Old Trafford here we come

I have to admit to being super excited about this coming weekend. I said to Billy last night, "Wouldn't it be terrible if we forgot you! Yes, I'm sorry. Billy couldn't make it! Anyway let's crack on." We're heading up to Old Trafford where Billy's been invited up for a training day. So he's going to actually play on the pitch, how cool is that? Had the itinerary through yesterday. Sounds like they've put together the most amazing day for them. And the Man Utd PR machine is in full swing! Jane's Mum first saw his curly locks in the Bristol press.

We went to a meeting last night to officially sign papers etc for Plymouth Argyle. It's all very serious stuff - and exciting. Question - "There's a stadium full of 75,000 kids of your age. How many of those kids will go on to make it as a professional football player?" Answer - Seven and a half. Question- "Apart from your family, what's the most important thing in your life" Correct answer - School. "And the second, most important?" A. School. "And the third?" School. It was all good stuff. Lots of advice about lifestyle, sleeping, eating... if they're going to invest time and money on the youth, they want a return. As parents, we too had to sign the contract to agree what our commitment would be. Not that that's in question. What they're trying to establish is that being signed for Plymouth doesn't mean you're going to make it, but you have the opportunity to, if you do all the right things. And they'll give him all the help he needs. He's in very good hands.

Did I mention that I'd shaved my legs (for cycling)? I believe I did. Top tip - don't do it! Feels like sleeping on a bed of nettles. But did take 5 mins off my Polzeath to Ivybridge PB last night, silky smooth legs is a good placebo. For the record - 55 miles, 2 hour 38 mins, average speed 20.3mph. I can get from Polzeath and across the Tamar Bridge in under two hours now (with the promise of a choccy bar on the Devon side), which is a big improvement. Getting some miles in the legs for the Ironman (a year and one week away). The target - swim - one hour, bike - five and a half hours, that leaves three and half hours for the marathon. Ten hours is the target. So I reckon I need to be working towards a Polzeath - Ivybridge time of 2 hours 20 mins by this time next year. Hm, might need to shave those arms.

PS. None of the above has anything to do with surfing or the surf school! Just chit chat, that's all. Just a bit of casual chit chat..

Blue Flag

Polzeath has been awarded the Blue Flag, one of only five beaches in Cornwall and 32 in the UK! That's pretty cool.

I quote "The Blue Flag is a guarantee to visitors that the beach has excellent facilities, is litter free and has achieved a high standard of water quality."

Itchy and Unsightly

Itchy and unsightly - and that's just my legs. I've decided to join the ranks of 'proper' cyclists by shaving my legs. I'll be honest, I don't have the best looking legs. My varicose veins, or 'worm casts' as my boys refer to them - not that pretty. But the reduced drag should eek an extra 5 seconds off my time to Plymouth! After last weeks debacle of punctures, blow outs and falling head over heals in the petrol station forecourt (it was mighty slippery, it hurt.. a lot, and it was busy "I'm fine thanks").

Now let me say a word about Swansea. Billy had a match against Swansea City FC - and what a match it was. Some really fantastic footie. The highest quality match Billy's been involved in - he played really well. Plymouth lost 1-0. Anyway, point is we decided to make a weekend of it so checked into a hotel on Saturday afternoon. Tried a quiet getaway, but in the Foyer was Sam's (beach manager) brother. What's the chances? He used to work for us but he's a Barrister now! We loved Swansea - sun, sea, surf, great footie club, brilliant sports facilities - loved everything about it.

Ditch the rubber.

Pretty sweet out there this morning. Chest high on the sets, wind from the SSE - only a couple in the water. Overcast - but warm. Summer suits - kiss goodbye to the boots and gloves!

Whitsun Mania

Bookings coming in thick and fast for Whitsun - looking like it could be a record breaker! I need to pay tribute to my team who are doing a fantastic job on the beach, in the office and in the shop. I'll get some photos and do a proper run through of the crew over the next couple of days.

Billy gets Signed

It's been unbelievably stressful - week after week, waiting to find out. And then yesterday, we were summoned! "Billy, can you ask your Mum and Dad to come and see me after I've seen these other parents please." I have to admit I felt a bit sick. As we approached the coach, the previous parents shook their head. Their lad hadn't made it in. He began, "Firstly, thanks for your support of Billy. We really appreciate all your efforts of driving around and coming all the way over here..." I didn't like the way this was going! "We think Billy's doing really well and we'd like to sign him up!" Had it been appropriate to strip off naked and run around the pitch we would have done - but this wasn't the time or the place! But that's pretty much how it felt. You never know what the coaches are thinking or what they're looking for - you just don't know what they're going to say. I think Billy's played some great football, he's come on under the guidance of Ian and works hard during training - but as I said, you just never know.

Awesome news. It's as if our lives have been on hold. We know how much Billy has wanted this and he's worked so hard. We had a good long chat with his coach, who is an ex pro footballer so you tend to listen very carefully to what he has to say, having made the journey himself. There's stuff Billy needs to focus on "It's not the best players here today that will make it. It's the ones that work the hardest and put in the practice." Couldn't be any more complicated than that.

So he's in. First step on a long road. Breaking into an established team, and to be one of only 14 boys in the his age group in Devon and Cornwall is a great achievement. If you want to make it, as Billy does, then this is where he needs to be. It's the quality and intensity of training that's so important, and having the opportunity to play against other league teams. If you want to get noticed, there's no other way. We're very, very proud of him and I think when he left for school this morning he'd grown a couple of inches.

So that's one in! Now there's Fin - who's also on trial in the younger age group. Oh, the stress of it all!

Easter Endeth

Well that was the longest Easter/May bank holiday period known to man. And it coincided as we all know with a spell of fantastic weather, surf and offshore winds. It could not have been any better. A great start to the year - in fact April was 22% busier at the surf school on previous years. Sweet as.

Bit of change today - cold wind, small surf, no-one on the beach!

United!

Today we say goodbye to our Freestyle girls (16) - Aleisha, Alana and Jess - who've been coming to the surf school over the winter for some on the job training. It's been interesting watching them develop and grow as individuals. I hope they leave feeling more confident in themselves and their abilities. They're not really into the surfing, but I'm sure careers in other industries await. We wish them all the best.

Surf's Up! Elite - Competition News

Max Payne with Spencer Hargraves after Welsh Open

The Surf's Up! Elite Squad have been at it again... Max Payne had a successful Easter weekend up in Wales in the Quiksilver Welsh National championships. He won the Under 14 and Under 16 titles, and came 3rd in the Under 18s, just missing out on the Triple Crown. He dominated the weekend against their highest ever nationals entry, and it was made all the more sweet as it was in front of his sponsors, the Quiksilver gang, who did the judging and presentation (including Spencer just back from Oz). Big Congrats to him.

Max Payne and Liam Murray - have qualified for the Volcom European finals, so this week they're all heading off to Biarritz to compete against Europes best under 16 surfers. A tough call, but should be great experience for them both. The squad also includes Surf's Up! Elite riders Harry Timson and Tom Good so the UK has a great little team heading down to the south of France for the May day bank holiday. Best of luck to them all.

ps. Liam has a couple of boards for sale - Black and White, VGC, 5'8 x 18 - £220 and a Bunty, VGC, 5'10 x 19 - £220. Both worth a look!

pps surf 2ft, sweet as.

Eleven day holiday hype

Surf still hanging in - 3ft, wind from the North. Much quieter this morning on the beach.