[gme]

Gloves for me. Don't get the boots off until July really. I would say most people Here keep there boots on all year.
Been the worst year I can remember up here, if it was not for a work trip to aus I don't think My session count would have broken double figures

[philo]

disgusting isnt it?  Ive settled for some shitty rights off the pier wall from the northern swell we had but it was far from "good".  My hood is gone already, my hands are really hot in my gloves but i think i'd rather have em red hot than blue at the moment. 

[SA Chris]

Worst winter ever.

Thinking about sacking it off and heading somewhere warm for a week next week. Anyone got any good Portugal recommendations; not too crowded, nice variety of waves within walking distance? Was thinking Ericeira?

[gme]

i am heading out to peniche with the family for two weeks on the 17th. Hoping for a bit of sunshine and warm water. Had it booked for a while so looking forward to it.
Have been to Ericeria a few times which is just down the coast but fancied staying somewhere different. Not staying in Peniche as its a bit of a working port so staying 10 mins away on belgas beach.

The whole coast is nice and has managed to avoid being fucked up by English tourists so still pretty Portuguese. Lisbon i great as well so loads to do.

[SA Chris]

Nice, not been to Portugal at all, so quite fancy it. Got any accomodation recommendations for Ericeia? Pref S/C apt with maybe a pool as I expect sea will still be a bit chilly for the little one.

[Falling Down]

Tell Chris about your swim/paddle/fun evening/touchingthevoidepic Gav 

[Baron]

Everyone loves a comeback:
http://magicseaweed.com/Clay-Marzo-Comeback--Content/3150/

[Baron]

Code: [Select]

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21791864" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21791864">Clay Marzo - The Comeback</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/findyourflow">Heavy Mayo</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[slackline]

(Don't bother with html for embedding, just copy and paste the URL of the page the video is hosted on Vimeo/YouTube).

[SA Chris]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1372879/Britains-3-2m-artificial-surf-reef-closed-2-years-unsafe.html

What a fucking waste of time and money.

[gme]

Another goofer, we shall take over the world eventually and be known thereafter as regular footed.

Marzo is freakishly good, and can do it in the big stuff as well. He is an interesting character as he has Aspergers which gives him some quite large social problems amongst other things. His DVD is well worth a watch (just add water) and it goes into his "gift" as its called in quite a bit of detail. Aspergers appears to be quite a common trait in high achievers as they seem to be able to ignore outside influence and do there own thing, in his case over and over again until its perfected without the boredom that most of us get.

Anyone with kids will find it pretty moving so make sure you have the hankies out for the end.

[slackline]

And surfing natural breaks doesn't carry an element of objective risk that individuals assess for themselves before entering the water?

Oh wait, hang on thats in the Daily Fail, silly me. 

[gme]

What a fucking waste of time and money.

Not for the company who made it!!! I am looking for a new salesman at the minute, who ever sold them that would be perfect.

Without trying to stir up a political storm this is a great example of how our local government waste our monies every year.

[SA Chris]

Indeed. I think Kerry Black is your man gme.

And for people who miss the point and choose to concentrate more on the source of the link rather than the content, here are some other links saying pretty much the same thing.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8424616/Artificial-surf-reef-in-Bournemouth-closed-to-the-public.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-12924327

http://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/5324-authorities-close-the-boscombe-artificial-surf-reef

[slackline]

I don't disagree with it being a waste of money, just the Mail jumping on everything being "risky", err well yes, thats life, some things are more risky than others, fact.

[Falling Down]

I want to know whether the idiot in the Telegraph really is a local surfer or just some idiot (or both)... I assume he's never surfed anywhere if he thinks a surfing English Channel windslop above a 2ft gap in some sandbags is hazardous.  Fucking punters 

I actually don't give a shit though to be honest. The phrase "Artificial Reef Bournemouth" is offputting enough to make me never want to go there.

[philo]

trip to thurso anyone?

[granticus]

That's gonna be one hell of small sponger to get stuck in a 2ft hole.

Would come surfing at Thurso, only it's been banned due to it being dangerous, might get stuck in the kelp at low-tide and drown... 

However, despite the drivel about danger etc... the reef at Boscombe is a bag of shite (well sand actually) and the manufacturers should come back and sort it out.  Clearly badly constructed and designed.

[SA Chris]

I actually don't give a shit though to be honest.

I do give a shit. It's one thing for ASR to fleece gullible councillors and local government in UK and NZ, but the next stop on their Springfield Monorail tour is India.

http://www.surfermag.com/features/india%E2%80%99s-first-artificial-reef%E2%80%A6works/

Where the money could definitely be better spent helping millions of people living in poverty. The sooner they get exposed as the charlatans they are and that these things are not necessary and don't work, the better.

[slackline]

I went to Strandhill at the weekend with my brother and whilst he was getting dumped on by the waves I snapped these few shots of some random guy that I was quite pleased with, obviously nothing that special, but my first attempt at shooting surfing/fast moving sports in general...


Wave your arms by slack---line, on Flickr

Twist the Hips by slack---line, on Flickr

Look back at the spary by slack---line, on Flickr

@SA Chris : Any organised, concerted effort to make the point that artifical reefs are a waste of time?  I just found this suggestion which seems focused on the US, but clearly the problem is further afield than there.

[SA Chris]

Dunno slackers, there was some things on MSW at one point, will need to look.

Nice shots btw, I really like the high angle you are shooting from. Second one is best IMO.

[granticus]

Number 2 is the shot Slackers ...... ttttthhhhhhhhhhhwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaackkkkkkkk!

[granticus]

A Little 'Heads up'...  Cold Water Classic in Thurso East starts on Wednesday, forecast is looking extremely promising for the comp to actually be held at Thurso (rather than Brimms) could be worth watching the webcast.  Wednesday arvo/ evening = pumping swell and very light winds combo looks very special... 

[gme]

The forecast is the best I have. Seen for Thurso in two years.
Lucky bastards

[philo]

I agree, makes you sick watching the drivel we have - had a cheeky dawnie on sat and sun with 0 people but me in, some waist to shoulder rights from the pier.  This weekend looks to be amazing up north, you not heading up?