tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47059257477394094512024-03-06T03:28:44.791+00:00Surfs Up Surf School BlogPetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-59243081800092433092016-07-21T21:29:00.002+01:002016-07-21T21:29:35.816+01:0038 day count down<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px; text-align: center;">
38 DAY COUNT DOWN!</div>
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The Tickets have arrived... if you've ordered one, they're being sent out tomorrow and will be with you by the weekend. These are golden tickets, full of surprises! Latest update is that we've secured the services of DJ Jamie the Barb.. OMG how exciting! The funkiest vinyl man on the planet and quite possibly the hardest man to track down! But track him down we have. He's on board and I've already ordered a new pair of dancing shoes.. coz me old ones simply won't last the night! I recommend you do the same. Surf's Up! Band Mahoustic played last week.. we're heading to the big smoke of Plymouth for a final pre-gig, gig (come join us)... we're feeling good, prepped, ready to rock!</div>
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If you haven't got your tickets yet but want to join a vast number of past and present staff, clients, Boardriders and locals for what will be a night of Unshackled Surf's Up! celebration.. give us a call on 07760 126225. We'd love to see you there. The count down has begun! Bring it on! 21years... who'd have thought it! That is all. PC</div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-17112271810036336082016-07-04T11:46:00.002+01:002016-07-04T11:46:50.760+01:00Kiss those boots goodbye<h3 mce_style="text-align: left;">
<span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">THANKS</span></h3>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 18.6667px;" style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">A massive thank you for the support you're showing for our 21st Anniversary Party on the 27th August! Response has been overwhelming, the phone has been going nuts and we're already well ahead of schedule on ticket sales. Over the next couple of weeks we'll gradually start releasing details of exactly what's happening on the night. Two live bands and a DJ is all I'm giving you right now. It's going to be such a crazy night. We're frothing! Call 07760 126225 to reserve your places.</span></span></h3>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 18.6667px;" style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">KISS THOSE BOOTS GOODBYE?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 18.6667px;" style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">Yep, the water's warming up super quick so it's off with the boots and gloves, heaven. Who likes surfing in boots and gloves? Simple answer, no-one! End of. The thick rubber just feels so clumpy on the end of your digits...and unorganic. Less is best. Just boardies would be the go, but this is Cornwall and May, so a snug fitting winter / spring suit is the order of the day. We've got 'em if you need 'em!</span></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">WEEKEND OUTLOOK</span></b></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 18.6667px;" style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">As for the surf forcast this weekend and week, it looks like it's going to be small, in the 1 -2ft range, which is perfect for beginners and improvers (now where have we heard that before?). Bring sunscreen, the big ball of fire is going to shine shine shine, just how we like it. Lessons are everyday at 10am, 12pm and 2pm .. call 07760 126225 to speak to Gorgeous Elle or Curly Beau in Bookings.</span></span></div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-76201156049362955202016-07-04T11:45:00.002+01:002016-07-04T11:45:15.518+01:00Tickets on sale now<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span mce_style="font-size: 18pt;" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">Surf's Up! 21st Anniversary Celebration, The Point</span></span></strong></h3>
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<strong><span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-size: 18pt;" style="font-size: 18pt;">27th August 7pm - 1am</span></span></strong></h3>
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<strong><span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-size: 18pt;" style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></span></strong><strong><span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">Early Bird Tickets available NOW! CALL 07760 126225</span></span></strong></h3>
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<strong mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 14pt;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times; font-size: 14pt;">£10 Adult </strong><strong mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 14pt;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times; font-size: 14pt;">£7 Under 16's</strong></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">Back in 1995 when myself and Janey first drove on to Polzeath beach car park, little did we know that we'd still be here some 21 years later. We began in an era of no mobile phones, no computers, no internet, no websites, no emails, no credit nor debit cards. Enquiries came in the form of hand written letters and we'd reply with hand written letters. The phone box at the entrance to Coronation gardens was our office. As one of only eleven surf schools in the country then, we're one of 100 today.</span></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">Since those early days we've taught over 200,000 people to surf, quite incredible. </span></span><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18.6667px;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times; font-size: 18.6667px;">To do something that we love, in a place that is so special, has well surpassed any humble dreams that we may have had. </span><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18.6667px;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times; font-size: 18.6667px;">We feel truly blessed.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">On this journey we have met many incredible people.. clients and staff, associates and those who have simply been there in support and observed our journey from the shore. Life long friends have been forged and life long memories shared.</span></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">We're marking our 21st anniversary with a very special party. We're inviting you and people from all around the world who have been part of our journey to join us in a night of celebration, presentations, dancing and live music. Come and meet up with your old instructors and friends. Come dance. Come rock. Come reminisce. Let the mind unshackle, set it free. The date for the evening event is set for the 27th August, the Saturday of the bank holiday, up at The Point. The venue for the marquee is spectacular. With <b>only 600 tickets</b> available, you'll need to get on it! This is going to be a night to remember, a complete one off! We're going all out, and I mean...all out! We're going big! And we really hope you'll be there to join in the fun.</span></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;" style="font-family: "times new roman", times;">To reserve your tickets, please call the ticket hotline today on 07760 126225.</span></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Proceeds to be split equally between Chicks and the Wave Project.</span></span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-30262784981491725162016-05-12T11:42:00.001+01:002016-05-12T11:42:12.542+01:00New Website not that far away nowWe continue to work through the new website, page by page. Really love the look of it, just need to take our time getting the functionality right. Myself, Janey, Wailo, Elle and Emma have been pouring over the nitty gritty and I hope that by Whitsun we'll be good to go for the launch.<br />
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The Surf's Up! 21st Anniversary is coming together nicely. The site up at The Point could not be better. The marquee's been ordered. The food's sorted courteously of Gary Dutton. The beverages pulled and served by The Point. Stage, lighting and PA are boxes ticked for the bands and DJ's. The Surf's Up! Band members of Mahoustic are all practicing hard, as are former Surf's Up! instructors Kit and Planty who will be entertaining us with their band too. They assure me that they sound like Muse! Everything seems to be in hand... I think!</div>
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Back on the beach we had a terrific couple of groups on the weekend. Plymouth Argyle U13's enjoyed the small but perfectly formed surf. As did Wailo's son Elliot's rugby team a better later in the day! Lots and lots of laughter and happy faces, which is what we love. And lots of juicy burgers on the BBQ.</div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-20251604388535647912016-04-30T09:04:00.000+01:002016-04-30T09:04:39.891+01:00We're rocking it in 2016!<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">If you think I, the Big Cheese, has gone a bit quiet...you'd be right and wrong! Let me explain... we've started the year here at Surf's Up! with a new steely resolve and at staff meetings (of which there have been many and will be more) we've challenged ourselves over the next five years to see 'just how good we can be!' In order to do this we're working incredibly hard behind the scenes to ensure that if you grace our shores, you'll enjoy an even better experience than of any of our previous 21 years. We're not worried about getting bigger, we just want to get better, and I think you'll notice the difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">Speaking of 21 years... let me tickle in some hot off the press news... stick this date in your diary.. 27th August... we're hosting our 21st Anniversary Party, a massive reunion for all those who've either been surfing with us, supported us or worked for us since 1995! How exciting! This evening event will take place up at The Point where Dj's and the Surf's Up! band Mahoustic, to name but two highlights (!) will get you rocking in the monstrous marquee. We're going to party like it's 1999 and we very much hope you can come. Tickets will be limited and will be available the day our new website goes live....(which is very soon).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">New website? Yep, our new website, interactive with lots of video and audio.. is a huge forward step that we're so excited about. we've always been the industry leaders and we hope you love the look and changes we're making. We're pouring a huge amount of time and energy into this to make it cutting edge. Our old one was cool, but outdated. That's about all I can say about it at the moment. I'm sure you understand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">Other developments. I had the good fortune to go to Hawaii this Winter with Janey and the boys. If you haven't been...go! It is everything that you think it will be and more. Standing on the beach at Pipeline watching grinding barrel after grinding barrel was like a religious experience. So much history, the place where legends are made. As if that wasn't enough my eye was caught by the sight of sponsored riders running out from the Volcom House with these soft short boards tucked under their arms. It's like the next evolution of surfing. Now as you probably already know, I've long been a fan of the Swelly surfboard... so to watch these pros tuck into barrels on these tiny chubby softboards, well.. it made me very happy! Very happy indeed. So I thought, "Hey, those would be awesome for the surf school!" Not only have we bought a load for you to try but we've become the exclusive test centre for Catch Surfboards, the very one's they were using! If you want to see someone riding them check out North Shore legend <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWTTqJvwTHU" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 26.5067px;" target="_blank">Jamie O'Brien's website</a>, dear lordy he's a complete nutter.. just how we like it. We have some of his boards arriving for Whitsun, on sale in our shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">So yep, having taken a couple of years out, I'm back! And frothing! So excited about this year.. hey, you may even see me walking around with a pad under my arm, making notes, jotting down ideas. I know, crazy! But here's the thing...you want to know who inspires me... you do! From that very first day when myself and Janey pulled onto the beach back in 1995.. it's always been our philosophy that when you come for a lesson, you leave having had the most incredible time and are super happy. That's our gauge, there is no other. Let me tell you that in 2016, super happy just got happier!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">I'm joined in the quest by Janey: co-founder, warrior and the true rock of Surf's Up! unlike me, she never went away.. Wailin: you could not wish for a better right hand man, a most incredible long hair and leader of the pack! Elle: the font of all office knowledge, systems and who has this incredible ability to swear and smile at a disfunctioning modem at the same time (Clare is on hand to assist)! Emma: on fire in the shop with new products and new ideas, watch this space. That's the management team... we also have your favourite senior instructors on site now... Waimea Jonny, Hair Dye Shaff and Josh the Maple Leaf, with others joining the team in time for Whitsun. They're all here, buzzing, waiting to welcome you on to site!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">Okay, so that's enough from me. Quiet, yes. But only because we're working on so much new stuff. Oh and I'm on detox.. day 16 of 30! More greens? Really?! Lost a stone and an 'arf! Even a sniff of a Jaffa Cake would do! This is the last time you'll hear from me in this dull written format. Next time you see the words 'Surf's Up!' make an appearance in your Inbox, I hope when you click on it you'll be pleasantly surprised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">Don't forget, 27th August.. it's gonna be huge!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 26.5067px;">As you were, thanks for listening, I'm here every day.... Pete</span></div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-10290481231493346002015-07-23T08:41:00.001+01:002015-07-23T08:41:47.162+01:00Trimming a bush<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Couple of bits of news before the normal chit chat begins! We’re trying to be more proactive with our Facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surfs-Up-Surf-School/533201260074149"><span class="s2">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surfs-Up-Surf-School/533201260074149</span></a>) so we’d love it if you check in … latest beach news and surf reports etc. I’m not a selfie social media kind of guy, but it seems to be a good way of spreading the word. That’s what I’m told. Apparently you ‘like’ the site, you don’t become a ‘friend’. So lots of likes and kind reviews most welcome.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Had a Surf’s Up! staff gathering on Monday… great team. One of the best, nothing is ever too much trouble. Everyone’s really happy up at the Surf’s Up! HQ… clients and staff alike. Was a great move for us. Big thanks to Wail for rocking it as Beach manager, he really is a rock. To Elle, who’s taken the Office Manager’s job and shaken it down, we’ve never been so organised! She’s been doing the ordering for the shop stock and the hoodies, tees etc which look fresh and amazing. And to Little Sam who just keeps coming back, can’t get rid of her!</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Here comes the chit chat!…</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Don’t be fooled. I’m no cool surfer dude. Not anymore. Whereas once my low slow gait was a visual representation of a laid back attitude, the very same gait now represents tight hammies and rock solid achilles. Sadly, those cool surfer days have dripped through my fingers like a double choc chip dipped cone on a summer’s eve (you want a flake in that?). It is a wonder that I make it through each day. Business consultants talk about a five year plan? I’ll just take 24 hours at a time thanks. Seriously when I put my jim jams on and retire for the evening, I do a quick head to toe body check just to make sure that I’m still here. Up to this point I’ve enjoyed reasonable success.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">The truth is that I am the clumsiest person on this planet. I spend most of my day rectifying what I’ve just broken or tripped over. This may come as a surprise to you, so I shall provide clear evidence and a strong case.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Last week, a wonderfully spirited elderly lady that I know needed her bush trimmed and unable to do it herself she was on the hunt for someone who could get on top of it. This was something that I felt I could take into my own hands, so I volunteered. I arrived at the house at the prearranged time complete with my new electric hedge cutters, extension lead and “Topiary for Dummies” handbook. We walked around the back where she showed me the offending bush. It had indeed got a bit ragged around the hedges! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">In true Poldark fashion (just the very mention of Poldark and I see the ladies have perked up!), I stripped off. Shirtless, I battled the unsightly bush, swashing and swathing for a good hour in the midday sun. It was starting to look great, starting to take shape, there was much to trim….until that is, without notice, the motor simply cut out. Just stopped! Nooooo. This was not good, this was very bad. Especially as I was half way through topiarising her bush into the shape of a Brazilian… Ayrton Senna (page 21). “Can you check the plug socket for me please?” I shouted in the direction of the shed, the power source. Checked. Nope, wasn’t that. I wandered up the garden, cutter in hand.. and it was at this point that I realised that my walk was unencumbered by the electrical lead. I looked back. OMG! I’d cut through the electric cable with the blades of my double action Qualcast! It was now cordless. Why was I still alive? Why weren’t my ears smoking? We stood there looking at each other in shock at the two severed cable ends. It didn’t end there. In amidst of our shock she’d dropped the shed key and it had bounced under the shed… so I got down onto my hands and knees to go find it. I couldn’t. Wasn’t there? “That’s odd” I said as I rose from off my knees to my feet and then promptly clouted my forehead on a rusty hook protruding from the wooden door. We stood there looking at each other in more shock, as the blood dripped through my fingers like a double choc chip dipped cone on a summer’s eve! Such a clown.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">It didn’t even end there either. Two days later I received a text… “Thanks for all your efforts.. I think you might have cut through my clothes line?” Apparently, there was only enough rope left for her smalls. What can I say? Except, I rest my case.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">I’m sure there was something businessy I was supposed to say? Can’t remember… oh yes come on down and see us at the beach, call 07760 126225 to book a lesson, perhaps pop into the shop and try on some of the new goodies…the sweatshirts are my favourites. And don’t forget to visit the Facebook page……we’re going to be keeping right on top of it. Just like the bush.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">My work here is done.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Pete</span></span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-49202982241243930382015-06-22T20:58:00.004+01:002015-06-22T20:58:49.171+01:00Pain au Chocolat<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You know what it's like.. stopped off at the garage for a pain au chocolat (can't beat the smell and hot choccy chips... just the thought makes me gooey) and what do ya know? All gone! Deep disappointment. Without hesitation I went straight into Plan B. A sausage roll at that time of the morning isn't right. Neither's a bacon and tomato turnover. I closed my eyes, reached out to the counter and took a lucky dip grab at the line up of hot plastic bags. Jackpot! Turned out I'd won a sausage bap, I can go with that. Get to the counter and there's a two for one deal on the Giant buttons! Giant Buttons follow the Jaffa Cake rule. Once the seal is broken you have to empty the packet. It's always been that way. So I put on half a kilo just on my way to the empire this morning. And now I feel all lethargic and rubbishy! The empire won't run itself, let's crack on shall we?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's get to the business end first. Last minute deal at the Beach House.... a weekend break. 10th /11th July £700 including unrestricted board and wetsuit hire. Sleeps ten. You know the score... give Elle a shout on 07760 126225. First to call with plastic seals the deal.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now where were we....? Beach Licences? Remember that one, Polzy 2013! OMG what a trauma! Can't even bring myself to think about it. Stressy time. Let me bring you up to date... the council at the start of this year decided to roll out a licence scheme for all surf schools. Well all the surf schools perched upon land owned by Cornwall Council. So not all, but many. This didn't affect Polzy directly but it was a proposal that was deeply flawed and having previously experienced a council department that lacked experience and judgement and therefore one I lacked confidence in, I decided to put on my waders and get fully immersed in the battle. The proposal in itself was based on generating revenue and maximising council assets. No probs with that. However, the proposal was incomplete. And being incomplete it made the beaches less safe. I won't bore you here with the facts, hey I can do that by simply talking about what I've had for brekkie, but with 23 years experience of surf coaching it couldn't be more clear to me that intervention was needed. I trotted down to County Hall, fully wadered up and observed from the public gallery as the proposal was presented to the councillors. So incensed with what I was hearing, I stood up and started making verbal observations from the said gallery. Apparently this is not within the guidelines, the meeting was stopped and I was led outside by four burlies who highlighted the error of my ways. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prior to the second and final meeting in the main chamber at County Hall I wrote personally to each of the 120 councillors. The council department insisted it was a done deal. The feedback I was getting was that it was not. And so it was proved. The final vote was so close that the proposal in it's current form was not accepted and will need to be amended and re-presented at a later date. The sadness in all of this is that the council department responsible for the beaches put the proposal forward in the first place, it showed a huge void in understanding of how a beach works. They actually believed that what they were proposing was right and that's such a worry. Beaches are the most valuable asset Cornwall has, and the best and most experienced brains should be charged with protecting both their natural state and the safety of those who enjoy them. It is not good enough to simply paper over the cracks of this department. There should be no compromise on safety over revenue, none. To put forward a proposal that sought to do just that, is acceptable to neither me as a business owner nor you as a beach user. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the upside, what I can assure you of, and what I learned is that within the grey concrete fabric of the council buildings there lie some formidable council representatives as witnessed at County Hall on that final day of reckoning. And for that, particularly on this occasion, we should all be thankful. My faith in the council process was strenghened, not weakened. We live in hope that the next proposal is complete and restores our faith in a department that needs to get this right. This isn't about winning, it's about making the beach as safe as it can possibly be. Our door will always be open if they want to chat.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And breath.....now where's that second bag. Need sugar.</span></span></div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-2270574788377455852015-02-10T16:18:00.002+00:002015-02-10T16:18:16.735+00:00Epic surf forecast for the half term<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's looking mighty good. The surf forecast. Early doors for sure, but if we're to believe what we're seeing on the charts then we're looking at head high with light winds for next week!! Not every day, but most. Mild too. It's what you've trained for. So if you're already booked to come down, you can allow yourself a bit of frothage! If you're not sure yet, it's time to commit! And if you're looking to commit and need to sort accommodation, it just so happens that the Beach House is available from this weekend, seven nights £650 sleeps ten (01208 862003 - first one to call with a card seals the deal). Bish bash bosh. Now that would be a great Valentine's Day surprise... "Darling, pack your bags. We're off to Polzy!" "Oh my god, I love you so much!" No thanks required.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the season fast approaching I'm occasionally asked what's the best way to prepare physically. When I was a stone lighter I was asked more often! Anyway, you know, you come down for a couple of weeks, you want to make the most of your time in the splish splash. Three areas to look at: arm strength for paddling, flexibility for the pop; general cardio for the exertion. Gyming it and running through an overall fitness programme is going to help, as is swimming. But not everyone has the time to jump in the car and slip on the lycra. Perhaps there's something you can do at home. There is, and it'll completely transform not just your physical condition but also zone in on those bits you need for riding those waves... specifically your pop and your turns. Yoga. All the top surfers do it. There's a dvd called Surf into Yoga by surf pro Rochelle Ballard that's very good, but to fair there's so much free stuff on Youtube... just find something you like and mix it up a bit. You don't need to chant or surround yourself with candles. A bit in the morning when you rise and a bit in the evening, job's a goodun'. Makes you feel great too. If you already do it, you'll know the benefits. If you haven't tried it, give it a go. I promise when you hit the beach and you go for that first pop, you'll notice the difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not much else to report down on the beach except that the beach licence issues are back! Cornwall Council are tendering activity licences for every beach that they own. Good plan in my view. The council team has a different look to it with new faces and we're hopeful that they'll consider the many points raised by the 500 + letters sent in by your goodselves, who wrote so passionately in support of our situation and against the change in council policy at the back end of 2013. What we've already seen is the promise of a proper tender process (unlike the 10 working days we were given to prepare a seven year licence application) and a return to surf schools being restricted with maximum pupil numbers (we couldn't agree to a licence without this condition as a no restriction policy is totally contradictary to beach safety). However, a broad sweep approach would not work as every beach is different. Polzeath, for example, has three landowners. So I hope the council take their time to look at the needs of each beach and develop a policy that has support, is safe and improves the beach experience for everyone. Not an easy job, but one worth pursuing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right that's me done. Time to light those candles and do some omming! No chance of getting me ankles stuck behind me ears at this stage, but it's not for the lack of trying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you were....</span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-39813036069430603962015-01-16T11:16:00.003+00:002015-01-16T11:16:51.179+00:00Happy New Year<div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Happy New Year!! Hope you had a good one and are frothed at the prospect of pushing boundaries in 2015. Has a good ring to it....2015, don't you think? The numbers seem to sit nicely together. 2015... yep, I like it.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Did you get in for a splash and dash over the festive period? There were a few good days to shout about. </span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Do I have any news? Yes I do... this is our 20th anniversary! How time flies! It seems like only yesterday that I drove the trailer on to the beach for the first time in 1996... actually it doesn't! I feel quite a bit older. The knees don't bend quite like they used to; my belly and moobs aren't under my control anymore; I have to wear designer face furniture to see anything within arms length; who knows where I've left the car!! I've taken to long walks to stem the tide, dog walks. Miles and miles I go. Did Twenty miles on Tuesday. I hadn't meant to... thought I'd walk up the river until I could find a place to cross. Eight miles in and I committed to the task in hand. Doesn't do anything mind... makes the knees achier, the tits saggier and the eyes runnier! But I do love it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva;">My boys have been getting pounded in the shore break.... here's a few of their momentoes! Lots more of their stuff on <a href="http://instagram.com/the_wave_photographer/">Instagram</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>South Milton / Thurlestone on a stormy day... awesome beach cafe here.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: x-small;"><i>Bantham... looking towards Bigbury</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A gnarly one at Bantham... when it's on, it's on! Such a great wave... but oh so busy! Polzy has nothing on this when it comes to overcrowding. I turned up there with the boys just before Christmas, overhead, light offshore breeze, perfection.... except there must have been 150 people out the back sitting in the line up. Carnage! Billy went in, but came out after having caught only a few citing, well citing carnage! </span></i></div>
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It's all quiet back here on Polzy Beach. The super bank to the left at the top of the beach has returned and redirected the stream over to the far right. A deep fast flowing stream following the recent rainfall... not seen it like that for a while. The bend cuts deep into the sand. The surf today is big and choppy... good for fish, and chips. It's sunny though, oh no it's not, yes it is. The weather's changeable.</div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-22078734239473052802014-07-08T10:23:00.000+01:002014-07-08T10:23:34.022+01:00And here's the other one<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And here's my big boy. Fourteen going on thirty five. If it doesn't involve a ball, he's not interested. His dream of playing professional football burns bright and if success was down to hard work alone, then he'll make it. But it's not as simple as that. It's a hugely competitive environment and a brutal journey. You need luck, you need to be in the right place at the right time, you need to stay injury free and your face needs to fit. I have huge respect for his commitment and desire, it's unwavering. All we can do is support him, feed him, chauffeur him to training and matches and see what transpires. I love the fact that he has a dream and isn't afraid to put the work in.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The shop is doing great. Sarah's got some pretty cool new stock in, including these slaps. I don't think one size fits all, but then I haven't really given that much thought. I would imagine there's different sizes in line with the fact that people have different size feet. That would make sense. Same with the hats, although head size would vary less than feet size wouldn't it? I'd say that in the shop we have less hat sizes than flip flop sizes. But that's a guess. I couldn't be sure unless I actually go on site and check. I need to lie down.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spirits are high in the camp. The instructors are working hard under the management of Wailo. He's off to see Pearl Jam twice this week! Rock and roll. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We've tickled up our lesson prices a touch. First time in yonks. From £26 to £28 for the two hour lesson. Still incredible value. I'm not entirely sure how we manage to squeeze any profits out of that, most surf schools are in the £36 - £40 range. At the same time we've reduced our ratio to a maximum of one instructor to eight students. It's often better than that to be honest. Don't forget that you can go down the private group lesson route if that's what you prefer. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Right, I'd best get down to some guitar practice for this gig on the weekend. Last night I put new strings on my guitar and polished it! Gave it a right good buffing I did. Not done that before. </span></div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-65988593575933462092014-07-01T11:43:00.001+01:002014-07-01T13:24:53.056+01:00Mahoustic is back<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's that time, time to flex those fingers and stretch those vocal chords. Mahoustic, the Surf's Up! Rock Band is back! Here's two of us below. One is an awesome lead guitarist. The other is the weak link. I'm on the left! Tintagel surf club and a fifty year celebration is our destination on the 12th July. Bring it on. We haven't played since last September, but we've been doing the same songs for ten years... if we don't know them by now! We don't! We get by! Best tickle in a bit of practice. Looking forward to rockin' it!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ah, me and the youngest, Findog at Bigbury. I can't be sure why I'm wearing the food bag as a hat! You get one free with every meal! He's my main fishing buddy, our exploits are legendary. He thinks that I'm the worst fisherman on the planet. He had a lesson the other day with an expert on a coarse fishing lake! I had a go to and on the first cast, launched the spool into the deep blue! I've never seen him laugh so hard. Hysterical he was. Until he realised that it was his spool and that was it for the day. I've never seen him cry so hard! Hysterical he was. </span></div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-52655976814048757762014-06-27T22:57:00.001+01:002014-06-27T23:19:23.857+01:00Come on in, the water's lovely<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seventeen degrees! Seventeen degrees! That's the water temp right now. A figure that we'd normally only expect to hit come late July / August. But June? The world's gone crazy. I was chatting to one of the wetsuit manufacturers only the other day and he was saying how the buying trend of the 2014 surfer has been to bypass the summer wetsuit and go straight from a winter suit to a shortie. I know I've done exactly that. The water has warmed up unbelievably quickly. Far quicker than I can ever remember. When I go out on the paddle board I just wear shorts. Who'd a thought it eh?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our website has just been updated. Well done to Avian and Elle, that was a big job but I think we're just about there. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The super bank at the top of the beach remains. Get a big clean swell and a big tide and that could be all time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's debate within mission control as to when our 20th anniversary is. We started in 1995 so if that was our first year, by right's at the end of this one, we'd have done 20 seasons. I'm gunning for a celebratory Foamie Fest over the October half term to mark the occasion! Time to dust down the guitars!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking of a long time ago, the house that we now know as the Surf's Up! Surf Centre was the third building ever to be built in Polzy! A client sent me this photo.. I love that photo. I've still got that hat!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stuart ("four right") and Amanda who started up the Cone Zone at about the same time as we started the surf school, have taken a part share in Surfside, the cafe across the far side of the beach. Despite many valiant attempts it's proved to be a tricky place to get right. But I think this time, they may just have nailed it. Steak and Lobster, that's all they do! A simple concept for the pleasure of which you'll be charged like a wounded Rhino but reviews are sky high and I for one can't wait to have a crack at one of those whoppers. Good luck to them and hope to see you there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A whirly bird would be the preferred method of entry in to or exit out of Cornwall right now. Seems there's a massive effort to repair or relay tarmac. Credit where credit's due. Easy to get frustrated in the jam, but there's never a good time and they needed sorting. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-15521071182673750682014-06-27T00:38:00.000+01:002014-06-27T01:09:37.069+01:00We have surf!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have surf! There was none and now we have some. Where before there was calm, we now have moving lumps. Where's it come from, the surf? Good question. Let's have a stab at an answer. Okay Craskie, time to go to work... surf instructor mode... go! "Hey dudes. Ready to grab the sticks and drop some bombs. Surf is life, the rest is details. Stoked man!" And back in the room. I have no idea what just happened to me then. Now let's start at the beginning, it's a very good place to start.... so ray me! Let's put aside big tides and earthquakes etc and focus on the type of waves that most commonly arrive on our beach. It's like this. The good ones come from way, way out in the Atlantic from depressions (cheer up) or as they're often known, low pressure systems (LPSs - I may be the first person to ever call them LPSs or is it LPS's? Tough call). These are created by the combo of the earth spinning and the rise and fall of pockets of air either cooling or warming. We'll save the details for another time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We'll do this my way. Imagine if you will for one moment that you're lying in a bathtub half way between Polzeath and New York. <i>(If you're reading this in your rubba dub dub then please follow instructions in brackets)</i>. You're in the middle of a deep depression, an LPS. It's windy, very windy <i>(Go "whoooooo")</i>. And the sea is rough, very rough. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>(slide up and down in a carefree manner, observe duck bobbing and weaving).</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's thunder <i>(bang on the side of the bath, plastic is preferable for this, ceramic is not). </i>And lightening<i>. (Ask partner, to flick light switch off and on.) </i>You're scared and feel vulnerable, the tub is filling with water. <i>(Shout at partner, don't just stand there, </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>grab something and start bailing!"). </i>Hello, are you still there?<i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You see, LPS's produce windy unsettled conditions. And it's the waves produced in these storms that travel all the way from the mid Atlantic and eventually end up on our shores. Whereupon we say thanks very much, I think I'll ride a few of these, do you mind? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now just because these waves are heading in our direction doesn't mean to say that the quality of the wave will be any good when it lands. No. Because ideally, in a perfect set up what we need is a lovely light offshore breeze. Let me introduce to you the alternative pressure system to the Low pressure system (LPS). Say "Hi" to the High Pressure System, or HPS as we'll know it from now on. Time to go imagining again. This time you're lying on your lilo. It's a glorious day, hardly enough of a breeze to blow you from the shallow to the deep end of the local lido. Calm water. Not a cloud in the sky. Typical weather for an HPS. Slip, slap, slop. Lovely.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do we combine the two pressure systems to make the best surf? We want a good storm out to sea, an LPS, and we want it to stay there for a good few days. Give it time to send those waves our way. And waiting on the beach with any luck we'll have a nice big high pressure system puffing the lightest puff of air out to sea, so that when those waves come to rest their weary heads on the sandy bed we can hold them up, just long enough to crank out a few top and bottom turns. Nirvana. Please note that in the summer, on a particularly hot day, we may get a sea breeze from late morning to early afternoon. This will switch the wind from off to onshore for a few hours. If you've ever wondered why surfers get up early, there's your answer. Very few have proper jobs to go to!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Local wind affects the shape of the wave.. an onshore wind will topple the top of the wave over early, making it less powerful and unpredictable. Better than nothing, but not ideal. Offshore winds hold the wave up, creating a lovely face to ride. The state of tide can affect the waves. Commonly a tide that has just started to flow, can increase the size of the waves. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here endeth today's lesson. Hope it makes sense. Hope it's been useful. </span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-51452685089741158582014-06-26T07:46:00.003+01:002014-06-26T07:46:35.081+01:00Mooorning <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Phew, couldn't get into the blogger account this morning! Not a great start to the day... well I say that but three hot oeufs and a good wishy wash with a soapy loofa and normal service has been resumed. Surf on the small side again today... it happens from time to time, but the corner is about to be turned. Waves are a heading in this direction and like you, we're itching to wax up those sticks again and tuck into a few sucky wedges. Looking at that new sandbank at high tide, that's exactly what we're going to get....sucky wedge action.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When your chosen sport relies on the combo of planet rotation and the flap of a California Tortoiseshell wing some three thousands miles away.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">..it's no wonder that from time to time the surfing conditions may not match your expectations or needs. Can you imagine waking up and finding 4ft clean surf everyday? We can dream. The reality is that our progress is determined not just by physical ability but by what we find as we draw back the curtains each morning. If it's flat, it's flat and that's the end of it. Doesn't matter if you've taken the week off especially...there's no-one you can blame (although I suggest that all complaints be sent to the Cornwall Council)...you just have to make the most of what's there.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And what do I mean by that? Well, I'm a big believer that small wave surfing (it's very rarely completely flat) is good for your development. If you look at the best surfers on the beach, the dudes who surf the biggest waves, make the steepest drops and tightest turns, the one's we all aspire to surf like, they're the same ones who are out there when it's ankle snappers. See, like they do, that the small days are part and parcel of your development and you'll up your game. For example, if you need to sharpen up your take off.... catching loads and loads of smaller waves will see you nail it much quicker than catching one or two big ones. Learning to trim the board is also a good one to practice. Put too much weight on the tail and you'll simply stop. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm not saying that catching and riding small waves is living the dream. It's not. But come the day, come the day when you drive down into the valley and see stretched out before you a faultless corduroy sea......you'll be ready to make the most of it. And that's the key to progress, it's all in the preparation. If you just surf the good days, expect your progress to take a bit longer.</span></div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-39433724908493360452014-06-18T14:27:00.001+01:002014-06-18T14:27:27.534+01:00Raising the flag<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Morning Campers...holiday homers, day visitors, locals, erm..and the rest,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">P of the Deep Blue C here...time for a Craskie update me thinks. Now then where shall we start? Shall we get stuck right into the nub? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Every morning, as the sun peeps it's shiny head above the horizon people gather by the pole at the top of Polzeath beach and respectfully observe as the lifeguards raise a blue flag to the sound of cornets and seagulls. (That's a long sentence!) </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">With great pride we've flown the Blue Flag on Polzeath Beach for a good few years now. It's a flag that's only awarded to European beaches that achieve the strict criteria set out by a well recognised voluntary eco group. The beaches that are awarded it are rightly proud as it shows that all the boxes are ticked... clean water, great facilities, environmentally friendly etc. If you're a frequent visitor you want those recognise those standards and want them to be maintained. If you're a first timer, the Blue Flag is the comfort blanket. You know even before arrival that it's going to be a winner. And that's why those beaches that don't acheive the standard, aspire to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">The worst, the very worst situation is to have it, and then lose it. Which is what has happened to all of the beaches in Cornwall, except the privately owned Carbis Bay. Why? Have standards dropped? Have we rolled the clock back twenty years when spitting out the chunks was the only natural water cleansing programme available to surfers? Are the showers no longer powerful enough to shift the sand out from in between the tootsies? No. I can hear the uncomfortable shifting of bottom cheeks on leather recliners even as I write.... two stories have emerged from the Cornwall Council. Reason number one, someone forget to put the applications in. Two, it was decided that at £500 a beach it was too expensive. Hmmmmmmm. I'll leave you to make up your own minds on this one. I have my own theories based around incompetency, ineptitude, all the 'ins' ....but best keep that to myself..... or at least until another time when I feel feisty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">The storms throughout the winter have changed the dynamics on many beaches. Where sand once lay, there is now none. And where there was none, there is now a great deal. Fistral is closed at high tide due to rock exposure. At Wembury near Plymouth, where once a level playing field could be found for beach footie, it's now a hot bed for crabbing! Polzeath has seen it's fair share of change too. For an unprecedented eight days straight the water trundled over the road, depositing a rather large sand bar on the left as you look down towards the sea. If you haven't been down for a while just be aware that the beach has changed, and once familiar currents may need to be forgotten and relearned. Polzeath remains one of the safest surfing beaches that you can find. Just be a bit more wary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We got burgled last week. Well the office and shop did. Couple of computers nicked and bits and bobs. Bit rubbish really. Avian saves everything in outer space so at least we didn't lose all of our booking sheets!! Now that would have been a nightmare. To those that did it.... please don't do it again. And if you do, we're now much better prepared! Smile!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">There's been a bit of restructuring at Surf's Up! Towers and I now have a proper job within it! Which basically means that the blog is going to be up and running, if not daily, nearly daily! I shall do my best. I need to get my blog writing muscles trimmed up again, so bear with me whilst I get back on the horse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Apart from that it's business as usual.</span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-60764839396833369512013-12-09T13:01:00.001+00:002013-12-09T13:01:38.736+00:00Remember me?<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well how dee doo dee! Remember me? Tall, dark, handsome, walks around Polzeath beach car park like I've got no knees, goes by the name of Pete.I.Am, P of the Deep Blue C? No, still nothing?! Hm..... founded Surf's Up?Paddled across the English Channel with James Cracknell (yawn)? There you go...you do remember me. Ah bless. I knew we'd get there in the end. I know it's been so long, too long... such a naughty boy, who's a naughty boy, oh yes you are, that's it, oh right there, oh that's good....and back in the room! I was gone there for a minute! Get so excited writing these enews. Anyway, you and me, we're here now, shall we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's have a little chat about the season just gone first (I've got a list of one or two official bits to mention, given to me by the Governess.. that's me orders or they'll be no mince pies apparently - let's hope that's a promise! minced meat in a pastry casing dusted with icing sugar...that's not right. That's very wrong. A Yule choccy log on the other hand is pure genius - Cadbury's obviously (Tim if you're reading....!)). So what's occuring? Thanks for asking... recently? Not much. I've had to up the maintenance routine on the hair protruding from both ear canals and the two whopper nostrils located on my face, centre mid; the chickens have put in a formal request to have their legs back; and my cones and rods function back and forth from 'what a wonderful world' to 'where am I?'.... apart from that it's all tickety boo in the growing old gracefully department. Self praise is no praise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In summary, 2013 has been a year like no other. For starters, remember those nasty grey paper shufflers who put together a pretty ropey tender process for the patch of sand we'd occupied for the past 18 years?...well a lengthy battle commenced, (thank you for your support) which concluded in us making a break for independence. Freeeeedom, Freeeeeedom, you gotta give what you take. That's enough thanks George, now hurry along back to the park. We relocated our operation to the Beach House / Office / Decking at the end of September a decision that was celebrated by our clients who on many occasions were heard to utter "this is much better. They should have moved up here years ago!" I'll take that as a compliment. I agree. Both clients and staff are enjoying the increased intimacy of the Surf's Up! experience that the new place affords. And you know what? It's wonderful to be away from the politics of the beach. We're just doing our own thing. In hindsight, we probably should have been more courageous and made the move to independence a few years back. We bought our HQ what, five years ago, but I guess we were comfortable with our sandy base, which was afterall where it all began. We engineered the timing of the move to perfection, bedding in before the October half term... which was to be our busiest ever. A relief and encouraging in equal measure. Ironically, in the end it was the council who we have most to thank.... if the tender process had been done properly, we'd still be there now! But as it is, the business is ours, it has a greater value and we save oodles of spondoolies in lease fees. Regrets? None.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather this summer? Scorchio. Plenty of time to work on those white bits. Boom time therefore?.. no, not exactly. The big ball of fire lit up the sky at exactly the same time the surf gods decided to book their hols... to Bali as it goes! Despite the weather drawing visitors aplenty to the shoreline, more than for many years, that's pretty well where they remained. In July, the two consecutive weeks of flat conditions with the occasion set of ankle snappers, were not good for business. Great for Polzeath and the shops, but not what surf school owners dream of. We spent the rest of the year playing catch up.... which we just about achieved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite my intense dislike of pies filled with mincemeat, let's take a few moments to run through some Surf's Up! Christmas treats that may be of interest. I'll be brief... selling doesn't sit comfortably with me!! The items that we have on offer range from surf lesson vouchers to a six bedded house.... how much you spend is obviously a clear indication of how much you love the recipient!! Buy the house, and I reckon you're assured of a good time for many years to come....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Surf's Up! Christmas goodies, all of which can be found on the website include... surf lesson vouchers (which include hoodies); Beach House weekend voucher - £350 (low season only); Christmas Beach House Break - available from the 20th December through to the 30th December, flexible dates (please ring Avian 07760 126225); and then of course, we have the usual shop stock ... hoodies, tees etc available through our <a href="http://www.surfsupsurfschool.com/online-shop/"><span class="s1">website</span></a>. For that special someone, or as a stocking filler, our house for sale can be found on <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?searchType=SALE&locationIdentifier=POSTCODE%5E1565278&insId=1&radius=0.0&displayPropertyType=&minBedrooms=&maxBedrooms=&minPrice=&maxPrice=&retirement=&partBuyPartRent=&maxDaysSinceAdded=&_includeSSTC=on&sortByPriceDescending=&primaryDisplayPropertyType=&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=&oldDisplayPropertyType=&oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType=&newHome=&auction=false"><span class="s1">Rightmove</span></a>.... it's got sea views and everyfink..... please buy it. Thank you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Okay, how are we doing? I think that's me done for now... oh, keep this to yourself... but I may be doing a bit of stand up paddle boarding..... and it's possible that I may actually be enjoying it.... a lot!! Must be an age thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If we don't speak before, have an amazing Christmas. We're open everyday over the holiday period (except the big day and Boxing day)... so pop in and see us if you want a lesson, hire, a chat etc....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been fun, love you loads, I'm off to chomp on a log,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Peeeeteeey xx</span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-10174506674840795692013-07-08T09:16:00.002+01:002013-07-08T09:33:38.980+01:00Polzeath beach Licence Update<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We've ummed and arrrred about this one, me and the curly cheese head. Janey's not sure. My position is that we've had so much support that really we should just keep you in the loop. The fear is that you'll be bored of it all!! Bores me I know that much. Okay, here we go. One last time. In summary, re. the beach and the licence etc... we're not going anywhere. Surf's Up! is going to rock and roll into our 19th year and beyond. Whether that's with the council on side or not, we'll have to see. Today was the day though, pay or go.... so I've written a final letter to the council officers. Have a read. If you love Polzeath the changes will affect you, no question. It's a big day for us... I'm sure you'll get that. 19 years in and we feel like we've been treated really badly. Really badly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Dear Mark, (legal services)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">As we have not heard from you re. a meeting, we have laid out our position below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We started operating at Polzeath in 1995 with the help of a Princess Youth Business Trust loan of £2k as a start up fund to purchase equipment such as boards, wetsuits, trailer etc and to print a few leaflets. Myself (two years) and Janey (six years) had prior surf coaching experience working up at Bude. In that first year, we parked where we are to this day but we weren't allowed to take money on the beach. We had to walk our clients across the road to the entrance of the Valley Caravan Park where we lived in a static. There were no computers, no mobile phones, and we responded to enquiries by hand written letter. In that first year, we set out our store that this was to be our livelihood. We'd been on a government business course where the tutor had told us, "if you want to be successful, don't chase the money, focus on the quality of the service." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">To this day the objective of Surf's Up! has never been and never will be about chasing money. We used to hear it, particularly a few years ago prior to the Wave Scheme, when we were very busy, we were an easy target.. that we were just doing it for the money. We took it as a huge compliment. We've never had a large marketing budget. It was then, as it is today about doing a good job for our students, providing a personal service, exceeding their expectations and it was these students that spread the good word. It hasn't been rocket science. We worked incredibly hard and made the most of our limited skills. As we've grown we've remained true to the philosophy that surfing is a positive life experience and knowing the impact that surfing has had on our lives, we feel a weighty responsibility to ensuring that our clients get that same opportunity. We've also felt that our pricing of lessons should be set at a level that's affordable to all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">In 1996 following support from the Parish Council, clients and local residents we approached Noel Harradine, Bruce Tyzer and Bob Pyman at the NCDC for a licence to trade in the car park. There wasn't one, so they put one together for us. The same one we now find ourselves being at odds with the council over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">A lot has happened between then and now, but in summary surfing grew to such an extent that safety in the water, particularly the white water beginner area, was being compromised with no controls in place. Following a lengthy and often heated consultation period between the NCDC, the BSA, the RNLI, Prof Green and surf schools, the Wave Scheme was put in place. It was recognised that surf hire could not at that time be controlled, however, surf schools could be. It was not seen as the perfect solution, more a good place to start. The Wave Scheme at Polzeath has been effective, very effective. It has controlled the numbers in the water and prevented accidents. Limited to just two surf schools, with restrictions in place we've been able to operate side by side with our competitors in a healthy and safe manner. When Animal / Wavehunters joined the party, of course, no-one wants competition, but their arrival was the best thing that ever happened to us. It was sink or swim. We chose to swim by focusing on getting better. Growing a business is not easy. There are challenges. Try as we might we don't always get it right. But we do our very best. We're incredibly proud of our business, it's history and we work conscientiously to maintain our reputation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">With the new restrictions in place we had to make big changes to our operation. Cutting student numbers by 75% at high tide, for example, impacted our business massively, but we took the long term view that maintaining Polzeath's reputation as safe family surfing destination was and always will be of paramount importance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">The restrictions came hand in hand with having to tender for the first time for the our surf school licence in 2006. We bid £20k on the basis that there were to be only two surf schools at Polzeath. At that time, Polzeath was booming and we could justify the tender sum. We could run a safe and sustainable business at that price. And we knew what we were bidding for. James Ortiz, in particular, was always very transparent and open with council direction. He always kept us informed and was always very quick to address any issues that we had. We always knew where we stood, even if we didn't always agree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">On a final point, during the evolution of Surf's Up! it should be recognised that in many areas we've led the surf school industry. Our Boardriders Club for example has provided cheap after school surfing lesson for an average of 150 kids a week for the past eight years. We've taken some of them on surf trips to France, Portugal and Bali. Ground breaking. And we've taken four of them from complete beginners through to the GB team where they've competed at the World Games. Ground breaking and inspirational. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We understand that our licence has to go to tender. We get that. We also recognise that the council has a duty to maximise revenue from it's assets to pay for services. Of course. However, we fail to understand why other CCC owned car parks with beach access are not subject to the same revenue maximisation as Polzeath. The value may not be as high as, but there is still value. With the demise of the Wave Scheme, tendering trading spots on CCC car parks might go some way to filling the pot required to pay for services such as life guarding and beach cleaning. Seems pretty obvious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Listed below are a few key dates that bring us to where we are now:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">09/03/12 letter from council finance department completely out of the blue saying that we owe £9,000 on back tax as Vat should have been paid on the licence fee from April 2009 to March 2012. Our accountant writes by return to say this is incorrect and Vat is not due - he lays out the reasons why and awaits a reply (he waits 378 days!). Every subsequent quarter in 2012 we receive an invoice for £5k + VAT, I ring the council accounts dept and explain that our accountant has written re. the VAT issue and that we're awaiting a response and that we could not pay an incorrect invoice. On each occasion we were assured of a quick response.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">16/08/12 Wave Scheme withdrawn mid licence term, changing the terms and conditions of the licence without notice. Other surf school groups started arriving and using the beach. Up to this point we had restricted our business and group sizes under the terms and conditions of the licence. The fee of £20k had been based on the protection provided by the Wave Scheme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">06/03/13 We learned from our competitor Andy Cameron (who subsequently went on to be the only one to tender for Pitch B) that there was to be a tender process for two surf schools on the beach. This came as a surprise as we had been the lease holder since 1996, adhered to all of it's conditions and paid in excess of £150,000 for the privilege. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">07/03/13 David Attwell writes to apologise that we heard the news in that way</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">07/03/13 Phil Jones writes to apologise for not getting in touch sooner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">09/03/13 we receive a copy of the licence application form - tenders to be in by 3pm on Friday 29nd March</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">11/03/13 I write to Mr Sharpe, Attwell and Jones highlighting the safety issues and asking relevant questions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">13/03/13 Advert In Cornish Guardian - tenders to be in by 3pm on Friday 22nd March</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Prior to 29/03/13 the council receive many letters of objection to the proposal, question the tender process and highlight safety concerns both in the car park and in the water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Prior to 29/03/13 Councillor Brian Gisbourne made enquiries to David Attwell re. the licence and was informed that an application had been made by a non - surf school business. He reported this back to the Parish Council. This proved to be untrue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Prior to 29/03/13 spoke to Phil Jones where he concurred that without additional information, it would be very hard to value Pitch A. The specific information that we required was:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">1) Will Pitch B be a surf school or provide surf services that may impact on our business. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">2) Will there be any restrictions on other surf schools operating at Polzeath</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">These answer to these two questions were absolutely essential for us to make a valuation on the Pitch and therefore to make a tender application. Without the definitive answers, valuing would be impossible. We never received an answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">29/03/13 Date of tender submission - office closed, bank holiday! We submitted the tender by hand on the 28/03/13, the three officers were on holiday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">05/04/13 Formal interviews scheduled in the time table did not happen. Instead I rang David Attwell to organise a meeting to discuss the licence issues that we had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">10/04/13 Meeting at the council officers between ourselves and Mr. Jones, Sharpe and Attwell. This was more like an interview and yet we'd requested the meeting. We were promised a copy of the Minutes asap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">10/04/13 Informed that Vat was indeed not payable on the licence fee and that the £9,000 bill was incorrect. This response came over a year after our accountants highlighted the issue and asked for clarification.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">26/04/13 letter from Karen Jackson to our solicitor has so many inaccuracies which I address in a reply on the 03/05/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">21/05/13 Our instructors save the life of an elderly gentleman who was enjoying a day out with the family, highlighting some of the safety issues at Polzeath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">02/05/13 onwards - letters from Karen Jackson, CCC legal team make no sense and conflict with letters we'd received previously from Phil Jones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">03/06/13 Following seven requests, we finally receive a copy of the Minutes - they are incomplete and make no mention of the comments made by Jolyon Sharpe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">24/06/13 letter from Mark Pearce sent to our general e-mail rather than my private e-mail. Incredibly unprofessional. The details in the letter reference licence fees due are inconsistent with the finance department. There is also a claim on the licence fee for this year. We are requested to pay £20k by the 5th July or vacate the pitch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">During the period of 11/03/13 to date: letters from the council officers, legal and finance department have been conflicting; replies to e-mails have taken two weeks; council officers often on holiday or unobtainable; Jolyon Sharpe has picked up the phone only once, I phoned him, he was on a day off and would not discuss the licence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We also during this period employed the services of a solicitor. This was because the timescale of the tender process etc led to the council giving us a ultimatum, pay the £20k or leave. We felt that we were unfairly being pushed into a corner. The process was neither transparent, open nor fair. Following the lack of information and misleading information; the lack of consultation with the RNLI, surf schools, Surfing GB and the stake holders; it felt that this was being pushed through too quickly without proper reflection on a change that was so fundamental to safety of beach users at Polzeath, we had no option but to seek help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We have copies of in excess of 500 letters written to the council to object to the new tender proposal and support for Surf's Up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">The timeline of events clearly shows service failure by the CCC. There was no tender process that was followed. And as a result there have been considerable personal injustices caused to us, our business and our staff. We were not given the opportunity to value the site because key information was not forthcoming and in some instances information that was provided was deliberately misleading. As you are aware, we have asked the Ombudsmen to look at this... they await a conclusion from your own findings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">It is quite clear that now that the beach is open to anyone to operate, Polzeath is no longer the safe surfing destination it once was. This is down to a change in council policy. You had control and you had revenue. Now you have no control, and it remains to be seen if the extra revenue (if indeed there is any) was worth the risk and fundamental change to the beach. In our opinion it will get worse as the new operators strengthen and grow their surf schools over the seven year term. It is also quite clear that with a new surf hire outfit soon to be located right next to us in combination with an open house policy on operating surf schools, £20k is not viable, sustainable or realistic. We stated this in our tender application and our position has been strengthened by witnessing the beach over Whistun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">I wonder who's experience you've leant on to make the changes and wonder whether in the event of an incident (there will be one) who stands up and takes ultimate responsibility. We all know the RNLI position on this and that the lifeguards were forbidden to make personal comment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We will continue to be at Polzeath. As the one of the most established surf schools in the UK with an unrivalled reputation, we don't fear change or sustainability. Obviously, we'd like to remain where we are... but only if it's at the right price. So our position remains the same, to get around the table and discuss where we go from here. We're happy to pay, we think we should pay... but not £20k. Not now that the goal posts have been moved. I understand that we tick all the boxes as far as what you require regarding experience of Polzeath, community value, safety record etc..... and this would be our 19th year on the same patch of sand! It would be such a shame that what has had such a huge positive impact on the success story of Polzeath should not have the support of the CCC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Yours sincerely</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">So there you have it. I'm guessing this will fall on deaf ears but we've tried our best. Forecast is looking awesome, so I'm going to slip on the speedos and work on the white bits!! No peeking now!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Update: Monday morning!! I've read the letter quite a few times and there's so much I've left out... ho hum, I'll keep that back for another time. I wish the council had done all of this over the winter rather than three weeks before the start of the season and followed a proper process of tender and consultation. The council are forever chasing instructor and life guard certificates (no need as a Surf GB Centre of Excellence) but I wonder who in the council has the qualifications and experience to make these massive decisions that affect the beach, not just for a year or two, but for the long term... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Many many thanks for all the e-mails of support and encouragement over the weekend. Hope you had a good one - was pretty awesome!!</span>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-55490140710782612622013-06-05T10:05:00.000+01:002013-06-05T10:09:54.558+01:00As good as it gets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's amazing how quickly you forget! What a summer!! Today Polzy is as good as it gets. Overhead, light offshore breeze, blazing sun... set to stay the same through the day. Sweet as. Drop everything. Come on down and join the party.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is a fly-by. Whitsun bank holiday week was busy. Lots of waves and burnt shoulders. Oh and myself and the boys caught some fishies. Much excitement as we hauled in a biggun, our first fish that wasn't a mackerel! A Pollock! As Findog fought the good fight to bring her aboard, "Stop!" I shouted. "Stop!" The boys looked puzzled. "Just let the line out a bit!" Was I about to embellish them with advanced fishing techniques? No, one of the empty hooks on the line had attached itself to my ear! Yep, that's the standard of fishing expertise in our boat!! In summary, fish were tasty, ear is sound.</span>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-78156354547449177712013-05-23T12:25:00.000+01:002013-05-23T12:25:04.125+01:00Good Work Team<br />
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">How are you diddling? (Too personal?) Bit breezy woo down here on the beach, time to hold onto yer 'ats! Talking of hats.... and wind blowing through you hair, it's the 13th anniversary today. "Congratulations Pete" "Why thank you." </span><span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">(I may well have made this anniversary up, I have). Yep, thirteen years ago today, in the morning I had hair, long enough to sit on. By the afternoon, the tonsorial artist had enough hair to stuff a medium sized scatter cushion. Gone. The long flowing locks that used to swaddle my shoulders in luxurient magnificence were chopped in a manner that I can only describe as, ruthless. Once the first sweep of Wahl clipper had been made, there was no going back. Although to be fair as the first sweep had gone... from mid eye brow, to crown, to middle of back of head, there wasn't a great deal of trimmage required such was the lack of follicle decollage. Hence the reason for the number one in the first place. Studying still warm 6 x 4's from Boots of a recent trip to South Africa, the choices were clear: Reverse Mohican, Sweep over or chop. Chop it was and what a liberating experience it was. Never looked back really.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Hairs inside my head still beat a path toward a better life in the sun. These days, however, they gather at the entrances of my head holes. They wait until there's enough of them and then in the dead of night, they break cover via nasal and aural passages. Why I'm talking about this, I have no idea!!! I could go on. No seriously I could, but you're busy... we need to move on.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">So what's new? What's news? Firstly, big pat on the back to our three instructors Paddy, Luke and Dee for quite probably saving a member of the general public in the surf on Tuesday. Paddy, who was coaching a school at the time, spotted him staggering back in the shallows. He watched as the man collapsed and lay face down in the water. Paddy chased over whilst calling for assistance from fellow Surf's Up! instructors Luke and Dee who were nearby. The man was taken away by air ambulance to Treliske where a full recovery was made. <a href="http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/RNLI-lifeguards-come-rescue-Elderly-man-collapsed/story-19068083-detail/story.html#axzz2U73DKRY8">Full story in the Cornish Guardian here</a>. Text book. We have an amazing coaching team on the beach this year, all favourites from last year and a joy to be around. Spirits in the camp are high.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Following the incident I wrote a personal letter to the Chief Executive of Cornwall County Council. I wanted reassurance that changes to beach policy are undertaken with consulation from those who work on the front line and understand the issues, rather than by those who lack experience and qualification, but still get given a title and responsibility to make decisions that affect us all. </span><span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">We work in a challenging environment that needs respect. The events of Tuesday and those in the estuary just over a week ago, are timely reminders that this is a very, very serious business. </span><span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">The council have made a complete 180 degree reversal on policy that isn't a trial for year to see how it goes, but a commitment for seven years. That's an awfully long time for the Chief Exec to have to hold his breath.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">On Saturday we're hosting up on the decking of our Beach House, the Finisterre sale. Can't wait. Their clothing is top drawer, love it. If you want to grab yourself a bargain, this would be your moment. As well as innovative jackets and wooly jumpers made from their own sheep, they also do an award winning range of merino pants that never smell. I can testify to that. If you turn them inside out and put them on back to front, you know, mix it up a bit, it's incredible how long they'll last between washes!!</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><a href="http://www.finisterreuk.com/summer_sales"><img height="90" mce_src="http://img.ymlp.com/g14e_376642997056934531.jpeg" mce_style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://img.ymlp.com/g14e_376642997056934531.jpeg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0pt; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0pt; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0pt; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0pt;" width="728" /></a></span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Surf's looking good for the bank holiday weekend, particularly for beginners and improvers. If you're around during the week, you could see some of the big stuff too. Lessons are everyday at 10am, 12pm and 2pm - 07760 126225 - pre-booking highly recommended.</span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Also, last minute availability at our flat - from Sunday 26th May, 5 nights - £250 including 5 surfing lessons. Would suit anyone looking to get some boxes ticked for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. </span></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">My work here, for now, is done. PC... MD of surfing empire!</span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-25061682684655993982013-04-26T10:40:00.001+01:002013-04-26T10:54:37.248+01:00No news as yet<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nothing to report. We expected a letter from the council with a new proposal last Friday, that hasn't arrived yet. So we're no further forward as yet. We're not standing still though... lots going on. In the absence of any direction from the council we're looking at alternatives... and to be honest as time goes on, they stack up quite nicely. Really frustrating to have this going on at this time of year when all our efforts should be focused on the year ahead.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What I want to know is whether the council are prepared to bend their own duty of care considerations, risk assessments and HSE policies to drive this through in order to raise more cash. If they do, we'll operate independently. No question.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Cornwall Council have a Beach Management Strategy - here's the link - <a href="http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=33530">http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=33530</a> - it's all there. And here below is the specific page relating to Polzeath. If you click on it, it should grow before your eyes!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gig on Saturday night was great fun. Really enjoyed it. Good vibe, fun was had and I think we played okay considering a six months absence from the rock scene. But those there will be the judge of that! There were lots of smiley faces looking back at me and I take that as a good sign.</span></div>
Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-69727534178919129432013-04-18T18:49:00.002+01:002013-04-26T10:24:15.125+01:00Oh, thats interesting!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Interesting facts:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cornwall Council Car Park Income/ surf school fees</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gwithian - £103k / £0</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Widemouth - £97k / £900<br />Summerleaze - £178k / £675<br />Crooklets - £54k / £225<br /><br /><b>Polzeath - £141k / £20,225 from Surfs Up! Surf School</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Why? Why isn't the Cornwall County Council putting other spots out for tender? The council tell us that they need to find the value of their land..... so why aren't these beach car parks put out to tender too? </span></span>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-31733849593032241252013-04-18T10:51:00.002+01:002013-04-18T10:55:46.335+01:00Tempted<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tempted, very tempted, but holding back. That's our position. The national press want a slice of this... they would. Polzeath holiday destination of the PM and Harry and William, you bet they want the story...we're just not quite ready yet. We're a big surf school, but a small business. And that's the way we like it. We have no illusion of grandeur, not looking for an opportunity to get beyond our station. All we actually want is to be able to continue to run our surf school as we have done for the last 18 years, on a safe beach.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of the 500 + emails sent to the council that I've seen.... one came through yesterday that was short, but to the point. It reads as follows...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perhaps you could answer a straightforward question. Has the control of the number of surfing students on the beach at any one time been addressed in the tender documentation?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If it has, then tenderers will be able to take a view on the prescribed number of clients it may be able to attract and therefore price its bid accordingly. If it has not, then, without doubt, the safety of the surfers and thereby the public is being compromised as you are giving the green light for each of the surfing schools to maximise the number of students in the water at any one time.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do not be fooled that '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Establishing the new licensed framework for surf tuition from the Council’s land will enable the authority to set minimum standards to ensure a quality experience for the user in line with the historic standards within the former WAVES scheme</i>.'... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">because that simply is not true. What the council have chosen to omit</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> in this statement is that there will now no longer be any restriction on other surf schools using Polzeath as a teaching venue and there will no longer be any restriction on the number of surfers any surf school can teach at one time. High tide on a hot summer's day? Oh my God! Oh my God. This is absolutely not in line with the former Wave Scheme. It couldn't be further apart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Anyway, it's business as usual. Van off to get sign written next week - whether we stay where we are or move two yards away... we'll still be here and we're resolved to make it the best year ever! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">We were going to give this the 'One more night' tag line..... but we've been using that one for the past nine years! No one buys it anymore! </span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-39746581523422224182013-04-17T11:50:00.000+01:002013-04-17T12:09:42.498+01:00Looking forwards<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Firstly let's congratulate two of our former Surf's Up! Boardriders - Liam and Max who both triumphed at the recent Rip Curl Grom Search. A fantastic achievement by both. Trained over a few years intensively by our elite coach and Kiwi, Kelly O'Toole these boys have been going head to head for a while now. It'll be interesting to track their careers as they progress into the older age categories.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Surf today - head high, windy but warm. I much prefer it like this. It's almost balmy! Sunny yesterday. My bonce is browner than on Monday for sure.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking of balmy, went to the solicitors yesterday... that all went well. Few paths to explore for sure. And then if it comes to it we're looking at a bill of £25k -30k to go to Judicial Review. Costly for sure. We'd have to sell one of our kids, but needs must and the cause is a good one! I like to see myself as a visonary :-) and what I see in three years time is sun, surf and three surf schools battling it out to pay for big licence fees in an over crowded black and white surf zone whilst the perpetrators are long gone. It's not about today or tomorrow - it's what happens within that 7 year lease period. The problem only gets worse. And the problem is there to stay. It's irreversible. That's why we have to stand up for what we think is right. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The council are bending the rules of risk assessments and HSE and it's not right in any shape or form. It sets a precedent. Do you know what I'd really like to know? Where's the expertise coming from to make these decisions. The impact is huge, these are fundamental changes to the way the beaches are managed..... consultation should have been undertaken. If, as I suspect, the council are leaning on someone without the necessary experience, we will get to the bottom of it. Because no-one in their right mind would go forward with this proposal. It's a recipe for disaster. It's a way to raise cash so that someone can stay in employment. But they're not going to get it. If we pull out from the tender process and park 5 yds away, take the view that we'd rather pay £300 for a parking ticket, spend the £19,700 on developing our business in a different way, who's going to pay £20k to sit next to us? You'd think they'd take a view and do the same. What's been proved in this process is that at the end of the lease term, you have a business that you can't sell on and that therefore has no value. I think the council are at risk of making less money than last year, not more. But we'll see. I believe in people, and I like to see the best in people. I'm also a fatalist ie things happen for a reason. How many of you have said, this could be the best thing that's ever happened to you. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I should thank you again for the letters of support - we'd like to somehow publish them, it's hard to comprehend the efforts that have been made to write about your connection with Polzeath and real genuine concern that it retains it's appeal. Humbling, make no mistake. Oh and I used to think no-one read my blogs or newsletters - apparently some of you do.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Right, I suppose I'd better do some guitar and singing practice for Saturday. The last time our band played together was September and we won't have time for a rehearsal. We're going to wing it. History tells me that in our case a good rehearsal is no guarantee of a good gig. We've had some shockers! Standing behind the mike can be the loneliest of places when it's all going wrong. I lost my voice once at a private party during the second song. The Amy Whitehouse tribute singer came back on stage to lend a hand. There's a low light right there! But at the same time, I've been past head high amongst the assembled for a bit of crowd surfing - at the Oystercatcher as it goes, which is where we're playing this weekend. I'm hoping that adrenaline, fear and a drunk audience will win the day! Whatever happens, it'll be fun and I feel there'll be a bit more energy and angst to channel into the vocals this time around. Ladies and gentleman, let's get ready to rumble! Oh nearly forget, how rude... of course on Saturday, we'll also be celebrating Plymouth Argyle staying in the football league and the start of their charge towards the Premiership. Get in!</span></div>
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-11760559879418829222013-04-16T10:21:00.001+01:002013-04-17T12:13:37.493+01:00Council Reply<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">We are truly humbled by the support. I've just seen a response sent out today by Jolyon, Countryside Officer for Cornwall County Council, who I believe lacks the experience to head this up. I've inserted my comments - the lies, inconsistencies and inference that by adding a further surf school represents a step forward re. beach safety is totally incorrect, dangerous and foolish. Letter and reply as follows.... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;">The licence awarded to the existing provider of surf tuition from the Polzeath Car Park recently expired after a long period of operation </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">(18 years)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;">. The Council has a duty to achieve best value from publicly owned assets, which informed its decision to advertise two opportunities for licences </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>(where and when was the consultation process to turn the car park spaces into a trading pitch - apparently the reason why this isn't being done on any other beach is because the consultation process is lengthy)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"> through a publicly advertised </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>(wrong dates, not on tender website, no reply to questions asked, submission date on bank holiday)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"> competitive process </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;">. The existing provider was notified of the Council’s intention to tender </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>(the first we heard about this was through our main competitor the day before it went in the paper - upon which we were given 14 working days. The previous tender was carried out over an 8 week period).</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">The Council has now evaluated the tenders received and has offered the opportunity to trade from the car park to two successful businesses catering for surf tuition and hire. The Council’s proposed licence agreements would contain the same standards covered by the former WAVES scheme to ensure the highest operating and health and safety thresholds are met. </span><span style="color: #f7303f;"><i>(except the numero uno condition - they've taken away any restrictions on numbers ie we can take in as many students as we like with no reference to tide or season. Really? Wow! At high tide we used to be restricted to 20 students, we could now take in 100? plus the two other schools, plus any other surf schools operating on the beach as they've taken away that restriction too. Free for all.)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">The Council recognises the importance of the beaches to the environment and economy of Cornwall and is committed to ensuring that it works with both local communities and businesses </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>(the council have received over 500 e-mails opposing the introduction of a new surf school - it has not in any way worked with the local community or businesses)</i></span><span style="color: navy;"> to ensure that these are managed in a sensitive way. Revenue generated from the issuing of licences is used to support the provision of services such as beach cleansing and Lifeguards and the authority is required to ensure that it generates the best possible value for Council Taxpayers’ money. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>(which brings us back to - the tender sum will be the key criteria and why not roll it out on ever beach).</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">Local authorities in this area have worked with activity providers on the beach for a number of years to try and improve standards and manage the quality of experience in the surf zone. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>(so why change it now - why the backward step?)</i></span><span style="color: navy;"> Polzeath has a number of surf hire outlets (including the surf schools) and shops in the village selling surf equipment, many of which operate without the formal structure that relate to Cornwall Council’s procedures. Establishing the new licensed framework for surf tuition from the Council’s land will enable the authority to set minimum standards to ensure a quality experience for the user in line with the historic standards within the former WAVES scheme. (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Absolutely total rubbish!!! That is a complete falsehood of the situation and the statement should be retracted. What has actually happened is they've taken away any restrictions - ie we can teach as many people as we like at any state of time, whilst at the same time allowing any surf school to operate on the beach - the situation before was that there were only two surf schools permitted to operate, now any surf school can operate).</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0a0001;">So in summary - it's all about the money, end of, cloaked in misleading info about making the beach safer. The statement 'new licensed framework for surf tuition from the Council’s land will enable the authority to set minimum standards to ensure a quality experience for the user in line with the historic standards within the former WAVES scheme.'.... is absolute nonsense. Complete nonsense. No one would agree with this statement. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0a0001;">I think the council is assuming that you have no knowledge of how the beach works. With their actions I think you have more. This is a fob off and totally unacceptable. With falsehoods such as this, into misleading the general public that this is going to better.... I truly believe now that enough is enough and the council officers need to stand down or at the very least hold an open meeting so that the points can be discussed in an open and transparent way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I believe that there may be a fourth Muskateer who is watching all this from his ivory tower... you might like to make your views known.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alford Jonny (<a href="mailto:jalford@cornwall.gov.uk">jalford@cornwall.gov.uk</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"><b style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #0068cf; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jolyon Sharpe - 01208 262836 / 07974 916505<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <span style="color: #333399;"><a href="mailto:jolyon.sharpe@cornwall.gov.uk">jolyon.sharpe@cornwall.gov.uk</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Off to see the solictors this afternoon - Compliants Procedure in process, Ombudsman informed and watching. Will consider a Judicial Review, </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">may consider setting up a fighting fund in return for lesson vouchers to go down that route as it's costly. But all so unnecessary.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Other news - erm, well obviously this is dominating our every waking hour. Massive thanks to everyone who's shown such amazing support.. it's been quite a journey! We feel we need a knees up, music soothes the savage beast, so the Surf's Up! rock band Mahoustic (Wailo, lead guitarist; me, vocals and weak link; Grattman, bass former instructor; Will, drums and mate) - we're going to play up at the Oystercatcher this Saturday. Might just have a bit of angst to release with our Foo Fighter, Pearl Jam covers. All welcome!! Be great to see you there.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705925747739409451.post-74214928532173482192013-04-15T12:11:00.002+01:002013-04-15T12:11:49.642+01:00Onward<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know of another 200+ letters that were sent via e-mail to the council on Friday and over the weekend opposing the new surf school. So that's over 500 that I know about. Will they read them? Doubt it! So Complaints Procedure in process, Ombudsmen informed and watching with interest, meeting with solicitors tomorrow. Not going to sit back and take it. Press lined up as and when we need them. We've had a deadline moved to Wednesday... think a lot will happen between now and then. Really miffed that the council misled the district councillor by saying they'd had a bid from a business that wasn't surf related - that was to deflect the criticism, it was a lie.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Surf today is massive! A 6.1 m high tide and it swept under our trailer - wow! That's never happened before. I blame the council. I told you they'd lost all control of our beaches!</span>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648495348522374438noreply@blogger.com0