February 20th 2000: The forecast wasn't brilliant, and when I rang Coogee, it was still a bit iffy, but I just had to go and check it out and get this Snugg, christened. I arrived just after low tide and it wasn't looking that promising, but as it was a nice day I decided to hang around and see if it picked up from 'mid' onwards. My patience paid off, as a small, but clean wave did develop which tempted me in for an hour and a half from about 3.30 onwards. The suit was toastie and makes an incredible difference to my performance as it is so well fitting. Good call!

February 14/18th 2000: The old winter suit is dying on it's feet, so I've taken the plunge; got Suz to measure me up (several times :o); and ordered a tailor-made Snugg wettie. The suit arrives as promised on Friday morning and fit's like a glove. I can also claim to have the shortest inside leg measurement-height that they've ever done!!

February 7th 2000: Nearly three weeks out of the water thanks to a bout of flu has been driving me mad ! I have now started checking out the charts again, along with the weather forecasts; perhaps this week ?

January 18th 2000: Checks yesterday had indicated that the swell size still hadn't picked up so it was decided to give it till today to see how it panned out. The breeze was now more in the north and forecast to get a little stronger. Cromer was liable to be onshore and messy, and Gorleston didn't sound to inspiring, so Andy and I decided that Skeg was worth a shout......again :o)

On arrival, it was clear that the swell had increased but the stiff-ish northerly breeze was making it bigger and messier with 3 hours till high tide. We checked other marks along this stretch of coast up to Chapel Point, none of which offerd any better options. Back at North Beach we found it a little more promising, but it looked like being quite heavy going with the rips and the breeze. And so it was ! I managed only a couple of rides, after struggling early on to find a way out. My last ride involved weaving through the remaining pier structure to avoid damaging me or the board ! Andy followed suite, and we trudged back nearer to our starting point. It was now getting more shore-dumpy with an hour till HT, and we both got up-ended trying to get back in. That was enough to call it a day! This breeze needs to die before a really good session will be on offer; wherever ..........

January 16th 2000: With the breeze switching round to the NW, Skeg got the nod with the prospect of clean offshore conditions. Andy & Brox made the long journey up for something of an 'OTL' meet; luckily there was a wave for them to ride ! OK it wasn't big; nowhere near big, but it was nice to get in for a couple of hours and surf with yer buddies, and a local crew with no hang ups ! For a quarter of an hour or so I got my first taste of a longboard; Andy's Custard Point, and my suspiscions that these babies are for me, was confirmed. The difference felt was immediate both in paddling out, and catching waves. An hour or so before high tide, what swell there was dropped and we decide to call it a day. The question now is whether this forecast swell is really going to get going. Tomorrow? Cromer?

January 15th 2000: Having waited patiently for over 3 weeks, ventured back to Skeg as another swell seems to be brewing. Word is, that this could last for the best part of a week, so today was about loosening up if nothing else. Checked with Coogee first thing and conditions were about 2' & choppy because of a NE breeze (cross-onshore). A wave is a wave in this part of the world, so there was no hesitation and I went for it. Glad I did when all said and done. Had over two hours of useful fun in conditions which slightly improved as time went on, as the breeze threatened to switch more northerly. Importantly I got some rides and my paddling was as good as I left it last time out. Clearly the more regular time in the water has already started to pay off. Wonder if Cromer will be on for tomorrow?

January 3rd 2000: Checking the charts in between Festive Season commitments hadn't been inspiring. The Low that was skirting north over the last day or so, didn't have enough north fetch to it, but may produce something to play with. Gave Coogee at Skegness a bell for a final indication, and decided to set off and have a look with the prospect of a small but clean 1' plus, poss increase to 2' as the tide pushes in. At the very least I could check out one or two more 'marks' for future reference; and it had been 2 weeks since I got in, which now actually feels like an age for me ! On arrival, Skeg was living up to my previous prejudices, and was flat. Not even a ripple worth getting suited up for! Back to chart watching methinks :o(

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