Moved Premises...

Due to it being so much easier to use on the fly and on the phone, I've moved...

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2010...

Thought I'd put a few of my favourite pictures up from 2010. Not technically great pictures, just good times and happy memories...

January always has a few of these cold steely days surfing in Mid Wales. This was taken just before dark and came out really moody. I can't remember the guys name but he's a nice bloke and a very good surfer.

Snow closed Llandegla in January, so we had to head elsewhere for our biking fix. Moel Famau was the call, and after a gruelling ride in the snow and mud, Richy gives the Clwyds two thumbs up.

January was also the first of the Brothers Gwynn weddings. Andy's big day in that there London.

After an unreal 111 days of no windsurfing, the duck was broken with a couple of sails in March. This one at Hells with Steve Thorp.

My favourite photo from the year, taken by Rob Hennessy. This day was in early January. The van thermometer struck -15C at one point on the journey over. 3.5 hours of as good as it gets SUP with a good friend. Best SUP session of the year.

Mikey's big day beckons and with the power of the wolf we went camping in Cornwall to celebrate his last few days of bachelorhood. Brilliant weekend with some great people.

A random camping trip with friends and the usual van full of stuff finally pays out. Hells Mouth, offshore wind and a spot of freestyle. A beautiful day and incredible colours...

...shame I didn't land that trick above though.

Pembrokeshire and after a day running on the beach, Tig puts his paws up for a rest in the van.

More Pembrokeshire, this session was a real desperado SUP trying to rack up a few waves before breakfast. I really like the colours of this photo and the slight 'speed blur' look. Not quite a brilliant photo, but almost had the wave been less embarrassingly small...

Another from the same trip, a late evening longboard session at Whitesands. I almost didn't go out as was shattered after so much paddling. Glad I did. The peak in front of the car park was pretty busy with perhaps 10 people on it. The one further down had one guy out. Me!

Speed blur on the way back from somewhere. Probably the beach.

Jay could have gone as far as he wanted with windsurfing but kind of lost the way with the drugs and the booze (not really, more like girls and take away pizzas). When he does occasionally go out he shows a level of style way beyond his years and shows flashes of brilliance. This was the middle shot of a three photo sequence and to me shows him completely focused on the job in hand. Hopefully he'll join us for a few more sessions next year.

A backside smash completely breaking the back of what is basically a shit wave. Once again, brilliance from a natural talent.

This was a great session at Rhosneigr and AD shot a couple of me for a change. Move of the day this day was AD's rocket air. I got a 7 shot sequence of him going completely airborne. He put the pros to shame this day. Unfortunately most of the sequence was out of focus. Sorry AD!

A week away in Cornwall. We were dogged with light onshore winds and pretty crap surf this trip so hanging out was the order of the trip. Did manage a few sessions, but nothing epic. Some cool colours though, especially on this lightly treated landscape of Crantock. My screensaver for my desktop monitor.

The East Coast occasionally really pulls it of, and this day was one of them. With everything from logo high cross off to mast high cross shore, this beach had it all that day. Some of my photos that day made it onto a French website discussing best days of the year in 2010. A few people on the site said they were going to make the trip over. I guess East Riding of Yorkshire owe me and Huey some commission for the tourism boost...

A couple of weeks later and it was the turn of the (Best Coast) West Coast. Dinas absolutely lit it up in october with a freak swell easy over head high on the sets. Don't even bother going there. It never ever gets this good and I'd be surprised to see it again. Anyway, surf session of the year... 

Jay at Aberdovey. Turning his hand to slalom and doing a pretty good job of it. Another good weekend away.

My favourite spot in the UK for windsurfing. This day was actually surfing another freak swell, and what a day it was. Needless to say the best windsurf session for me for 2010 was here. No photos though, as is usually the way for the best days...

A little indulgence. Couldn't finish the post without a bike picture. Decided to build myself a dream bike this year and what a bike it is. Biking has been my saviour this year, and this picture to me is all about a job I love and a sport that doesn't rely on perfect conditions. The perfect compliment to windsurfing and surfing.

Happy New Year!

Snow and Stuff

Baltic at the moment and no let up in sight. Grabbed the camera this morning and walked up the lane to catch a few photos. More to put off working on the van to be honest...

Tigger's footprints

Perfect spot for a bird

Icey...

Hedge

One of my road routes. Not today though...

The New Bike... And Stuff.

Georgey B blasting

Been pretty busy of late and blog has taken a bit of a back seat. Brother Jay even had the cheek recently to say it had not been updated in a while (his was last done on 5th February 2009), so thought I'd better do a quick update...

Windsurfing...
...has been pretty quiet, had a handful of sessions, one was really good scoring some decent waves and nice down the line proper wave riding. Kind of get the feeling the last one before it starts to get proper cold. My new 2011 Severne S1's made the last few sessions even more enjoyable, and as ever no pictures of the special days as who wants to come in and take pictures? Not me... Boardwise Demo Day last month (aka Dyfi Wind Jam) rocked, Good to see so many people making the journey and a 'few' beers with Jay, George, Lil' John and Warren made for an enjoyable evening and George's hilarious antics with his upturned bed and dancing on the wood burner really topped it off. Sunday we even managed a sail... Eventually building enough for a 5.9 and my freestyle board. Sweet.

Jay

Surfing...
...has been non existent but finally got round to getting my bust shortboard repaired. Kind of thinking about building a 6'4 chunky fish. Quite possibly another quad... Hoping for some decent waves soon.

Biking...
...has pretty much been my saviour! My new trail bike is finally ready after a month or two of collating parts and to call it sublime is an understatement. It rides so nicely, and feels effortless on climbs and obviously a whole lot quicker on descents. Me likeeeeey very muchly. For those that know (and/or care), it's an Ibis Mojo carbon frame, full XTR 2x10 and XTR brakes, KS gravity dropper seatpost with remote, DT Swiss XM1550 Tricon wheels, Conti Black Chilli Rubber Queens, PRO Tharsis finishing kit and DT Swiss 150mm forks with 15mm through axle. Basically, it's the dogs nuts and I'm now building a hardtail for the winter muck, as I don't like getting it dirty... The old bike (8 months to be precise) is now for sale. See below for details. Also signed up for Lands End to John O'Groats next year...

Superbike - picture does it no justice!

Commencal Meta 5.5 LTD 2010 For Sale!

Bike is just 8 months old, costs £2800 new, in very good condition and reason for selling is I've upgraded! Frame is size XL.

From Commencal:

The Commencal Meta 5.5 Limited 2010 Mountain Bike is one of the most celebrated bikes of the decade, and has become the all mountain MTB of choice. With Remy Absalon gripping its bars, this bike has won the Enduro series, the reunion Island Megavalanche, the SAAB Salomon trophy, and the European marathon Downhill championships.


Frame:Meta 55 updated with carbon swing arm
Rear Shock:Fox RP2
Fork:Fox 32 Float 140 RL 15QR
Front Derailleur:Shimano SLX
Rear Derailleur:Shimano XT
ShadowShifters:Shimano SLX
Chain set:Shimano XT
Bottom Bracket:included with crankset
Cassette:Shimano XT
Chain:Shimano HG
Front Brake:Formula RX 180
Rear Brake:Formula RX 160
Brake Levers:Formula RX
Handlebars: 1.5" 6061 DB oversize
Stem:Race Face Evolve XC
Headset:Tange IS 24 Integrated. Sealed bearings. Campy standard 1"1/8
Grips: Deluxe Lock-On
Rims:DT Swiss X430 white for Front
Hub:Shimano XT (15mm)
Rear Hub:Shimano XT

Spokes:Stainless black 64p 3x lacing
Front Tyre:MAXXIS High Roller 26x2.35
Rear Tyre:MAXXIS High Roller 26x2.35
Saddle:SDG Bel Air
Seatpost:SDG Micro I Beam 2014

Bad points : Not a lot, few scratches, and top tube has slightly dulled appearance from rubbing on shorts. Structurally sound and a very nice bike!

£1600

West Coast

I prefer rights, but happy to take this

As I'm banished to the office with a severe case of manflu, thought I'd put a couple of the pictures from Saturday up. Saturday was huge when we first arrived, although no Supertubos, it was easy over head high on the set waves and as always the pictures do it no justice. One of the best days I've ever seen at this spot. What's more, it was really warm and sunny with just the four or us out. Quite possibly the best surf of the year (equal first at the moment with a session on the Gower I had)... I literally got the camera out for about 5 minutes, as taking pictures was obviously a low priority.

Shelly and Rob get amped

I stayed overnight and went back again on Sunday. Although it wasn't as good, there was super clean lefts rolling through and shoulder high to head high on the bigger ones.

One from the hill on my phone before the drive home

East Coast

I'd planned on finishing the insides of the van this weekend, but 15ft @ 10 seconds was enough to get Carl frothing and making the call on the East Coast pretty early last week. It was looking classic all week, and it didn't disappoint. The van remains unfinished.

After a stupid early start (5am) and a 4 hour drive (and about 4 hours sleep) we arrived to absolutely classic conditions. The waves were pretty big and to be honest the photos don't really do it justice. Actually, they were huge. Biggest I've ever seen on the East Coast.

Upwind. Spot the windsurfer...

Pete (one of the others) was pretty keen to get out quickly, and it turned out that was because he didn't want to talk himself out of it. Carl soon followed and I took to the cliffs to get some photos and further assess the situation, which was perhaps a mistake. The boys (who are a lot lighter than me) were struggling to get out and timing was definitely of the essence. I was slowly talking myself out of it and looking through the 400mm lens further upwind, it was looked classic, more offshore and a smaller more fun looking wave. Still head high, but definitely more of what I fancied. I've not sailed as much as I'd like this year, the weather has been shit, I tore a hole in my foot, and generally the old mojo is not what it should be. I maybe should have sailed at the original spot, but arriving at the upwind location I was glad I made the call. It was a really good fun wave. When it walled up it was perfect for little aerials and was so forgiving. Anyway, next time it'll be the big wave. Some of the better photos below...