So.. not as easy as it seems!

Until the team start blogging, I'll keep the family snaps coming (that should do the trick!).

Tonight on the cliff path from Polzeath to Daymer Bay. I'm not sure bikes are allowed but considerate use never seems to be a problem. It got me thinking, if you owned one of the front row houses along that stretch - it would be mighty difficult to motivate yourself to anything. I mean, that's as good as it gets isn't it?

Wailin with some Boardriders this evening - we've got over 150 kids who come to after school surf sessions with us throughout the week. The kids are really into it this year, and have come back after the winter break totally stoked to be back in the water. Good to see.

And here's Kelly on his cliff top perch! He trains the Surf's Up! Team Riders, many of whom have represented GB. It's mostly video training, which he takes here and then reviews back in the office. Tonight we had some of the big guns that we haven't seen for a while ripping it up.

I caught up with two of our original Boardriders today in the shop - Danny Runnalls and Henry Simmons. Both really decent young men - quiet, considered - good guys. They've used their surfing to travel during year offs - Danny to Bali and Oz, Henry to South Island, NZ. It was only a quick catchup, but great to see them.

Changes - About time

"I'm just not sure I'm going the right way with it." I said to Janey as we walked around Torquay! "The Blog. I've gone off track! I'm boring everyone!" I say everyone, that makes it sound like more than one reader!

We've done a bit of thinking. As of today there are going to be big changes to this page! I'm going to step back and let the crew get struck in, because all this chat about my family etc is not really what should be on here. The role of myself and Janey has changed - we come in in the morning, do what we need to do and then leave the ship in the hands of 'management'. The long hours that we did in the early days have freed up our time to be with the boys, which suits us well - but that's of no interest to anyone else really. Now, we can only walk away from the beach with great people in place. And it's their direct involvement on the beach that will lead to our staff writing stuff that is far more interesting and relevant. All part of the evolution.

In summary, what you're going to see on this page from now on are 'guest blogs' straight from the front line. If you're lucky we might even be able to tickle one in from Wailin this morning (although he's just said that he needs to the staff rota for next week first! I think he's stalling).

Here's a couple of the bloggers...

Wailin, Beach Manager. If you've been to Surf's Up! or even if you've been to Polzeath, you'll know Wailin. Awesome lead guitarist, surf coach, manager and right hand man. He's been with us so long now that I can't actually remember when he joined - he can fill in the blanks. He's got two amazing kids - Elliot and Mabel. Couldn't have a better man at the helm.

Coach Megs - has come right the way through the ranks of the Boardriders to be a fully paid up member of the team. Great instructor, really enjoys inspiring other ladies to get into surfing, has been to France, Portugal and Bali with us. She's off to a party tomorrow night and would like to tell you all about her new dress!! I said the blog would change, I didn't say it would get any better!

Before I go, I would like to send our best wishes to John Walters. He's a local lad who's Dad runs Black and White. On Saturday morning he was cycling down the steep hill into Polzeath when his brakes failed. He went past our shop, made it partway around the corner before hitting the curb - he flew over the pathway to the Galleon Cafe and landed on the sand. He beat himself up good and proper. I heard this morning that he's come out of hospital but some of the injuries will take a while to heal. Sounds like he was a very, very lucky boy and had he not been so physically fit and strong, well let's not think about that.

Okay that's me for today - off to pick up the new hoodies. Wow, a whole blog without mention of my boys or football! Doh!

One other thing. Watch out for a new arrival on the beach - our new mascot Kooky!!

One other thing. Don't forget if you want the latest Polzeath photos - then you can see them on my twitter feed - http://twitter.com/#!/petecraske - no mention of boys or football on there either. Doh!

Mahoustic - One Night Only

One Night Only is, of course, a joke! Now in our tenth year (one day I'll nail the lyrics), we call every performance, One Night Only, as that was the original intention. We've had two practices, one last week and one last night, slipped in a couple of new numbers - I think we're good to go. Helps when you're surrounded by great musicians as I am. And when you get a good crowd - alcohol flowing normally works too!

Not the prettiest of days today - drizzle upon drizzle, but the instructors still managed to go and catch a few waves. There are not many days they can't find good reason not to go in.

The Theatre of Dreams

Being put through their paces on the hallowed turf

I don't think any of us really took in what went on this weekend. It was all a bit dream like - that's why they call it the Theatre of Dreams ( I was out there playing in my own mind, throwing the odd shimmy, scoring in the top right hand corner in front of the adoring crowd). Billy's a foot taller today - walking out through the tunnel at Old Trafford, training on the hallowed turf.... I could indulge, but interest is probably limited to immediate family - so I won't! Needless to say, we were very proud parents.

I don't remember my name ever being written on any stadium signs!

The players hardly ever go to Old Trafford - only on match days and functions. All the work happens down at Carrington, the training centre 10 mins down the road. Time to head on down.

Manchester was pretty cool. With Utd winning the Premier League and City, the FA Cup, it was a good place to be. Spent most of Saturday in the Trafford Park shopping centre - packed and buzzing, no sign of recession. Just hasn't got any beaches.

The training centre at Carrington - the indoor astro! You'd expect Man Utd to have the best - and they do.

Billy produced his best football - Plymouth Argyle training is really bringing him on. This is where he wants to be. I'm not going to bet against it!

Made the long journey back from Manchester yesterday morning, in time to load up Fin for his training at Plymouth Argyle. A long old day in the car. All good though - his squad was cut from 20 players to 16 yesterday - he's very much in the mix.

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!