I like being warm, especially when surfing, so I'm very lucky to work for a company that makes clothes to keep surfers toasty. We're having a little workshop clearance sale this Saturday at the Tubestation in Polzeath - looks like there's going to be a fun wave, the Tubestation has an awesome cafe (with skateramp!), and we've got some bargains to keep you going through the winter, so come along!
A couple of years ago the guys over at korduroy.tv made this excellent little video of tips on staying warm in cold surf. I was stoked they featured my favorite winter surf tip - take a gallon of hot water with you to wrap your suit & towel in, then use as a hot shower afterwards. Toasty!
Looking back, 2011 was the most changeable, exciting, terrifying year since 2005 when I decided to quit my job and move to Cornwall. I turned 30, we went to Hawaii, I left my job of six years to join the team at Finisterre, we finally bought a van, and we made a huge commitment and got a dog. I've had so much buzzing around my head what with starting a new job (with puppy in tow) that there hasn't been room for much else, so this blog and my photos have been sadly neglected.
Finally things are settling down. There's something I love about the start of a new year, a curious sort of optimism. Nothing's changed, but it feels like an opportunity to appraise things and leave the previous year behind. I always say I don't believe in new year's resolutions (or rather making promises I can't keep) and yet usually make some (here are 2010 & 2011's) so here are my aspirations for 2012:
Surf more
Worry less
Do something with the photos I take
Be better at keeping in touch with people
Save up for another trip (California?)
There are not one, but two great events to go to in Cornwall this weekend. The Hip Wiggler Invitational has been set up by James Parry to showcase the more traditional side of longboarding. Held at Gwithian with some of the UK's most skillful longboarders competing it's definitely going to be one to go along and watch. Fingers crossed for some nice clean surf.
On Sunday the World Bellyboard Championships return to Chapel Porth. Wooden boards only and strictly no wetsuits this is not for the faint hearted! Seeing ladies in their 80s out enjoying the surf is inspirational; if you fancy becoming a World Champion yourself entries will be open until Friday.
Our lives have been completely taken over by this bundle of trouble, a border collie x greyhound puppy we've called Tyler - surfing opportunities have been severely limited while we've been training him but he loves the beach, and I love going out exploring with him whatever the weather.
Fancy getting bendy on the beach with a BBQ afterwards all in the name of charity? My lovely colleagues at Finisterre have helped to put together Yoga Rocks - an evening of yoga events at Lusty Glaze in Newquay in aid of several local charities. It's going to be a fun evening (laughter yoga anyone?!) so come along!
Press release:
We are putting on a charity Yoga event on Monday evening, 15th August, with the help of several very flexible friends at lusty Glaze, Newquay.We hope that the Lusty gig will be the first of our community guerilla yoga tour of Cornwall, celebrating the diversity of yoga and getting people together of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to enjoy yoga as the sun sets, with a fresh and tasty BBQ, live music set (artist to be announced) and a charity auction afterwards.
The Scarlet Hotel will also be giving Ayurvedic massages and there will be meditation and chanting workshops, as well as Yoga for surfers, children and baby yoga and laughter yoga! The event will run from 6pm til 10pm and we have marquees if the weather decides to be unfriendly. Tickets are £10 including unlimited Yoga workshops and food (meat and veggie BBQ available) All ages and abilities welcome.
The event is to raise money and awareness for 2 charities close to our hearts - The Children's Hospice South West and The Global Natural Children's Health Trust - GNCHT, an awe-inspiring charity based in Truro, for children and their parents affected by HIV and AIDS in South Africa. We have already had 100 people confirmed to come along, as well 10 yoga teachers and some top auction prizes from local businesses, including a flight over the Duchy Channel, Spezia organics, Surfgirl subscriptions, Finisterre clobber and Champagne from Bin 2 Padstow.
For more information contact Finisterre on 01872554481 and follow Yoga Rocks on Facebook and Twitter.
