What can I say - It's been a while!

I dont know how it happens, sometimes things just fall into your lap - I was aware of the new Southpoint range but hadn't really thought too much about getting one, no need the Naish is just so good. Having said that I had been thinking about a board that would be just a fraction easier in chop. I didn't want to loose any surfability or add too much length, just keep the nose a bit wider and possibly add a little more glide. You can tell that I had not given too much thought to it.

I was eyeing up the new Naish / Kalama Nalu boards, but that element of the unknown and the opportunity to try out another shaper revs me up a bit . So in a moment of madness I pulled the trigger on a new Southpoint Bonga Perkins 9'6" fish. I have to admit one of the things that turned me on to it was the price. £619 for a new board with a bit of Bonga pedigree about it - can't be bad in fact I reckon thats bloody good value providing it floats!!!

The full story on the Bonga fish Width: 28 7/8”

Thickness: 4”
Fin-Setup: 2 +1 w/FCS side
Fin Set: 7 1/2'' Schaper center, FCS GX sides
Includes: Deck pad, handle

Step deck rails and the bigger brother of the 9'er and the smaller sibling of a 10'r and a 10'6 fish

The 10' Bonga Southpoint always intrigued me with it's stepped rails but I have to admit - I always thought it looked a bit naff at least in my opinion (that does make me sound like a bit of a tart?). I have never ridden one just gathered 2nd and 3rd hand from web reviews that it was pretty loose and my BK Pro was already a bit of a handful, plus I had progressed to sub 10'.

Anyway - instant decision and what you see above should be with me by the the end of next week.

June - Came and went in a blinding flash!

Lazy summer days, insanely busy at work and irregular surf have kept the posts to a minimum recently, but then I think if there is nothing to say - best say nothing.

It's not been crap just odd. The most noticeable thing is that if I had relied totally on surf forecasts the chances are I would not have got in at all. They are not wrong but it's just too easy to slip into a lazy 'star watching' game. If the ratings don't give it I don't go. Theres no substitute for jumping on the bike and checking it out first hand.

Highlights? One of the few sessions that I got with Shane recently was at Praa sands a couple of weeks ago - was not expecting much it was blowing a fairly stiff onshore combined with a pushing tide creating a really confused very choppy wind swell coming out of nowhere. For the first 10 - 15 minutes I spent a lot of time falling off the Naish thinking 'What the hell am I doing here'. But it seems that each sea (and session) has it's own rythym, and as I dial into the rythym I anticpate the correction needed to stay on the board rather than react late to whats already happened, resulting in over correction and the inevitable rinsing. Perhaps it's just loosening up who knows? But in conditions that were on the face of it attrocious we had a blast.

The conditions were such that on one particular wave we both paddled for it side by side, Shane on his 6' Matt Adams, caught (dropped) down the face and I stalled, how does that happen? Yet as he passed in front of me his head was below my feet! Bizarre and probably not too clever but we always coose each other when surfing and never ever give any quarter.

Later that week the swell was predominantly Southerly with a little West in it. North coast was flat but there were some cracking clean conditions on the South coast. I took a flyer and got in mid beach and pretty much had the break to myself until this lone shortboarder paddled out to meet me - Gavin, having sold his Starboard and finding the Naish 10'6" a bit of a mission to get around he had taken to his shortboards for a while.

I did get to see this video of Ivan van Vuuren messing about without fins - totally blew me away -



I'd love to be able to add some of that to my sweet skills cupboard.

A couple of snatched, random sessions including a fun knee high evening at Gwithian on the Uli Lopez - and a very early dawny Sunday before last at Gwithian that just beat the onshores - in at 6.00am out at 8.30 fantastic.

Fathers day came and went with Charmaine getting a couple of tickets for Shane and myself for the Paul Weller gig at 'The Eden Project' in aid of the Princes Rainforest Project and Green Britain Day

First band up were Florence and the Machine - think Siouxsie and the Banshees meets Kate Bush and Clannad - it works check it out here - this is the first number that really gets going at about 2m30'



I liked it - but Paul Weller - that was something else - I have always been a Jam fan, they were the soundtrack of my late teens and I have the entire back catalogue but sadly never got to see them, after this I dont feel so bad about it



You will have to trust me that contrary to the anonomous recording on this mobile phone the sound was superb - it just seems in keeping to have it here like, this. Great night.

So Friday was a late night, forecast for the weekend was lame, onshore windy shite - Gavin text me at 8.00am Sunday confirming it. Settled for a family day until it started to brighten at 6.00pm. Quick sort out - text to Gav - going to give it a bash and I went in to an angry looking Pete's Point. I had bought some new smaller fins and fiddled about with the centre fin. Can't say I noticed too much difference however despite it being fairly choppy I thought I surfed reasonably well until about 9.00pm when a decent set came through. I managed to paddle over the first got caught by the second and had the third break the leash cord (not the leash) Arse - that has not happened for a while - heh ho. Swam in with the elegance of Quasimodo hoping my board was not getting trashed on the few rocks at the head of the beach. (It wasn't). Got out and took these pics.







Looks really mellow now.

ULI LOPEZ - Sweet second helpings

Could not get in Saturday night but amazingly managed to keep off the wine and beer enough to get up early Sunday morning check the forecast and get stuck into a second helping of the Lopez. The wind had all but dropped off and from the car park there seemed to be a bit more order and shape to the beach. It was 8.30 and the tide was dropping away fast - still closing out but cleaner and with a few more workable shoulders than Friday night.

Jumping onto the board this time I managed to stay dry. Progress.

The session was so much easier than before - more waves - more sweet skills - and confirmation for me that the board nose rides both standing and my little kneely nose rides that I seem to have gotten into the habit of doing. I need to work on my snappy cutbacks but slowly but surely the board was given it up. Like my all time favourite music I think that this board was going to grow on me.

Gwithian beach is 3 miles long and as time goes on the access points become more and more restricted and controlled. Annoying but it does mean that people being people tend to concentrate around the access, leaving lots of lovely empty waves if you are prepared to mooch up or down the break a bit. This morning I plumped for a mid beach mark in order to continue my painful apprenticeship away from the crowds. After an hour or so in the water I spotted another Stand up paddling down the beach on a Starboard - our wave choices brought us within speaking distance - we nodded and exchanged some brief good mornings, he had just come done from Plymouth to catch some waves, and then we paddled away from each other and you know what - that was just fine - no need to congregate in packs with so much beach and so many waves - good on ya pal who ever you were - clocked you having some decent rides - if you read this stop by and say hello.

So thats it - I can let the air out safe in the knowledge that I now have a real surfy travel board - Might try and get another session in this afternoon.

Riding the ULI Lopez

Got to go out - I'll tidy this up later.


This is going to be easy - I have been surfing the Naish recently, well last time was over a week ago, since then the weather has been total shite, so jumping on my new ULI LOPEZ was going to be a breeze, wasn't it?

I had it all planned out - I have had ages to square it up and get it wired mentally plus as I've said all the practise that I have had 'breaking' the Naish in would stand me in good stead. Because that's what I have to do with a new board - I have to tame it. I need to gradually find out where to stand to paddle, to turn, to catch a wave, to punch out through whitewater, all these things I have to dial into initially in glassy conditions and then in chop before you actually take control of the board FROM THE BOARD. All these procesess enables me to get to the point where I'm not scared to take the board out for fear of looking like a bit of a cock and if I'm honest I do want to look as good as I can or at the very least capable.

So the latest inflatable offering from ULI using Gerry Lopez's design was sure to be an easy ride.

After all -

The 11'r, now sold, was a doddle to ride and would glide with the best of them.

The Steamroller 10'r - man that baby surf's not a ripper but soooo much glide, so stable, so easy,

and the Lopez, well that was going to be pretty much the same but with a bit more rocker, half the weight and instant membership to Cutback Central, right? WRONG!!

Tonight was the first chance that I have had to get the Lopez in the water - still not great conditions 2'- 3' breezy, cross onshore slop maybe the odd chest high set wave. The wind was dropping off and it was low tide, there were few faces mainly loads of white water low tide closeouts. Needs must.

Carrying the board down the beach was a doddle the board is incredibly light and the paddle loops are such a simple and fuss free way to make transportation easy.

Into the surf and I spring confidently onto the deck feet first, sink the farthest rail resulting in an immediate ducking. I surface laughing nervously. That didn't just happen - did it? I mount up again - first onto my knees and then onto my feet - Jeez this thing is loose proper loose. I reckon you can almost tell more and learn more about a board paddling out than you can surfing it sometimes. In fact I seem to dial in to most of my boards paddling out through the soup. Even if I have to knee paddle them for a bit it seems to give me 'a feel' for them. What I learnt about this board was the surgical way in which the nose, or lack of it, sliced through and over the wash.

Once out the back I found it easy to spin the board around for my first wave and - bugger what happened there? I was off. Next wave stroke in and - nothing! Paddled out again and turned in front of the rapidly jacking up face and I get caught side on with the nose sliding away left under the water - rinsed! This is getting silly now. The plan was paddle out - turn - catch a wave - walk to the nose - you know the usual sort of thing!! - I love it when a plan comes together - this one wasn't!!

So what was happening? - I stopped doing and started thinking. Sort myself out and get Paddle Steady first. I was sinking the side of the nose - not pearling but more bogging down. I stood back a step - instantly an improvment - with weight further back the board seemed to 'come alive' and I started catching a few - this board wants to go late - it just does not have the glide of the Steamroller - stop paddling and you stop. Familiar but not what I expected. The board is super loose and tippy. The pulled in nose means I had to to stand well back to paddle and step back even farther to turn, this focus's the weight on the narrow tail increasing the tippy feeling. Finding the 'paddle sweet spot' was harder than I had anticipated. I started to get my head into gear and slowly began to take a few late waves and began to get a few tantalising glimpses of what this board was going to be capable of.

A late crumbly close out left - my backhand - I took off with the soup on the tail and stood back over the fins - thats well back! Immediately the board 'pivoted' left around the fins and set me up for what little green water there was, does not sound much but it was one of those 'instinctive' moves that I did not expect to get away with - hard to explain but I know it when it happens and it allowed me to make the best of a bad wave. Some boards just dont give you that opportunity.

Another marginal left and this time the wave sort of backed off I bumbled forward on the deck and the board picked up speed and took off. Class, can't call it as a noseride but given the conditions and the previous half an hour or more of rinsings it was a result.

A couple of late fast rights - again not too much to work with but it was becoming more and more apparent that the board needs speed to work and then, when it does it's stuff, it's way better than me. In fact it held a couple of bottom turns so hard it took me by suprise and I was off.

Conditions were not good for any board - the beach gets rippley (Is that a word?) at low tide and the waves take awkward shapes even when it's clean - add in a short period cross chop and I generally stay in the dry, however on the Lopez a one hour tester turned into two - the board lifted it's skirts enough to make me want to see more and push on despite the conditions. It was frustrating but fun.

It's not a Steamroller - It's no cruiser and unless you weigh a lot less than I do, 14 1/2 stone, 203lbs 90kgs, I can't say that it's going to work for a novice. It's challenging - which I like (I think), It was hard work - my thighs are killing me as I write this, (still hurting as I edit it again 2 days later) but it's going to be a proper surf board - which I really like - I just want to get it in some decent clean waist to chest high surf for a proper try out. One things for sure - taming it is going to make me either a better surfer or give me thunder thighs.

ULI LOPEZ

Look at that - and then tell yourself 'It's inflatable' - Just check it out. The board may start off life in Asia but the guys at ULI spend hours applying and custom tuning the rocker strips, which are what makes a surf board surf, and then fitting the paddle carries, the leash rings and the deck grip all sourced from stateside suppliers. Nett result a 18 lb, travel easy, FULL ON stable wave magnet.

At least I hope so - conditions have been pretty dire since my Lopez arrived. Desparate to get out and have a bash but the forecast is not looking good for the week. Have to slake your thirst with some ULI porn






First impressions - I did not see what the fuss was about. I was expecting something super thin and fragile but the build of the Lopez did not seem any different from the Steamroller UNTIL I put it our scales -
18lbs !!!thats lighter than my Naish and that's lighter than a very light celebrity that's just discovered the joy's of Bulimia.

The pump is new too - the old pumps shift a fair amount of air but get a little bit under geared as the boards get to full pressure 15 - 18 psi - the new one may take a few more strokes BUT it's soooo easy - no more swinging off the handle like an Olympic Pummel horse master. Wth little down force and about 250 strokes I got the board to 11psi - did not go any further but the pump is excellent.

Black fibre glass full length rocker strips run from end to end top and bottom. and contrast boldly with the grey board material. The deck grip mimics the rocker strip.

Regarding the rocker strips these are Jim Weir's words 'The three layers are applied by us in San Diego, they set the rocker and stiffen the board . . . . We assemble the fins, D-rings, tie-downs for carrying, and the deck pad.'

He then followed that up with 'Back to work, tomorrow, early surf with Steamroller, Lopez, Chris Koerner and Munoz, hope there's waves.'

So I guess it should be just fine!!

Which means I'm reluctantly going to be selling My 11' ULI - Great travel board - bomb proof construction 18 months old - Excellent condition £575 - includes Pump and canvas bag - pictures all over this site http://csx355.blogspot.com/2008/01/uli-11-stand-up-paddle-board.html more if required. The board is white with a white and blue logo'd full deck grip and blue rocker strip. The grip is just beginning to lift at a few edges but easily re-stuck down. Three fin thruster set up.

My ULI LOPEZ is on it's way!

If you read this stuff you already know how I feel about ULI and their boards. It seems to go beyond the product itself - I have never met Chris Atkinson or Jim Weir from ULI, although I have spoken to Jim a few times - They really care about what they sell and how the customer feels. One day I'd like to hook up with them maybe share a wave or two and buy them a beer or coffee or something just to say thanks. Their boards have turned naff holidays into great ones and great ones into my all time surf fests. So you can imagine how pleased I was when I got this pic in my hotmail inbox.



Along with the tag line

CHRIS WITH STEVE'S NEW ULI LOPEZ

How good is that? - I always preferred the shots of the black and grey to the technicolour boards and the orange and yellow ULI logo stands out nice. Should be here by the end of the week all things being equal - COME ON - I mean check it out.

If you are sitting there reading this thinking 'What the hell is he getting so revved about an inflatable surfboard for?' You have never experienced the joy of ULI ownership - the smile that the 'ULI BOUNCE' gives you - the look of incredulity on the faces of fellow surfers as you smoke another swell, and the deep, smug contentment as you pop the valve, roll it up pack it in your suitcase and flick the bird to British Airways as you check in with a 10' paddle board, paddle and pump nestling between the boardshorts and bikini's. Makes me want to book a holiday.

I had been toying with the idea of getting hold of a C4 sub vector recently as a 'less than perfect conditions' board. Extravagant I know but hey, I dont drink (much) and I don't smoke (MMnn maybe the odd cigar!). But limited supply into the UK, high prices with poor exchange rates and the fact that I have been dialling in on my Naish more and more, you know I reckon that the ULI Lopez might fill that gap. I have had some great sessions in less than perfect conditions on my 10' Steamroller at Praa Sands - real choppy onshore shite - but on the right board that can s m o o o o o t h out the chop a bit it can still be fun. Being a realist I know that the minute the wind turns onshore and cranks up above 10 - 15mph I'm going to struggle on the Naish. I'm getting better on it - this morning was just peach. Light offshores and glassy with head high sets saw Gav and myself picking off more than our fare share of nice waves, swapping boards around, and generally having a blast, perfect. The rest of the week however is going to be rough and hopefully I'm in for some ULI TIME - I'll let you know how it go's.

Quiver Clearance C4 Boards for sale

I really ought to clear some boards out from my shed - I just can't get to half of them and as I'm settling on just a couple of wave boards it strikes me as a good time to shift a couple. PLUS as anyone will tell you check out the prices of the new stock that the dealers are getting in. Some are up in price 20 - 30% due to the currency fluctuations. This should make the used boards look like very good value in comparison. So (deep breath) here go's.

My Lovely C4 BK Pro 10' x 27"

This was the first ever board that actually took my breath away, truly mental, and if it were not for the fact that I now have the NAISH I would keep it. The thing is the Naish will do everything this will AND it's only 9'3" long.

The BK is a challenging board - but as I found with the Naish it takes a bit of persistance and a few sessions to dial in, and when you do EVERYTHING else feels pedestrian in comparison when you go back. If you have only been used to riding a JL 11' this may be a step too far unless you dont carry the urrgh reserve insulation that I do, however if you are used to a Starboard, Ultimate Blend, 9'8" or 9' Extremist this board will take to a world you never knew existed.

The BK needs a decent wave, waist high plus, to get it going, it's not a lover of mush, unless it's big mush, it paddles well but you will be taking off later in the short boarders zone :).

Multiple fin set ups on this one, five fin box's mainly for Quad or 2 plus 1 - I preferred the latter.

The board had some typical C4 paddle chips on the rails which I had Whippet repair and spray in (TOTALLY UNDETECTABLE. A first class job.

The board is now in A1 - MINT - PERFECT condition. apart from the dirty wax on the nose - oh yes you can!

This is from the C4 site -

Originally built for Brian Keaulana, this Dave Parmenter shaped 10 foot wing swallow is 27 inches wide and 3 7/8 inches thick. It comes with five fin boxes so you can run it as a thruster or quad. The BoardWorks TEC construction makes this board light and strong. Wing-Swallow Tail Width: 27.0" Thickness: 3.85" Fin Array: 5-fin cluster. Adaptable to any fin combination, i.e. single, twin, tri, quad, or 2 X 1. DESIGN NOTES: The Brian Kealuana Model is the end result of a design evolution that commenced with the very first SUP short board back in 2003. This board combines a constant-curve Hawaii rocker which is calibrated to accelerate at nose and tail in sync with the pulled-in outline. The thickness distribution tapers toward the tail to allow harder turns at higher speeds, and the wing-swallow reduces tail area under the back foot, and grants greater adhesion and torque in carving turns. If you are keen on progressive, full-tilt SUP surfing and really want to push the edge of the performance envelope, this is the board for you.

C4 price the board at $1587 which works out at £1087 without any taxes and duties
Prices UK side vary from £869 if you can find one, to £1110

I want £650 Check out the Pics.










AND my very pretty C4 10' Diamond Tail Classic - which has been my first 'turn to' board since October Last year. This is what I would call 'A Gateway Board' Its takes you by the hand and gently moves you on from Tankers'ville to that magic land of 10' and below. You know the place - it's where you want to be when you walk back up the beach on a windy day with a 11' plus gliders wing.

Its fast and fairly stable but is still more performancey than my Starboard 9'8" ever was. I really liked the Starboard Extremists and Gav's 9'0'r is just magic but they dont have the nose rocker that the C4 has and that makes it difficult sometimes - The 10' classic just feels that must more 'racey' and does not complain or bog down dropping into late waves. At 28" it is more stable than the BK and as I have said it's been my first choice board whatever the conditions.

It noserides - better than I ever will - it will 'snap off the lip turns' better than I ever will. And it punches out through white water nice. That's the good stuff the bad stuff is when I got it I thought that I would protect the rails with clear tape, which I did, however like a total MUPPET I did not extend the tape far enough down the rails. Result 6 typical C4 paddle chips near the tail. There are also acouple on the nose. Not serious just normal, annoying and as such I can't describe the board as mint.





From the C4 site the price is currently $1520 - £1034 Ex taxes and carriage.

Again UK prices vary between £869 and £1050

I would take £600 (bloody chips)

OR would consider selling both as an instant ready made quiver for £1150

What a Week!!

We have been so lucky with the waves this month - not huge but pretty consistant making for some great sessions. Conditions have varied between a steady waist to chest high and generally clean. This has allowed me to get some great board time on the Naish. Tonight it showed. Smell that? It's me oooozing surfsmug.

I had planned on giving it a miss tonight as the winds were forecast to go north easterly (bang onshore)and freshen to 20-24mph.

4.38pm I get a picture text from Gavin. It was clean and building. Last nights session at Pete's was so good I decided to get down there again asap after work in the hope of resuming where I left off last night. It's the pig in me I suppose.



Gav's text piccy - looking really nice - it didn't stay like that for long!!!


Gavin was already in and the waves in front of the car park were, lets say, impressive.

I was getting changed a guy pulls up and beeps his horn - 'still light and too early for doggin' I thought and it's Ash and his mate that we met at Lafitenia in France last October - Small world.

Only one board, decision made, in the van and after a quick change I was trotting off down the track to Pete's.

It was clean, but only between the waves - outside was quite choppy and getting steadily worse BUT I seemed to be coping with it. I'm sure that my efforts at staying topside resembled my amazing dance moves - you've seen them before but I don't get out that often.



I know, I have no shame - But tonight I was staying upright and catching waves - and having a total ball. It was hard work and my knees, calves and thighs bear testament to it but so much fun.

One thing - quick confession here - I got all righteous the other day about not bailing my board in order to preserve my leash and not treat it as a retreival tool. Tonight after getting caught inside I bailed and not just once or twice. Sorry guys - I'll work on it.

There I feel better now that I have got that off my chest.

If, sorry BIG IF, anyone is still reading this, drop by pull up a chair, tell me all about it - at least say hello.

NAISH REVELATION

Funny how things can change so quickly sometimes. A couple of weeks ago I was making enquiries about a C4 Subvector, buying a nice woolly cardigan and toying with the idea of swapping my NAISH 9'3" for a 9'6 quad. Bloody glad I didn't.

Late last year I had some ripping sessions on the little Naish but this spring I have been struggling a bit and as a consequence been taking the easy option and riding my C4 10' Classic.

Easter saw a prolonged high pressure give us light winds coinciding with some decent, proper swell and suddenly I was like a Pig in Sh1t. Getting the Naish out at every opportunity.

Shane sort of summed it up for me today, he said -

'Dad - don't be a twat' Which I think roughly translates into

'You can have one board BUT you are really going to have to compromise on your wave expectation' (and wear a woolly cardigan).

I'll explain - Having spent a lot of time early this year on the ULI Steamroller (about 64 hours) my wave expectation was set by what I could get from the board, which was pretty much paddle in - bottom turn - nose ride (sort of) - maybe tuck in for a little cover up - glide, cruise and grin my way down the line to paddle board heaven. Nice - Comfy - Safe.

My ability would not allow for any major snaps or heroics even if the board was capable of it in the right hands (feet)! So my parameters were pretty much set.


9'3" x 29 1/2" x 4 1/4"


Jump on the Naish now and there are no limits - AT ALL. It just took me a few sessions to truly dial in to the board again. I'm probably not the most patient of guys and my spare time is as precious to me as it is to anyone else. Having convinced myself over the last twelve months or more that I can actually do this standup stuff here I was falling off again.

Dont like it - Didn't like it.

All my usual tricks - bigger fins etc. actually made it worse - so what a bloody total revelation it was when I finally got it sussed, re-fitted the 5.5" centre fin thought about where to stand and went surfing.

So pick the right board for the conditions and surf accordingly - not exactly rocket science is it?


Choppy days any size - bigger board ULI 10' (possibly the new Lopez) C4 Classic

Clean small days up to waist high - bigger board ULI 10' (possibly the new Lopez) C4 Classic

Clean bigger days Chest high plus - send me straight to NAISH 9'3" Heaven


I wasn't like this on regular surfboards. I always had a few boards kicking around but they were the 'old ones' or 'the new one'.

And I always surfed the new one until it became the old un, usually a two year life cycle.

Now I have and can see the need for a quiver. My surfing is never going to be described as radical, I'll settle for softly progressive - a bit like REM, BUT now I know that somewhere just over the next wave is a swell coming that I can do more with than just set the board up and cruise down the line - and I now know that, conditions allowing, with the Naish I have the board that in my own geriatric, sedentary way -

I can rip the crap out of it.


9'6" x 29 1/4" x 4 3/8"


And this has got me thinking - How much more stable in choppy conditions is the Naish 9'6" than the 9'3" and could it be used to replace the C4? It has a fatter nose and a more parallel plan thanks to the swallow tail than the 9'3" and is wider than the C4. It also has 25 litres or so more volume than it's smaller brother . . . . . . . . AND where the hell does this leave my BK PRO?
Its the narrowest of all the boards - almost as loose as the Naish But it is 10' long and if you are going to have a surfboard as opposed to a cruiser you might as well go shorter so it's pretty much redundant and as a result still for sale.


Length: 10'0" Nose: 18 3/8" Width: 27" Tail: 16 3/8" Thickness: 3 7/8" Weight: 23 lbs
Fin Boxes: 4 future side fin boxes 1 standard center fin box.


Damn shame but there you go.

Making Friends with a Naish 9'3"

What a weekend - magicseaweed was shaping up for a perfect combination of swell. spring tides and light offshores, all this and an Easter bank holiday giving us a couple of extra free days off - things were looking good.

Friday and I made my way to a mid beach mark for the evening high tide - it was big and munchy with the tail end of the onshore winds. The full fat, wedgey beach break was getting jacked up double by the backwash from the head of the beach. Not pretty, very testing but great fun. Paddling in felt a bit suicidal and the rides were short but rewarding.

In the car park prior to paddling out a couple of prone surfers pulled up with short boards - I didn't see them get a wave but did see them spat out further down the beach. And that was nice!

So Saturday got in after work at Pete's point for the evening session again on my C4 fantastic - had the place to myself all over the high tide and just did not want to get out - a real soul surf session. I had made loose plans to get in at 9.00am on Sunday morning but the evening session was so good it was no hardship getting up early and I was in the water just before 8.00am ON MY DAY OFF!!! It looked very clean so I decided to risk another session on the Naish.

It's been no secret that the last few outings on my Naish have been difficult. We have not been the best of friends recently, like a true workman I have been blaming the tools. I have just not been able to stay upright on the thing. The centre fin has been growing in size in the vain hope to give me some static stability - having used the biggest fin in my collection 10" I opted to plug in the the smallest - the original Naish 5.5".

What a difference! From the moment I paddled out everything just felt right - ok I still fell a few times but the sheer surfability of the board was magic. And in turbulent water the board felt more stable. Perhaps the leverage on a bigger fin contributes to the rails sinking and going past that tipping point - who knows -, who cares? I was grinning ear to ear. I conceded that perhaps Harold Iggy might know a thing or two after all.

The Naish really needs to be kept under way, you can stop but loose concentration and you need to dig the paddle in to gain momentum and stability. During the morning session I sort of realised as well that I had to 'inch' back on the board a 'tad' in order to keep the nose up. Just a bit too far forward and the nose is under the water and it's douche time. Its also easier to stand and paddle the board than to kneel on it - how odd is that? Pop up onto the board on your knees and a fraction too far forward and the nose is under like Captain Nemo's Nautilus.

The sweet spot is minute on the board - but in the clean 2-3' surf I had one of my best sessions of the year. I can't believe that I had harboured thoughts of moving the board on. It just needs the right conditions - ideally clean and a minimum of 2-3' but preferably more, and more importantly the right attitude. One things for sure I am never going to reach the limits of it, or get bored with it.

During the session I met up with Steve Carter and we shared a few waves before swapping boards (he was on a Starboard UB 11'2"). Very nice but it did feel like a tanker after the Naish. Both of us agreed the Naish has an amazing 'skatey' feel to it.

I was in for 3 1/2 hours that morning and eventually dragged myself out when my hands started bleeding and the cramp made my calves feel like they were exploding.

Back to Sunset Surf cafe for some coffee and incredible flapjacks and cake to re-fuel and then back in for a couple of easy, mellow hours on the C4 over the low tide.

Jay and a few of the forum guys were out at Gwithian having made the trip down for the weekend. Just don't really appreciate how lucky we are living here.

What a difference a few sessions can make.

I HAVE A NAISH 9'3"

And it's the only one in the UK. SMUG SMUG SMUG.

Short Board Blues

You know what? - It's been a funny few weeks - we have been busy as hell at work and even though the clocks went forward allowing for some evening surf time a few things got in the way to 'choke up the stoke' a bit. However a couple of weeks back the forecast started shaping up for a classic few nights of swell.

Clean. (ish)

Clean = Naish oh yes - get the zipper open and unleash the beast - in my dreams !!

The tide was a small evening spring - off I trots to Pete's and - it's small, much smaller than the 4.5' forecast. Never mind in I goes to an all too familiar routine. Jump on the board first 20 minutes no major problems - not much to work with but seemed to be making the best of it - paddled back to Gwithian where there was a bit bigger wave (still desparate) and proceed to make a total cock of myself falling off, getting stuck in the backwash from the cliff - anything but ride the board. I have had some excellent sessions on the Naish - tonight just was not going to be one of them. I sneaked out hoping that no-one would spot me.

Next night similar conditions possibly a tad bigger and I went in on the C4 10 classic. Fantastic. Almost like I could do it for real. Thoroughly enjoyed myself to the extent that I did not want to get out. In fact the struggling that I had been doing on the Naish made the C4 feel so easy. I surfed my way round to the middle of Godrevy beach and made a pig of myself on the break off the mid beach rock. Great fun.

Although the surf was good all week I did not manage to get in again until Sunday morning - pushing half tide up the wave was quite full and fat with a tendency to threaten then back off - it was good fun but I was making a meal of it - even on the C4. There were a couple of other guys in as well as Gavin and myself one on a Starboard the other on a Gong. The guy on the Gong was quite tidy and smooth and put us all to shame. Would of liked a bash on the board but was a bit reluctant to ask, plus there were a few prone surfers out and with four SUPs in fairly close proximity I felt that it was prudent to surf away from the pack. It's easy to see how intimidating and domineering a few standups can be in the line up. Not that there was any hassle or poor etiquette.

I have been exchanging a few mails with Casso from Seabreeze - he currently has a 9'3 Naish and a 9'3" PSH Ripper. It was encouraging to know that he has a few stinkers each session and a couple of sessions that just don't go well.

Perhaps riding the ULI Steamroller has spoilt me - who knows? However one thing is for sure after seeing these shots of Clinton -



with more shots here

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3601.0


I can't wait to get my hands on an ULI LOPEZ.

Spring Cleaning

Our 24th wedding anniversary and Charmaines birthday this week-end - coinciding with some epic spring weather, light winds and a decent swell. I was working Saturday, away watching Al Murray on Sunday but home for a class evening session Monday - top waves at Gwithian pushing up to high tide. It's been a while and I was pretty rusty to start - usual story - before getting some decent workable waves - including my final wave home that had me crapping my self as I was hurtling towards the mid beach rocks at Godrevy - fantastic.

Decided to have a bit of a clear out board wise and thought that it was time to move my Pope Bisect Carbon Stealth Longboard on. Really difficult one this -I've made half hearted attempts to sell it before, pricing it too high to sell but just in case someone really wanted it, anyway you know how some things are just 'right' this board is one of them.

It's a Wayne Rich 9'0 Carbon Fibre (like proper black pre preg carbon fibre) Stealth performance longboard. Made in the States before Bisect farmed out their manufacture and bears the board number #007!! Really it does, and it looks like it belongs in a Bond film.

Here is the 2005 Pope Ad for the same board


Wayne Rich shapes have pedigree and Wayne appears in the Shapers Hall of Fame along with any body who is anybody http://www.theshaperstree.com/hall_of_fame/index.asp

The board is a three fin (centre and two FCS sides)with a double concave bottom and has the upgraded Carbon centre pole and carbon centre fin. It comes with the travel bag as shown in the pics below. This board makes longboard travel easy. The original price when I bought it was $1800 plus carriage, import duty and VAT. About $2400. I bought it 4 years ago when the £ was pretty strong costing about £1200. I touted it about a bit at £750 a few months back but realistically would take £575 for it now as I have not ridden any of my Longboards for the best part of two years. This board is Carbon fibre NOT epoxy remember. More pics follow -





Charmaine showing the packed away board - total assembly / disassembly time is about 1 minute, the board is very light - its hollow - and damn tough.




I could ship it pretty much anywhere subject to cleared funds being available. Message me if you are interested.

Now for the Sups

I have a C4 BK Pro 10'x 27" Rocket ship of a board that would take either a 2 plus one or a Quad set up. It has had some paddle chips but I have had it properly refinished and the board is now like new. These boards are now retailing at over £1100 - anyone will tell you that the likelyhood is that they are going to get even more expensive - check it out here https://www.2xs.co.uk/C4_10'0_BK_Pro_SUB.asp?CID=273

Yours for £600

I also have a totally gorgeous pale blue C4 10' Classic diamond tail that I bought new in October list on this is now £1050 - £695 no offfers.


So there we have it - for a day or two anyway - until the Uli Lopez arrives!!

Surf Doldrums

Having promised myself that I was not going to post a blog load of holiday snaps - I posted a blog load of holiday snaps - I had intended to put up a third Costa Rica post with a lots of mind blowing wildlife and natural beauty stuff you know the sort of thing - blue skies - golden sands - cold Imperial beers - the sort of stuff that you could show the wife to persuade her that it's not just a surf holiday destination there just happens to be surf there. Just didn't get round to it and then the moment was lost - the euphoria of the holiday was gone and the reality of splashing around in 9'c onshore Sunday slop sort of kicked in and I just couldn't get my ass into gear. So here is one I should have posted earlier.

An Olive Ridley Turtle laying her eggs at the end of the path between the hotel and the beach

The only decent day's surfing that I have had since i've been back was a couple of weeks ago when the high tide was about 8.30am and we had a clean 2-3' swell push through (peaking Saturday of course)still it was fun even if I struggled on the Naish a bit. I don't know if I am getting worse or my expectations are more. Twelve months ago we surfed every Sunday - regardless and every session was fun and a challenge - now we (I) are more picky resulting in more no go's. I can sort of remember the early days of my regular surfing being the same. Time to reset my parameters and get back to having a blast regardless of conditions - besides more time in adverse conditions should hone my sweet skills in preparation for when its 4' and clean, no wind and warm - and I might stand some chance of staying on the dryside a bit more - bring it on.

Part Two

Santa Theresa and Mal Pais sort of blend into one township along the coastal road pretty much ending at the little fishing village.

The area attracts a much younger set, pretty much all surfers, and although I always feel 18 well maybe 21 in my head, I felt very old and out of place down here. Strange. Not at all like Nosara that has - lets say - a more mature demographic. Shane - our eldest - suggested that perhaps the reason that I felt more comfortable here was because it smelt of warm, stale urine, embrocation and the food was pure`ed. (Not true! He actually asked me if I had found out what was the cause of the lingering smell of salmon. Incotinence and senility being just two of his metaphors for me riding a stand up paddle board.

Our intention was to visit the nature reserve at the tip of the Nicoya however some stomach bug that we had brought with us from the UK persuaded us otherwise. Always find that if your going to be ill you are better off in familiar surroundings.

The surf at Santa Theresa was quite punchy, we watched the local young rippers tear up the shore dump at high tide. I'm always amazed how these kids (I swear you see the same ones at breaks all around the world!!) seem to be able to paddle in - bust out numerous turns, floaters and airs all in a wave that pretty much breaks on the head of the beach.


We got up fairly early and were on the road by 8:30, not without some trepidation, by all accounts the drive back was going to be much the same as the one in, and we had both lost sleep over the prospect of making a return visit through some of the river crossings - I didn't think that the RAV4 sump could take much more amateur modification and the car's soundtrack was definatly playing a different tune than when we collected it!

In fact once we rose up out of Santa Theresa the roads were excellent. The scenery was green and lush and we made good time back completing our circuit of the Nicoya peninsula on the inland predominantely tarmac coastal route. What took us 7 plus hours yesterday we completed in under 5 - without doubt the best way to Mal Pais.

Charmaines stomach had been iffy now for a few days so we decided to book a table and eat at the hotel rather than stray too far from safety. I had a half hearted attempt at fishing but ended up being tempted by the surf which although was a bit choppy (perfect by home standards) was good fun and ensured that I kept up my everyday average.



At dinner we got chatting to Darren and Anna who came from Norfolk. They seemed keen on getting into sup but I think that they were just being kind however after a decent meal, salad and spag bol, we made very loose arrangements for a dawn surf.
15-01-2009

Wind got up through the night but dropped enough at first light to snag a few decent waves but by 7 it was blowing me off the board and generally bloody hard work to paddle in. Darren had more sense and stayed tucked up until brekfast.


Double click on this pic and you can tell from the paddle how strong the wind was

We lazed by the pool with a beer and a book, got a small but fun wave in the late afternoon before having dinner at the hotel with Darren and Anna. 16-01-2009



Up early again but although the wind has dropped off so has the swell. My elbows are giving me a bit of grief now, hardly surpising as I have not missed a day since I've been here, might also be down to a change from a glass to an alloy paddle. We are falling into a nice holiday routine now totally chilled and ripping through the books which is something we don't do too much of at home.
17-01-2009

More of the same great little surf this morning followed up by a snooze in the hammock some assing around with the Uli in the pool with Ray, our host, Stefan a German guest Anna and Darren before another late afternoon surf.



We ate at the Guided Iguana - the hotel restaurant is closed on Sundays. Food was excellent Charmaine had beef fajitas I had Cerviche and a Dorado Casado (porn star name) - nice good price as well, 17,000 colones. Certainly eat there again. My cold has now broken out feeling pretty shite, poor Charmaine is still no better. 18-01-2009

Checked magicseaweed.com which said that a fresh swell was due 4 1\2' @ 13 seconds perfection in my book. Seaweed also reckoned that it would improve from 9am so I decided to have brekfast first and then go in. What a session! Chest high on the sets with loads of rideable inside waves. This place has to be paddle and longboard heaven.


There are plenty of peaks, always reeling and easily paddle inable.


I surfed left and rights across the beach and felt planted enough on the board to ride it backwards, albeit awkwardly almost on the nose (like being almost pregnant) I pulled of a couple of complete 360's, thats me not the board.

Still pretty good for me and I felt like I was surfing well. Totally stoked.

The Uli really is an amazing piece of kit, perhaps that should read amazingly simple once you get to grips with the soft rails and the need to drive it off the tail. It forces you (me) to rethink technique such as rail weighting and paddle strokes. Perhaps we get too wrapped up with some of the techy aspects of boards, who knows? All I can say is that the board is fun BIG FUN and I love it.

E.g. When holding station, waiting for a wave I found myself back paddling, keeping my back to the beach and edging in ever so slightly. This seemed to counteract the stiff offshore breezes and allowed me to rapidly turn the board into the catch letting me to drop in fairly late. Also by holding the paddle in my waveside hand I was able to pull the outside rail up with my free hand enabling me to stay in tighter and tucked into the steeper sections of the wave face. Soo stoked.
19-01-2009

Massive increase in wind overnight, quite scary actually I passed on the early surf but got in late afternoon and managed to drop into some biggish barrels but the huge offshore wind made life hard. I did manage to get whoopped into one barrel that was for me the wave of the trip. Big enough for it to go dark behind me, the look on the tico surfers' face paddling out was a picture. 20-01-2009

More to come

Costa Rica - Turtles – Iguanas – Armadillos and ULI’s

If you hate holiday snaps and ‘What I did on holiday’ stories best click on one of the links on the right any one of which will take you to Cyber SUP heaven – if like me you suffer from summer sunshine deficiency – grim economic news overload or you just like spending an indecent amount of your non surfing free time checking out what other people are doing and saying in Cyber SUP land - read on.

‘Drove the 4 hours to Heathrow and stayed at a local hotel overnight as we had an earlyish flight next morning. Caught the plane and had a decent flight courtesy of American airlines. Got into Miami mid afternoon, what a zoo that place is, total superheated bedlam. Made our way to the Sleep inn via free bus and settled down for the night fuelled with a Chinese meal from The Ping house.

Next morning we re-entered the hell that is Miami airport . Queues for checking in bags were at least a mile long. Allow yourself at least three hours here!

Take-Off was an hour and a bit late but at least the flight was short 2hours 50mins. We landed and cleared the terminal at Liberia by three pm just enough time to pick up the hire car and get to Nosara before dark . Fortunately we lucked out with the car and ended up with a Rav4 from Budget rental instead of the smaller Terios that I'd booked. Plenty of room, nice to drive and had a bit of poke. The two and a half hour drive was pretty uneventful,the roads were clear and fairly well marked. I'd forgotten the shock of leaving tarmac though as the last 40k or so was like driving through someone's' allotment.




Dusty, potholed, and fun verging on the scary. One tip - on the unpaved stuff 40mph is a lot smother than 20mph - until you hit a pothole (Costa Rican Definition of a pothole is something that you could bury a adult cow in)!! Also watch out for the random speed humps that guard the towns. These are first gear jobbys unless you want to loose your sump.

We made it to our hotel The Casa Romantica



just before dusk - unpacked got stuck into a beer or two from the honesty bar and sat down to a tomato, pesto, balsamic and mozzarella salad very nice and a fish fillety thing drenched in stuff with rice – nice very very nice.

I woke early and made my way the 200mts to the beach.



Surf was shoulder high on the sets and clean although the wind was fairly strong offshore. It took me a little while to settle down, i thought the Uli would be a doddle after the Naish but it wasn't easy. I pearled a few then caught a few then got into my slot as i dialled in. I nailed some nice cruisy rights and lefts before racing a section and getting a peach of an under the lip cover-up.



Wave of the day for me.

I chatted with a couple of guys whom seemed pretty freaked that the Uli was inflatable, one even swapped boards with me for a while. He had a fair bash at it but couldn't fully get to grips with the board, his Al Merrick was quite nice. We swapped back and i decided that i ought to get back. Charms was up and ready for breakfast ~ fruit and coffee nice

We spent the rest of the day walking the beach, all 6k of Playa Guiones, chilling by the pool and just dialling into Costa Rican time. evening Meal was at Dee's a basic, fast food Vietnamese place, followed by a couple of beers back at the hotel. Still on a UK body clock ~ going to crash right now. . . 12-01-2009

In the water for 6am totally glassy about 2' maybe a bit bigger on the sets. Fantastic, dialled in instantly and cruised my way through a memorable session. Got out at 7'30 for brekkie. It does not get much better than this. Some guy on the beach asked about the Uli ~ said that he had heard that someone had an inflatable on the break but had to check it out for himself. He introduced himself as Jeff and said that he had some decent pics of me surfing. That would be a first! He said to check them out at the Guilded Iguana later.

After breakfast we went for a drive to Playa Pelada, on into Nosara town and then on to Playa Ostional. Interesting drive, - three river crossings



all on what's in effect the road to Camborne.

14-01-2009 Up early before dawn small but fun wave and then back for a decent breakfast. Read for a bit in the hammocks and then decided to break the routine and get on the road to Mal Pais to check out the wild life parks.
What a trip! On the map we had about 60 km to drive even allowing for the roads here I thought 3-4 hours would shake it - yeah right. We were making good time down to Playa Samara, unpaved and potholed but no problem. Samara was bustling and quite pretty, set in a bay with a couple of islands outside. We nosed about for a while and then checked with the local police where we could get fuel. Fortunately there was a gas station just outside town. We topped up and armed with a new map we turned off the main road onto the coastal trail heading south.
The dirt roads always seem to be heading into someone's back garden before heading off on some twist or turn into dense forest. The edges of the track often appeared to be built up banks of soil on the verge of collapse. Bridges came out of the wooded gloom suddenly, always single vehicle, often with no curb or rail. Other traffic was scarce. We wound our way round the coast before turning inland and climbing up into the hills all 1st and 2nd gear stuff with the 4wd lock light permanantly 'on'!

Descending we caught tantalising glimpses of pristine looking beaches framed by luxurious forested hillside.




At one point we passed a guy on horse back towing a young lad on a bike up the snaking climb. It was miles further on before we found a small village. A normal day for them yet a bloody epic adventure for us.

We had now been driving for over 5 1/2 hours. As the roads levelled Real Estate signs became more apparent - civilisation at last. Wrong.. The next turn dropped us into the biggest river crossing yet, one that seemed to lead us around in a circle just to be faced with the same crossing having first driven up the bed of the same river. Madness. We retraced our path took a right 'that should have been wrong' and found a sign for 'Montezuma 21k' fantastic. We met a British couple in a Honda 4wd at the next junction. The track led into another crossing bonnet deep in places the exit was greasy steep and boulder strewn. The British guy had just got stuck in the river attempting it. Having hardly seen anyone on the road we were joined by a Spanish couple who were also en route to Mal Pais. With a bit of attitude the two 4 wd soft roaders made it through - just. Carlos got stuck spinning wheels on the bank. Eventually with a bit of manual labour we got him through and continued on only to be confronted with a similar crossing a few k down the track. We had now been driving 6 hours in 32’c heat – the aircon barely holding it’s own. After the river we climbed again before descending to the beach and heading on through Santa Theresa and finally on into Mal Pais. We checked into a beach side complex that was a bit run down – we didn’t care - had a beer and a cocktail at the bar before going into town for a sushi.’

Part two to follow if you can take it

ULI Lopez Model V Naish 9'3"

Separated at birth?

I guess it's not a secret any more - I have been sitting on this picture for a few months now dying to post it but couldn't. This new ULI is the Gerry Lopez inspired superlight ULI. Gerry Lopez is described on Wikipedia thus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Lopez

"He was widely recognized as the best tuberider in the world, and won the prestigious Pipeline Masters competition in 1972 and 1973. The Pipeline Masters, recognized as the most prestigious professional surfing contest in the world, has been named the Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters for decades in recognition and respect of his deep and hallowed association with this legendary wave."

That's going to be one hell of a surf board - In the pic above I have compared it in plan to my Naish - I just gotta get one. The Naish is nuts - the ULI Steamroller 10' is so cool it's sublime but a ripper it isn't - it will glide and cruise with the best of them but when you want to really let your hair down (spot the bald patch?) it could do with some more rocker and a little less nose.

Still lets me do this




and cruise into no end of these



as always - click the pics to enlarge

But the Lopez is calling and I love the grey deck grip - prefer it to the shark version.