Great results

Some good surf comp results for the Boardriders over half term. Toby was second to Russell Winter in the NE Open at Tynemouth, beating Mark Harris and Ruebin Pearce in the final.

And Max got to the final of the UK Pro Tour Under 16 event in Porthcawl Wales (the AXL/DOH Pro), where he came third beating local favourite and under 16 British squad member Max Tucker. Tour leader Leon Mansfield was first and Zak Lawton second. It's been a great year for the team.

Down to the skeleton

So it's me, Janey, Wailin, Mikey and JD - that's it at Surf's Up! HQ this winter - but already I'm liking it. The pace and atmosphere changes completely once the half term is out the way. It's much more relaxed, a nice wind down. Can't believe how lucky we were with the weather - September and October were incredible.

Kelly's just returned from an elite training week that we put together for some of the British Squad in Portugal. Sounds like they had some amazing surf. And then this weekend he have the Quiksilver and Roxy Team riders coming to stay at the Beach House for some intensive coaching. Looking forward to that.

We say goodbye to Big Sam who has decided to lay up his instructor vest after seven years on and off. He's been a stalwart, a trooper, a leader of men and on many occasions a real support. Dedicated, professional and committed - he's never missed a day off for sickness - a massive tick in our book. He has a creative mind that will hold him in good stead for the future and he goes with our very best wishes. He leaves on a high having put together out new junior training scheme earlier this year. 

Now then, back to me! I've lost one and half stone in six weeks - and there's more to go. Loving this cycling. Just spent two hours on the Schwinn doing one of these motivational DVD's - Spinervals 'No Mercy' - highly recommended! And now it's off to gym! Only thing to do in this weather!

Exmoor Beast

You know this morning when you woke up and looked out of the window - did you notice that summer had come to an end? Gale force winds and horizontal rain! Hm. It was at 4am that I made tracks to Butlins at Minehead for the Exmoor Beast. Of all the days - particularly considering the fantastic weather we've had! Why did it have to break today of all days! It was clear early on that conditions were extreme, and reports coming direct from the top of the moor were talking about 50 mile an hour winds. The rain was lashing down. There were obvious safety issues for the organisers to factor and options to consider - would we go at all, would be one of them! The 101 mile dream was over, the call was made to only do the 100k route and postpone for an hour. The decision was met with little resistance. What transpired over the next 5 hours was a battle royale against the elements.

To put some perspective on how extreme it was - at times on the flat straights I could muster only 6 miles an hour (compared to a normal 15-20), barely managing to stay on the bike at times. And the easiest part of the first 35 miles was the long haul up from Lynemouth to Simonsbath, the 6 mile uphill run, the place that I had feared the most. The sheltered valley offered all 1700 competitors a respite from the battering.

It was brutal! So many steep strength sapping climbs - one after another, after another with the wind seemingly head on all the time. Even the downhill sections offered little respite and had to be treated with respect as leaves, branches and pine needles scattered over the road made for ice like conditions. You had to keep a keen eye on the riders in front to watch for places where the wind blasted through gaps in the hedges from the roadside. Charging was not an option. All the riders became insular - this had become a personal battle. The incessant driving rain called for full concentration, heads down and chatting was not an option.

At the start line, I muscled my way to the second row. After ten miles I'd managed to keep with the leading pack. On the hills I did okay losing only a few places. But once we became fully exposed on the top of the Moor, well there were many stronger riders.

I crossed the finishing line after 5 hours and 2 mins (the leaders coming in around 4 hours 15) that was 437th out of 1730 - with 5 weeks training I've got to be pretty stoked with that. My quads have never felt as tired as that, ever. But I was really chuffed having conquered some of the steepest roads at their most challenging and giving it all without stopping! It was a huge mental and physical test and a very memorable experience! It was a great day.

Beach House Winter Getaway bargains

Thought I'd throw this out - there are a few weekends up for grabs at the Beach House this winter. The very special deal is exclusive use for £500 - that's up to ten of your friends and family staying right on the beach. And we can sort out lessons or hire - whatever you want for your visit. Keys can be picked up anytime on the Friday, with a check out anytime Sunday. Give us a call if fancy it.

The beach is emptying as the half term comes to an end. But what a half term! I'm off to Minehead now - got to register for the Exmoor Beast later today for the event tomorrow. Going to stay the night in Taunton - 5.30am start. Forecast looks quite brutal! Very wet and windy up on the Moor - nice!

All's well that ends well

Andy made it! He's a rock that boy - despite spending most of the day looking down the neck of the porcelain bowl, he was able to drag himself onto the stage. And all was well. It was good night. Proceeded by a good fun surf comp - the Big Wig. A low key affair with ten teams - the surf couldn't have been more perfect. 2ft glass - perfect for the swellies.

Last year we had one person booked in for the 10am today! This year we had 30! that makes a difference. What a great advert it's been for Polzeath this half term. Lots going home tomorrow.

mahoustic

We had a band practice on Monday night, the likes of which we've never had before!! It's quite possible that every song, we played better than we'd ever played in our ten year history. For some reason we all turned up in the 'zone' - it was straight through without having to go over any or discuss one or two tweaks. There were a few knowingly glances between band members as if to say "hey, this is going much too well!" We left clearly the hall clearly pumped and looking forward to the gig tonight.

But nothing's ever that easy. Our bass player has been throwing up all night and it's doubtful whether he can muster himself out of bed and up to Polzy from Hayle in time for tonight's end of season gig!! This is a huge dilemma! Do we cancel, try and find a replacement or see if he feels better? What we do know with Grattman is that if he can make it he will! I think we'll hang on in there and hope we can prop him up on stage. Adrenalin can normally get you through these things.

The beach continues to be busy. It's been an amazing end to the official season. With warm weather and superb surf, holiday makers have been down in huge numbers enjoying the best of what Cornwall has to offer.

Pumping

This is the first time in 4 years I've been on the beach for the October half term. France with the Boardriders has been the go and I have to say that I've missed not getting on the Ferry with the crew. Good job I'm here though as the pumping surf and sunny skies has brought everyone to Cornwall. It's bonus time! I even had to teach twice yesterday and Janey had to man the shop!

Time to Question

Well that was an interesting programme last night then! They didn't like Mr. Griffin very much did they?! Cornwall is quite isolated from all the issues they're talking about - except that we did have to sort out Kelly's visa so he could work over here for the next five years (he's from NZ). It was a difficult and costly process - that was our experience. It certainly wasn't a formality. I thought it was a pretty good system as it goes.

Our postie has just popped in to deliver the mail. He's not a union member. Last night on Amazon I purchased Surf Into Yoga with Rochelle Ballard - and he's brought that with him!! How good is that?! That means tonight I can contort my body into all different shapes and sizes! Need to ... my calf is much better but to get through the 'Exmoor Beast' I'm going to need to be in tip top! Quite nervous about it as it goes.

The half term is now upon us - it's going to be very busy. Seven days and then it's chill time!!

Post Strike

Hm, not sure about the post strike?! I have a healthy disregard for Unions! I still think it's pretty amazing that you can send a letter and have it hand delivered at the other end of the country the next day for the cost of a small chocy bar. We'd pay a bit more wouldn't we?

The Cribbar was firing yesterday. I was down at Fistral at the British Surfing Association HQ for a surf school meeting, watching the boys tow in to double overhead. Looked like they were having great fun. Fistral itself was pretty good - might explain why quite a few of the meeting attendees didn't come back after lunch!!

We've battled with the BSA, our governing body, for the past 10 years. In fact, one guy said he was only at the meeting to see the fireworks! one major point of contention that I've always had was that the BSA had their own surf school. Which in effect meant that we were competing with our own governing body. But last July they sold it, so now we have a clean sheet of paper to work out what's going to be best for surf schools and the development of surfing in the UK (and the commonwealth). I have to say it was the most positive meeting I've been at in 17 years - some real steps forward. Faith has been restored. What was really nice was the positive recognition of what we've been doing with our Elite Boardriders, through the work of Kelly. Not just from the exec, but from the other surf schools. It was pretty cool and a good turnaround. As the largest surf school we've led the industry in many ways over many years. So a big up to the exec, definitely moving in the right direction.

Tweeked the old calf - same old story! Couple of days lay off - but could do with some training with the race coming up next weekend.

That was tough!.. and it's only going to get tougher!

Firstly if you're after details of the BIG WIG surf event please scroll down. Lots of people coming so best sign up asap.

Hm, just done a silly thing. Got a bit carried away maybe?! Just put my name down for the Bodmin Beast bike race across Exmoor. 101 miles of pure hell on the 1st November. Judging from my performance only 20 mins ago up the hill (south) at Pt Isaac (that's steeper than I remember!) then I'm in for a long day in the saddle. Oh well, it's not like I'm in to win it, just to finish will do me. Quite a challenge considering that 4 weeks ago I was as unfit as I've ever been in my life! And in the words of Janey "that wasn't a pretty sight".

We sponsored a long board surf comp at Polzy on the weekend. The event was blessed with awesome surf. Super clean - perfect. By all accounts it went really well. On saturday I volunteered to keep the competition area clear of other surfers. But On Sunday, i was well out of there. The boys both had football matches so that's where my priorities lie. Best of luck to the person who had the job of clearing out the local surfers from their favourite peak when the surf was going off! hm, good luck with that one! There was no way that my name was going to be down for that one!

Talking of volunteering. I just rang St. Minver school to ask if they had any work that I could do on a volutary basis. I go in on a friday to help with the good readers club and really enjoy it. And as luck would have it they need someone to run their PE. Well put me down for that. With only two weeks before we're down to winter hours, I feel that I'd like to use my time getting stuck into something different. Billy and Fin both go there so it could be a lot of fun.

And that's where we are. Two weeks to go before the 'off peak' season starts. I know next week is going to be very busy, and then we can look forward to some down time. The surf school will remain open throughout the winter but there's a completely different feel about it as far as coming to work. It'll be me, Janey, Wailin, Mikey and JD sharing the work load. 

X factor! It's a killer. I really don't want to get sucked in.. but it's so hard not to be. My thoughts... Cheryl, great job under some pretty intense media pressure; rachel needs to soften up a bit; twins, time to go. My prediction - winner - Danyl. Outside bet - Joe. You've got to think that when it comes down to the last five it's going to be pretty close. Janey likes Jamie, but I think that's because they've got similar hair. We'll see of there's more to this pony, not convinced, but like the fact that he's been thrashing it out in bars for years. Shows he's got some soul. As for the others? "I've been working all my life for this!" say the 18 year olds! Think they need to go away and get a reality check!