The three day surf weekend started out with a long drive down to Woolacombe in North Devon ridiculously (thanks Pete) early on Saturday morning. Martin C, Pete H, Stuart R in one car and Dave W and Simon K in the other. We made great time as there was little traffic, arriving at Saunton beach around 10.00 in the morning.
We looked at the surf from the cliff above, drove down to the beach and decided with the onshore breeze one of the alternative beaches may be better, so we drove round the bay to Putsburough Beach.
Once kitted up and down on the beach we were straight in the water and surfing by 10.45.
Being regulars, all of the guys got straight into it surfing like pro’s, as it was my first time, it more swimming and emptying than surfing. Dragging a boat full of water out of a river is MUCH easier than the sea.
The sun was out, but the water was still very cold, so we were greatful for drysuits and helmets to keep warm.
After a great days surfing on the first day with waves around 4 feet, we eventually got off the water at about 5 o’clock and went for a post-paddle coffee, followed swiftly by post paddle beer(s) before heading back to the hotel. Dinner and a few more beers in the hotel (Fortesque Arms), we retired ready for an early start and more surfing. Thanks to Simon’s patented drying room, all our kit was warm and dry ready for the next day.
We headed down to Woolacombe Beach on Sunday morning, in the water by about 10.30, after Dave and Simon gave me a little coaching to try and keep me IN my boat. The sun was blistering, hardly a cloud in the sky and the surf was good at between 3 and 6 feet. Pete was styling it in his new playboat which felt like paddling an armchair on the waves… it was very comfortable.
We all switched boats every now and then to get a feel for how other boats behaved and we all had our favourites. Dave and Pete’s helmets got many strange looks and comments and some surfers were asking where they could hire kayaks as we seemed to be having far more fun than they were.
By about 5.00pm we were exhausted and got changed and headed into town to find a chip shop to refuel. We sat on the cliff above the beach eating fish and chips in the sunshine feeling pretty lucky.
Pete and Martin left that evening and Simon, Dave and myself stayed for an extra day, so it was back to the hotel for food, beer and banter.
Wollacombe Beach again on Monday. Another blistering day of sunshine and I switched to a wetsuit as the temperature seemed much better. Back on the waves by about 10.30 and after more coaching from Dave and Simon I started to get the hang of catching a few waves and staying in the boat. The surf was perfect at between 4 and 6 feet and we had a fabulous morning. Quick break for some lunch then we were back on the water and we shot a bit of video and carried on surfing till around 5.00.
Back to the car to get changed, into town for some food and then back on the road by about 6.30 for the long trek home. The M5 looked like an NCP car park, so we decided to take the scenic route which took about 41/5 hours to get back, but was better than sitting on the motorway going nowhere.
As a first timer on surf, I can honestly say its some of the best fun I’ve ever had in a boat. Very hard work, but when the weather’s good and the company is hilarious, you just can’t beat it!
Stuart Ritchie