Sunday Saunton Surf

After what seems like ages without being in the surf, I got to Saunton on Sunday afternoon. I managed to get the afternoon pushing tide, after the worst of the crowds had gone home, and I managed to get some reasonably clean solid 4ft swell.
I also tried out my new Circle One Noir 3mm zipless summer wetsuit. My old summer 'suit was truly on it's last legs, with multiple repairs it was really starting to look it's age. My new suit is super comfy as well as super stretchy. The zipless entry is really easy to get in and out of, and despite getting a couple of good beat downs, it remained really dry, I didn't get any 'flushing' at all.

Hacking into a decent sized wave

Driving through a turn

Another good wave

Getting some air on the way out back

A week on the North coast of Scotland

We've just returned from a fantastic week on the North Coast of Scotland. We rented a cottage overlooking Armadale bay, in the centre of the North Coast, and literally a short stroll from the beach. We had a week of perfect weather, blazing sunshine and warm days and not a single Midge to be seen!
We enjoyed a range of great activities that the North of Scotland has to offer. We surfed at Armadale and Farr Bay, Mountain biked at Carbisdale and Balblair on the Kyle of Sutherland, fished from the rocks in front of our cottage, and visited a whiskey distillery of course!

Here is just a quick selection of the pictures we took during our week.

Me on the Black trail at Balblair

Candy mountain on the black route at Balblair

Riding a rock slab on the red route at Carbisdale


Louise on a rock slab on the Blue graded route at Carbisdale

Enjoying good surf, but howling off-shore wind at Farr Bay

Mini Head Dip at Farr Bay

Awesome ride!

Clean on calm waves at Armadale

Fishing from the rocks, in crystal clear water

Lots of small pollack!

The sun sinking into the sea, Sunset at 10.30!

Strolling down the beach at Armadale

Another wave rolls casually into Armadale bay

The view just outside our cottage

Not another footprint to be seen, perfection

1 Week till the South West canoe Show 2008

It's now only one week till this years South West Canoe Show.

So here is a quick run down of what you will be able to see at this years show; For the whitewater paddlers we have new boats from Pyranha, with the Kanarli and Z:One, Liquid Logic with the Biscuit and XP, Dagger with the Green boat and Axiom and Wavesport with the new Diesel range.

For the Sit on top paddler there will be new range of Tarpons from Wilderness Systems, the new Trident 13 fishing kayak from Ocean Kayak and new boats from Native Watercraft. For the Canoeists there will be new boats from Mad River Canoes to check out.

On the software front there is the complete new range of Yak waterproof cags, on display in the UK for the first time. The new range has something for the recreational paddlers, touring paddlers , and the whitewater paddlers alike. There will be a chance to see the new Sweet range of Helmets and the new Sweet gore-tex cag. Palm have some new gear, including some great new water shoes that look set to rival the mighty 5:10 boots.

And on-top of all this there will be all your favorite tried and tested gear from all our favorite manufactures; Palm; Dagger; Yak; Nookie; Typhoon; Sweet; IR; Astral; Pyranha; P+H; Venture Kayaks; Venture Canoes; Valley Sea Kayaks; Valley Surf Kayaks: Kirton Kayaks; Lettmann; Wavesport; Mad River Canoe; Wilderness Systems; Native Watercraft; Heritage; Ocean Kayak; Old Town; Perception; Exped; Ortlieb; Bending Branches; Pelican Canoes; Aquabound; Eckla.

Plus, as if that wasn't enough, also at the show will be local Colleges for those of you interested in becoming an instructor or coach and coaching and guiding companies like Gene 17; Canoe Control; Sea Kayak South West; Sea Sports South West and Haven Banks.

Don't forget there will be special Deals on Boats and Kit available for the show day only, and a whole range of package deals available on the day as well. For a sneak Preview of what's available check HERE. Plus all your favorite gear will be on sale from the stands and in the shop.

You can also demo a huge range of canoes, kayaks and sit on tops on the canal and river, beat the queue and download the boat demo registration form HERE.

And finally, there will be a BCU Club Forum held in the Exeter Canoe club, a 'Mexican roll' down the river Exe by Exeter School Kayak Club, a BCU White water race down the river Exe and the Hog Roast!

Cornish Waveski fun

I managed to get away for a few days over the bank holiday weekend, and I managed to find some nice, small, clean, fun surf. I then managed to rip it up on my Waveski, check it out!

One of the larger waves of the day,

Cranking into another nice little wave

Attempting some kind of floater, top turn, re-entry thing!

Another small, but perfectly formed sucky wall

Another floater type thing, still not sure I've quite got it right tho!