[SA Chris]

funny!

[hongkongstuey]

some footage of my local break (not really doing much) over Chinese New Year - taken with my new toy:

[Nibile]

Just in case anyone's interestes, on FB there's a live streaming from Nazare, by Garrett McNamara. Quite cool.

[rossydoodle61]

Just in case anyone's interestes, on FB there's a live streaming from Nazare, by Garrett McNamara. Quite cool.

I read this earlier.

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/jamie-mitchell-on-the-eve-of-the-atlantics-biggest-swell-this-winter-prepping-for-potentially-100-foot-nazar_145651/

Sounds bonkers.

[Nibile]

Live stream again now, paddle in session!

[SA Chris]

http://magicseaweed.com/news/exclusive-how-to-build-the-scottish-wavegarden/10300/

could be interesting. Get your artificial climbing and artificial surfing right next door to each other at Ratho.

[kelvin]

A couple of Swiss friends pottering around in Australia.

[gme]

Not thought about surfing all summer and hardly been in the water. Autumn is coming though so started to check forecasts a bit. Fingers crossed for some swell.
Did find this though. Surfings version of the climbing wall and the reason they have been pushing for Olympic inclusion.
Totally amazing.
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/273096/live-blog-from-lemoore-the-test-at-surf-ranch

[A Jooser]

[kelvin]

That's cracking.

[gme]

The Andy Irons documentary should be out in the UK soon as its just been classified by the BBFC.

He was a big part of what i feel was the golden era of surf comps when the surfers were all pretty wild and behaved like rock stars. Very different from today where, like climbing, its all a bit to professional and "nice".

He was not the most pleasant of characters at times and a full on aggro bastard at others but he totally charged on a surf board and was an utter joy to watch. And he was a competitive animal and the title battles between him an Slater through the early 2000s had me glued to my screen at all hours of day or night.

He died of a drug OD on his own in a transit hotel coming back from a comp. it was pretty common knowledge he had some drug problems but It wasn't until sometime after that you started to hear about all the mental health issues he had which i think this film will get into a lot.

I really think this will be a good watch for anyone even if your not a surfer.

Trailer here.
https://www.carvemag.com/2018/04/andy-irons-kissed-by-god/

[SA Chris]

Might be teaching egg sucking here, but Jersey is definitely worthwhile for a summer family surf / rock / holiday. Even in flat calm forecast, on the tidal push there is a surfable longboard / SUP wave at St Ouen, and its great for kids on boogie boards. Might be a bit limiting if you are up for a performance wave though, but i think it's the worse time of year for that. Even though most were in wetties, I was in in shorts and a rashie for a couple of hours and felt fine, guess it's about what you are used to. Great bays on the south side of island for paddleboarding with or without kids. or calm water swimming. and the east coast seems reliable for kite boarding if that's your thing. And rock everywhere. And tons of things to do.

Not much cheap in the way of accommodation, but that's the price of admission i guess.

[dunnyg]

Good knowledge, I've been looking for a chilled surf /rock combo place. Is there board rentals out there? Flying with rack rope and board always seemed like a pain.

[cheque]

I really think this will be a good watch for anyone even if your not a surfer.

You could be right- I’m not a surfer and after watching the trailer I’m interested in seeing it.

[SA Chris]

Good knowledge, I've been looking for a chilled surf /rock combo place. Is there board rentals out there? Flying with rack rope and board always seemed like a pain.

Yes, can't throw a stick at St Ouens without hitting a hire place / surf school. Most have everything from fat foamies to a limited selection of hard boards. Can avoid schools though, beach is enormous. Food here is great too http://www.elticojersey.com/menus/evening-menu right on beach

[gme]

Big step change going on in competition surfing this week with the 1st comp in an artificail pool. New format meaning every surfer gets to ride the same number of waves in a heat 3 lefts 3 rights and there best left and best right count.
No more random lack of waves to blame if you loose etc.
Each wave is exactly the same and the surfers have had time to practice so i guess its heading in a gymnastics type format which may make it a bit boring in the long term but i guess there will be some amazing airs and combos going off to start the likes of which we have not seen before in comps.
Biggest change ever in a sport i think, it will now become a legitimate olympic or Xgames sport as you can do it anywhere.

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/345408/surf-ranch-pro-schedule

[SA Chris]

Mixed feelings..

out goes - waves selection, positioning, reading wave

in comes - level playing field, consistency and reliability, no waiting period for competitions.

As far as participation goes, parallels with indoor climbing are too numerous to make.

[gme]

Personally i am interested to see what its like and do think it will be exciting for the 1st couple of times but overall think it will be boring. Much like watching the gymnastic rings or vert ramp.

I think the minutiae of scoring will get to a point that your average person cant tell the difference.

[BrutusTheBear]

For me there is heirarchy of comps that goes something like this...  Good surfers in rubbish natural waves = mega boring, good surfers in artificial waves = boring, good surfers in good natural waves = 

In all seriousness, I think it will be tedious (the Snowdonia comp was).  You can’t beat the excitement that the unpredictability that nature brings.  Big pipeline, epic Cloudbreak, Big Sunset... always will be way more interesting to observe.  Of course you can’t guarantee good waves though can you but would rather watch the great and good going for it against nature any day.

[SA Chris]

Well you are going to have a bit of time with your foot up watching?

[gme]

For me there is heirarchy of comps that goes something like this...  Good surfers in rubbish natural waves = mega boring, good surfers in artificial waves = boring, good surfers in good natural waves = 

In all seriousness, I think it will be tedious (the Snowdonia comp was).  You can’t beat the excitement that the unpredictability that nature brings.  Big pipeline, epic Cloudbreak, Big Sunset... always will be way more interesting to observe.  Of course you can’t guarantee good waves though can you but would rather watch the great and good going for it against nature any day.

Totally agree but when the surf is shit its really not good. The last Chopes comp a few weeks ago was just awful.
I dont watch as much as i used to as most of the personalities have retired and i find the new mob a bit saccharin sweet. I used to love the old days, seeing them stomp up the beach, hurl rocks at the judges then smash there boards up when they lost, not giving a shit what they said in the after heat interviews. Now its just some shite about learning from there losses and thinking one heat at a time #blessed. 

[BrutusTheBear]

Well you are going to have a bit of time with your foot up watching?

ha ha..  well yeah..  My posting rate on here might increase a bit too.
My foot is well and truly up for a few days.. 
I will definitely have a watch but I suspect I won’t stick with it, Maybe I will be surprised, I’ll report back.

Chopes was rubbish...  Agree about personalities, Wilco is about the only interesting character left.

[SA Chris]

Not seen the NNFN yet. Happy healing...

[BrutusTheBear]

Suppose I should NNFN my mishap.  Thanks Chris.  6 weeks till I can do without a cast if all goes well.
I am soooper syyyked for the WSL comp that commences at 4pm uk time today.

[galpinos]

WSL have moved to equal prize money for men and women.