Kayak Fishing, the Ginger Prince and, finally, a SUP surf.

It's still raining in Cornwall. I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone, especially all us Cornish but I'm sure that it never used to rain continually. Maybe it's just a romanticised ideal of my home county that I've been keeping close to me heart these last few years. Maybe I should just stop moaning.

Another family member who has had a problem with the wet has been the Ginger Prince AKA Gally, my faithful yet dippy hound. After 7 years in the relative warmth of the Canaries he was cruelly stuffed in a cage and flown back to the damp North Atlantic weather. The look of betrayal is almost too much to bare. Even after I laboured for 3 days (thanks Nik) to make a luxurious box for him to travel in. It had to be  120cm x 90cm x 90cm for our medium sized dog. 10cm clearance above his (erect) ears, able to turn around without touching the sides and stretch out full length with no contact. Food and water on demand.

Gally tavelling in style.

All well and good says I. I just wish that the airlines took the same care with their paying customers.

With the surf being non existent or just plain shite since coming back from the Canaries I've had to find new ways to enjoy the water. Preparing myself for what will undoubtedly be a bonanza first season of kayak fishing for bass and mackerel I got out around the Goose a couple of times.

Here's the result:

No caption required!

After that massive success you can imagine how relieved I was when that was actually a little bit of surf. Here's a SUP vid from Crantock:

Video Fanatic 9'1" McKee Crantock Beach April 2012

Hi,

here's a link to a little vid I made at Crantock a couple of days ago. Nice little springtime waves .... at last!

First time I've ridden the 9'1" McKee, had a ball, thanks Fanatic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T4hK58eNgA

Cheers now,

Rob.

Taking The Fantic 9'9" Semi Gun For A Trundle.

Hello folks,

well the 'Cotty Swell' that produced such incredible waves for the loonies in Ireland last week arrived in the Canaries smaller and quite a bit less brutal, if the images and video I've seen are anything to go by. In my head it's always gonna be the 'Cotty Swell' for his mental wave that you should probably check out at:

http://www.surfline.com/surflinetv/primetime/one-wild-irish-ride_67933

Anyhow, I'm sure that Sat 10th brought some good waves somewhere in the islands, I hear rumours of big waves being ridden in Tenerife, but the La Santa area didn't like the northerly element of the swell and so whilst being pretty really didn't live up to expectations.

Sunday 11th brought much smaller but still fun waves and I was stoked to finally get a run on Fanatic's new 9'9" Semi Gun after the bulk of the season being a bit off kilter and not really producing the sort of surf we'd hoped for. Sunday rolled along with some well overhead waves amongst a lot more smaller ones, perfect to try out the new vessel !

Here's a quick board overview:

9'9" x 28 1/2" Round Pintail.

131 L

Thruster set up with Pro Wave Fins.

As with all the Pro wave Series she's a handsome looking beast with Fanatic's strong and classy wood sandwich construction. If you want detailed details check out:

http://www.fanatic-sup.com/content/products/sup/prowave/index_ger.html

I'd had a couple of paddle on the board prior to getting her in some more suitable surf and noticed that with the thin, relatively narrow tail and forward wide point the 9'9" requires a bit of concentration when initially paddling. However with 131 L once you get used to it she cuts through the lumps and bumps well and certainly gets you into waves nice and early, something I don't mind at all when it gets a bit bigger.

As far as surfing goes she's a beaut. I'd had the centre fin about half way up the box my first couple of surf and had felt a bit of tail drift so this time I set it right back and the 9'9" Semi Gun felt nice and solid this time around. Plenty of drive to, in fact even though the surf was by no means huge I reckon that this model goes faster than any other board in the quiver except for the tow board, which of course is another matter !!!

Turns were nice too although at La Santa you're pretty much just running down the line and climbing and dropping. Fun though.

All in all I reckon this is the start of a beautiful relationship, just don't tell my 8'6" !!!!

Here's some photos (we're keeping the best ones for another mission, sorry!!!)

With NW swell you've got to be careful paddling out past the Left, especially on lower tides.

First real wave on the Fanatic 9'9" Semi Gun, not huge but a nice start !

A couple of sections down the point and still loving life.

Another end section photo, I may be a bit chubby but that's definitely an ION Collision Vest, just in case ! Pretty mobile the 9'9" for a bigger board.

I was so pissed off with this set. One of the bigger ones and I was just out of position, almost got caught, didn't catch a wave and just generally made a balls up of it.

Another version of the Smally balls up talent.

Sergio El Halcon. Local legend, waterman and all round ambassador for Canarian Aloha.

Little squatty shot (thanks Julie) from my first sesh on the 9'9" Semi Gun, shows the nice tail template.

Working my way up the point for a couple of bigger ones. In the end I caught a couple of bombs but the shots aren't here!

This is Mario and I sharing resources !

Let's Have A Perfect One Please Santa !!

Yes once again Santa's coming to visit and we're hoping that he's going to bring some A++ surf. It's not that there hasn't been any waves but whilst last winter it was a flurry of the finest cava, some rather nice cocktails and just the odd day of rough old vino tinto, this season has so far been a flood of tinto, a couple of cuba libres and just a glass or two of cava ....... so Santa please can we have some of la crema ???

But of course I'm making the mistake of suggesting there's been no good surf, as always if you've got the time and the desire you'll generally find pretty good quality surf with a bit of effort ! Here's a couple of pics from days that didn't require too much effort !

La Derecha looking sweet .... earlier in the day it was super offshore with bumpy barrels and just a few of us ... sorry no shots !

This is from where the la San Cristia part of the wave joins La Derecha proper. Looks like one of the boys about to get a little pit.

Ah ! The sunny days and warm water of autumn.

I think my orange shorts make my 8'6" go faster.

I was stoked to hear from Los Lovers, Nicole Boronat  and Stephane Etienne just recently. Nicole and Stephane live on the sister island of Fuerteventura and are the most complete waterman and waterwoman couple I know. They're a joy to surf with and last spring came over to Lanzarote with Fred Bonef to hook up with Russell Groves and get a few waves. I got to have a couple of sessions with them and especially remember a sneaky one that Stephane, Fred and I got at a normally busy right-hander here on La Isla Del Fuego. Nicole send me a link for a nice little video they put together of their trip :

http://vimeo.com/33179730

Also check out their website :

http://www.stephaneetienne-nicoleboronat.com/


Talking of websites and the like it's been interesting to have a look at Andrew Cotton's blog about his and partner Al Mennie's recent exploits at Nazaré. As you may or may not know the guys were instrumental in Garrett McNamarra's 90 ft wave, which is being touted as the biggest ever ridden. The boys also backed it up with an extremely credible 2nd place finish at the North Canyon Tow Trials just days after. It's odd how the 90 ft wave made a huge impact everywhere but in the surf media isn't it ? But then what do I know ? I just reckon the boys make some of our show pony 'mini-pro' look a little less shiny ! Check out the real story from the horses' mouths :

http://www.almennie.com/

http://andrewcottonsurfer.blogspot.com/

Well that's all for now folks, hoping to get back to you with a Gusto Organic fueled mission to a secret spot here on Lanzarote soon ..... we'll just have to see how things go !

Felices fiestas,

Rob.

A La Santa Afternoon or There's A Rat In The Champagne !

An afternoon in La Santa, hanging out on the Point is a bit of an institution for a lot of the local and resident surfers and their families. Normally a zoco (the horseshoe shaped windbreaks of black volcanic stone typical to Lanzarote) is staked out, food consumed and waves ridden, generally in shifts. So it seemed like a cracking idea when Keith and Ged Beddoe from Newquay turned up unexpectedly to stick to convention and spend the day in our own zoco. 

It was all rather civilized too. A nice fresh noodle salad, some cava for the ladies and a selection of toys for the boys. Keith and I had a few waves, average stuff but surely worth a splash whilst my wife Julie and Ged wo-manned the fort, or zoco, soaked up some rays and chatted. In the end I had a great time on My 8'6" Pro wave Fanatic and KB snagged some nice nose rides. He did say I missed the opportunity for a good nose ride on one wave and instead opted to do a turn! I think he's probably right but I'm still convinced that turning has a future.

Really the only slight oddity in the whole proceedings was the discovery of a half full bottle of real champagne wedged in a crack, with a drowned rat in it. I mean who drinks champagne ( cava generally preferred!!) at surf spots in La Santa ? I stick to a bottle of me favorite Gusto Organic pre surf  and on rare occasions a beer after, champagne defo not first choice. And who opens a bottle of champagne and then leaves half ? Providing of course that rat hadn't sneaked in mid way through the drinking. At least I can understand what the rat was up to. He probably died happy too !

Here's some shots of a La Santa Afternoon:

Here's me with Ged Beddoe, prior to the discovery of the Champagne bottle.

I've got loads of shots like this, trying to connect the little sections right on top of the rocks and hoping it'll stand up a bit !

This in El Centro, a reform left inside the bay between the Right and (you guessed it!) the Left. On north swells the right connects with it and you can have a lot of fun. It's where a lot of the locals learn to surf though so you have to pick your SUP moments with care.

Here's Keith with 5 over on the end section of the Right. KB can surf just about any type of board, won a load of titles through his career and is rumored to be the first to surf Lobos in the early 70s.

This is what happens when the Right and El Centro connect.  This is a pretty shit spot to be in on the big days.

Ah yes the rat. It's rare to champagne bottle at the la Santa surf spots and even rarer to see half full ones with drowned rats in them. I can only surmise that the rat died happy !

KB up the line on the same wave as the other shot. I do know for a fact the Keith pioneered waves on Lanzarote in '72 or '73.

This is a typical small north swell day. Mostly average with the odd fun one hugging the rocks. I enjoy them on my 8'6" Pro Wave SUP  'cause I can join link the sections better than on a surfboard.

Wanging around on the reform left looking for the steep section.

El Centro again, not recommended on a SUP after school or on the weekends. Here's me sneaking one from the crowd !

. 

Fanatic Demo Weekend 17th - 18th Sept

Hi all,

well bring it on autumn ! I'm hearing stories of great waves, big barrels, mental SUP sessions and even some of the biggest waves ever kited in the UK (check out www.skyhooked.com). All well and good I say and about time !!!

Talking of bringing it on the crew at Fanatic have come up with a great demo weekend of their new 2012 surfboard and SUP range. Being on the team I've had the chance to try some of the new models out ( as you'll know if you've checked the blog out before) and I'm stoked that Fanatic are busting out the demo models for everyone to try. 

The demos will run :

Sat 17th Sept. @ Bilbo Surf Shop, Newquay.

Sun 18th Sept. @ Crantock Bay Surf School, National Trust Car Park, Crantock Beach.

My team mate on the Fanatic International Team, Charlie Grey is coming down and we're getting the chance to hang out all day, talk about our favourite things to do and connect with a bunch of like minded people. Bilbo is one of the UK's best surf shops and with Fistral Beach and Newquay Bay nearby there should be ample opportunity to test ride your ride of choice in some fun waves.  On Sunday we'll be running at Crantock Bay Surf School down at the beach. Not only is Crantock a great surfing and SUP surfing beach but with the estuary one of Cornwall's best flatwater paddling venues. However with high tide early about 9 am if you want to try the flatwater kit make sure you get there early or last thing in the evening !

Charlie and I will be on hand for any tips, technique and equipment advice and hopefully at least a couple of sneaky sessions each day too ! Oh and Gusto Organic are coming down with their botanical energy drink to keep us fired up all weekend long.

Here's a quick overview of some of the Fanatic 2012 models to get you thinking:

Fanatic 2012 SUP range: 

Comprehensive, quality range covering every type of paddle expression !

Fanatic All Wave . This range of SUPs, from  8'10" to 9'10" is  going to get a lot of people very stoked. Ease of use combined with on the wave performance. The look very snazzy too !!

Fanatic's Fly All Round Range covers all you SUP needs. From soft tops for schools and families to the classic  Fly Wooden Edition this is where the majority of paddlers are. Great for flatwater, coastal cruising and even for those small wave sessions.

is 

Paddles to propel you !

Pro Wave Range. The ultimate performance surf sup. I've had a n 8'6" all summer and it RIPS !

Fly Race. Racing, cruising, downwind.  The fastest boards on the water. If you make it this weekend ask Charlie about these arrows ' cause he uses them to devastating affect !

Bamboo and bamboo - carbon boards:

These boards rip. My favourite is still the 5'10" Retrolution. But then the 6'2" Fun Egg is an absolute peach ..... and the 6'8" Evo is a great step up ... you get the picture ! I should also mention that these shapes have been developed by Bruce McKee, legendary Aussie shaper and the man responsible for the development of the modern quad. 'Nuff said. 

Here's some pics:

6'2" and 6'5" square tails. The carbon rail version is SWEET !!

7'6" and 8'6" EPS mini mals. These are fantastic value boards for developing and recreational surfers. Quality kit at very good prices.

This is the 6'6" EPS version, not just for developing surfers.

Fun Eggs, 6'2" (one of the funest boards I've ridden for ages), 6'6" and 6'10".

6'8" Evo. 3, 4 or even 5 fins. A fuller nosed step up. My fave  for  overhead barrels.  Can't wait to get back on this model this winter.

7'4", 8'0" and full longboard dimensions 9'1". The  9'1" is a super lightweight performance mal.

Carbon Rail 5'10" Retrolution. I love this board. Really. Really really !!!

I hope there's something there to wet the appetite. So lets have a great weekend, surf and paddle with Gusto and enjoy the fruits of autumn. Please have a look at the following or give me a call on:

Rob: 07536117966

www.fanatic-sup.com

www.crantockbaysurfschool.com

www.bilbosurfshop.co.uk

www.drinkgusto.com

Looking forward to seeing you all !

Rob.

Busted Knee Blog !

Hi all,

well here I am sitting at home recovering after knee surgery last week ( bucket handle tear of medial meniscus, classic surfer injury!). The excitement of the Boardmasters is all over with victories to Roman Cloitre in the open and (very very tightly) Antoine Delpero in the Longboards. Frustrating for a ripping Ben Skinner but at least he’s got the European Title. So I thought I’d fill up some time with a quick blog from the past winter’s antics in Lanzarote.

This is Al Mennie, for my money Britain and Ireland's best big wave guy. A humble fella who loves big waves and rips on a sup too.

Check out his vid at: http://vimeo.com/24489729

I reckon that last winter in the Canaries was a good season, not quite as settled weather-wise as some years but with low pressures coming quite close to the Canaries we had plenty of varied wind and swell direction which, with a little effort can bring fantastic rewards. That along with visits from mates like Al Mennie, Domo Moore, Charley Grey, The Lucas Boys and Hastings songwriter Blair McKichan kept things interesting. Oh and of course not forgetting I joined the Fanatic and ION teams this season and straight away got some great SUP and surf sessions on my new kit. Here's a few pics from the winter:

This is me the same day as Al above. This is La Santa looking very Sunset-ish.  This wave can be a bit soft when smaller but with a long period swell with some size the volume of water  in the waves is crazy. Everybody who surfs here at size has got stories of major hold downs. 

This is the night before, 200m slingshot down the point coming up !

Lanzarote has all types of waves but is mostly lava reef. After a while you get used to negotiating rocks and urchins. The local boys have it down and don't even raise eyebrows at the nastiest of reef set ups.

Where local Conejero kids ride their first waves !

This is the shot after the one in Fanatic's current add. Lanzarote chargers like Javi Polo, Manuel Lezcano and Marquitos get tubed off their gourds out at this semi secret reef.

After a few waves it's time for locally caught fish. Julie about to tuck in.

And maybe a glass of the island's excellent white wines. This is a bodega in the La Geria wine region.

This is my house from my mate Gonzague's house. Gonzi is a surfer, kitesurfer and SUP surfer and one of a tight group of  foreign surfers living on the island.

Can't say much about this except that it's a really good wave somewhere on Lanzarote.  Shortboard, SUP, longboard, whatever. If you're lucky enough to find this wave and catch it on a good day it'll be one to remember.

Stand Up Paddle and Surf Beach Guide. Crantock Beach, Near Newquay, Cornwall.

Stand Up Paddle and Surfing Beach Guide.

Crantock Beach, Nr Newquay, Cornwall, UK.

Hi all,

since I’ve been at Crantock working with the Crantock Bay Surf School : www.crantockbaysurfschool.com  , teaching surfing and SUP quite a few old mates have spun through to see what I’m up to and have a surf or a paddle. Most have been surprised at what a great beach it is and more so to the fact it’s always been there under their noses ! This has spured me on to do a few basic SUP and surfing beach guides. Mostly it’ll be Cornwall and Lanzarote but I’ll throw some others in there when on my travels too (as long as local sensebilities allow!), so here we go with the first one:

Crantock Beach.

Situation:

Just south of Newquay at the end of the Gannel Estuary. Access through the village of Crantock.

What a cracker !

General stuff:

Beautiful, unspoilt beach a million metaphorical miles from Newquay’s ‘Surf City’.

National Trust Car Park at Crantock Beach. Very Convenient, toilets and easy beach access. 6ft height limit between 5.30pm and 9.00am (check with National Trust !!). 

Dog friendly.  

Safe and friendly atmosphere.

 RNLI Beach Lifeguards during season.

Family beach that suits all levels of surfers from total beginners to experts.

Fantastic estuary at north end of beach for flatwater fun. 

Cornish pub grub and drinks in the village and on the  south headland at the Bowgie.

Surf and SUP school on beach:

www.crantockbaysurfschool.com

www. paddlewithapro.yolasite.com

NOTE:  The area around the rivermouth can be very dangerous under certain conditions. If unsure consult the RNLI LIfeguards during guarded hours or local surfers outside of hours.

Surfing:

 Fantastic if slightly underated surfing beach. Can be surfed on all tides and often offers a much cleaner wave than other beaches in the area. Offshore in S - SE - E winds but offers some protection from NE  and N winds under Pentire Head and SW is offshore in the far southern corner. Generally picks up slightly less swell than the open NW aspect beaches (Fistral, Perranporth). 

Low tide: 

Often fast, often closing out, but can offer epic waves and on occassion good tubes. In big swells the Bowgie Left under the southern headland can dish out thumping, shallow tubes.

Mid tide:

Mid tide is a mixed bag but can be  great. Often there’s a bank firing off somewhere along the beach and if you’re on it the rewards can be  well woth it.

Mid tide fun.

  High Tide:

High tide tends to be flatter faced and sometimes can be a bit soft for a shortboard. However the rivermouth produces both rights and lefts when things come together and can be epic.

Stand Up Paddling:

Crantock is one of the UK’s finest SUP beaches and offers incredible surf and flatwater paddling. 

Rivermouth Rights.

The rivermouth over high tide produces some of the best SUP waves in Cornwall and it’s not unusual to spot local stars such as Tim Mellors and Adam Zervas  amongst a crew of keen paddlers. Local wags call the rivermouth the ‘SUPer bank’ and if you catch it on a good day you’ll know why. 

On other tides there’s usually a peak and if the RNLI beach flags aren’t flying plenty of space. Can be very challenging and correspondingly rewarding on a stand up paddle board in soild conditions.

The Gannel Estuary offers incredible flatwater paddling in one of the most scenic locations on the north Cornish coast.  Away from the bustle of Newquay this is one of the great secrets of Cornwall, a SUP must.

Who's luckier ? Those on the cliff or those in the water ?

Insider Trading:

 As with most beaches there’s tight crew of locals and regulars. Be courteous and things will be sweet.

No car park charge after 6pm or before 8am.

Worth a look at high tide even with suspect wind.

Top of the tide and turning for epic rivermouth and don’t thinks it’s just a left.

Check me out on twitter for up to date Crantock reports and happenings.

Rob.