SurfGSD, 01792 360 370, Learn To Surf, Love the Beach Leave No Trace, British Surfing School, surfing development, gower surfing, surf travel, surf information,pictures,swansea bay, Ocean education, holidays, online surf shop, surf hire

Going with the Flow after a surf here in Swansea

After catching a few waves at Caswell yesterday we jumped in my van and headed to the LC Swansea for another blast on the flow rider. The fellow flow riders included Matt from GKR, Tom jenkins South Gower Rugby Club, Andrew Downie of Netbop and Grandad the guardian of Crab Island. It was fun while it lasted and glad to report no bruises for me this time. The session was cut short so the boys ended up playing in the pool and slides. Have just been watching this on you tube it is really sick check it out

Pro Surfers Ripping on a Wave Machine

SurfGSD ex pupil and current employee Josh Hammett wins first leg of the Rip Curl Grom search held in Rest Bay Wales

 

RIPCURL GROM SEARCH 2008

Despite ‘the Seaweed’ giving us a grim forecast, this delighful little contest again continued its tradition of getting lucky. And so, as an icy blast of poo-flavoured winds poured over from the continent, an increasingly keen crew of junior surfers descended on Rest Bay, Porthcawl, to wait for the massive tide to provide enough waves on which to wiggle their way into the judges’ favour.

Saturday was a day of waiting, with comp director Stu Bentley opting to gamble on running the entire event on Sunday. It was a decision that worked out with literally five minutes of tide to spare the following day.

With most of the competitors weighing less than their surfboards, the Under 12s took to the water first thing Sunday morning, with a surprisingly high standard. Young Billy Sharp from the Gower was ripping it up on his mini-board, making Jack Davies really work for the eventual win. Tasman Knight and Ed Bresnan also impressed.

Millie Little put together a near-flawless heat to take down the Under 12 Girls, leaving Peony Knight and the Poutney sisters, Patsy and Connie, scrapping around for the remains.

Both Under 14 categories were also excitingly competitive, with all spectators leaving the beach confident that there is indeed a bright future for Welsh surfing. Sam Harwood caned it in the Boys division, while Harriet Knight saw off Ainsley Richards in the Girls. Considering Ainsley only competed for the first time a week previously (when she lined up for Welsh Coast Bs in the Inter Clubs), this was a real feat, and she’s sure to go one better in the near future.

The Under 16s was the showpiece of the day though – with the highest Welsh boy and girl winning a trip to the Grom Search European Final, during this summer’s Rip Curl Boardmasters in that Cornish place (the name of which no self-respecting Welshman can ever say or write in public).

In the Girls event Swansea’s Hannah Griffiths was the cat that got the cream. By finishing runner-up to the stylish Megan Burns, she earned her ticket to the Grand Final. Again, the standard in difficult high-tide conditions was through the roof – with all competitors linking smooth, on-rail surfing throughout.

The Boys event saw an upset in the semis, as Tom Good failed to find a back-up wave in a stacked heat. This left the door open for a two-horse race between Porthcawl’s Max Tucker and Gower lad Josh Hammett. The tide filling in fast meant that strategy became paramount, and Josh kept a cool head, weaving great turns in to the waves that came his way for a deserving win, and the title of 2008 Welsh Grom Search Champion.

Thanks to Richard Hutchinson at Rip Curl for backing us, and Stu Bentley of Welsh Coast and the WSF for managing the event. It’s because of these guys that Grom Search has become a great fixture on the Welsh surf calendar. Rest Bay also did its bit, by yet again giving us swell, and while we should keep this amongst ourselves, you should know that some of the biggest of Rip Curl’s big-wigs were seen later that night, at an undisclosed location, discussing the viability of Porthcawl as the venue for this year’s Search WCT – after it failed to take place in West Oz. Mick Fanning making his way down the slip at Rest in a contest jersey? Let’s dare to dream!

            - Tom Anderson

BOYS U12     GIRLS U12

1^ST Jack Davies    Millie Little

2^nd William Sharp    Patsy Pountney

3^rd Tasman Knight    Peony Knight

4^th Edward Bresnan    Connie Pountney

BOYS U14     GIRLS U14

1^ST Sam Harwood    Harriet Knight

2^nd Daniel Bresnan    Ainsley Richards

3^rd William Pountney   Hannah Griffiths

4^th David Williams    Lucy Campbell

BOYS U16     GIRLS U16

1^ST Josh Hammett    Megan Burns

2^nd Max Tucker    Hannah Griffiths

3^rd Dan Rogers    Lucy Campbell

4^th William Pountney   Sophie Sainsbury

Surfing for everyone, some surf pictures from saturday at Caswell Beach

We have had lovely waves all weekend for the customers and Crab Island has been fun to, was glad to hear Paul Preedy was back out in the line up. Been a busy weekend with all the rugby and watching the surf contest on the web from Thurso in Northern Scotland. Looking forward to surfing there soon.

Fat Face release dates for Night Surf 2008 in Newquay, Cornwall

UK Pro Surf Tour (UK PST)
Stop No 2 of 9 on 2008 UK PST
27^th 28^th 29^th June, 2008
Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay Cornwall www.bpsauktour.com Fat Face, the active lifestyle brand, has confirmed the dates for this year’s Fat Face Night Surf as 27-29^th June, which will take place at Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay.

Part of the UKPSA (UK Pro Surf Association) Surf Tour, last year’s event attracted over 150 competitors – with Pros riding alongside the amateurs - with the limited swell testing the competitors to the absolute max.

Australia’s Jarrad Sullivan claimed the Men’s Night Surf Open Title, just stealing it from local boy, Russ Winter! Fat Face Team Rider, Chris Thomson won the Longboard competition and Holly Donnelly won the women’s final.  There was also a hotly contested Grommits Comp with Harry Timson, maintaining his title as U12 winner and Gwen Spurlock taking the trophy home in the U16 girl’s event.

Ian Williams, Fat Face Events Manager, comments: “The Fat Face Night Surf is one of the most testing events on the UKPSA tour due to the major lack of ability to see the waves coming in. Night surfing relies on natural ability to react to the flow and possible changes in direction of any given wave let alone the off putting shadows thrown by the lights.”

Dave Reed, Contest Director from the UKPSA comments: “ This is the eigth annual Night Surfing event, the only one in the UK, the event gets bigger and bigger each year and the importance of it on the tour also increases as it retains a two star status with more prize money and points available for the Open division.” Adding “Every year we have put the event on it has been sponsored by Fat Face and supported by the Adventure Centre at Lusty Glaze, without their help the event would not take place, we on the tour would like to thank them both for the commitment they give to help the growth of Professional Surfing”

Last year the Red Arrows graced the skies above and entertained the crowds, who turned up in their droves to enjoy one of the only sunny weekends last summer!

Competitors and spectators alike can be sure to be part of another awesome weekend of top surfing, a chilled environment, fireworks and the best parties, long into the night!

Fat Face will be providing free surf lessons, for would be surf hopefuls, with Team Riders offering words of advice and vital tips. Having just launched its own range of surfboards (Mini Mal, Classic Nose Rider and Fish), Fat Face will be showcasing its gear and encouraging people to have a go, regardless of experience.

With the event growing at an incredible rate over the past few years, proving overwhelmingly popular, organisers are, for the second year, making the Fat Face Night Surf a ticket only event. Full details of how to get your tickets are available from www.fatface.com/events 

In addition to all the prizes given Relentless Energy Drink will be awarding £250 to the surfer who performs the best floater of the contest, which could come from the Open, Women’s, Longboard or Grommet divisions.

For further information please contact: Dave Reed 01637 854854 or visit the website: www.bpsauktour.com

Avoid the grid lock and travel by train, coach and some may choose the plane

It has never been easier to leave your car at home and just jump on the train, more increasingly so groups are just hiring coaches or mini-buses and sharing the driving and costs. For smaller groups why not car pool?  Problems such as not having space for your surfboards or bikes are not a problem anymore as most of these products can be hired at your destination. I have noticed that national Express have their Glastonbury festival coach seats available now to on their website.  With the rising cost of fuel the time is right to keep an eye on those bargain deals offered by numerous websites that will get you to the coast cheaper and less stressed.

Here is a page of transport options for visiting Newquay for a surfing break or Gower, west Wales near Swansea.

The Barracuda brings the NUTS MAGAZINE BABE SEARCH 2008- to Newquay

Thanks to Barry Croxall for the information below.

THE NUTS BABE SEARCH 2008 TOUR HAS BEEN TOURING THE UK SINCE MARCH

The winner for the NUTS Magazine Babe search which is to be held at Newquays Barracuda on Sunday May 25th can win;

*CONTRACT WITH A TOP LONDON MODELLING AGENCY *PHOTO SHOOT WITH NUTS MAGAZINE
*APPEARANCE ON NUTS TV

Doors open at 9pm On Sunday May 25th at the entertainment begins at 11.30pm.  Tickets available in advance from www.ticketweb.co.uk

3 x girls as seen in the fantastic photo will appear on stage to perform a A VERY SEXY DANCE ROUTINE

A fine selection of local girls wearing NUTS bikinis will appear on stage one at a time with 30 seconds each to impress the judges with a talent. This can be anything of their choice i.e: singing, dancing, impressions, tell a joke, put both legs behind their head! etc etc. The NUTS babes will comment and pick the winner for the evening.

The winner will be presented with a winners sash by the girls and photographed with them for the magazine by the official NUTS the pictures will then appear in NUTS magazine.

All NUTS babes and contestants will go to the VIP branded area and pose for pictures, do interviews, and sign autographs for Newquays clubbers.

The winning Barracuda babe will be invited onto nuts TV for an interview and will of course be in the final, live on nuts TV later in the year when one girl will be crowned 'nuts babe of the year' and win a contract with a top london modelling agency, a photo shoot with nuts magazine and an appearance on nuts tv!

The latest news from VBS.TV regarding Earth Day

Earth Day is coming up, and over here at VBS.tv we like the planet so we are trying to save it.

I wanted to pass you over a piece we are doing on the North Pacific Garbage Patch, I saw a site who picked up our story, also referenced your article. I was hoping maybe we could get a push, like a follow up piece on your article.

At VBS.tv we had read all the articles about this environmental problem but didn't see much in the way of video. So curiosity and the challenge compelled us west to the middle of the Pacific Ocean to show what other people had only been writing about. We go all the way out ( 2 straight days on a sail boat) expecting to see a floating dump, looking for our money shot that will make us famous.

Here's the bad news, there is no money shot. What people don't get is that it's not really a patch and it's not really an island, both of which you might be able to contain and control. No, what we found is much worse. It's like a gigantic toxic stew and it's a big big problem that we need to pay attention to now.

We decided to go against the conventional wisdom that internet video is for those with short attention spans, and are rolling out 12 episodes.

You can go here to view the trailer for Toxic: Garbage Island and follow the series - http://www.vbs.tv/shows/toxic/garbage-island/

TOXIC Garbage Island Part 1 of 12 - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308505

Searching out the Pacific Ocean's mythical floating trash heap.

TOXIC Garbage Island Part 2 of 12 - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308600

The ORV Alguita casts off for the middle of nowhere.

TOXIC Garbage Island Part 3 of 12 - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308604

The Captain nets a moon jellyfish, nature's plastic bag.

Parts 4 - 12 run through the next two weeks.

Learn to Tow Surf courses run by the only authorised K38 centre in the UK and Ireland

Summer is coming and for those looking to follow the likes of Al Mennie and Cotty next winter then perhaps you should go on this excellent course run by H2O water safety.

Learn to surf, how to book your surfing lesson with SurfGSD at Fistral surf school or Gower Surf School

We offer surfing courses for everyone and provide all the surf equipment that you will need to enjoy the waves and learn how to surf.

Learn to surf Rhossili Beach, Caswell Beach, Aberavon Beach and Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

How do I book?

1) First decide which location you would like to visit and surf with us. We operate near Swansea which is just off the M4 on the Gower Coast line, in addition we also operate in Newquay at Fistral beach.

2) Simply contact us via the following web pages, 1) Swansea, Gower 2) Fistral beach and let us know what dates you are looking for, how many off you, what type of surfing session (1-2-1, school activity group, stag or hen etc) and any other information you may require such as places to stay, camp sites or price quote we will get back to you within 24 hours by email or phone.

3) Once we have agreed on your surfing day, session type, price we will direct you to the following surf shop site were you may be asked to pay a deposit or the full amount.

4) We will confirm the surf booking and send a PDF with surf course/safety information to you then put you in our surf calender.

5) Four to Five days prior (VIP) simply email or txt us to confirm time and meeting place stating which location you are surfing at: Fistral beach or Gower Coast and we will send you  txt/email back with meeting information to you.

6) Bring a towel, warm clothing some money for lunch, any asthma pumps etc that you need (nb, if you are on medication/long term illness you will need to get permission off your GP) and most importantly a sense of humour..

7) You will be met by the GSD hut at Caswell Bay or in the car park opposite the worms head hotel in Rhossili village if surfing on Gower Coast. For surfing in Newquay we meet in the car park at North Fistral beach next to the new surfing centre which hosts showers, cafes and shops. Please see pictures of our vans so that you can find us; GSD surf vehicles

8) You will be handed a wetsuit which may need to be turned the right way around and when slipping into them please make sure the zip is always at the back. Then you will be handed a red GSD identity vest to place over the wetsuit for safety purposes.

9) The surf coaches will go through safety information of specific beach, surf conditions and other important safety tips to enhance your board riding development.

Here are some surf pictures of our customers enjoying the thrill of surfing and here is our surf video page on you tube, for more up to date information on surfing here in the UK why not join us on Facebook see you soon on a surf beach of your choice.

Happy Surfing Simon @ SurfGSD

Surfboard hire, Stand up paddle board sessions, mountain boarding and even a flow rider

Summer is coming and it is time to to grab a board that takes your fancy and go for it, SurfGSD are now pleased to be offering surfing lessons and surf hire starting in May through to September via Sunnyside hotel, Newquay.

Also during our junior after school lessons and adult after work sessions when the surf is flat we will be introducing stand up paddle training which is fantastic for core stability.

We have set up a page on this site board riding development which will be geared towards xtreme board sports including news and events on the new flow rider at the LC Swansea.