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One for the surfers (Read 715541 times)

Idol eyes

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#1225 Re: One for the surfers
July 20, 2010, 12:13:08 pm
Another two days of perfect surf down here... Think we have got a week off after noon tomorrow! It's been an unbeliveable summer... I think Autumn is going to be epic.
Surfed a secret wedge mid tide on the push yesterday... Total shack attack! Knee paddleing, and popping up as I cross step... And getting these insane air drops directly into the pocket, and fully getting barrelled...

Idol eyes

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#1226 Re: One for the surfers
July 20, 2010, 12:14:39 pm
....yeeeeeeooooow!

slackline

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#1227 Re: One for the surfers
July 20, 2010, 12:19:55 pm
Surfed a secret wedge mid tide on the push yesterday...

Share the knowledge then  ;)

Idol eyes

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#1228 Re: One for the surfers
July 20, 2010, 09:46:48 pm
It's between Woolacoombe and Sennen...

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#1229 Re: One for the surfers
July 21, 2010, 09:49:20 pm
It's between Woolacoombe and Sennen...

Yeah.. I think I know the spot. :P

Adam Lincoln

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#1230 Re: One for the surfers
July 21, 2010, 10:36:14 pm
Just off to Thurso area for 4 days. Anyone got any tips on good places other than the obvious. Any must see's up there. Climbing?

gme

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#1231 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 08:54:31 am
Just stick to the main spots in the guide. If you dont want to just use your nose. Watch what you are doing though as its a BIG place up there with a BIG sea BIG rips and BIG seals. Off the beaten track you will be on your own.

Looks like a bit of swell for you but to much west in it to get the main event working. head west to the beaches as they pick up more swell.

For camping i usually stop at torrisdale if out west, posably the best camping spot on the planet. Or point of ness. I always try to avoid stopping in the yard at TE as its a shit tip and hardly what you drive up there for.

Skinadis nightclub will put a smile on your face. Smoked salmon from the fishmongers at the end of the pier in thurso is to die for.
Mussels of the rocks at low tide at torrisdale plus a sea trout from the river, pretty easy to catch on a spinning rod and fishing is free from the sea to the first bridge upriver on any of the rivers.


No climbing up there that i have seen but some further west and south. A bit of sports climbing on conglomerate i believe around Tain, but i dont know the details.

Adam Lincoln

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#1232 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 08:58:24 am
Thanks for that. Some good knowledge. How shallow is TE, its been a while since i surfed regularly.  :'( MS is predicting overhead for Sunday.

SA Chris

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#1233 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 09:11:25 am
If you don't fancy TE there are loads of great beachies along that coast, culminating in the beatiful one with the long walk. Are planning A9 there and back?

There is some great trad climbing off the A9 at Latheronwheel and Mid Clyth, although Mid Clyth is best avoided if there is a big sea.

If you head down the west coast on the way back you can't throw a stick without hitting a good crag, Sheigra, Inverpolly, Reiff, Stac Pollaidh, etc.

Have a look in the UKC database, SMC Nothern Highland North, or the Gary Latter Guide.

Adam Lincoln

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#1234 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 09:16:55 am
Reiff

I wasn't that moved by Reiff i have to say. Mainly be riding and surfing, so not too much of an issue. May go over to the beautiful place with the long walk.

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#1235 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 09:22:58 am
When its big its fine and not too shallow. When its small its shallow, plenty of split heads on the inside. I good friend of mine ended up over night with concussion in wick hospital on a two foot day, still has the scars to prove it.

MSW will be wrong, if your specifically going for TE then re plan your trip, the swell is too west. It may just be surfable on one day but very small.

Dispite what everyone thinks the north coast is very fickle, its rare to get TE looking like the pictures you see. I go up there 2-4 times a year at short notice following the charts and still sometimes only get TE good for a few hours out of 4 days. To get it on 3-4 days in a row you need a lot of luck.

SA Chris

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#1236 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 09:26:59 am
Each to their own. Which areas did you climb at?

If you are mainly surfing and riding, why did you ask about climbing? 4 days is not very long.

For riding, you will go past Learnie Red Rocks, with some super rocky black circuits, and Golspie, take your strongest set of thighs. You will go pretty close to Woftrax at Laggan too.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6NZE9W

http://www.highlandwildcat.com/

http://www.basecampmtb.com/trails.html

Adam Lincoln

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#1237 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 09:30:17 am
Each to their own. Which areas did you climb at?

If you are mainly surfing and riding, why did you ask about climbing? 4 days is not very long.

For riding, you will go past Learnie Red Rocks, with some super rocky black circuits, and Golspie, take your strongest set of thighs. You will go pretty close to Woftrax at Laggan too.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6NZE9W

http://www.highlandwildcat.com/

http://www.basecampmtb.com/trails.html

Well, we are taking the gear in case surf is poor. 4 days riding solid will hurt, so be nice to break it up. Will call in at one of trail centres on way back to break up journey.
Cheers for all info.

SA Chris

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#1238 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 09:33:02 am
There was alittle topo kicking around the net for a while of a bouldering spot near thurso, but can't find it now.

Vertical walls on crimpy sandstone. Will keep looking I'm sure it's out there. Might have a printout at home with an URL on it.

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#1239 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 10:12:49 am
MS is predicting overhead for Sunday.

Waist high onshore mush then?  ;)

SA Chris

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#1240 Re: One for the surfers
July 22, 2010, 02:08:45 pm
Looking at the forecast, i would head straight to the place with the walk (or cycle it if you have a shoulder strap on your board bag). Stick a pair of rock shoes in for immaculate wave washed Gneiss on a sandy beach. Or maybe Oldshoremore (just for a look) and possibly Balnakiel Bay (might be a bit too much W for that too).

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#1241 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 11:07:30 am
Hi guys, looking at ordering my first custom board from JP surfboards of swansea, has anyone had (or heard about) any good/bad experiences of them?

cheers

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#1242 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 11:55:53 am
GME has loads and knows him well.

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#1243 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 12:01:44 pm
GME has loads and knows him well.

Thanks. If he's got "loads" perhaps he'd like to donate one?  :P

JP has been helpful with questions/advice but always good to hear first hand experiences.

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#1244 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 12:51:29 pm
Not to distract from that (the ordering of surfboards from JP thingy of swansea - in which I am also interested, but it will be some years I suspect), but has anyone ever been to Islay?

She and I are thinking about going in September.

SA Chris

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#1245 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 12:57:18 pm
Not been but heard great things. Essential if you are into your single malts.

Some nice looking beaches http://www.islayinfo.com/beaches_on_islay.html


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#1246 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 01:12:56 pm
now then Chris 05, looking at a custom stick  :-\

here's some pointers for going for a custom board;

1. go into JP shop and look at the boards that are very similar to the board you want him to shape. look at the quality of workmanship (glassing, the foam where the board is clear. the planing of the balnk should not have jagged edges

2. also look at other shapers such as simmons et al,  look at boards they have made similar / same to the type you seek.

3. look at other surfers boards in the water / on the beach and ask them questions about the board. be specific, dont just ask 'how's that board go? most surfers will happily talk about their boards.

4. look at surfers boards who are of a similar standard to you. be honest with your self assessment to. better to surf better with a vauxhall than look like a kook in a maclaren. if you get my drift. remember you turn up with a slick board and people will be expecting some flairing, if you dont deliver, you can forget about people offering you a wave any time soon.

5.also where is the board going to be surfed? ie, no point asking JP to shape you a board for Hawaii and vice versa no point asking Darren Handley to shape you a board for putsbourgh.



i assume you know what to look for since you are ordering a custom.
without sounding like a know it all prick, if you dont know exactly what you what from a board, i'd reccomend you get one off the shelf that you like.


the joys of a board off the shelf are its ready to wax and go straight away, and you can negoiate a price.
if you see one in the shop you like do a bit of investigating, see how long it has been there for. the longer its been there, the more chance you can barter.
look for dust over it.
pick it up and see if there is a dust imprint around where the tail was. the bigger the imprint, the longer its been there.

ask around, to see if your mates, other surfers have noted how long its been in the shop.


you are about to spend a decent wedge of cash, especially as JP charges premium rates now days  :shrug:  make sure you do your homework before ordering.

good luck and happy hunting. let us know how you go. Caveat Emptor "let the buyer beware"

gme

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#1247 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 01:19:43 pm
I have had quite a few boards from JP(FD is correct a i have 6 in my rack at the minute). I have always liked the personal touch of getting a board from a shaper and now always get my boards from John or from Sam Egan if i am in Australia.

I cant fault his boards at all and would recommend that if you can go to his shop and talk to him. He carrys loads of stock boards if you dont want to go custom and has a try before you buy policy, that is you can take a board from him for a few weeks to try it, if you dont like it bring it back and you can swap it or return it. Dont know of any shops that will do that for you.

Regarding my boards, i am having a bit of a clear out (only to get new ones)and have 2 6`3"s and a 6`10" to get rid of. All JPs and a few years old. None are beginners boards however. If you, or anyone is interested i will post them up with full specs.

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#1248 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 01:24:05 pm
remember you turn up with a slick board and people will be expecting some flairing,

I was dazzled by the blood red paint job & sleek pintailed curves of my 7'0 Aloha mini-gun in the shop all those years ago.  You can feel the eyes on you when walking & paddling out :-[

SA Chris

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#1249 Re: One for the surfers
July 23, 2010, 01:31:12 pm
If this is the type f thing you are after, make this guy an offer

http://magicseaweed.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=23166

(emphasis on the IF - see notes from oldfella above).

Rather pay full whack for the ideal board for you than get a bargain that is unsuitable.

 

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