Images of classic big wave riders with thanks to Sonic Editions

Sonic Editions unveils new images from iconic Surf photographer; Grant Rohloff

Sonic Editions, the online retailer that specialises in affordable limited edition photography, has curated a unique collection of inspirational photographs ideal for any fanatical surfer. The hand framed, professional prints capture surfing at its purist.

The series features a number of iconic images of some of the most influential surfers of the past fifty years, as shot by Grant Rohloff at such iconic locations as Waimea Bay and more.

Sonic Editions uses its substantial archive to democratise art, making rarely seen images affordable and accessible for the first time.

  For more info go 2 > Sonic editions website

 

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!

 

 

 

 

Europe’s largest free charity Beach & Watersports festival to be run July 3rd & 4th in Brighton, UK

Europe’s largest free charity Beach & Watersports festival  
 

The Paddle Round The Pier Beach festival was established in 1996 and now sees estimated visitor numbers of over 40,000. 

The event run over the weekend of July 3rd & 4th in Brighton, UK, is unique in that it is run entirely by volunteers and has seen record growth of 100% in size for the past four years running.  

The “Paddle” is known for its relaxed atmosphere and friendly vibe, which means visitors and exhibitors come back year on year, bringing more friends and retail/exhibitors. Although the Paddle has a free entrance policy, donations on the gates has allowed the Paddle to give more than £80,000 away to charity in the last few years.  

In 2009 the Paddle Round The Pier was voted for as one of the “Top Ten Summer Festivals” by the Times, “Top 15 Summer Destinations” by the Guardian. The Independent noted it as “a highlight of the summer”, plus the Express and Mail on Sunday said it was “in the top 30 festivals to visit.” 

For further details please contact:

Dave Samuel – paddle director 07876 773923, sandals@paddleroundthepier.com  

Love the Beach Leave no trace, If you can't, then do not visit

Above, the awesome drive into Mumbles village with Swansea Bay on the left handside even nicer on a sunny day with the tide in it is amazing.

You then get to one of our glorious beaches, have a barbecue with friends or family and leave all your crap on the beach (ketchup bottles, chip packets, barbecues, empty cans of beer, needles, glass)  WHY?

The very place you have visited for it's beauty, peace, and well being is being destroyed by litter bugs so why contribute to it?

Last year we did a beach clean at Caswell beach and whilst collecting other peoples crap, a family sat on the beach dug a hole and filled it with more litter in front of us! 

I could not believe it, I walked over and asked them to put it in their bag and take it home with them.

If you do see individuals leaving rubbish or making mess on the beach please report them to the lifeguards or Council officials on 01792 636-000 

Pics below show litter including a barbecue, glass sauce bottle....  

  

 

In Swansea Bay this weekend? Then why not visit -The Village

More information on the Village click here > Village Hotel Swansea Bay

Local boy seals fairy tale ending at 6 star event at Huntingdon Beach, California

Bob Hurley gave $100K to the winner of the US Open, a local lad Brett Simpson in what has been described by Chris Cote, Rob Machado and Bob Hurley himself as a 'fairy tale' weekend with the best surf HB could have expected hosting the top surfers in the world. 

Along with the all star tow sessions, skate boarding, Bmx contests the weekend has been an awesome advert for surfing and has sent a new standard to judge events by. A crowd estimated at 200k crammed the beach to watch the worlds best surfers including Kelly Slater and Joel Tudor in fun south swell and scorching sunshine, unlike outside my window. I settled down at around 15.00 ish and watched the entire event unfold with the thanks of the Internet now that is a super sunday!

Well done Hurley and thanks for the live web feed

Video clips from the event can be viewed online on surfline or US open surfing event

SUPER SUNDAY!

Atlantic Surf and Lions rugby, perfect!

Nice 1-2 ft waves at the moment with sun, make the most of the sun today as rain is forecast weds'.

Going down Caswell now for a quick dip and swim then rush back up the hill to watch the Lions roar again. One more warm up match and into saturday for the first test, getting nervous?

Here is a link to the rugby updates > British Lions

Here is a picture of the surf at the moment from Gower Live >

Swansea and Gower Surf good again today

Gower live showing nice lines this morning for a couple of surfers in Langland this morning, Rhossili Bay looking good at the moment with the tide pushing in all morning.

I am going to have a swim across caswell and back then grab a swell board and have a few waves for fun.

The nightsurf contest was on down at Fistral, Newquay last weekend and the UKPSA could not have asked for better surfing conditions info from the event below:

Alan Stokes wins the Gul Night surf with a spectacular display of surfing, scoring a perfect 10 on the way to the final. Alan now has the most wins for an individual event on the UK Pro Surf Tour, making it three times over the nine year history of the competition. Runner up was local surfer Tom Butler, who must have put on the most improved performance by any individual surfer and was unlucky to loose out in the final, despite scoring the best wave of the heat. Third place went to Reubyn Ash of Bude, whose semi final heat raised the bar for the other surfers. Fourth place went to Oli Adams who failed to catch the better waves coming through in the heat.

Also excellent news for two ex GSD surfers Jo Denison from Pembrokeshire dominated the Women’s event throughout all her heats, also taking the Queen of the wave award, for the highest Women’s scoring wave of 9.5, sponsored by King of Watersports. Second place went to Gwen Spurlock of Swansea making it her second runners up place on the Tour. First time finalised Laura Crane who normally competes in the under 16 Girls division took third place, followed by fourth place for Hannah Harding of Totnes.

for more info on our surfing lessons or booking a taster session > Click on picture below

Only 3 hours away, yet a million miles in reality

Yesterday Izzy and I missed our train to London by two minutes, which I did not think would be a problem as we could just catch the next train right?

Well, I found out something new. If you buy train tickets online 'do not miss it' as you will have to pay the full fee for the next train.

Izzy looked at me and said 'it will be better to drive dad', which of course we did and three hours later we came to a halt at Heston in traffic which along with the dull grey skies welcome you to London.

The reason we had missed our train was that we had been on Caswell beach with friends enjoying the sun and with our feet firmly in the sand.. oh joy..

Only 3 hours away but a million miles from the beach is London with a further two hours in the van getting over to East London. East London, the home of pie and mash, Alf Garnett, Eastenders, West Ham United and my parents. 

I walked around parts of East London today and felt very sad at the changes, pie and mash shops that I loved in my childhood... closed, pubs that used to be the heart of the community closed, shops closing, Alf Garnett moved to Essex or Kent, in fact all that is left are my mum, dad and a few of the old community  hanging in there despite their offspring trying to get them to leave.

See you somewhere...

For more info on our surfing lessons or booking a taster session > Click on picture below

 

A good weekend in Swansea

Friday night was good with a rugby match on the TV followed by a young live band playing in the Vic bar, Mumbles they have live music most Fridays so always worth popping in for a pint and some tunes.

Saturday and Sunday went like a blur with glorious weather on Sunday, as pic above shows with a view of Caswell bay not far from Mumbles, Swansea.

Sunday night I went to see Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood what an awesome film go and see it!

It is now Monday and raining yuk... are you living for the weekend?

For places to stay in Swansea and eating in Swansea see links below.

Places to eat Swansea Bay

Places to stay Swansea Bay

For more info on our surfing lessons or booking a taster session > Click on picture below