Where there's a will there's a wave!

There you go - there's me saying the surf was a bit on the small size when out of the water come two familiar Surf's Up! client faces, clutching longboards, having had an amazing time. And why not? Great stuff.

Okay Van Persie shouldn't have been sent off, but what a travesty it would have been had Barca not made it through. We'd have been deprived of watching what is probably the best team ever assembled since someone decided it would be a better game if the ball was round. Poetry in motion. Oh, and Arsenal were rubbish. Plymouth won!! Green Army - of course with Billy now doing Plymouth Trials (have I mentioned that!) the survival of the club has become a little bit more personal. Talking of being signed up - Mahoustic has I believe been booked to play four gigs already this year. Seems that we have a bit of a Tintagel following. Talking of 'followers' - on Twitter, Charlie Sheen (legend) has nearly 2.5 million. I have 100! I'm just going onto the roof of the office to wave a machete around, that should do the trick!

So what's going down? I know - I was chatting to some friends yesterday. They live locally and enjoy a lovely sea view. The people in front have just extended their house, to such an extent that they've lost their view! That's wrong on so many levels (no pun intended). There's no legal right to a view, but common decency would dictate that you just wouldn't do that. They're going to sell their house and presumably buy a house on the front row. Annoys me that kind of thing. Oh and while I'm on it, pot holes!! Caused by ice, snow, and big fat lorries doing all this building! It's my view that a contribution should be paid by Developers to help keep the roads in a good state. As a keen cyclist, my bottom isn't taking to all this bumpiness at all well!

Not good for Beginners and Improvers!

The old surf school adage "Where there's a will there's a wave!" would be tested today. Not a lot happening out there - although it's a stunning day. Can't beat a bit of Spring sunshine to lift the spirits.

Billy donned the green shirt to play his first match for Plymouth Argyle on Sunday. All part of his six week trial. What an opportunity! He's put himself in the mix.... It's really stressful being the parent, that's for sure. But this is exactly where he needs to be.

Wailin is back in the office after returning from a successful Bali tour. Good to see him back.

New Indian Restaurant to Open at Polzeath

The owners of the Raj, in Wadebridge are opening a new restaurant here at good old Polzy. It's taking the place of what used to be Saltwater up on Tristram Cliff (if you look out to sea, up on the left hand side). Previous owners have struggled to make a go of what has to be one of the most stunning restaurant locations in Cornwall, but I have a sneaky suspicion that this could be the one to come good.

"What's all that about?"

In the words of a poor comedian, "What's all that about?" Icy puddles and frost on the windscreen this morning! Good news is, the sun's out and despite the chilly start, we're all set for a stunning day.

Surfing GB, the new organisation taking over the role from the now disgraced BSA, is making efforts to wipe the slate clean and rebuild the reputation of a surfing governing body. It's quite clear that a back to basics approach needs to be taken. It's a chance to rebuild and get it right. No point in just trying to restart under a different name with the same blood. The last lot blew it, big time and quite frankly, should be embarrassed about it.

Jamie James riding one this morning! Photo by Kinta

Many questions remain about the last body - one in particular that I'd be keen to have resolved. The BSA used to have it's own surf school right on Fistral. The National Surfing Centre. As you'd expect it was one of the busiest in the country. Anyway, one day it was gone. A position that I had campaigned for, for years. How you can you be in competition with the gov

erning body? A GB should be there to support and ensure standards. But it must have had a value - a pretty good value, where monies would have gone to the BSA. Bear in mind it went under because it ran out of money. Had it gone to tender we may well have thrown our hat in. Many would have done. But a deal was done on the quiet and there's no record of money changing hands? Really? There is no record of anything being paid for it. And that just begs the question, doesn't it. No money changed hands for one of the most prestigious surf schools in the UK? Not even a penny for all the equipment, of which they had loads?

"What's all that about?"

Sean Taylor getting the hang of it this morning. Photo Kinta

And then we look at the training programmes and instructor courses. If you ran a beginners lesson in the the way that the BSA professed, your business would last about....... a day. The lesson plan was just so sterile. Lacking the dynamism that the sport naturally embraces.

Change is necessary. But change may be painful and not welcomed by all. But lessons have to be learned. We sit on the 'advice panel' and my recommendations have been - under promise, over achieve; bring all the training back in house to ensure standards and that monies get paid directly to the organisation; establish Fistral as the HQ for Elite training; keep it simple. This is a re-building exercise. Over the years the faith and trust in the BSA was completely lost by members - the new organisation cannot expect to convert these members back immediately it will take time. On foundations of ensuring public safety; establishing fun and progressive lessons; a support network for surf schools and instructors - this can be re-established. And let's not worry about those who don't want to be a part right now. That's totally understandable. We've all been served badly for many years. Turn it around and create an organisation so strong and supportive that individuals, clubs and schools start knocking on their door. That will take time, but it's goal worth striving for.

The Bali trip has been and gone. Wailin's reporting back for duty on Monday where he'll be giving us the full low down. Not sure when he boards the return flight, but it must be soon. Sounds like they've all had an amazing time, as always.

Surf today? Dropping, few sets still in the chest high range, light wind. If you're in the area a surf session might be good for the soul.

Billy's big night tonight. Subconsciously it must be on my mind - it's 11am and I'm on my 4th Mochacheeeno! Come on my son.

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.