Billy Burners

That was so stressful!! Watching Billy race. Particularly when he's a marked man. "Billy Craske won't win this year" one Dad was overhead to say. And we were aware that one athletics club had trained their team with Billy specifically in mind - running the route several times a week. Everyone, it seemed, was up for it.

So Billy stood on the start line of the Cornish Cross County Championships having won the last two years by a clear margin. That doesn't make it any easier. In fact the weight of expectation was a heavy burden and just before the race he was quite upset.

He waited on the line for the off. Sit in the pack, wait until you hit the end of the slope second time around and then hit the Billy Burners. That was the plan. Billy has many supporters, which is really nice, but maybe even they were concerned when he passed the terraced supporters on the first circuit in fourth place. But as he passed me, I gave him the big thumbs up. Perfect. On the second pass, he'd moved into second (another big thumbs up) and by the time he reached the white house, he'd fired up the Billy Burners and was gone! It was a really great performance. One well beyond his years.

Billyman running through some post race analysis with Findog, who seems to be following in the footsteps of his big brother.

That's a county hat trick - three years on the trot. Which is a very tough thing to pull off. Of course there will be a lot of parents pleased to see the back of Billy as he moves in the summer to Secondary School! But I have some very bad news for them - Findog is following hot on the Billyman's trail - and he quite likes winning too! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Billy's greatest challenge still remains - to get into the Plymouth Argyle Youth Squad! He's there training with the squad twice a week now, and he's doing great. But as the main coach stated, "We don't need good, we've got good. We're looking for something different." I think he gives them that, but then I am his Dad (and running race strategist!) so I would say that wouldn't I? We'll know in a few weeks time whether they think he's different too. Until then, he's just got to let his feet do the talking!.. and hope that Argyle stay in business!

Murder?

I might have looked like a serial killer as I scrambled across the barbed wire fence, my jacket drenched in blood. But the reality was somewhat different! On a walk down near Pentewan we stumbled upon a lamb that had fallen down the hill and was in a bit of state. It couldn't move and was covered in blood. "Do you know where the nearest farm is?" we asked a local. "Up there, but I wouldn't hold your breath. The farmer doesn't have the greatest reputation for being compassionate!" With two concerned young boys in on the mission, that wasn't what we wanted to hear.

With this information logged we picked up the lamb and took it back to the car. Plan A was to take it back to Mike who owns Carruan Farm back here in Polzeath, see what he recommended. We found his number, and I gave him a call. "You need to get it back to it's mum and then let nature take it's course." Sound advice. We headed back down the footpath, over the fence, through the brambles and up the steepest hill! We could hear the flock, and maybe even the bleating of the mum. Up and up we went, the boys excited by the whole rescue adventure.

When we finally arrived at the field, we put the lamb down. "At first the mum may not look concerned, but in time she will come back." Mikey had said. The lamb made a few crys and one of the mums made some noises. We took our leave and watched from a distance, the lamb unable to move. Nothing happened, but our job was done. Three hours we'd been on the mission and with the light fading, there was no more we could do.

After football yesterday down near St. Austell we decided to go and see what had become of the lamb, or 'Dead meat' as Fin had nicknamed him. Bones and skulls littered the field, so we didn't hold out a whole load of hope, but we did care about the little fellow. Back up the field, through the bracken and over to the flock that had gathered by the gate. And there was 'Deadmeat' up and about, dragging one back leg, but alive and well and with mum! Ah! We were chuffed anyway.

Okay, not the greatest story - but it's the best I've got right now!

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!