Winter is a coming

There was a nip in the air today, it was grey, spitting and a cold wind was blowing. So I did the unthinkable and trialled the new winter wetsuit, err and we're only in the single digits of October. Laaaaame.

Well I soon had my comeuppance when the wind died and the clouds thinned, I was happily playing in a cleanish high tide couple of foot but I was roasting, I swear sea water didn't even make it through the neoprene, bodes well for winter though, which is on it way quicker than ever. The light has changed and it's getting dark waaay too early but the autumnal evenings can be pretty spectacular. This was 6.00pm trotting across the cliffs with father ol' man and the hounds, 6pm and the sun was on it's way down, booo.

Watery flicks....

Looking forward to checking out the local film making talent, November 7th, Falmouth.

What to do with a vicious cockerel....

RIP Gary

September

September comes with mixed emotions.

I love the stormy swells, the fact the water is still warm enough for a 3/2 and that generally more relaxed feel, the hectic summer is being ushered out the door making way for cosy evenings in. But that's also the sad part, no more bolting out the door from work at 5.30pm down the beach. And that's what I was reminded of this morning, it was still dark at 6.30 am when the beachcomber massif hit the water. Dawnies will soon be put to rest for another winter. But my word it was cranking this morning, and that's what September does best!

Lunctime View

2 Minutes from the office. I love the westcountry.

Come on Huey...

First time in a decade and I don't feel a day over sixteen, rolling round the industrial estate with Fang, dodging the learner drivers and pikeys (seriously, burning tyres isn't good, not for the environment nor my lungs). No cuts, grazes, bruises or broken bits, I obviously wasn't trying hard enough....

Still I pray for swell and light offshores, cos it's only a matter of time and I prefer watery wipeouts to tarmac ones.

RIP Johnny

Silver surfers unite

A glorious day for the 7th annual World Bellyboard champs held at Chapel Porth today. With the juniors category set at under-60, today really was all about the old school. From humble origins as a quiet underground event it has exploded this year with over 200 competitors from all over the globe (well Cornwall, Devon & Australia at least) lining up.

My 83 year old gran has been inspired and is contemplating dusting off her old ply board for next year, yeah nan!

Might enter in a decade or two's time.

Ando

My buddy Fang found some cool threads when we were in Cali a couple months back, Ando & Friends is the clothing range by California based artist Andy Davis. I'd seen his art before but his clothing range was new to me.

His artwork is beautiful, I love his simple, instantly recognisable style that has graced a few surf publications including girlie surf flick 'Sol Sirens' and children's surf book 'Way of the Bird' in partnership with photographer Andrew Kidman.

He describes his style as "Loose and Dreamy, fun and fancy free, the way I think we all should be."

A sentiment I couldn't agree with more

Cement surfers

I don't skate, the hard landings hurt too much.

I bought a sector 9 pintail when I was 16, played around on it from time to time but never really got stuck in. Found this when I was having a nose around, it's got me inspired again....for the flat days at least.

Like Christmas come early...

There's nothing better than a good old parcel dropping in your lap to brighten up a morning at the office...

Tales from the Black Van is a short black and white longboard movie produced by RVCA's artist network programme, have no idea what it's like as I've only seen a brief trailer.

Picaresque, I saw a screening a few weeks back now, loved it, the surfing, the boards, the music. It was pretty upbeat and made a bit of a change from the more usual chilled out cruisey longboard vids (not that I'm complaining about those either).

All I need now is a telly and a DVD player.....

Big Tuesday

The beauty of blogging, (now I'm an old hand having been in the game a full two weeks), is that it's making me try and capture more of what's going on around me that might be of interest, whether that's images or just my random drivel. I'm normally pretty useless at taking piccies and the one below is grainy and crap cos it was taken on my iphone, BUT, it got me started on carrying a camera and capturing those moments. It was taken a few weeks back now and I just love the mid summer stormy feel to the photo.

The surf picked up and picked up all evening, I think most other beaches weren't holding the size and that little bit of extra shelter here kept things clean. As a longboarder, I waited for the lulls and paddled like stink, not wanting one of those badboys on the head. Once I was outback I realised 1) it was huge (I'm more of a 2-3ft cruisey wave kind of girl), 2) I was a bit scared and 3) I was a lone log ranger, the shear steepness of the takeoffs soon made me realise why.

Pretty much every good shortboarder around descended on the beach that evening, not being a fan of aggro crowds I admit I was sat outback crapping myself for a minute or five. I did however score a few good waves and although none were the absolute monster set ones I must say the speed and power of the waves was pretty exhilarating.

Hola Ladies!

I must say I'm greatly looking forward to the release of the DVD of Dear and Yonder, it's an all girls surfing DVD, featuring an array of epic lady gliders, inluding a couple of my firms favourite nasal cruisers, Belinda Baggs and Kassia Meador.

The film trailer promises no Blue Crushesque cheesey 'surfergirl' action, but a refreshing artistic approach to the world of women's surfing, bring it on I say cos these girls rip. The film has been screening all over America and did make it as far as France at the Roxy Jam home of the Women's World Longboarding Champs but sadly not as far as blighty, so I eagerly await its release at the end of the month.

Woolly wetsuits

When I was in California a couple of months back I found out the Patagonia had recently released a line of wetsuits. The neoprene has been derived from limestone rather than oil based products making the production a bit greener for the same final product. The wetsuits are lined with merino for extra insulation and come in the full spectrum of summer, spring and winter suits. I picked up an R1 long sleeve top, and now the water is a bit warmer, on a rare sunny day I'll be hitting up the water in that and a bikini....oooh and i might last about 20 minutes, that's what the British summer is all about...! The range is expensive but top notch...hopefully making their way to our shores sometime soon.

Patagonia also supported the making of Thomas Campbell's 'the Present'

Musica....

I was at a truly magical festival a couple of weeks ago, I highly recommend the Port Elliot Festival for its beautiful setting, relaxed atmosphere and great performances without huge crowds.

The rough trade tent was selling CDs of all the acts on throughout the weekend, I could've spent a hundred quid in less than five minutes. I refrained, but did however buy Neil Halstead's Oh! Mighty Engine which I've been enjoying since. Easy to listen to with some witty lyrics, I'm particularly fond of 'Sometimes the wheels.' As a bonus to all this cracking music, Neil Halstead is a local boy whose talents have been recognised across the pond, he's signed with Brushfire records.

So hop on spotify and give him a listen.....

Where to begin?

Right, I'm hopping on the blog bandwagon thanks to a little encouragement from John-boy, who knows how long it will last but I've spent enought time perusing other's to feel ready to embark......

Had a few fun excursions this summer so will spend the next few weeks quietly going over those, starting with a wicked little screening I ventured out to last week. It was a showing of 'Picaresque', a Mikey DeTemple surf film with plenty of noseriding, retro boards and a fab soundtrack. Hosted at Attla Snowboards in Truro, winged in by the Surf Screen it was a fun, chilled out evening, with a pint of skinners and a burger thrown in to the deal what more can you ask for?!