OH SHIT !

Well here we go again. With a 5m plus at 18 sec swell coming tomorrow I'm quietly shitting myself. Time to dig out the tools of the trade, the magic Bilbo 6'0" quad tow board and my new Rhino PFD (thank you Rhino, I think I love you !) and the balls that I think I left somewhere at the back of the garage.

At least this time we're looking a little more prepared. Meeting this morning with Joff Owen, Sven Grossenbacher, Eric Rebiere and Pato Teixeira we decided to have a warm up session at the beach this afternoon and then check out the conditions at first light tomorrow.

To be honest I'm a little nervous 'cause it's going to be a big swell and I'm sure that the Brazilian boys are going to charge. For my money Eric is one of the hardest charging surfers in Europe today and Pato is an elite big wave surfer by anyone's measuring stick. Looks like we'll have to up our game somewhat !!!

With N swell and light following winds there could be lots of possibilities: Outside Caleta Caballo, El Barco Hundido in Famara and even Las Bajas could all be the go. Quite frankly I'd rather not think about it right at this moment.

So for now it's a spot of lunch and then a quick trial run through the pick ups and other tow techniques before the swell hits tomorrow.

Julie is charging her cameras and we're getting prepared for tomorrow... watch this space !

Rob.

Joys Of Spring

Hello there me hearties,

bit victory a sea today after some very pleasant weather and surf for a few days. Must be the el niño or something because the trades haven't really been blowing and the water's still trunkable if you're keen. Haven't needed to put a full suit on and when I got all wimpy and tried it was sweatier than Reedy's underpants after he's struggled up the South Fistral stairs. Still who's complaining ? I certainly feel for those of you weathering the harshest winter in years... not to worry spring is on it's way !

With the season starting to turn I'm starting to wonder about what I'm going to ride this summer during my annual Cornish stay, the expected conditions being at the other end of the spectrum from those which we get here.... and correspondingly slightly problematic for a 40 year bloke who finds plenty of room to move on a 6 footer at Ghost Town but slightly vexed by average Cornish surf. This year however I'm feeling pretty good due to some interesting trends in boards.

I'm going to stick my neck out here suggest, no in fact I'll insist that Tunnel Vision and more recently Bilbo have always been a couple of steps ahead of the general UK trend. I think the bump wing, heavy single concaves developed by Andy, Mac, Aussie Paul and myself back in the mid 90s were possibly the most radical shortboards produced domestically during that era. I know that Bilbo embraced the second coming of the quad before many and we still see a significant percentage of boards with 4 fins. I've noticed in the last 12 months a movement towards shorter and wider, not retro but a re-distribution of volume whilst retaining performance .... Dane Reynolds and Slater point in case. Well guess what, we've had that stuff in the rack for some years already. Check out the photos of the beaten up 6'0".... best shortboard I've ever had to date, fuller template, wider tail, increased thickness and already 3 years old ! This summer I'm thinking the same but 2 or 3 inches shorter and thicker round the middle... might even put the small wave spring back in step like it has for so many others!

I hear through the grapevine (Rich at Bilbo and Bilbo head honcho Steve Kitt) that there's some exciting stuff coming in for 2010. Great models like the Bilbo Hollywood and Island Series staying but complimented with all sorts of other boards from a variety of brands...... I'm almost looking forward to leaving the land of sun and reefbreaks, blagging a groveller from the shop and getting back to my 80s roots with some Currenesque (sort of) head flick re-entries in our glorious summer slop. Bring it on.... never too old to dream !!!

Check the mixed bag of photos.. there's THE BOARD, a photo to show I can still get to me feet and some surf just to make you jealous !!!

Saludos,

Rob.