Billy gets the Call

Okay then Billyman, here's your chance! Last night we received the news that Billy has been invited to trial for Plymouth Argyle - starting tomorrow. Despite Argyle's financial problems, the youth set up is very strong. Down in these parts it's a big deal to get the call. These chances are very hard to come by. So you have to grab them by the scruff and see where they take you. He'll get a maximum of six weeks, at which point he'll either get sent home (with no dinner!) or they'll sign him up (he can choose his dinner!). Fingers crossed on this one. Competition is fierce.

Good to Go!

That was hard! Coming back from hols. I can't lie, it's been a struggle getting back into the swing of things. When was it, on Saturday the shop was full and I went in to help. When I got to the till it was like I'd never done it before. It all felt a bit odd! Still fully in holiday mode.

But today is different - back dealing with all the enquiries, getting them sorted. The Beach House is flying this year, so that's good. Very few dates left to fill. The sun is shining, so no complaints.

I mentioned on here a while ago that I really fancied doing the RAAM - the bike race across America. I watched the DVD Bicycle Dreams, the story of the RAAM on the weekend. How depressing was that? Far from finding it inspirational, I found it really ... stupid. One of the competitors got knocked off his bike by a sixteen wheel truck in a fatal accident. He left behind his wife and kids - for what?

So that's a big no no. But what is a big yes, yes is the Lanzarote Ironman 2012. No down side to that. I know I can do the cycle, I know I can do the swim with a bit of training - the challenge (apart from putting it all together) lies in the run. I used to be a good runner, but have a history of pulled achilles and hammies. So running is something that I avoid. But maybe this is the opportunity to getting my legs sorted once and for all, do the stretching, do the exercises, build some strength slowly over time. Yep, so that's where my head is and training has already begun.

Surfing GB

Following the demise of the BSA, surfing's governing body - a new organisation has been set up to take it's place - Surfing GB. The day before going on hols, I had a meeting with them down at Fistral with a few of the bigger surf schools and have agreed to come on board to help set out the new criteria and programmes for surf schools and instructors. To be honest, it's been a long time coming, but I think between us we can really up make a difference and bring it all up to date. Lots of work to do in a short space of time, but we should be able to bring it all together in time for the new season.

The Blues

I really wasn't looking forward to Lanzarote! In my heart of hearts, Bali was where I wanted to be going as we boarded the plane. But Lanzarote it was, and more specifically Club La Santa. To cut a long story short, it turned out to be an inspired choice. It would have taken something special to top our Bali Adventure last year, but even I would have to admit that for us as a family it surpassed all expectations. Could have stayed there a lot longer!

From the moment we arrived, to the moment we left, everything seemed to fall into place. CLS (as it's known) is a complete one off, very inspirational - dedicated to fitness and sport - with the added bonus of being hot and sunny! All the facilities you could ever need. Loved it. We'll definitely be going back again - sooner the better!

Cycling up Tabayesco - 10k climb. Nasty!

Pumping at La Santa

Bit more top to bottom than Polzeath! Actually, I think this is the heaviest wave I've ever seen! Just pumping - no-one out!

Staying at Club La Santa, which is in a world of it's own. A world of Lycra in fact! Everyone is either running or cycling or swimming - it's incessant! Today we've been cycling, windsurfing, swimming, rowing, canoeing, footballing.. and that's day one! I need my bed now!

Surf report for today

Only a few in the line-up - 3ft, fresh south-easterly. Looks like loads of fun.

One of the first Foamie Fests - but not the first. Never forget that one as the rain never stopped! Here's some of the local crew about to head down for their heat!

From the left Janey, Bully and Smithy

This must have been taken during our first week on Polzeath in 1995. As Janey said, "Wow, looks like we were really organised!" Doesn't always feel like that now.

Yes, still ploughing through loads of photos for the book. Think we might make some headway on it on hols. La Santa here we come! One more sleep.

Packing!

And so to the surfboard pack! Why do I feel that I should take extra care bubble wrapping the boards for a Ryan Air short haul flight as opposed to a Singapore airlines long haul? Haven't flown with RA before - seems good value on the face of it, until the extras are factored in. For example, if you want to sit anywhere near your own kids! When they were younger, I wouldn't have cared - "dude you can put them where you like as long as they're not near me." Flying with toddlers - I'd struggle to find a positive, not a joy for me. But now they're older, the in-flight entertainment keeps them happy for a while.

The weekend? Urm, footie followed by footie. I got quite involved in Billy's under 12 game. "Come on Ref!" I screamed as he let another foul pass by. He shouted something back.

Back in the clubhouse, the ref came up for 'a chat'. "I was playing advantage. Your team had the ball." he stated. "That wasn't my point! That was the number 6's third bad challenge within as many minutes. He'd kicked the ball off and pulled a shirt. He was a thug and I'm not sure why you didn't have a chat with him. These kids need to learn." I said calmly.

"Number six? That's my lad."

"Great player that number six. Great player." I went off to get a cheese burger.

Tough tough game. The boys won 3 - 1 and lead the Cornwall Premiership. It's a very hard and close league - there's two teams with games in hand who could draw level. It's going to go to the wire.

isurf

Well it's all going on back here - (all regular updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/petecraske). First off, we have a new website domain - www.isurf.co.uk - if you go to the site you'll see that it links straight to the surf school. This is temporary as the new site gets built. No clues on what's going to be on it - we're keeping this one close to our chests. But it's a big development.

Surf's been pumping last couple of days. Trailer's off the beach as the water is just about reaching the road. I cycled out to Port Quin on the coast path this morning, took a few photos. Got a puncture and walked the four miles back! Of course I know a lot of people around here so there was plenty of waving as the cars drove by. Which was nice, but what I really wanted was a lift!

Looking Back

I know... supposed to look forwards and all that! Thing is, I really like looking back.. as much as I like looking forward. Is that a bad thing? I love retracing the journey. We went up to Bristol on the weekend for Jane's Nan's memorial service, and on the side table was a photo album. And in the album were a load of photos of when Edna had come over from Brisbane, back in 1996! So we saw all these photos of her time in Polzeath, one year after we started. I was stoked to see them and I'm going to get some copies soon.

Here a few early day shots with Janey teaching - used to be just the two of us. It's the corner stone of everything we do. Grassroots that's us!