Snow Day up on Exmoor

Well with the surf flat, and the weather cold, what better way to spend a day than to go in search of snow up in Exmoor National Park, and then pop into a local pub for some lunch!!

Some pictures from our adventure...

A couple of surf films to check out...

A couple of surf film Trailers... Amazing!

MODERN COLLECTIVE



SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

Hawaii - Week 1 Highlights

Another video from the Rock.... only 9 days before the journey begins!

Hawaii

The first big swell of the hawaii winter season hit this week and its 3 weeks today we will be flying out to the islands!! Check out this GoPro HD Hero Video shot @ Pipeline.

NAW @ Blue Reef - Bristol

This has nothing to do with surfing what so ever so if your expecting something surf related, then feel free to go away now. If you happen to be interested in fish… or even very large fish tanks for that matter, then read on! The 13th National Aquarium Workshop was held in Bristol last weekend and as normal, we were there to represent the Ilfracombe Aquarium. The now, Blue Reef @ Bristol (which used to be wild walk) is stunning, really Cool exhibits with a HUGE life support system - well worth a visit! Think we all got a lot out of the weekend, including possibly THE best breakfast ever! Would like to thank all the guys over at Blue Reef for making us feel welcome and for the great food!

Beer...

Well, since the contest at the weekend, my board has not left its bag, the weather has been shocking and winter is here.... still, I think I have seen probably 2 of the BEST adverts ever this week... check em out!




and...

The WBSC Grunta League

The final contest of the year kicked off Sunday morning. Check in at the RedBarn was held at 9:30 and the surf was looking pretty shocking at this point and not only that - it was cold, freezing even, still THERE WAS SURF so the call was made, and after much arguing to move the contest site to Combsgate for some shelter and better wave quality. The contest kicked off with the tide dropping and as it hit the low tide banks and started to push, it just got better and better! At its best, it was a little over head high and I had some of the best waves I think I have ever had in a contest! I was happy to make the final after not surfing in a contest all summer. Paul "Barracat" Barrington didn't manage to cheat his way to victory, Stu Campbell was on fire as always, Lightning bolt team rider Josh Witts was surfing really well in the early heats and the free surf and looked like he could go all the way to winning the event but one bad heat saw an upset and he bowed out meaning only one thing, Charley Charlesworth of Croyde was crowned the 2010 Grunta League Champion!! Congrats to Charley and everyone who helped out to make for a great day of competition! Stoked.

Photos: Ste & Trev

R.I.P Andy Irons.

The 32-year-old was reported to be suffering from dengue fever and had missed a flight home to Hawaii when he was found by hotel staff.

Earlier this week Irons, a legend in the surfing world, had pulled out of a world surfing tour event in Puerto Rico because of illness.

Andrew Flitton, a spokesman for Irons' main sponsor Billabong, told Australia's Surfing Life that Irons first flew from Puerto Rico to Miami, where he spent two days on an IV drip.

He then insisted on returning to Hawaii to see his own doctor, but became sick and missed a connecting flight from Dallas, the magazine reported.

The Association of Surfing Professionals confirmed his death.

"He had reportedly been battling with dengue fever, a viral disease," the ASP said in a statement.

Irons, who was the only surfer to challenge nine-times world champion Kelly Slater, leaves behind a heavily pregnant wife.

A statement from his family thanked his friends and fans for their support, and asked for privacy "during this time of profound loss".

Irons had won a total of 19 world tour victories and was crowned world champion in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He was the only professional surfer to win at every location on the world tour.

His most recent tour victory was in September, when he won the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

Dave Prodan, ASP international media manager, said that Irons' death was a massive blow to the sporting community.

"This is in my opinion one of the most devastating losses, not just to the surfing world, but to the international sporting community in general," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Obviously Andy was more than just a three-time ASP world champion. He was a hero to literally millions of kids who surfed and who didn't surf around the world, and to grown-ups as well.

"I can't imagine the impact this is going to have but it's certainly something that we will feel the world over for many years to come."

Irons, who grew up on Maui, was known for his powerful and stylish surfing.

Mr Prodan said: "I think people will remember Andy for his unparalleled ability and overall comprehensive approach to surfing.

"He never compromised anything, whether it be his approach, or his competitive tactics or anything."





Report courtesy or the Telegraph.

Quiksilver Pro France - Video

France

well, its been a while, I guess I've been a little busy.... anyways better late than never! September was a fantastic month with some good waves at home to start and finishing off in the South of France! We sailed across the English Channel with LD Lines from Portsmouth to Le Havre. We arrived in La Havre around 8am and set off on our drive down to the south with was to take 7 1/2 hours which was quick! The first night we decided to stay in a pine forest just outside Hossegor, cooked some food and got an early night ready to get in the water the next morning. We had travelled down to get some surfing done and to watch the WCT event - The Quiksilver pro France which is pretty much what we did, we headed over to Cote de Basque for a nice chilled out session and to fine some more "longboard friendly" waves. We had a couple or really fun sessions there over the next couple of days. I had the opportunity to surf most or the spots over the next week including Capreton, Hossegor, Ondres, Cote de Basque and best of all Mundaka in Spain. One of the mornings, the surf got up and we made the call to head down to Spain and check out mundaka as the Quik pro had been called off until lunchtime and what a call it was (thanks Rico) We arrived to find some, although not classic mundaka, really fun chest to just overhead waves running down the sandbar. We watched it for some time and checked out the rips and after watching some of the locals getting in and out, decided to give it a go, and what a session in was, one of the best of the holiday!! Such an awesome location with the old church over looking the break with the small village next to it! The next couple of days got really big with 8-10' barrels unloading onto the sandbars at hossegor, this was the time to watch the pro's compete for the title! We had an amazing couple of days watching Slater, Dane, Mick and Taj plus the other CT crew pulling to some of the biggest tubes I've ever seen down there... and making them!! Watching is all well and good but at some point, you just need to get in so instead of risking almost certain death paddling out at hossegor, we drove back down to Cote de Basque down the coast which was going off with some really nice 4-6' surf and a really hollow inside section. We had a couple of hours surf here and then headed back over to watch more of the Quik pro. On our last day in the South, they held the final heats of the Quik pro, big clean perfect surf, full sun and 2 of the best surfers on the planet out in the water, there is no better show on earth! Mick Fanning eventually came out on top with slightly better wave selection and walked away the 2010 Quiksilver Pro Champion, now with the contest over, its always a great vibe out around the town of Hossegor in the evening with all the pro's kicking back and relaxing, we were luck enough to meet Mick Fanning later on in Cafe de Paris along with Taj and Jordy Smith!! All that was left was for the long drive home, we checked a couple of spots at Il de Oleron but nothing really looked worth getting wet for so we made the decision to carry on heading North to La Rochelle which I think is a beautiful place with a great outdoor cafe lifestyle, nice boats and an even better Marina. we went for a drink in one of the bars and a wander around the town before crashing out in the back of the van for the night on the marina. Next morning we were left was to complete our drive back to out ferry home to England after an amazing break. I would love to say it all went smoothly but that would be incorrect.... there were a few minor issues while in France which included half destroying a petrol station, speeding tickets, parking tickets, having to hide from French police and causing chaos in a French McDonalds and so on but I won't go into that on here... Next stop... Hawaii!!