I had a decent surf at Gwenver this lunchtime despite an inauspicious start. My first two waves were disastrous, owing to not having any wax and so therefore not having quite enough wax on the board. I took off with my hands too near the rails, and on both occasions, they slipped off, making for that most excellent "I am a kook" bungled take-off. However, I haven't got where I'm not without being adaptable, and I cunningly adjusted my hand positioning thereafter. There followed two OK rights, then a lovely right, then a load of decent rights and a couple of OK lefts. Nice session.
I had a quick chat with another surfer on the beach afterwards. We both reflected that this is, in fact, a great time of the year for surfing. Why? Because even a place like Gwenver can have barely anyone in the line-up. As I arrived I met Sam Bleakley, post-surf, and also in the water over at Little Gwenver I think I saw Jonty Henshall, but aside from them, me, the bloke I met, his partner and a handful of other surfers, that was it. A near-empty line-up. Bliss.
Meanwhile, my relentless quest to be fitter than is necessary for a man of my age, demeanour and psychological flaws continues with lots of boxing lately. I sparred with Sam Smart last night and got a right old hammering - and Sam was taking it easy. Sam was very unlucky in the Novice Amateur Boxing Championships recently, as you can see here, but he's an excellent boxer who could, I think, make a go of it as a pro. It's more boxing in a moment up at St Just ABC, and then some more sparring with Sam tomorrow night. And you know what? If you're thinking of a sport that'll work wonders for your surfing - especially over the winter, when, if you're working, the opportunity to get in the water is likely to be scuppered by, er, darkness - you could do a lot worse than get along to your local boxing club.
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