Be more like Jonathan & make 2011 count, push yourself more & enjoy the results

'Life is too short to Pike..'  

The world is full of ordinary waves and ordinary surf communities going about their lives in an ordinary way. It is easy to conform and become part of that way of life (the matrix) and cruise along with the flock.

However, why not become a 'Jonathan Livingstone Seagull' type of individual for 2011 and do something different?

The world also has many surf zones that are waiting for those individuals willing to step up a few gears. Most, unfortunately are off the beaten track or in awful climate zones > Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Tasmania, Scotland etc  (ps awful climate to me means cold and wet, the locals may actually enjoy the conditions)

Of course to change your pattern and move from the flock will take a great deal of mental fortitude. For starters you may need to improve your fitness so why not think about hitting the swimming pool on a regular basis. Perhaps add a session a week on the indoor surf machine with Brett and the guys to improve your leg & core strength (unlike carpet sweeping it will not upset anyone else). Jump on your push bike more often, go walking or join your local 'cross fit' class.  These activities will not only improve your fitness but build your confidence & mental strength.

What sort of surf trip are you looking for? Is it just to catch as many waves as possible, so as to work on your cut back or bottom turns? Or perhaps you want to put yourself in a surf spot and just wait for that one swell, which may produce that one magic wave?

All surf trips are good, but may define you by your choice. Sometimes it is good to mix your surf trip choices up to keep everything fresh or to remind yourself why you hate busy surf spots!

Whatever you choose try and think more like 'Jonathan Livingstone Seagull' than the flock, you will be pleased with the results of pushing yourself....

Happy New Year in 2011, now go travel and get yourself some waves 

 

Looking for a Last minute Christmas gift? How about a Learn To Surf Voucher from SurfGSD

Give the gift of surfing to someone special this Christmas, no going to the shops simply click on to www.shopgsd.com then hit the surfing gift vouchers link, you will have a few options to choose from.  

Once decided how much you want to spend on a gift simply pay online via our secure shopping server. After completing the transaction you will receive an email receipt from us which you simply print out and pop into a card. The voucher is valid for one year from purchase and we provide all the equipment! Easy > www.shopgsd.com

The Gill swaps his surfboard for a snowboard at Langland Beach, Swansea

Rather than bothering with chop hopping or carpet sweeping Paul Gill aka 'The Gill' grabbed his snowboard and slid down the road from Langland Cove B & B to the beach on a shortcut to Langland golf club which was offering up perfect snow bowls to all the local community rather than 18 holes to the exclusive members of Langland golf course.

Pictures below document The Gills snowboard adventure. (Click on pics to enlarge them)

Sliding down his road to Langland beach

Surf check at Langland beach, checkout the guy having a swim in the second picture

Below the exclusive Langland Golf club used by all of the community when we have snow, with Langland bay in the background.

Picture below, apres ski in a Langland cafe, Gills next mission is a visit to the Welsh Alps (Merthyr Tydfil & Heads of the Valleys) which of course means no hassles with airports etc 

By the way GSD is a surf company not snow and the Gill proudly tells me that his expensive looking attire is mainly from TK Maxx & jumper by Val Doonican!

 

 

 

 

Tickets for Farmfestival now on sale

Tickets for Farmfestival now on sale.

Tickets for the UK's 'Best Value Festival' are now on sale. Dates for 2011 are 29th/30th July. Priced the same as last year, Earlybird Tickets £30, adult weekend - no extras. Farmfestival, is expanding, for 2011 there will be an additional live stage, making 3 live stages and 2 dance tents.

To get tickets, follow the link on our website www.farmfestival.co.uk , or call the Farmfestival Office on 0845 838 9924.

Peter Vernon

Yellow Wire release new single, ‘Last Breath’ January 2011

Yellow Wire release new single, ‘Last Breath’ January 2011

Following the timely release, earlier this year, of the debut single ‘Where is the Summer?’ Yellow Wire return fresh from the studio with the heart-stopping new single, ‘Last Breath’, due for release on 3rd January 2011.

Searching lyrics wrapped up in the warmth of its musical sheepskin, ‘Last Breath’ is the sanguine repost to a heart left wanting, culminating in the anthemic crescendo of crashing guitars and the soaring vocals of singer and songwriter, Ol Beach.

Fans of Band Of Horses and The Killers listen up - here is your band to watch in 2011!

More about Yellow Wire: Yellow Wire is the debut solo project by Ol Beach. Since leaving former band Wire Daisies in 2008, Ol has spent two years pursuing his own solo career, writing and producing his debut album in Cornwall with a group of talented session musicians. Lead single ‘Where Is The Summer?’, was released on August 23rd followed by a series of UK gigs.

The new single ‘Last Breath’ is taken from Yellow Wire’s forthcoming album due for release in Spring 2011.

The band will be on tour throughout December and January 2011.

For more information please contact:
louie@all-leo.com, tel: 0207-017-8120

Very little in the way of surf for weeks on end?

If you live in a place with very little in the way of surf for weeks on end then why not add this to your keep fit regime.

It will keep your core strong and legs super fit plus improve your surfing technique. (Without upsetting other water users)

As you know it's all about time in the water so why not have a few sessions with us and then spend more time in the water!

Other than that, move somewhere with consistent quality surf..

Live. Surf & Travel....

http://blip.tv/file/4523306

 

Surf travel picture of the week, with thanks to Gower based surfer Nick Rees

Above is Nick In South America enjoying the great weather, warm water and waves. As part of his massive trip chasing waves all over the place. Can't understand why he wants to do that this time of year, we are not jealous at all....

We are also currently waiting for some pictures and info from elite longboarder Tom 'Flash' Fisher who is currently in Costa Coffee, sorry Rico and from the look of the images on his Facebook profile he is doing plenty of partying anyway that's  Live, Surf & Travel get a passport and get out of here the world is full of real waves.

For learning before you follow that Live, Surf & Travel ethos get a surf lesson here in the UK, after that then hire a surfboard as often as possible and have fun hopefully in the below soft safe type of waves. Then have a next step surfing lesson and get advice on what starter surfboard you will require to progress your surfing on.  p.s Nick (above) started surfing many years ago with us at Caswell Beach, Swansea

Above a picture of Welsh waves lapping on one of the many glorious Gower beaches, which offer the best conditions for learning to surf in the UK.

 

 

Pipeline contest starts today which marks the end of the ASPtour and final run up to Christmas

Pipeline the wave that all others are compared with. I took this picture last winter and tonight will have an even better view of the majestic pipeline/backdoor doing it's thing with the best surfers in the world on it. This is the final contest on the ASP world tour and also the last part of the Triple Crown event. Click here for a breakdown on the wave called Pipeline

A favourite to win the Triple crown was young Julian Wilson who placed a second and a third in the last two events on the North shore but is not being allowed to enter this event all very strange and has got heaps of us surfers confused at a blatant balls up or surf politics gone wrong who knows. (For more info on this see this link Surfer magazine)

Anyway, back to the contest you should be able to watch the event on the following link > Pipeline, Triple crown contest the start of this contest usually signals that Christmas is nearly here why not buy an ideal last minute surfing gift for someone special?

Anyway, the surf looks great for the north shore the next two days more than can be said about here in Europe with that strange weather cycle upon us again.

All we want for Christmas is SURF please Santa send us waves...

 

 

 

Not tropical by a long way in fact probably more Polar at the moment but on days like this you just got to go surf

Air Temp minus 5, Water Temp 10 C, along with the M4 having problems due to icicles causing dangers on the bridges, but here in Swansea the skies were blue so dream on...

This was sunrise on the hill taken from Mumbles Village, with hardly a breath of wind clear blue skies and a small south west ground swell gently lapping at our shores. I decided it had to be the day to get back in the water after months away surfing in very warm water.

I put on my 6/5/4, boots, gloves and hood and stumbled down to the beach with my good old faithful swell board, I was joined by a friend from Maroc whom had never surfed in cold water before, but was stoked as he could see the small waves peeling around the Island and wanted to get in there.

Anyway, I have to say that after the 10 minute paddle and my first wave I had to take my hood off, why? Well I was absolutely roasting, I asked my pal if he was ok and he just gave that big stoked smile only a surfer knows. 

Anyway, I lasted an hour in the sea and had so much fun. After the surf session at Crab Island I went straight to the Village in SA1, Swansea for a swim and defrost in their steam room.

A great day had back in Wales, at the end of the day... It is what it is so make the most of it..

All we do is surf!

Our online surf shop now open to help buy those last minute Christmas gifts

With 24 days of shopping to go until the big day why not buy a surf gift voucher online or book someone special a surfing weekend in South West Wales or Newquay, Cornwall next summer?

Visit our new site and we will see you on the beach next year!   www.shopgsd.com

Surfing is addictive