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Live and Travel do not work without SURF!

Is sitting out somewhere, just waiting and waiting for that magic day at the spot you have travelled to surf. You  all may of probably noticed that since I have been here in CA I have only posted one picture of decent waves @ Moss Landings.

Well the reason for this is that it has been 'Live and Travel without much surf!  Which I have got to say makes or breaks you.

We have driven up and down the coast chasing swells for very little gain... I am sat waiting for a solid swell at last hitting 2morow and Tuesday so will ensure I spend hours in the water to make up for wasted time.

I have been dreaming about this place (see pic below) which is a long way from here (Nor Cal)  and better than most of the waves here 2... the best bit is it's on my door step....

Live and Travel do not work without SURF!

Are five fins better than 4? Bonzer fives, quads, thrusters, twins, single fins?

The quad that Chris Harris shaped me has totally transformed my back hand surfing, the thing loves going straight up and down, however, when the surf becomes a bit more serious it is time to jump on the Bonzer 5 shaped lovingly by Malcolm Campbell. 

Of course you can use all different fin set ups on the quad to help ride larger surf, but to be honest it is super fun as set up in the picture below ( with two large fcs h2 fins at the front) going back hand in anything up to 6 feet (see pic 1)  When the surf starts getting above that this is my board of choice see pics 2 onwards)  The centre fin on the bonzers is a 6.5' but for the larger guns I have a 7' fin

The 6'10 Bonzer five above is 3 inches thick on the chest with heaps of volume kept up front for easy paddling and wave catching, checkout the rear end of this little hottie!  Sick a ?

Thanks to Malcom and Mike for help on dimensions etc for the surfboards

Live, Surf and Travel it is the only way.....

Thank you Mr Slater!

Well if the best surfer of all time is prepared to stick extra foam into his board to catch waves and ride heavy pipeline/backdoor with it then surely it is time for us mortals to look at our surfboards and ask the question does this thing work for me? Or does it just look cool?  

Mr Slater's board was described as 'ugly' but he won pipe on it!   What would you prefer a board that helps you catch loads of waves and improves your surfing or a board that looks cool and allows you to sit there watching others having fun?  Anyway here is an excellent article by Surfline.com read it and think about it > MR Slater's surfboard

No Butts on the Beach, Keep the Ocean clean and can your litter, excellent signs to help potential polluters make the right choice

Ban butts on the beach as they have here in Santa Monica why? click here > NO BUTTS ON THE BEACH

Pretty simple idea, on these beach bins why not try this on our British beaches?

Anyone been to Caswell,  Langland or Fistral on a hot summers day? Well perhaps these may help, of course the last two summers we have had have really kept the beaches clean.   Have you seen this on YouTube about plastic crap in our oceans film produced by the SAS (Surfers Against Sewage)?  Click here > Save our Seas

Any comments?  

Surfers code of conduct at surf spots in California, do we need these in the UK?

The other day I posted a surf code of conduct sign at Steamer lane here is one in Ventura different design but same message (click on picture to maximise). Perhaps it is time that we have these signs at some of our busy spots.

I came to Ventura to meet up with Malcom Campbell and to collect two of his famous boards for a trip  this winter to the Atlantic Island for more info on Bonzers click here > Campbell Bros Surfboards

Live, Surf and Travel

 

Portugal surf trip footage click here > Live, Surf and Travel

Empty beaches, points and reefs still to be found in Nor California for the searchers

Here is keith (local gower surfer) and myself walking back from a super fun surf in Nor Cal. Not sure how many miles of beach we had to ourselves but I do know that this beach has one of the deepest canyons pointing right at it.. which of course gives the waves extreme power = marmalizations galore...  Anyway, a surf book also rates this spot as the best beach break in California!  

You hear people say that it is crowded in California but if you are willing to surf with Mr White and his many friends plus put up with cold water you will have the surf trip of your life for sure. I can see why Keith has returned for so many winter seasons in this spot.

If the surf goes crap then head inland a few miles and you are at one with nature, redwood forests etc pretty awesome stuff...  Talking of which, well done Mr Slater for a Pipe victory have seen the video footage over on Surfline.com and looks heavy as with the water being that colour, also of interest was his choice in surfboard...  Live, Surf and Travel

The basic rules of surfing displayed at the entrance to the Lane here in Santa Cruz, California

Perhaps a sign like this should be put up at all busy spots, click on it to maximise size:  First rule do not drop in as can have serious implications at spots like Pipeline, a story run on the dailystoke naming a professional surfer for dropping in and causing injury to another.

Paddle around wave not through the line up, which of course guys do out crab and wonder why they get run over! Click here > Surf incident prevention

Meanwhile over in Maui, Ben G from K38 UK is on a jet ski/tow seminar and tells me he has been rubbing shoulders with DD and God (Laird H) he will be sending me some info and pics over for blog post later.

That is all from a sunny Nor Cal for today... Live surf and Travel..

Not California but Brighton! Surfers flock to A1Surf.com Surf Movie & Party Night

A1Surf.com recently held its first surf movie and party night in Brighton, with over 250 local surfers flocking to watch NOTCALIFORNIA return to the big screen after six years.

Held in association with WAVEDREAMER.co.uk and surf movie maker and Richard Gregory, the night saw the DVD launch of NOTCALIFORNIA, a film first made by Richard in Brighton six years ago.

Before the main film was screened, the audience were treated to the micro-moves and featurettes that make up the ‘bonus material’ on the new DVD. These included material filmed in Cornwall, Devon and Ireland with the likes of Alex Knost, Dane Peterson, Tyler Hatzikian, Elliot Dudley, Sam Bleakley and Ashley Braunton and Ben Haworth.

Richard Gregory said: “It was such a treat to see so many of my old mates from Brighton and meet some of the new crew. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way.

 

“It was a brilliant to show some of my recent work for the first time and I’m looking forward to the next A1Surf movie night!”

David Somerville from A1Surf.com said: “It was amazing to get so many of the local crew along to our first movie night.

“Seeing NOTCALIFORNIA again was a real pleasure, especially for those who starred in it.

“We have had loads of requests to run another film night in Brighton again, plus take it on the road to other surfing communities, so watch this space.”

A raffle was also held on the night in aid of Surfers Against Sewage, with prizes kindly donated by Nineplus and Chilled Turtle.

And several local surfers, including former English Longboard Champion Jock Paterson, took to the stage to update the crowds on the proposed development to destroy the wave at Brighton Marina.

The DVD of NOTCALIFORNIA is now available to buy on A1Surf.com.

For more information about Richard’s films check out WAVEDREAMER.co.uk

Virgin Atlantic the surfer friendly airline and classic conditions here in Nor Cal

Thanks to Virgin for an excellent flight, no charge and no hassles about my 10 ft coffin bag will defo be using them again. Above is a picture of a point one of many that I have seen today with no one out. Mind you this one is next to a seal colony and Mr white is probably on the lookout.

Had pancakes for breakfast,and burritos for dinner I think by the end of the trip I will be over them until next winter..  Live, Surf and Travel currently in Nor Cal