Cheers to Nick for taking the pics and getting wet feet!Sunday, 18 December 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Stormy Tuesday....
It was a brave soul that entered the water on this cold and wintery morning down at our local beach and today there were 3 brave souls- Phil,Marshall and me.
The tide was too high at 9 but soon dropped and we all rigged our 4.2's in anticipation of what was to come. Two runs and we were hit with the 50+knot squall and spent the next 10 mins cowering under our sails on the beach waiting for the squall to pass. It eventually did and the wind settled down to a steady 30 knots with the odd mental gust pushing through. The surf was huge and all the reefs were sucking and boiling, it was a froth pit from hell. We sailed for about 30 mins until it became to shallow and thanked our lucky stars that we were all still in one piece. This was extreme windsurfing-overpowered, hanging on for grim death and battling with the elements. A couple of mates and a short burst of adrenalin just what the doctor ordered.... until the next time.....
Looks inviting?!?
Tide on the drop - on the beach
The tide was too high at 9 but soon dropped and we all rigged our 4.2's in anticipation of what was to come. Two runs and we were hit with the 50+knot squall and spent the next 10 mins cowering under our sails on the beach waiting for the squall to pass. It eventually did and the wind settled down to a steady 30 knots with the odd mental gust pushing through. The surf was huge and all the reefs were sucking and boiling, it was a froth pit from hell. We sailed for about 30 mins until it became to shallow and thanked our lucky stars that we were all still in one piece. This was extreme windsurfing-overpowered, hanging on for grim death and battling with the elements. A couple of mates and a short burst of adrenalin just what the doctor ordered.... until the next time.....
Looks inviting?!?
Tide on the drop - on the beach
Monday, 12 December 2011
Sitting Pretty!
Yeeeehaaaa!!!
This is what we as windsurfers dream about...It only happens about once or twice a year but a series of deep low pressure systems are winding up and about to give us some insane conditions!!!
Today-Monday was a taster of what is about to come. Starky was just getting out at Vaz and saying how bad it was with big holes in the wind so I was a bit sceptical before heading in with me old mate Harty.
Well, what can I say apart from it was a bit of a "Brucey bonus". The wind had backed to the SSW and we were flying around on the 5.3's, slipping and sliding off the lip and cranking some sweet moves off the 4-5 foot swell. I took Starky's quad for a blast and had an awesome time on this sweet little board. There are so many different shapes, sizes and fin configurations out there that it has made windsurfing a lot more exciting but whatever type of equipment you're using then you're sure to have a good time when the conditions turn on...
Lets hope that we get some more classic wave sailing action - see you down the beach!!
This is what we as windsurfers dream about...It only happens about once or twice a year but a series of deep low pressure systems are winding up and about to give us some insane conditions!!!
Today-Monday was a taster of what is about to come. Starky was just getting out at Vaz and saying how bad it was with big holes in the wind so I was a bit sceptical before heading in with me old mate Harty.
Well, what can I say apart from it was a bit of a "Brucey bonus". The wind had backed to the SSW and we were flying around on the 5.3's, slipping and sliding off the lip and cranking some sweet moves off the 4-5 foot swell. I took Starky's quad for a blast and had an awesome time on this sweet little board. There are so many different shapes, sizes and fin configurations out there that it has made windsurfing a lot more exciting but whatever type of equipment you're using then you're sure to have a good time when the conditions turn on...
Lets hope that we get some more classic wave sailing action - see you down the beach!!
Friday, 21 October 2011
I feel the need for speed!!
We all know that kitesurfing and windsurfing are pretty quick when it comes to going fast over water but deep down we all want to go that little bit quicker and it only seem fitting that with the Weymouth Speed Week currently going on that we should modify one of my old kiteboards and make our own "speed needle".
Well, ok it's not quite a speed needle but it's as good as we are going to get and I must admit after the first sea trial yesterday I was quite impressed with how quick she feels under foot. The board is an old Naish Thorn 131x40 and the handy work was done by non other than fellow windsurfer and budding inventor Steve Mellors. As you can see by the photos it has been beautifully shaped and crafted to optimize minimal water drag which in turn will increase the boards velocity which is basically what all speed boards are about. The exact measurements and contours are top secret at the moment but if the new design proves to be "as good as it looks" then Steve may bring them into production under his new name..."Smellor Speed Boards" or SSB for short.
As for now it's time to get out with my new Naish Parks and my new speed weapon and start logging some serious speeds which I'll be posting in the coming weeks.
Well, ok it's not quite a speed needle but it's as good as we are going to get and I must admit after the first sea trial yesterday I was quite impressed with how quick she feels under foot. The board is an old Naish Thorn 131x40 and the handy work was done by non other than fellow windsurfer and budding inventor Steve Mellors. As you can see by the photos it has been beautifully shaped and crafted to optimize minimal water drag which in turn will increase the boards velocity which is basically what all speed boards are about. The exact measurements and contours are top secret at the moment but if the new design proves to be "as good as it looks" then Steve may bring them into production under his new name..."Smellor Speed Boards" or SSB for short.
As for now it's time to get out with my new Naish Parks and my new speed weapon and start logging some serious speeds which I'll be posting in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Super summer fun
August has started off well and the forecast looks surprisingly promising.
Monday the 8th was a top day to have as a day off from work. The morning started off with a solid NW4-5 and great conditions were to be had on the rising tide. I spent most of the morning with a friend of mine trying to show him some basic kitesurfing skills and after a couple of hours he decided to head off and I gave it large on the 9m bolt for an hour on t'others with a couple of windsurf friends for company. It was a cracking direction heading out from the beach and hitting some sweet little ramps and cranking some big air.
A mention and full marks must go to my mate Simon Marshall who finally cracked the forward loop and threw one around landing on his back in the water start position. We all said about bloody time as it's been long time coming- must of had something to do with his new set up of boards and sails-looking good bud!
The wind continued to build and after a short relaxation session in the jacuzzi at home I was back down the beach for a late afternoon session windsurfing with Oly,Phil,Steve and a few others on the dropping tide on the Richmond side of Vazon. Phil was out on his new Fanatic single fin and I was riding the 80ltr wave board and the 5.3 Force. Great combo and fully powered on the solid westerly 5-6. It was fun hammering around but the waves were few and far between, but overall it was a great session as the sun was a shine'in and the wind was a blow'in.
Check out the couple of photos I took after the session looking towards the beach. Pretty busy down that way but looking good with loads of kiters. Where did they all come from....that blasted webcam!!! Ha,ha
Oly heading out
Looks busy
Monday the 8th was a top day to have as a day off from work. The morning started off with a solid NW4-5 and great conditions were to be had on the rising tide. I spent most of the morning with a friend of mine trying to show him some basic kitesurfing skills and after a couple of hours he decided to head off and I gave it large on the 9m bolt for an hour on t'others with a couple of windsurf friends for company. It was a cracking direction heading out from the beach and hitting some sweet little ramps and cranking some big air.
A mention and full marks must go to my mate Simon Marshall who finally cracked the forward loop and threw one around landing on his back in the water start position. We all said about bloody time as it's been long time coming- must of had something to do with his new set up of boards and sails-looking good bud!
The wind continued to build and after a short relaxation session in the jacuzzi at home I was back down the beach for a late afternoon session windsurfing with Oly,Phil,Steve and a few others on the dropping tide on the Richmond side of Vazon. Phil was out on his new Fanatic single fin and I was riding the 80ltr wave board and the 5.3 Force. Great combo and fully powered on the solid westerly 5-6. It was fun hammering around but the waves were few and far between, but overall it was a great session as the sun was a shine'in and the wind was a blow'in.
Check out the couple of photos I took after the session looking towards the beach. Pretty busy down that way but looking good with loads of kiters. Where did they all come from....that blasted webcam!!! Ha,ha
Oly heading out
Looks busy
Thursday, 4 August 2011
It's Official!- Kitesurfing is a great workout
New craze soon to be seen at Vaz
It's been a while since I posted some news on the blog (and summers nearly over!) so I'd thought I'd start off with a small snippet I found on the internet regarding that well known kitesurfing celebrity Mr Ricky Branson.
What can we say about this guy?.....basically he's one lucky f@$&*r!! Not only is he a self made billionaire with a full head of hair but he owns a cracking little isand in the Caribbean and he gets to kitesurf with naked girls on his back!!!
Now back to reality here on our beautiful little island of Guernsey. Unfortunately due to the lack of wind/waves of recent and me generally being a lazy bastard not much has been posted though looking on the bright side, the 2012 gear is starting to appear on the scene and various mates have new gear awaiting testing and new gear on it's way over as we speak. So, hopefully, during the next few weeks we'll get some more action in as the wind starts to deliver and we get some more time on the water.
Btw. If anyone is interested and wants to find out why Mr B is kiteing with this gorgeous chick on his back then follow the link :
http://au.sports.yahoo.com/banzai/ocean/feature/-/9959235/branson-explains-kitesurfing-with-naked-model/
Also, if there are any naked pillion riders wanting to participate (preferably young blond and Swedish) in this exciting new sport then meet me at Vazon 12pm on Saturday so we can carry on this fantastic new craze ;-)
It's been a while since I posted some news on the blog (and summers nearly over!) so I'd thought I'd start off with a small snippet I found on the internet regarding that well known kitesurfing celebrity Mr Ricky Branson.
What can we say about this guy?.....basically he's one lucky f@$&*r!! Not only is he a self made billionaire with a full head of hair but he owns a cracking little isand in the Caribbean and he gets to kitesurf with naked girls on his back!!!
Now back to reality here on our beautiful little island of Guernsey. Unfortunately due to the lack of wind/waves of recent and me generally being a lazy bastard not much has been posted though looking on the bright side, the 2012 gear is starting to appear on the scene and various mates have new gear awaiting testing and new gear on it's way over as we speak. So, hopefully, during the next few weeks we'll get some more action in as the wind starts to deliver and we get some more time on the water.
Btw. If anyone is interested and wants to find out why Mr B is kiteing with this gorgeous chick on his back then follow the link :
http://au.sports.yahoo.com/banzai/ocean/feature/-/9959235/branson-explains-kitesurfing-with-naked-model/
Also, if there are any naked pillion riders wanting to participate (preferably young blond and Swedish) in this exciting new sport then meet me at Vazon 12pm on Saturday so we can carry on this fantastic new craze ;-)
Monday, 2 May 2011
Some starboard tack action!!
This has been one of the longest spells I haven't windsurfed that I can remember but yesterday the wave board was dusted down and brought back out of retirement for some wave sailing action at Pembroke Bay.
I'd been on an early shift at work and the wind had gradually been building through out the morning. The forecast was looking pretty damn good with a force 6 predicted for later in the day. The only downside was that it was pissing with rain and unlikely to stop at any time soon.
After sizing up the conditions and the crappy weather we decided to bite the bullet and rig the 5.3's.
Unusually for Pemmy there was a lot of East in the wind which made it quite cross-shore enabling us to get a few port tack bottom turns in. The wind continued to build during the session with some steep ramps forming which were great for throwing in the odd backie. Matt was sailing well and had a couple of peachy back loops but I was getting tired and hanging on for grim death in the gusty strong wind. Most of the crew were now changing down to 4.7's but I continued on the 5.3 getting more and more knackered. I decided to knock it on the head as the clouds started to clear and the sun shone through. It was a pretty good session even if it was the most hated tack in the world but then again beggars can't be choosers.
I took a couple of photos as I left the car park-the first one is of Dan and Briggsy and the bottom one is of Matt getting some air time-Top marks for the back loops..if only we had more practice on this tack....
Looks like Oz?
I'd been on an early shift at work and the wind had gradually been building through out the morning. The forecast was looking pretty damn good with a force 6 predicted for later in the day. The only downside was that it was pissing with rain and unlikely to stop at any time soon.
After sizing up the conditions and the crappy weather we decided to bite the bullet and rig the 5.3's.
Unusually for Pemmy there was a lot of East in the wind which made it quite cross-shore enabling us to get a few port tack bottom turns in. The wind continued to build during the session with some steep ramps forming which were great for throwing in the odd backie. Matt was sailing well and had a couple of peachy back loops but I was getting tired and hanging on for grim death in the gusty strong wind. Most of the crew were now changing down to 4.7's but I continued on the 5.3 getting more and more knackered. I decided to knock it on the head as the clouds started to clear and the sun shone through. It was a pretty good session even if it was the most hated tack in the world but then again beggars can't be choosers.
I took a couple of photos as I left the car park-the first one is of Dan and Briggsy and the bottom one is of Matt getting some air time-Top marks for the back loops..if only we had more practice on this tack....
Looks like Oz?
Saturday, 30 April 2011
More fun catching crabs!!!
Me and my mate-spidey
Smile spidey....
Spidey after a warm bath
Jeeez-what is going on with the weather?!?
Smile spidey....
Spidey after a warm bath
Jeeez-what is going on with the weather?!?If there is one thing that will make a windsurfer/kitesurfer really depressed it'll be the lack of wind that he or she has to enjoy the worlds greatest sports-Yep, i've moaned about it before and I'll moan about it again and we'll probably keep moaning about the lack of wind until we're old, grey and tired and unable to get into our tight little rubber suits!
Lets hope this Summer is going to be super warm and super windy.
Easter has just passed through and the weather has been, well, some what tropical?.... a real welcome after the long cold winter.
It's been 5 weeks already since we returned from our holiday to Soma Bay in Egypt. We scored a cracking deal on an AI basis at the Carribean Hotel. Due to the trouble earlier in the year in Egypt the resort was really quiet with some of the Hotel closed due to the cancellation of numerous Russian flights. The kite spot was also really quiet and uncrowded. We managed 6 out of 7 days of kiteable wind which was a real result. I even managed to get stuck into some un-hooked stuff which we can't do over here due to lack of space and choppy water.
When I got back to Guernsey I was all fired up but my first two sessions were a real reality check. When you're getting perfect conditions to kite in every day it's not until you get
back home that you realise how lucky you were and how difficult it can be back at your home break.
back home that you realise how lucky you were and how difficult it can be back at your home break.
Well as I said earlier the wind hasn't really played ball for a while and seems to be permanently stuck in an Easterly direction. We have had a couple of good swell days and Oly and I have had a few SUP sessions at Perell which were truly memorable but even the swell has disappeared.
On the plus side the Jersey boys were over this weekend and scored a wee bit of wind to enable some long board racing at Ladies Bay. Not really sure how it all went but I do believe that Jersey came out tops as Briggsy had been around to pick up the Channel Island trophy that I had won last year!!
On one final note, Pierre has now got his new look website up and running with some classic photos of our last decent wavesailing session which was way back in February. Check it out at www.gsyphoto.com where you'll find some awesome photos of the boys hitting a few lips.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
If only....
For down the line action Guernsey is only ever good when the wind is blowing from the south through to the west with a solid ground swell but on one or two very rare occasions we can get some swell left over from a passing depression and a run of north easterly winds.
These freak moments happen very rarely as the strong nor-easters that blow down the English Channel normally knock out any available swell heading our way.
When they do happen they can be supremo conditions at our big wave spot of Perell.
It was a number of years ago that we scored the "big peak", mast high with a force 4 to 5 nor-easter. It was a day that we all remember well. Starboard tack riding and dropping down a mast high monster that horseshoes into a perfect throwing barrell. Even though we weren't adapt to sailing this tack, it did feel unusually natural and the handful of us out there all had a top session.
Even to this day the wave sailing fraternity of Guernsey still dream about scoring the "big peak" with a northerly wind but the odds are stacked against us as you need the following elements:-
1/Ground swell
2/North wind
3/Correct tide status
4/Time off work
5/Preferably air temp above 5 deg
6/A whole lotta luck!
As you can see there are quite a few factors needed to make this a dream session come true but it has happened and it will happen again-one day! It may be next week, it may be next month, it may even be next year but I know one thing is for sure and that's I'm going to be out there when it happens, hopefully with a few mates ripping it to pieces as long as were not all stuck on the headland watching from our wheel chairs and zimmer frames!!
I was cruising past Perell only yesterday after work and was greeted by a small swell and a stiff northerly wind.
Some of the ingredients were there but as usual not the full recipe.... :-(
"Big Peak" action from a distance. Looks small but it will be logo high for sure. Perfect direction but late in the day and freezing cold.
Behind the Island. Also a good port/starboard tack spot
Lihou Island - Does this place hide a secret wave?
These freak moments happen very rarely as the strong nor-easters that blow down the English Channel normally knock out any available swell heading our way.
When they do happen they can be supremo conditions at our big wave spot of Perell.
It was a number of years ago that we scored the "big peak", mast high with a force 4 to 5 nor-easter. It was a day that we all remember well. Starboard tack riding and dropping down a mast high monster that horseshoes into a perfect throwing barrell. Even though we weren't adapt to sailing this tack, it did feel unusually natural and the handful of us out there all had a top session.
Even to this day the wave sailing fraternity of Guernsey still dream about scoring the "big peak" with a northerly wind but the odds are stacked against us as you need the following elements:-
1/Ground swell
2/North wind
3/Correct tide status
4/Time off work
5/Preferably air temp above 5 deg
6/A whole lotta luck!
As you can see there are quite a few factors needed to make this a dream session come true but it has happened and it will happen again-one day! It may be next week, it may be next month, it may even be next year but I know one thing is for sure and that's I'm going to be out there when it happens, hopefully with a few mates ripping it to pieces as long as were not all stuck on the headland watching from our wheel chairs and zimmer frames!!
I was cruising past Perell only yesterday after work and was greeted by a small swell and a stiff northerly wind.
Some of the ingredients were there but as usual not the full recipe.... :-(
"Big Peak" action from a distance. Looks small but it will be logo high for sure. Perfect direction but late in the day and freezing cold.
Behind the Island. Also a good port/starboard tack spot
Lihou Island - Does this place hide a secret wave?
Monday, 7 February 2011
Another blinder!!!!
We've just scored another weekend of down the line action-only one word can describe the local sailors feelings of jubilation......unbelievable!!
The local boys are in a frenzy of windsurfing bliss. Pumping surf and cross shore winds are becoming a relatively common occurrence (don't speak too soon!)-could this be the year to remember?!?
Another big event happening this year is when I move into another decade of age-Yep, I'll be joining some of the other crew and hitting the big 40!!
Thankfully I don't feel 40 and I get paid to stay fit because I can use the gym quite a bit at work which is cool!!!. With windsurfing it's all about strength and fitness and the older you get the more important it is to maintain a high level of fitness. We can all sail as we get older but to keep pushing yourself when the conditions turn on gives you a great buzz, so fellow Vazon wave sailors keep up the good work. It's days like the last couple of weekends which makes us appreciate our sport and sailing to the max with your mates is the best feeling in the world!
Saturday was the better day-4.7 weather and bigger surf but these photos are of Sunday afternoon when it was much smaller but still fun.
Cheers Dimi for the pics
Low tide Vazon (Sunday 7-2-2011)
Me and Dan Harradine
Dan laying it down
The local boys are in a frenzy of windsurfing bliss. Pumping surf and cross shore winds are becoming a relatively common occurrence (don't speak too soon!)-could this be the year to remember?!?
Another big event happening this year is when I move into another decade of age-Yep, I'll be joining some of the other crew and hitting the big 40!!
Thankfully I don't feel 40 and I get paid to stay fit because I can use the gym quite a bit at work which is cool!!!. With windsurfing it's all about strength and fitness and the older you get the more important it is to maintain a high level of fitness. We can all sail as we get older but to keep pushing yourself when the conditions turn on gives you a great buzz, so fellow Vazon wave sailors keep up the good work. It's days like the last couple of weekends which makes us appreciate our sport and sailing to the max with your mates is the best feeling in the world!
Saturday was the better day-4.7 weather and bigger surf but these photos are of Sunday afternoon when it was much smaller but still fun.
Cheers Dimi for the pics
Low tide Vazon (Sunday 7-2-2011)
Me and Dan Harradine
Dan laying it down
Sliding off the lip!
Backie time
Dan-back side
Stevie Smith-Pryde sponsored?
Backie time
Dan-back side
Stevie Smith-Pryde sponsored?
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Saturday 14th January 2011
Below you'll find a selection of photo's from Saturday morning session at Vazon. It was a classic weekend made all the better by the lack of surfers in the water. Unfortunately we didn't get any shots of the Sunday session but if you think these look good? - Sunday was even better!
Thanks to Pierre Bisson for all the photos www.gsyphoto.com
The motley crew....
Marshan..looking seriously happy
Phil....nice sails
Yours truly
Oly...style master
Harty...back in action
Heavy!
The President....sliding it off the top
Jas.....mind that foot!!!
Chris.....re-entry
Whoops!...
Thanks to Pierre Bisson for all the photos www.gsyphoto.com
The motley crew....
Marshan..looking seriously happy
Phil....nice sails
Yours truly
Oly...style master
Harty...back in action
Heavy!
The President....sliding it off the top
Jas.....mind that foot!!!
Chris.....re-entry
Whoops!...
Weekend to remember!!!
It was a weekend to remember in more ways than one.
Firstly, due to the sad loss of our fellow windsurfing friend Jamie Whalley on 11th Jan we decided to have a get together at Vazon and have a sail in remembrance of the good old times that we spent down the beach with Jamie. As if by some sort of act of God it also coincided with a pumping westerly swell and perfect cross off conditions.
This gave me the perfect opportunity to try out my new 87 lt Naish Tri-fin wave board. The board is a good size for those marginal days when the waves are good and the wind is a little fickle. The board tapers quite narrow into the tail and thus turns really smooth even in single fin configuration. Great for snappy off the tops and re-entries. As the session progressed my confidence was growing all the time until I eventually took it too far on a big one and went over the falls with my kit. Hanging onto the boom as I got rinsed I popped up from the white water to discover that the rail had been crushed probably by the mast as I was getting dragged over the falls.
Gutted, this was the second time that I had done my kit some damage in less than a couple of days as I had bust my mast a couple of days earlier and holed my wave sail.
As you can see from the photos she's in the repair shop with my mate and master craftsman Steve Mellors who is hopefully going to perform some moments of magic and bring her back to life.
I've posted a couple of photos of the board looking in a sorry state but fingers crossed she'll be looking like new ready for the next cross-off session :-)
Ouch.....!
Firstly, due to the sad loss of our fellow windsurfing friend Jamie Whalley on 11th Jan we decided to have a get together at Vazon and have a sail in remembrance of the good old times that we spent down the beach with Jamie. As if by some sort of act of God it also coincided with a pumping westerly swell and perfect cross off conditions.
This gave me the perfect opportunity to try out my new 87 lt Naish Tri-fin wave board. The board is a good size for those marginal days when the waves are good and the wind is a little fickle. The board tapers quite narrow into the tail and thus turns really smooth even in single fin configuration. Great for snappy off the tops and re-entries. As the session progressed my confidence was growing all the time until I eventually took it too far on a big one and went over the falls with my kit. Hanging onto the boom as I got rinsed I popped up from the white water to discover that the rail had been crushed probably by the mast as I was getting dragged over the falls.
Gutted, this was the second time that I had done my kit some damage in less than a couple of days as I had bust my mast a couple of days earlier and holed my wave sail.
As you can see from the photos she's in the repair shop with my mate and master craftsman Steve Mellors who is hopefully going to perform some moments of magic and bring her back to life.
I've posted a couple of photos of the board looking in a sorry state but fingers crossed she'll be looking like new ready for the next cross-off session :-)
Ouch.....!
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