Sept. 29th 1999: The wind had picked up overnight and was now a rather strong and gusty 30-35 mph. This messed things up pretty comprehensively, although I decided a thrash around in the white stuff at Widdy would loosen me up for the afternoons antics at Bodmin. Half an hour of this was sufficient to satisfy all needs; although I unfortunately missed the 'Cut' for progressing to the second phase of selection for the Brigade later on. Still, I had the satisfaction of knowing that some of the younger, seemingly fitter, candidates fared even worse than myself. Life in the Old Dog yet I feel :o)

Sept. 28th 1999: There was a good swell of 5-6ft thumping in when I got to get my first look at the sea for six weeks. The SW wind was dropping but had done it's damage on the more exposed spots, so I opted to wait for the mid flood mark before venturing in at Summerleaze. At around 5.30 pm I duly ventured in, conscious of the lay-off cobwebs, and the fact I needed to keep fit for tomorrow afternoons try out with the fire brigade ! No injuries at all costs was the order of the day. As the tide pushed in further the local breeze was veering more offshore, which was cleaning things up a bit. I managed a handful of satisfactory rides, but was feeling the effects of the paddling by the time I crept out and hour or so later.

Aug 14th 1999: That chance came sooner than expected, when an extra day was offered. Conditions were not much better than yesterday. Stiff SW breeze turning NW which left Summerleaze as the only local option other than Crackington. Opted to wait for the evening flood and got in 2 hours before HT (19.56) for a play. Paddling out was a definite case of 1 step forward, 2 or more back; so I settled for a spell in the shallows with my son, Ben. As the tide pushed in further, more things became possible with the peaks moving closer in. Unlike yesterday, I got some rides. Nothing memorable, but just nice to get feet onto resin again!

Aug 13th 1999: There were signs yesterday of something approaching a swell coming in. By 7am I was checking out Budes town breaks to see if there was anything going after all. The reef between Crooky's and Middle Beach was working with half a dozen locals out already. Unsure of my ability over such terrain, and keen not to get in their way, I opted out for now. Later that afternoon, only Widdy had anything surfable, but a stiff onshore breeze was messing it up. As it was the last chance on this jaunt, I went in and spent an hour paddling through mush with no rides whatsoever ! Sometimes it gets so-o-o-o frustrating, particularly when the chance to get 'back on track' seems so far away.

Aug 11th 1999: On the road by 7 am heading south. Ended up at Treyarnon Bay and caught the first wave of the week; and perhaps the most extraordinary ever! It was a dark one lasting around 1 minute 20 secs! What a pity the ocean couldn't provide some liquid ones to put the icing on the cake!

Aug 9th 1999: Sunday had been flat, but the word was, that a dawn patrol was advisable. Was it &*!@ ! Bed was a better option :o); praps later? The breeze switched to the north come the afternoon, and for the first time since arriving was something other than offshore! Despite this and the fact that I had been dry for 48 hours, the frustration got to me, and I went in at Widdy a couple of hours before HT (16.53). It went something like this :- Suited up, dodged the shoredump, paddled out, sat around, paddled around, no waves, paddled in dodging the shoredump, got out, hair dry ! it get's yer like this sometimes.

back up links: home | [b]Log | links | breaks | intro | 'e'-me | digs .....