2 more as he flew down the section. then Tom Anderson scored a nice floater on a right hander that briefly held up for him. Seeing the guys surfing was getting increasingly difficult due to a dip in the sandbank, constant close-outs no the inside and the glare of the sun directly above.
The awards finished up around 9pm and everyone was relieved to get back into their warm camper-vans as it was bloody freezing!
Saturday saw the best day with solid 4-6ft surf and strong rips.
Saturday surfing off Rocky Point:
The winds were light cross off but got progressively stronger as the day wore on. A great turn out though and a pleasure to meet everyone including Steve and Claire Beach who spent hours snapping all the action over the two days.
Women's U18 preparing for their heat. Gwen Spurlock is in the gath helmet following her nasty head injuries sustained in the Swansea wave pool last year:
Scotty aka 'Nineplus' kept me entertained for hours with his surf stories from past and present and helping me out spotting surfers in the sun's glare.
I also became a member of the newly formed Pembrokeshire Surfrider Club if I can sneak my name in past 'Fluff'. A great honour for an ex-pat like me. Now where's my car sticker?! ;)
This year the club had an honorary trophy for the best all round performance from the club and this went to local lad Jack Crisp. Fluff made a nice speech in memory of surfers we've sadly lost in recent years - Spyder, Benny and Jeff Price and a club contest is planned for October this year.
Back to the contest...Greg Owen blasted his way to victory in the Senior title again with a solid display in tricky conditions whilst Lloyd Cole was causing a commotion snatching the Open title for the 2nd yr running. Elliot Dudley won the Longboard contest, so no surprises there!
Beth Mason took home the women's title with Gwen Spurlock taking the U18's Simon Tucker showed us that old boys can still shred and took out the Masters with his son Max coming 2nd in the U16 division, pipped to the post by Tom Good.
A full list of the results can be found here.
Groms, trophies and goodie bags courtesy of Quiksilver:
Keep an eye out for some of my footage on Wales Today, BBC1 Wales on Tuesday, 5 May...they might just use some.
That's it for now.
Sunday 3 May: 2-3ft, choppy/messy surf with strong onshore NW winds and plenty of close outs in the afternoon.
My vantage point on Rat Island:
The competiton was finished off on the Sunday in testing conditions with strong NW winds making it feel very chilly if you were stood around watching or in my case filming but competitors made the most of it.
I saw Greg Owen get a lovely first couple of waves with some solid lip bashes gouging spray everywhere before blasting 2 more as he flew down the section. then Tom Anderson scored a nice floater on a right hander that briefly held up for him. Seeing the guys surfing was getting increasingly difficult due to a dip in the sandbank, constant close-outs no the inside and the glare of the sun directly above.
The awards finished up around 9pm and everyone was relieved to get back into their warm camper-vans as it was bloody freezing!
Saturday saw the best day with solid 4-6ft surf and strong rips.
Saturday surfing off Rocky Point:
The winds were light cross off but got progressively stronger as the day wore on. A great turn out though and a pleasure to meet everyone including Steve and Claire Beach who spent hours snapping all the action over the two days.
Women's U18 preparing for their heat. Gwen Spurlock is in the gath helmet following her nasty head injuries sustained in the Swansea wave pool last year:
Scotty aka 'Nineplus' kept me entertained for hours with his surf stories from past and present and helping me out spotting surfers in the sun's glare.
I also became a member of the newly formed Pembrokeshire Surfrider Club if I can sneak my name in past 'Fluff'. A great honour for an ex-pat like me. Now where's my car sticker?! ;)
This year the club had an honorary trophy for the best all round performance from the club and this went to local lad Jack Crisp. Fluff made a nice speech in memory of surfers we've sadly lost in recent years - Spyder, Benny and Jeff Price and a club contest is planned for October this year.
Back to the contest...Greg Owen blasted his way to victory in the Senior title again with a solid display in tricky conditions whilst Lloyd Cole was causing a commotion snatching the Open title for the 2nd yr running. Elliot Dudley won the Longboard contest, so no surprises there!
Beth Mason took home the women's title with Gwen Spurlock taking the U18's Simon Tucker showed us that old boys can still shred and took out the Masters with his son Max coming 2nd in the U16 division, pipped to the post by Tom Good.
A full list of the results can be found here.
Groms, trophies and goodie bags courtesy of Quiksilver:
Keep an eye out for some of my footage on Wales Today, BBC1 Wales on Tuesday, 5 May...they might just use some.
That's it for now.
Friday 1 May 2009
Surfing in Poland?
I thought I'd seen everything and then this popped up - A Polish surfing comp in the Baltic. I'm guessing that the 'drop in' rule doesn't apply here. The surfer who can drink the most vodka and still surf in a straight line, wins!
Utopia Surf Foundation
Utopia Surf Foundation
Dirt farming
Just had a go on a mate's dirtsurfer or dirt farmer as I prefer to call it along with Andy 'soul arch' davies and Gavin 'grass stains' James.
An early attempt filmed on my phone:
It basically involves letting your inhibitions go and flying down a hill on two wheels with not much in the way of brakes.
I've resisted the temptation for a few years now as Andy has repeatedly tried to coax me onto it, but whenever I've seen it lying there on the ground...self preservation mode kicks in!
I have a tendency to injure myself when trying new sports. I think it has something to do with being a Leo. We don't know when to stop and enjoy showing off until we hurt ourselves...
Andy 'soul arch' Davies showing how it's meant to be done:
The dirt surfer looks a bit like the sort of a bike, a gypsy might put together with a welding kit his brother has nicked from a building site.
It basically consists of two wheels. The front one pivots from side to side whilst the back is set up to just go straight.
The two wheels are separated by a skateboard deck where you stand. Your feet go into foot bindings and you have a brake on the rear wheel, which you operate by pushing your back calf muscle into it. That's about it!
It all happens pretty quickly once you master the 'standing start' and you soon find that life without the brake is a lot easier.
You place your back foot in to begin with and then push off with your front foot and try to get your foot into the front binding as fast as possible.
Once you're in that stance, the surfing kicks in and it felt very natural to be crouched and flying down a a green and muddy wave face.
The faster you ride, the easier it becomes to turn and once you get good enough you can start soul arching into some sexy turns like Andy or going off road a bit more.
Surprisingly I came away uninjured! After a couple of false starts I found my balance and away I went.
The dismount is pretty straight forwards as you wait until the end of the ride and hop out so my nightmares about flipping over and over with my feet stuck in bindings like I do when snowboarding, were completely unjustified.
I'm still not sure how safe I'd be on tarmac but for now, grass is great!
Once you progress you can buy kite wings to fly along wind swept beaches and apparently there's some guy in the Black Mountains in Germany whose customised his with aero-dynamic panels for insane road speeds.
Sounds painful to me...
Visit www.wingsurfer.co.uk to find out more.
An early attempt filmed on my phone:
I've resisted the temptation for a few years now as Andy has repeatedly tried to coax me onto it, but whenever I've seen it lying there on the ground...self preservation mode kicks in!
I have a tendency to injure myself when trying new sports. I think it has something to do with being a Leo. We don't know when to stop and enjoy showing off until we hurt ourselves...
Andy 'soul arch' Davies showing how it's meant to be done:
It basically consists of two wheels. The front one pivots from side to side whilst the back is set up to just go straight.
The two wheels are separated by a skateboard deck where you stand. Your feet go into foot bindings and you have a brake on the rear wheel, which you operate by pushing your back calf muscle into it. That's about it!
It all happens pretty quickly once you master the 'standing start' and you soon find that life without the brake is a lot easier.
You place your back foot in to begin with and then push off with your front foot and try to get your foot into the front binding as fast as possible. Once you're in that stance, the surfing kicks in and it felt very natural to be crouched and flying down a a green and muddy wave face.
The faster you ride, the easier it becomes to turn and once you get good enough you can start soul arching into some sexy turns like Andy or going off road a bit more.
Surprisingly I came away uninjured! After a couple of false starts I found my balance and away I went.
The dismount is pretty straight forwards as you wait until the end of the ride and hop out so my nightmares about flipping over and over with my feet stuck in bindings like I do when snowboarding, were completely unjustified.
I'm still not sure how safe I'd be on tarmac but for now, grass is great!
Once you progress you can buy kite wings to fly along wind swept beaches and apparently there's some guy in the Black Mountains in Germany whose customised his with aero-dynamic panels for insane road speeds.
Sounds painful to me...
Visit www.wingsurfer.co.uk to find out more.
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