Let's just take a moment....

We may be a long way from the city, but our thoughts are with the families and businesses affected by the mindless violence last night. I watched Sky News until the early hours of the morning, stunned, like most people no doubt at what was unfolding.

Hats off to the lady in the red coat sat at the bus stop, sitting patiently for the number 42 whilst all around was carnage. You wait for a bus and then....... none come along! Hm, I blame the glaziers - they started it.

If you've read The Master Strategist (I recommend it) Mr. Patel discusses that this age we live in is the tipping point, where the best of everything can be the worst of everything. Developments in communication, warfare, medicine, technology, transport etc - can all have very positive effects on our lives but at the same time can be very destructive. Social networks, blueberries etc can bring a swift call to arms - and that is very dangerous, particularly in the hands of a disenfranchised youth. The other side, is we can all take photos of the hooligans on the mobile phones and give them to the police.

Blast from the past

The boys are back in town - Nigel on the left and Ben on the right. I'm the pretty one in the middle! Ben and Nigel came to the surf school in our first year. Nigel choosing us because we were the only school that gave a hand written reply to their enquiry (the others must have had typewriters) so this was back in 1995. They visit now and again and it's always great to have a catch up. I love these guys. We went for a couple of surf's together - sun out 3ft on the sets, sweet as.

Ben runs the Black Bottle in Winchester, if you're passing pop in and say hi. There's no bar, you get your drinks from wall dispensers. Brilliant. And if you need to get there from Portsmouth then Nige may well be driving your train! Top blokes - happy days.

Now on a more sombre note - if you follow our blog (I say, our. I mean, my) you'll know that we go to Plymouth a lot - five times this week in fact, for the boys footie training. We got invited for a meeting at Home Park last night with all the junior squads which was very interesting. (They say that one in 10,000 junior players make it, but once you're in a club squad that figure goes down to one in ten! All to play for.) Anyway last Saturday we went into the City centre for a few bits and pieces. We couldn't believe what we were seeing - five shops in Drakes Circus have closed down and the less said about the two main shopping streets the better. It's as if, all of sudden, business owners have got out while they can. It is dire and actually quite shocking!

Polzeath has been quiet. Very quiet. Camps sites at the end of July a quarter full compared with full last year. We're protected at the surf school a bit because we get a lot of schools pre-booked, we're not reliant on passing trade, but even we're quieter than normal. Having said that the shop is up on last year following a strong July - against the odds! Yippee! And I have a theory on this. Firstly, we've got a lot more choice - it's not just hoodies and tees anymore. We've got a whole range of men's, women's and kids clothing plus own brand wetsuits. People have commented when they visit the shop that there's so much to choose from now. And secondly, I think we've got the pricing spot on. The Surf's Up! philosophy has always been to make what we do accessible to all - the surf lessons for example are £26 - in Newquay or Harlyn it'll be nearer the £40 mark! And yet the quality of the lesson, I would say, is the best on offer anywhere. And the hoodies for example, start at £25 and go up to £35 (the ones that came in yesterday are stunning!), compared to £50 plus for a main brand name. So it's a part of our business that we're really happy with - well done Sarah. I should say that the beach team is doing a fantastic job and following a chat with Wailin yesterday we're going to be working hard to keep the same team together for next year.

The other side of the business, the Beach House - has also been rocking and rolling.

Surf today? 2ft, light winds - sun trying to break through. I'm going to tickle into a few at low tide with the boys.

Big Sam ripping it up this afternoon. Busy on the beach.

Surf, Surf, Surf

The surf's been lining up beautifully the last few days. Two to three foot, light breeze. Even I have been hitting it hard! Twice already today and it's only two o'clock. Last night was epic. I'd enjoyed a really good session earlier in the day and when I came down to do the final trailer pack, I thought "Hang on, there's some fun to be had out there" the returning instructors, confirming my suspicions. So I paddled out at about 9.30pm, with the light fading fast and the sun long gone. The great thing about late night surfing is that the faces on the waves are jet black, it makes them look much bigger. Timing the take off is a challenge as they look steeper than they are. So a few went by that I should have caught, but the last one was worth waiting for in the 3ft plus range. Happy days.

Let me introduce you to the sheep in the field next to our house. Our dog Libby has learned not to chase them, which is pretty cool. She was right next to me when I took this photo last night, hence the faces all looking up in my direction. It was exactly at this point that I wondered about going for another surf - it's already looking a bit gloomy.

(ps slow news day)

Misty

I didn't bother bringing my camera down this morning. I don't have a mist filter! Good news is that it's clearing up - so we can now see the surf! 1-2ft, glass, overcast. And really not that busy on the beach. The Police were busy warning everyone that this was the 'great getaway' and that the roads would be packed - but that hasn't been the case. Not yet anyway. Driving to and from Plymouth yesterday there was very little traffic around and the campsites are still very quiet. Personally, I think it's a good thing. There's room for everyone to move. As businesses you just cut your cloth accordingly. But I'm not sure everyone will agree.

Update - sun's out, and there's a few people about!

The sun is out, the sky is blue

Went to watch Joseph at St. Minver School yesterday - both performances, wasn't going to miss Billy in his 'ensemble and hairy Ishmalite' role. What a huge amount of effort must have gone into that. There were a few tears in the hall. I expect there will be more on Friday, when the seven years they've been together, comes to an end.

The sun is out today, sun and surf - 2ft, bit onshore but no-ones complaining. It's been a bit miserable the past few days. I think everyone's expecting a mass arrival of holiday makers on the weekend, so fair weather is what we want. It's been so much quieter generally around on the beach in June and July, people just haven't been around. Scary to think that we're nearly into August.

Rhys - ripping it up

Here's one of our Surf's Up! Elite riders, Rhys enjoying some shack time in France. photo courtesy of Tim Nunn. Way to go Rhys, way to go!

That's Jonny Boy modelling the new tops! He does have a head! Jonny Boy came into the office yesterday for what he thought was a ticking off having not closed down the shop properly the night before. He looked quite scared! I had to explain to him that firstly, yes, we would like him to turn off the lights, computers tv etc. But secondly, he should hold his head up high because he's doing a really great job, working hard and getting lots of good feed back from his students. Make sure our clients have a good time and are looked after - that's all we really care about. Lights, computers - it's not something we're going to lose sleep over.

Weather today? bit wet as it goes - should brighten up later. Surf's not so bad - 3-4ft moderate North-West breeze.

Jenga

Anyone else get the feeling that all this hacking saga is a bit like watching a game of Jenga - you just know eventually that it's all going to come crashing down and then spread much wider then you ever could have imagined. In the City, for example? There must be hacking going on amongst the banking world with so much money on the line. There must be. Of course the fear if you're a celebrity is finding out that you haven't been hacked. The shame of it.

New Stock

It's all here - nice shiny new stock that's been flying off the shelves since the delivery last week! The long sleeve hooded tops (thin hoodies) are a revelation and I'd take them all except that apparently we need to have them in the shop! Taking some photos tomorrow - and then they'll go on-line. If you want one, you'll need to be quick. Limited editions. Ooooh.

Rain, rain, go away, come back in September!

Just sanctioned Kelly's trip to France to support Toby in the Pro Juniors. Fingers crossed on that one. Toby's had a bit of time out, but has come back with avengence. When he says he's not surfing very well, he'll follow the statement up with a 360 aerial, it's all relative I guess. Good to see him back and firing. Good luck.

Keepy uppy records broken this weekend. Billyman - 410, Findog - 110. Interested? Thought not, but I have no further news.

Yes I do. Well done Tom on The Apprentice. Loving your work. He's one of those guys who was born to wear glasses. Such a great look.