Leaving on a jet plane.....

That's it, my bags and boards are packed. The alarm is set for 3.30am and this time tomorrow I should be sat in my condo in Carlsbad, California. Super excited about this trip, California is the mecca of longboarding and after this run of howling westerlies at home, I am so glad to be escaping to warmer waves.


Below are a few shots that https://www.facebook.com/PaulBlackleyPhotography took at this years British inter club championships.

Happy New Year!

This year summed up........

Another year is nearly past and what a great one. 
Plenty of quality surfs, banter, great comps, stag do's, awesome weddings, travelled heaps and bought a house!


Here's this years comp results.


1st British Longboard club championships 2011
1st Paddle For Relief 2011
2nd Gold Coast Big Boy Paddle 2011
4th Overall in League, Open Division Hotdoggers 2011
5th Longboard Jesus Surf Classic 2011
9th Gold Coast Longboard Classic. 2011
13th in British rankings 2011

In the past year (or just over) I've been lucky enough to hit up Sri Lanka, Portugal, Spain x2, Moroccco x2 and California in a couple weeks time.


Big thank you to Tiki, Elusive, Black and White and Obsessive Disorder.

Tiki trip Moroc 11

After walking through the hail and torrential rain today, last weeks trip to Morocco felt like a life time ago! 

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to join the Tiki crew on a trip to the land of the right handers and camels that is Morocco. Armed with a huge quiver of the bamboo and carbon latest technology boards, we boarded the plane at Gatwick to leave the cold weather behind.

Arriving at Taghazout, I was amazed to rock up at the luxury La Source apartments, at the end of Killer point. This trip was far different to my normal Moroccan experiences, but I wasn't complaining one bit! 

The swell forecast showed a smallish swell running all week, with super light winds, but with the large amount of North in the swell we knew we would be struggling to score the points epic. I think all travellers to Morocco thought the same about the points and we managed to surf Killers nearly everyday glassy and empty.

A long trip 200km south one day saw us score pretty epic right handers. And allowed the Tiki guys to fully test the new boards and suits. Everyone was raving about the new Zepha suits and so far I'm bloody stoked with mine! 

At this right hander, Tim Heyland (Mr Tiki) was sitting out back waiting for the bombs and dare I say it for an 'old' boy he was charging. Plenty of rum was drunk and epic stories were exchanged which kept everyone entertained, the week flew by and everyone is eager to head back.

JH Artwork

How sick is this art work by my good friend Johnny Hentley. The lad's got heaps of talent and he painted this little beauty for my new house. Thanks fella.

Trophies.........

This weekend saw the British Longboard Club Championships return to Saunton. Teams from as far away as Scarborough turned up to compete for the title, each team fielded there strongest 6 surfers and individual heat scores were combined to give a team total. With fun 3ft cleanish waves on offer, the Hotdoggers 'A' team (Myself, Ben Haworth, Ashley Braunton, Angus Murray, Greg Robinson and Phil Hill) won the event and kept the trophy at the club!

That evening was the end of summer party, a cracking mix of beer, carvery, music, raffle videos and presentations. Everyone had a great time and I was pleased to hear I had finished 4th overall for the season against some very talented surfers. The night got even better when in the raffle I won a free VW car of my choice for a weekend.................stoked.

Local Lowdown

Local surf community Eyeball HQ have recently started a new section on their site, "The Local Lowdown". This blog style format keeps everyone updated with the news, events and shenanigans from each of the North Devon Beaches.

I've been tasked with the Saunton updates and with 2 of our lads Ben Haworth and Zak Lawton recently making the cut for the World Tour event in Italy, there has been plenty to write about!

Check out the blog here.......
http://www.eyeballhq.tv/2011/11/02/saunton-lowdown-oct-2011/

7 Surf Sri Lanka

The time has come to start thinking of where to head for some warmer waves this winter. Super tempted to head back out to Sri Lanka again after such a sick trip last year, awesome waves, delicious food, lovely people, amazing weather and dirt cheap. What more could you ask for?

Here's the vid of our trip in 2010. Enjoy.

Jesus Surf Classic

Last weekend saw the return of the annual Jesus Longboard Classic at Polzeath. The smooth flowing, well run event always attracts a fair few big names and then the free breakfast usually draws in the numbers!

With a £1000 prize pot the event was well contested with all categories maxed out and people being turned away. With a fun 2-3ft glassy swell running the 2day event looked like it would be a good one.

I progressed through the contest to the semi finals, where I drew French Senior Champion Nico Kerruzac and 2 of my best mates British Champion Ben Haworth and NDA's Dave Hutchings. The semi went well with some good waves and decent noserides, but Ben and Nico were fully killing it, thus ending my time in the competition. I ended up 5th overall in the comp, for the 2nd year running.

Final result -
1. Ben Haworth
2. Nico Kerruzac
3. Angus Murray
4. Ben Skinner

All in all a cracking event with great surf, plenty of banter, awesome company and we were blessed with sun in October. Big thanks to http://www.christiansurfers.co.uk/

Paddle for Refief 2011

Last weekend saw the return of The Paddle for Relief. The event is organised annually by Tim Tanton who regularly heads out to Sri Lanka to help victims of the 2004 tsunami. Due to my recent trip to Lanka and the friendly people I met, I was super keen to help raise some money for the charity.

I raised sponsorship to compete in the Saunton to Croyde and back paddle race. I've been enjoying my long distant paddles recently, so thought I'd have a go at this one again. The paddle went well even though there was an awful S wind chop, I finished 1st and won myself some quality prizes from the Board Barn and a meal for two at The Thatch (so the Mrs was happy!)

OD

Stoked to be riding for UK tail pad company - Obsessive Disorder!

Zac Gibson

Young photographer Zac Gibson is starting to make a name for himself. He's a top bloke, a great photog and super keen. He's recently had a few shots published in the mags and fingers crossed a lot more to follow.

Here's a few shots of me that Zac's snapped recently.....

Facebook....

Love it or hate it, Facebook affects most peoples lives. I admit I do enjoy having a good nose around at times, it's a useful tool for keeping in touch with mates. My Iphone beeped earlier to say I had been tagged in a new photo. When I saw the shot, I was cast straight back to Sri Lanka......what a trip, I have to go back!

Morocco....

Another year, another trip to Morocco, It's like my second home over there now. The warm water, great breaks, short flight and cheapness all draw me back each year.

Haworth, Cal and myself decided to book up the trip and get out of dark and gloomy England for a week back in January. We were joined by 2 friends and photogs Si Enyon-Williams and Adrian Lincoln, below are a few shots from the talented Adrian.

A great trip was had, we lucked out a bit with the swell, but managed to score a few fun days. One thing is for certain, I'll be heading back out there again in the near future!

Elusive - Winter Sale

Elusive - Winter Sale

Just received a nice big Xmas present from Elusive, a nice package of clothes which should see me through well.

Loving the designs and quality of the gear, plus they've got a big sale on at the moment 40% off a whole heap of stuff.

So head to http://www.elusivesurf.com/ and check it out!