Bath Windskate

During such a generally windless and waveless autumn '09 - spring '10 it was nice to come out of the cold! With a flat sea and lots of work to get done during week two of my Easter holidays at least it had got warm and sunny! Getting on the rowing machine in the back garden kept me sane... Once again time to pack my life-belongings in my car and head back to Bath.

My new sails had arrived which i picked up on my way, and inspired by my friend Charlie who's into his photography and happens to live in a very scenic part of town, on that large and slightly hungover weekend two weeks ago i couldnt resist seeing what the new Rock was like for myself.

photos: Charlie Ranscombe
http://www.faux-sure.com/

porthtowan mini stunt session 20th march

happy easter!
Loads of snow out here in France- unreal, april 5th, felt more like january today. A last-minute call to come out here for the week was actually quite tricky given cornwall's somewhat epic forecast, and seemingly after the whole winter of no sizeable swells i was just as keen to head there, but coming out here one maybe 2 weeks a year is pretty special...And half a dozen rides from the top traverses of steep deep powder joy wasnt a bad alternative!

Shots here from Jonny Samuel, on a stormy day at Porthtowan. Steve King and I made the best of what was around on a difficult call for spots with the wind/wave directions that day.

Some number of weeks before this session i'd made it down to score two days good surfing. On the penultimate day of the school term i sneaked in a dusk session around bournemouth, side-on 4.7 full power with chest high ramps, but it quickly went too rippy with the incoming tide and the heavens opened with some serious rain/hail! I realised why my hands were aching as it had plumetted to 3 degrees never mind NW'ly wind chill.

the rush, the chill

happy new year!

plenty of wind and waves for UK in 2010 please...

2 weeks holiday in france was a beautiful thing... mostly

very cloudy, foggy, only patches of good visibility - even rain for a day at 1800m while it was sub zero back in blighty! - but with reasonably good snow throughout, eventually it dumped proper for the last few days and gave clear blue skies. One first-tracks run just below the peak (from the other side of the ridge above) with one other guy supplied the buzz that was the trip highlight. 20 seconds of flying around big turns full speed over steep powder... What is it about these sports where just that short time of intensity is worth all of whatever happens the rest of the time...

Still there is never any time for anyone to bother taking shots, especially when it's that good! These are from a previous new year

4 new fins ruled Woolacombe and Porthcawl magic

Porthcawl SWA PuraVida event
photos: Wayne Thomas

I am very happy to announce that i have recently moved to Starboard/Tushingham my new sponsors
















I've enjoyed a couple of good sessions this winter in strong wind and wave conditions in Devon and Wales on the Rock sails and my new Quad 81 which i'm having a lot of fun with. It's had great feedback all over the world and it's been interesting feeling it out for myself, especially as a surfer. It feels great; so little effort to fly around the place, such a nicely balanced shape to cruise out through the break however rippy or gusty, and get fast quickly to jump higher with ease! Taking a few beatings at logo high Woolacombe a few weeks ago i seemed to cheat the weather, floating into position to take my pick of the waves. While it didnt take long to get comfy and just sail, it is different; so drivy and it can really flow or power through turns like a surfboard. I found i was generating more speed than i expected wherever i was on the wave and just started going for more stuff, sailing better without thinking about it! I know already now during 2010 it will help improve my level.
The 'Rock's felt nice providing smooth power and going so neutral instantly on demand. I'm looking forward to getting hold of the new sail designs in 2010 which is very exciting. Also the Aeron booms are stunning. If you're in the Bristol area get in touch with Rich and Nick at Windsurfer's World to have a chat about all the gear.

autumn catch up and Windsurfer International article: 'fit to sail'

Finally! A few minutes to post some news.
Hope everyone scores decent wind this weekend around UK. I put off having an awkward wisdom tooth out twice to go away sailing, so am now forced into a weekend just chilling for a change, bagga!

here's what i've been upto:

Training.
Look out for upcoming Windsurf International magazine. Dan Cossins, of Body Development in Bath, and I are running a strength series. I've been training hard when i can and it's been great working with someone at the top of their field to make it as effective as possible.

here it is!
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication0c5c4023#/0c5c4023/106





Marazion stunt fest last weekend! Always nice to get down at the weekend on a big forecast and sail with the boys! (Even if it did mean lesson planning fri and sat night! Fully knackering every day of every week!) Some sun sunday made up for truly horrible weather and light all saturday, scuppering some would-be-excellent action shots from Splashography.




Strong side/side-on with no where to hide from mast+half to 2x mast high N coast was a stunning sight, but frustratingly a no go. Would have been 10seconds adrenaline for an hour of punishment, or worse...



Cornwall Classic. Handily for me slotting into half term week many of us got some good freesailing and stunning clean head high surf in the days leading upto the event. Giwthian and particularly Godrevy provided the goods for a more-than-worthy contest which finished off the 4 nations year. The tour had seen the best conditions ever and the top guys battled it out all the way to the finish...

photo: JC /boardseeker


Boardseekermag.com as ever covering them all with great photo and vid work.

For me I sailed better on day 2 flowing more, forcing less, and got more speed and better turns.

I finish the year 12th Overall, which i'm happy with considering the company above me.


By the way, dont know if i should be keeping it on the down-low! but the latest Gul Windsurf suit in development is seriously good, building on superb current and recent windsurf and surf suits, and should be fully pimp too! Gold bling.

I'll have some big news on kit soon, stay tuned.


October:

Tiree Wave Classic 09. Mangaed to organise the week to do it around full time Uni/school committments. Sam Neil and i missed our heats! Long story... But at least we arrived on the island in time for one day at least of great wind and waves. We sessioned it hard! Following on everyone had a couple of fun days surfing. What can you say its all about the craic.


Coll Challenge triathlon was a great day. With 3rd in run, 7th on bike (didn't go well!) I had to settle for 4th place finish. I was happy with a 3rd in the SUP final with some experienced SUP-ers!


photos: JC/Tiree Waveclassic


















September:

National windsurfing festival. A great success, so many people on one beach! (That wasn't your average day at Hayling was it?!) We lucked in with planing condtions all day on big kit and i qualified for the night race. I managed not to come last. At least if you were so underpowered you could sneak off downwind in pitch black on your return. The Boat crews did a great job we got to fly around the place with glow sticks attached to ourselves. Fun in the dark!

I was on the judging team for national windsurf freestyle champs. No planing wind but great lightwind competing from the youths and a few older youths! Brighton rocked!

Gower, S Wales, day trip one weekend turned out good, 4.4 in chunky waves. Gonna try and get there more often!