The Twisted Pilot

Rumours went their way south, all the way from surf city itself, to the effect that there has been a regime change at Pit Pilot. The man who consolidated the magazine's position as the black sheep of British (surf) journalism, hitherto known only as Mr P. Pilot but now going forth as Greg Martin, is joining the happy band of freelance scribes and snappers who populate this part of the world. Soon to take the helm in his stead is legendary lensman, artist, shoe-hater and force of nature Tony Plant.

I've known Tony for a few years now, having first met him in Thurso for the inaugural O'Neill Highland Open. He struck me then as a very tall and energetic fellow, who - perhaps because of the rather inclement Scottish weather - had suspended his lifelong antipathy to shoes and condescended to wear a pair. It is possible that he also wore shoes when he met the powers behind Pit Pilot, but regardless, his appearance as editor of the only magazine wholly dedicated to British surfing is very welcome, shoes or no shoes. But while we're talking about Tony's feet, I can share an insight from my wife Karen, who grew up in the St Austell area and went to the same school as Tony.

"I think he wore shoes then, but can't be sure," she said. 

I asked Karen what she thought of Tony's appointment as editor. In which direction, for example, would he pilot Pit Pilot? "Knowing Tony, he'll be conservative in nature," she said. "I expect him to favour a sober, restrained look and feel to the magazine, one high on in depth analyses of the economics of surfboard bag manufacture, profiles on local councillors in Newquay and interviews with leading SUPPERs."

Really, I said? That didn't sound like the Tony I knew.

"Of course not, you idiot," she replied. "He'll do something TWISTED. Take cover! You have been warned!"

The Gull Shark comes to me via Jonty Henshall, for which many thanks. Jonty doesn't reveal its provenance but it has all the hallmarks of The Twisted Pilot...

Comments

[Beach Bum]

That SharGul does looks very familiar ... it clearly gets around ... been checking out your health status here regularly (with increasing alarm) ... not sure it's any consolation - and I know you've listed the stats earlier - but having checked out your "condition" (I mean the spinal one) on various websites, it seems as though the outcome for this type of op is usually more favourable than not. Given that you seem like a tough old goat, here's hoping you get back in the sea sooner rather than later. Bestest wishes dude. BB