Mexico Remenising

I was lucky enough to get my story of our Mexico trip in this months wavelength magazine. I was stoked they used some of Janines photos. They could have used better shots from the archives I sent them but either way I was just stoked to get my story in their and the support that continually comes from the guys that look after me with threads. I looked at my page earlier and realised Im not far away from having 1000 views so this post is to boost it closer to that figure (hopefully).

Winter 2013

Well its been a long winter for all of us and the cold weather seems to be hanging on just that little bit longer than expected. However summer is nearly with us and lots of stuff has been going on in my life which I will have pleasure sharing with you! Janine and I hit up Mexico in mid january for 9 weeks which was all time. I will post more photos up soon when I get the time. It's the start of contest season and last month I took part in the Elusive welsh Open which was a cool event. Unfortunately I got pipped in the semis. The whole weekend was amazing though as I had  the chance to catch up with some amazing friends in the welsh sunshine. Lastly I have just picked up a brand new stick from diplock surfboards and It flies! Pretty stoked on life at the moment. Summer is around the corner and the waves have been a-ok. Hopefully catch you in the lineup.

North Devon a few weeks back!

The new toy

Selfie at Elusive welsh Open. Pic Claire Beach Spirit

Home Pumping!

Elusive Welsh Open 2013. Pic Claire beach spirit

Mexican Pipeline. Stay tuned for lots more of these!

Elusive Crew. Legends!

Fresh OD site and end of year THANKS.

I've just discovered Obsessive-Disorder have revamped their website. I'm fortunate enough and very privaleged to be apart of the OD surf team for 2013. OD are a cornish surf accesories brand who produce quality Deck pads, Leashes, Boardsocks, clothing and surf wax. I will be stoked to offer my feedback over 2013. I have recently been sent some great accessories from OD and cant wait to test all their gear out. Especially when I go to Mexico in 2 weeks!

I would also like to thank my sponsors Elusive and Diplock Phoenix Surfboards for some great designs.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Maldives 2012

Back in june/july the Elusive team hit up the Maldives on a 10 day voyage that was incredible. Greg Norman, Eoin MCcarthey Deering and myself had a fun trip organised by Nick Clewer (founder of Elusive). Below are some of my favourite snaps of the trip kindly taken by Zac Gibson.

The story is written by myself in wavelength magazine. So go check it out now, either on the shelves or subscribing online.

Hopefully the trip can be arranged again for next year as I'm already day dreaming about going back, what a place!

Elusive contest

Janine, Ester Spears and I made the relatively short Journey to South Wales over the weekend.
I competed in my sponser's contest, The Elusive Welsh Open.

As forecasted swell conditions were tiny and the decision was made prior to Saturday that they would complete the contest on that day as it would gradually die of flatness syndrome!

All in all it was a successful contest and I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Nick at Elusive for organising another Rad event.

Unfortunately I just missed out on a podium spot and finished 3rd in my semfinal heat. Conditions were really against all competitors involved apart from the groms!

My congratulations go to Mike Young who took out the open Men's final in the testing conditions.
I'm proper jealous as he won a trip for 2 to Portugal!

Hopefully I can improve my result for the next comp and also for the Elusive Welsh Open 2013!

Catch ya soon!

Survival

I bet anyone that looks on my page thought I gave up the old blogging malarky. That's not the case, I just had a long winter out of action due to injury, so for that reason and the surf being generally poor made no news for me!All is grand now though, I've been back in action nearly 3 weeks now and I couldn't be more stoked.Being out for that long really made me appreciate what I do on a daily basis, SURF!

Also, the fact that I have been extremely slack with updates is also the reason.Now its easter, the sun is out more and the waves were pumping last week I thought I should get a crack on.

Lowtide Croyde last week

The contest season is upon those who compete like myself are gearing up for it all. I have made a few dates of upcoming contests in my diary so I will keep you informed on where I am in the UK and how I get on. The first event of the year is being organised by my sponsor Elusive, the event will be held at Porthcawl beach in south Wales in 2 weeks time. So I will keep you informed on what goes down.

I picked up my first pair of surfplugs the other day, apparently the time was right for me to get plugs as my ears were lets just say a little clogged inside!

Showreel.....

Gotta give it to my mate Luke James Parkhouse! he has edited all of my best pieces of footage from travels over the past few years. Wish I had the I.T skills he has! Maybe I should learn harder?

Thanks Luke great Video.

Check out Luke's blogpage lifeproductionsuk.blogspot.com

Sorry, Slack.

   

Sorry fellow bloggers/followers I don't even have any excuses. I've been so slack recently in updating my blog. It's not like my life is really boring or anything or I don't get up to much.

Firstly Movember was a success and I'm not just on about the porno Mo! I managed to raise a few quid for Movember itself. Im going to do it every year for sure.

It's been a busy few weeks of surfing in North Devon with all the usual sheltered spots turning on as is more of the norm this time of year. Christmas is 8 days away now, Im proper excited about having a few social drinks here and there.

Cheers, lets have a proper merry crimbo!

Yew

Nearly There.

My tash is well on the way to looking like an 80's porn king. However i'm trying not to think about it as it makes me a little ill! No it's looking good now with just a few days left of growth. I then need to decide if its worth carrying on after or not.

November has been the best month for swell I have ever witnessed. Thats a bold fact. We've had week after week of clean solid groundswells we usually end up dreaming about. The only thing different is thats actually reality.

Stay tuned for some horrible tash pictures!

Movember

Well november is in full swing, surf has been pumping since my last post. Comps have been coming thick and fast Wesward Ho! Came 3rd overall at the British Interclubs's. Even better the groms won their category, well done fellas!

13 days in

Quater Final Heat ukpst Lynmouth Photo Rob Tibbles

3rd place at the interclubs (Sorry it's sideways)

A few photo's from this months features.....

Soooooooo Good

It's been such a sick week for waves, events, party's and much much more. First of all the swell has been awesome for 6 days in a row (miracle). The lynmouth contest that was moved to tuesday was fun although I'm a little gutted I didnt get past the quater finals in clean 3ft reeling lefts. Never mind! The next contest is this weekend at Wooly, where the Interclubs will commence. I'm sure all the Ho's! are raring to go. Followed by the Newquay Open at fistral which is next weekend. Stay tuned to me blog as I will let you know what goes down In November Bazza town.
I have also just discovered Slater has just won his 11th World title in San Francisco (Freak)!

The second installment of Wwho's! Eyeball Local Lowdown has been released so check that out and let me know if its shit or if you love it?! Always open to opinions.......
Anyhow peace out homies and enjoy the swell times1

Thursday

Thursday was fun scored 2 banging surfs and had some great shacks over Croyde with mike, Luke and Rob. This is a clip that my sis took on thursday morning.....

Indian Summer





Croyde on Saturday 1st October



Thrsday Sandbar By Janine Horn



From the 29th of September until 2nd of October we had what I personally thought, the very last glimpse of summer. Throughout those days the swell all over our coastline was pumping. Waking up everyday felt like rolling out of bed on "proper" holiday and when I say proper I mean warm weather and fun waves!

Thursday was sick. Janine and I had a few hours to ourselves which was about 4hours before other commitments came into play.
We decided to go south instead of north because

A) South is generally a lot less crowded.
B) More options to choose from.

I scored a super fun bank with waves in the 4-5ft range by myself for 3 hours. Like I said before it felt like I was abroad. Perfectly groomed offshore waves with the odd barrel here and there.

For friday saturday and sunday the swell dropped a little but always pumped. I was working on the beach experiencing some of the best waves we've had in months with some of the best sandbars the south west had to offer for us lucky North Devonians.

It felt like an August bank holiday with all the people about enjoying the weather and swell.

Overall it made me realise that I have to pinch myself from time to time as to what a beautiful place I live in. It's weird how I do take it all for granted sometimes, which is nuts. You only need to look around you and realise North Devon is a cool place. (Especially when the sun and surf stays put for a while in October!)

Eyballhq.tv have introduced The Local Lowdown. Which is a monthly news blog from the Five main beaches in North Devon. The whole idea around the Local Lowdown is to provide goss and all the news, Contest Reports, Big Wave Events, Airshows, Image Galleries, Shapers, Surf Schools, Videos, Forecasts and much, much more – of course including the naming and shaming of individuals, who did what, who did nothing, who did who. Anything goes. each month from all of the beaches in the area.

Stay tuned by going to Eyeball and following my monthly reports from the HO!

MishMash...

The weekend saw the 19th Jesus surf classic at Croyde however this year was a bit different as sunday was out of control. Phil williams decided to make the call to finish the remainder of the heats at P-land on sunday.
I surfed really well throughout the contest and managed to make my first Jesus open final coming 3rd. Satisfied! Thanks to Christian Surfers.

Go Bobby!

The Quiksilver Pro has been an interesting contest. Standouts so far have been Slater's usual talent, Josh Kerr's stupid airs, Brazilian frothing from Adriano De Souza, Alejo Muniz and most surprisingly Heitor Alves! Bobby Martinez won his round 2 heat against Bede Durbidge, during his post heat interview he kicked off at the ASP click for more and check out the funny video of Bobby below. Beware of the strong language involved though!
On another note its the 19th annual Jesus surf classic at Croyde this weekend, hopefully I can get a good result, keep tuned in on how I get on.

Cheers

Diplock/Phoenix

Stoked to add this addition to my quiver, picked it up last thursday and have only surfed it the once at croyde the following day. Usually it takes me a while to get used to a new board but after a few waves it just seemed to fly!  We just need more swell as I'm frothing to get on it again.

Big up Diplock surfboards and check out the website if your keen on a sick new stick!

Pumped!

Large swell expected over the next few days. Not here of course. And by all accounts its going to be getting out of control.....Oh the excititement

Speed

Found this picture lingering on Magicseaweed, that was probably the biggest wave I have surfed this summer and I cant begin to express more that its been a really poor few months for swell. I think it was taken in may some time after I had been home a few weeks.

Oh Jeffrey!

Bit of a funny year for swell at J-bay this year. However from round 3 to 5 it pumped. Above are some of my favourite highlights from the Billabong Pro 2011.

Juncart

          

One of my close mates is new to the blogging world and is doing an awesome job at promoting his Creative Art. Check out the page and more importantly follow Ryan's Creations!