Not California But Home

Here I am back in the blown-out UK. I feel decidedly worse for wear thanks to the combined effects of jet-lag and a fair bit of vino callapso with Mrs W last night. Surfing by way of clearing the head is an option, but not one I relish given the conditions. Point break perfection, it ain't.

But it's good to be back, and the chart says that there'll be some decent surf later in the week. I've got back to a slew of surf info, all of which I'd like to mention though I might run out of energy. Here goes:

1. Finisterre have added some new colours to their line of merino Coho sweaters. These were first launched last year, and this time round the lads from Aggie have also added a full zip and brushed fleece to the inside of the Arcus hoody. Nice work, as ever. The new merino sweaters will be available at £30 from the end of November; check the site for more info.

2. Congrats to Russell Winter, who I see won both the Open and Seniors events at the British National Surf Championships last weekend in good surf. The photo of Russ is by Ben Jones. Good to see that Jed Stone added yet another title to his huge collection with victory in the Veterans' contest.

3. Congrats also to French surfer Caroline Peret, who won the Roxy North East Women's Open, held at Tynemouth, also last weekend. Here she is, snapped by Lucia Griggi.

4. The first-ever British Stand-Up Paddle Association winners have just been crowned. Over 30 competitors entered the four events which were held in Cornwall, the Isle of Wight, Wales and England's south coast. The winners are: Neal Gent (Mens'), Claire Blacklock (Womens' and Womens' Distance), Bobby Cooper (Juniors and Juniors' Distance) and John Hibbard (Mens' Distance). Well done to all of those who have taken to this sport, something I've not tried yet but which was also evident in the line-ups of Santa Cruz. Will it last and continue to grow in popularity or, perhaps like windsurfing, is it a fad that will ultimately remain the preserve of a few fanatics? We shall see. Meanwhile, the winners appear courtesy of Jon Parker Photography.

5. The British Surfing Museum has launched a winter fund-raising appeal. Before you all shout 'Credit Crunch!' and hide your wallets, this is for a worthy cause, with the Museum aiming to raise £500 to give to Surfers Against Sewage in return for a surfboard designed by Conrad Shawcross, one which was created as part of SAS's recent 'Drawing Boards' campaign. The SAS auction raised a very respectable £29,350 and in displaying the Shawcross eco-board next year, the Museum will be sending a twin message in highlighting the need for more sustainable ways of living and promoting the work of SAS. But that won't happen until there's £500 in the kitty, so check out the British Surfing Museum website for details on how to donate. Any extra cash raised will go to Cancer Research.

6. The richest event on the UK Pro Surf Tour kicks off this weekend at Whiterock or East Strand Beach, Portrush, Northern Ireland this coming weekend. The Quiksilver Portrush Open might also decide the winner of this year's British Pro Surf Tour. The Roxy Portrush Women's Open also takes place at the same venue at the same time (well, not quite; you know what I mean). Here's another snap by Lucia Griggi to give a flavour of the kind of surf they get up there in NI.

7. The O'Neill Cold Water Classic was won by an O'Neill rider, one Nat Young (no relation). Here he is on the podium; more on this event and California soon.

8. Last but by no means least, a couple of Sundays ago over 100 very strangely dressed surfers descended on East Wittering for the A1Surf Retro Board Challenge. Batman, sometimes known as Jonathan Tuck, walked away with first prize, a Paul Walters-shaped fish, with over £500 raised going towards Selsey RNLI Lifeboat Station. Here's a shot of a couple of the competitors, men whose like I didn't see while in California, not even in downtown Santa Cruz. And that's saying something.

Finally, thanks to all for your recent comments. I should have mentioned a few other things in this post but I have, indeed, run out of energy. However, the comments are what make a blog worth doing so keep 'em coming.

I'll be back when the jet-lag's gone, by which time California really will be a distant memory, something almost as forgetful as the dire Russell Brand flick that I watched on the plane, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It's got some surf scenes in it but I've forgotten them already. The film is almost as bad as Brand's 'joke' about Andrew Sachs' granddaughter. But that's another story.

Comments

[john-travel]

Hi,

Site explaining all about wind surfing championship and the enjoyment involved in it