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?