Beach Telegraph

After nearly 3 years of BBB I've decided to call it a day and have set up a new manually aggrgated news site to engage new readers called www.beachtelegraph.com I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for checking in.

Adieu..for now

It was sad to see Windsurf Journal announce the suspension of their International news version recently after failing to find funds from the industry to support their service online.

‘Philou’ Lavigne has put a great deal of effort into trying to bring his super successful French magazine to a worldwide audience, and in most ways he has succeeded with 5000 regular visitors a day clicking onto his web property to see what’s hot and what’s not. 

He’s tried live newscasting from events, and just about every other innovative and sensitive way he can to monetize his journalistic contribution.

But without more support from an industry that simply can’t afford to sponsor him to the levels required, he’s been forced to place it on the back burner. 

Hopefully this is only a temporary, measure and I for one certainly hope to see a reaction from readers to see if the manufacturers can find any extra budget in their pockets to see him reinstated as a valuable publisher of vital updates. 

I was lucky enough to be featured by WSJ during its heyday when I still wrote daily news for the PWA. How times have changed in just year! 

Good luck Philippe and we hope to see WSJ International live again soon. If the situation is not resolved and you can’t face living without a daily hit of WSJ then your only option is to learn French as its business as usual for those who speak the international language of lurve.

To Bet Or Not To Bet - Is That The Question?

Whether you choose to agree or disagree on the moral issue of pro surf tour betting, the reality is that the bookies have ducked into the market with odds being offered on various ASP events, and prices being posted for the WCT world title too. Within life in general, surfers can be some of the most radical gamblers regarding when or where they choose to go or which waves to paddle into. However some surfers are some of the most calculated athletes on earth who leave as little to chance as possible in pursuit of their ultimate pleasure. Of course the calculated value-hunting punters are usually the most successful, but I reckon there’s a real market in producing valuable insight, punditry and analysis of these remarkable sportsmen. But funnily enough people can be obsessed with form without ever even having to splash out a penny. In fact recently I’ve been pumping out form guides for the pro windsurfing tour, which I’d now hope could be a great resource for anyone thinking of opening up the market to betting on professional windsurfing. In fact, you can check out my 2008 season preview just published in the UK’s Boards magazine. Who knows, one of these days you might be tempted to lay the odd bet here and there if you spot the bookies have priced someone a little cheaply compared to my predictions! But we’ll have to wait and see if my calls are any good first…

Windsurf Journal Article

I'm a pretty behind-the-scenes kind of guy, but sometimes the spotlight hits you head on.

Today I got the full focus from leading web magazine www.WindsurfJournal.com , who interrogated me about my content management work, press reports, and the livecasts I produce for the pro windsurfing tour.

Scriptaculous

After wanting to do some TV script work for ages I suddenly received two back-to-back requests for last-minute work. First Tonix Pictures wanted a DVD commentary for a PWA World Tour Season review title they’re releasing soon, and then TV production company Friday02 needed a 12th hour script for their weekly extreme sports round up programme IEXTV. Having worked on the PWA (Windsurfing) World Tour all of last season, I found the Tonix gig a lot easier. So, the real challenge came with the IEXTV job, which wanted me to look at action from other sports relying on the information provided by the relevant sporting bodies.

It certainly opened my eyes up to the value of the work I output at the PWA as Press Writer. I have to say I learned a few things about what these valuable ‘sneezers’ who publicise a sport need to have in the toolkit we provide them.

But it also made me proud as I felt some other sports are not doing that much or making it that easy for journalists to promote their sport, tour or sponsors as windsurfing does.

Anyway, Friday said they were happy with the job and hopefully there’ll be more work in the pipeline. If not. I’m more equipped to make the external press’s life easier when the PWA tour starts back up in March.

Ice Ice baby

Ironically, after a weekend surfing ice-cold British waves, I can't seem to stop thinking about Global Warming. The water was freezing, but not as chilly as it must've been for the Deepwater films crew when they took some tow-surfers and a camera crew to Alaska to ride swell generated by crumbling glaciers. As a surfer the water seems to feel colder each season, not warmer. And as a copywriter it's irresistible not to compare such an issue to a marketing ploy, because, to me, writer Seth Godin's comment that Global Warming's been poorly branded couldn't ring any truer. Godin suggests that had it been pitched as 'Polar Meltdown' or 'Arctic Armageddon', people would've considered changing their filthy polluting ways long ago. Global warming sounds nice. Comfortable even. Not a serious warning on a grave issue. Deepwater had their fun at the edge of the thawing process, but the truth is there'll be less waves to surf as our favorite coral reefs are flooded and the swells surge further inland. Brrr. That ice is certainly making the water chillier though. Maybe it's just a symptom of the times?

The Windsurfing Movie

I recently posted an online article about this important new movie for Windsurfing - just as a feature I wrote on one of the film's creators went to print in Europe. So far the feedback's been good and I was particularly pleased to hear from one of it's stars and producers - the Hawaiian windsurfing and tow-in surfing legend Levi Siver.

Thanks Brian, It's good to have someone channeling the right stories and movement of the sport like yourself. It's important that we get this sport out of its past and define a new era. I'm excited for the future. I think some cool stuff is around the corner. I think film is an important tool to usher in more kids and more creative ideas. Its a win win, riders will have a job to express who they are, companies will be promoted and the sport will be networked out to some serious audiences. Aloha, Levi

I'm glad he's happy with the results Levi's right that the sport's hitting a new era. In fact ,as Jace Panebianco said in the article at my website, he doesn't feel like Windsurfing's the 'Ginger-haired step-child of surfing any more!' Hey - what's wrong with Ginger hair man?

Top Marks for Quotation

A new DVD thats available for free online was launched this week by Swedish Film Producer Peter Svensson of Peter Films It's called Committed and is about a really talented young Brazilian windsurfing star, Marcilio 'Brawzinho' Browne who's likely to be a legend in the sport for some years to come. I was over the moon however when I started watching it that the film starts with a quotation from a press release I wrote earlier this year after the 18-yr olds first PWA event win at Sotavento in the Canary islands. Oh, and the flick is great too by the way! 'Today Brawzinho took a big step towards living-up to the hype that surrounds him, on a day that cements his footprint in windsurfing's elite' Brian McDowell / PWA Fuerteventura July 26th 2007 Sometimes the greatest Compliments and feelings of accomplishment come from this type of acknowledgement - much more than the paychecks for your regular work.

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS - haha since posting this Marcilio won his first world title in Germany. Congratulations Brawzinho!

A Great Compliment

French windsurfing magazine WIND made me feel extremely proud today. No, I didn't have an article published. In fact it felt better than that. Right at the front of the mag, in the editors note, their Honcho Gilles Debrix, commented on the excellent service of the PWA live event ticker I write at World Tour Windsurfing events. OK he might have preferred it to be in French, and even in more simple English. But the praise came for the tickers ability to convey, in real-time, accurate detail on the state of play during the most exciting wave sailing final we've witnessed in some years in Gran Canaria, and portray the atmosphere and tension with move-by-move commentary. With my chest now swelled to the size of a hot air balloon I'm buoyed-up to go and improve the service and do my best to paint an exact as possible picture next week at the inaugural Mormaii Ibiraquera Wave Contest - PWA World Cup in Brazil. You can follow the action at PWA World Tour Website from the 9th until 16th of September. And, as my head is swelling too, if you want to you can read some recent print articles at my personal website!

Feature Frenzy

UK windsurfing magazine Boards just dropped through my mailbox and survived my 2 year old ripping it into pieces. I'm glad it survived as I was stoked to see that I've written no less than 20 pages of content. (Let's hope the cheques survive the toddler mail-trashing too when they arrive) I'll try and post the PDF's on my website as soon as they're available for you to read. Inside the mag I'm particularly happy with the profile I wrote on Britain's own windsurfing legend Nik Baker. If you read the article you might be amused to see how I scratched my wife's car up arriving to interview him, so I'm hoping those cheques really cover the paint shop bill for the colour coded bumper repairs. (She really should drive an old banger like my trusty Golf which takes life by the beach particularly well). Also inside are a couple of contest reports. Luckily a long stretch spent in the Canary Islands in July running my live web casts for the Pro Windsurfing Circuit and my daily news summaries hasn't dried my enthusiasm for writing about the amazing action we witness on the greatest tour on earth.

Flash New Style

I've been trying out a new style of presenting the daily event news I write for the PWA. I started with an Event Preview of our current tour stop, and this time split up the text and tried to give a clearer form guide - especially to those who's first language is not English. In the past I've sent out news that I've wanted to be journalistic in nature. That got used heaps in syndicated form and received pretty good feedback. But, as I'm finding out with my freelance work, some journalists want a 'Kit' to make their own write-ups in their own styles which is understandable. I've had quite a few compliments so far, but I'd love some more feedback if you have any. Right now the tour is still here in Spain, or Catanunya to be more precise, and we're enjoying the regular hospitality we're given each year at this nice holiday location. Here's a shot JC, our photographer and my 'Media-Team' buddy, took of me last night at one of the dinner's the event organiser threw for us. In fact it was JC who told me my Press Release's were too wordy, and often over-detailed. I think he's right, and, also at his suggestion, I think I'll mix up my style more in the future to keep it fresh, as sometimes a journalistic piece will be appropriate. It feels like I'm giving less, but I think its helping more to pass on the key facts and comment on the atmosphere. I've tried a similar approach with my report for Boards Magazine on the recent Guincho World Cup. (That goes to print this week!) The editor was pretty happy with it as it's making a change from lengthy, wordy articles in the past that are kind of based on my PWA news anyway. It's true I have to write to a formula as our news service must pay some lip service to our corporate sponsors, and to their athletes who compete on this circuit. That's fair anough, but I think JC's advice is valid, and I'm going to try and consciously vary my approach to try and hit gold! JC's experimenting with the sideflash at the moment, and all the riders are queing-up to get 'Flashed' for their profiles. I tried to duck out of it, as, as you can see I've had a bit of a 'Fast Haircut' and that the top of my head hasn't seen enough sun on it yet!

Windsurf Europe issue 5

Windsurf Europe Issue 5 is out in newsstands now throughout the continent. I'm on the staff as a retained 'Translator' and Copy editor where I tidy up the text from translated versions from writers of various mother tongues, and edit it into legible 'International English'.

Included in this issue, as the main feature in fact, is an article I wrote on the historic PWA wave event in Cabo Verde, where amazing waves graced the point break of Punta Preta and made one of the all-time contests in the sport of windsurfing's history.

I was asked to do this copy editing job for the magazine as they read my Press releases and event action summaries from the PWA website and mail outs. The editor liked the fact I could edit and capture the essence of an event, and speedily output clear concise copy for an international audience in my syndicated press write-ups.

The magazine comes with a free DVD in each issue (6 Issues a year) which includes PWA action, and loads of other exciting footage from the cream of windsurfing.

I'm glad windsurf Europe have been brave, just as Exocet and Kona Windsurfing have, and spent a little cash on polishing their English language presentation to their wider international audience.

In a small sport this shows considerable foresight over other brands who still publish awful literature using inaccurate language.

I believe this instils a sense of mistrust in their customers who grow to never believe a word they read - surely this renders a brochure, website or any form of marketing communication useless and a waste of time?

Go grab a copy of Windsurf Europe now!

Castlegregory Chronicles

The latest boards magazine is due to hit news stands any day now featuring the fourth, and penultimate episode of my column documenting our family’s relocation to Ireland.

There’s also a classic title picture to the piece, which I’ve inserted here. After the recent UKWA windsurfing competition that I judged here in County Kerry, the photographer decided that these three asses looked rather like myself and my honourable colleagues who make up the judging panel. A fair point indeed, but we’ve since been in some disagreement as to which one each of us is. Poor Donkeys is all I can say…

It’s not long until we leave Ireland now and I move my copywriting and content management business back to the UK. I’m contracted to spend a large part of the summer covering events and running live web casts for the PWA world tour (Professional Windsurfing Association Pro tour), and our plans are to return to Ireland in early 2008. The series in Boards mag, called ‘The Blogs from the Bogs’ has been well received, and I am tempted to pitch the idea of putting it online on an ongoing basis next year. Still it has been somewhat ironic having a Blog in print!

I’m lucky the freelance copywriting work I’m getting is not location dependant, and so the networks I have in gaining referrals from within the extreme sports, watersports and telecoms sectors are still strong, and the work is still rolling in.

Being a youth culture expert is something I had ever envisaged being a big money spinner, but it seems skills in writing to specialist youth and action sports audiences are highly sought after as large companies try harder to empathise with their end customers and their disposable income.

You can see some of my latest work projects at my website www.concept-content-copy.com

Another Believer Signs Up!

I’m proud to announce another new customer!

Exocet are innovators in watersports, and with an international team, they're strong on technical information on their great products, but need a way to tell the world clearly.

So, I’ve been asked to give a fresh universal tone throughout their 2008 web, print and dealer literature.

Former Windsurfing World Champion and owner Patrice Belbeoch, and Tor Bakke the Art Director there are already super-happy with my work, which is really satisfying to hear. Tor mailed me after the first batch was completed and said, 'Thanks heaps, in my opinion this is absolutely brilliant stuff! Snappy, and to the point indeed...'

I got the job after they picked up on this Blog’s comments on one of their products, and also ‘cos I’d brutally attacked them for some awful ‘international’ English.

But, to their credit they’re an exceptionally forward thinking company, and eventually, after a year of dialogue, they’ve opened their minds to having a copywriter in such a specialist field.

I’m confident they’ll benefit massively from it as markets like the US will really take their quality products seriously now the literature’s clear and motivating.

This is a classic case of a company thinking they can’t afford or don’t need a copywriter, but who can’t believe they didn’t once they’ve seen the difference some crisp, sharp text has on their Brand’s identity.

They even ran the Blog piece on their Kona products sub-site!

PWA Event in Korea

Just a few days to go until I'm covering the PWA Slalom 42 event in Korea. The event Preview PR I wrote went out today at the PWA website.

It's a new event for the PWA, and a new location for me to visit too. I've spent a lot of time in Asia, mainly in China and Hong Kong when I worked as the Marketing manager for Gaastra sails. But, I've never been to Korea and am looking forward to it.

The conditions sound great for racing, and with a decent holding period I'm sure we'll see the full 15 races allowed completed.

As Jinha Beach enjoys regular trade winds, not strong I’m led to believe, but moderate racing friendly breeze, we will probably have a relaxed schedule compared to wind-ravaged sites like Pozo in Gran Canaria.

My guess is that the event will see us complete just a couple of races a day, and, as the entry list is not that big due to the travel expense for most competitors from the US or Europe, the rounds should be fired off pretty quick.

Apparently there are only around 30 men’s entrants. There may be more locals tempted if there is space, plus there is an amateur event overlapping the PWA event so some people my stay on from the Asian Windsurfing Tour competition.

Who knows? Maybe there'll be time for some sailing for the PWA crew? I hope so...

Anyhow, I'll be running my usual live event ticker, and outputting daily news summaries which will be posted at the PWA site and mailed to their media list.

Be sure to check the ticker for the latest news and results, and also the live elimination ladder I update during the action.

Rest assured, if anything happens that you ought to know about you'll find it posted here or there!

The Beach - A Perfect Meeting Venue And Office

What a great idea. After a days brainstorming at the beach here during a British windsurfing event in Ireland, I reckon we’ve found a solution to our sponsorship woes. The association is short of cash and resources to look for and attract sponsors. We got to joking about bidding for the title sponsorship, and so I decided that, with effectively nothing to lose, putting it on E bay would be a great idea.

There are a few opportunities out there already – like the chance to sponsor a kid’s baseball team somewhere in the US and a Gumball rally challenge etc. But, just within our world of windsurfing there must be some companies who’ve got windsurfers as the Marketing Director that’d buy into this dedicated, healthy, opinion forming community.

What a great pilot group they’d be for your new product or a focused audience for your services to be exposed to? But then I got thinking more. Why don’t I sponsor them? No, I’ve no budget set for advertising my services. Never thought of doing so either. I simply thought word of mouth, referrals, and perhaps a bit of savvy web marketing via the content in my Blog and Lense traffic would bring me all the business I need.

Also, why advertise when you’re already busy? Well I might not always be busy, and, as you’ll see in my website, I’m in a niche market – a windsurfer who’s writing features, ads, brochures and managing content, mainly for the sport and subjects I’m passionate about. That means I should definitely be setting a tone, laying foundations and seeding people about what I do so they keep me in mind when the subjects of say press writing, web marketing, SEO copywriting or editorial come up in future conversations they might have.

So, to get hired by people in the game I know, perhaps I’m actually missing an opportunity to communicate what I do despite already being in exactly the right orbit? I surely can't be alone then in wanting to promote myself then can I? And, considering I want to help others convey their identities positively and creatively, now I’ve the chance to proactively set an example and spread the word to people who’s businesses might benefit from my services, but, perhaps just happen to be windsurfers!

On a serious note. We’d just run a great competition, the wind had dropped, the sun came out and there was a great atmosphere amongst the competitors to sort out some of our problems and in a fun way shoot the breeze, (So to speak…), and find innovative ways of turning our dilemmas into strong solutions for the future.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll get outbid by another member of our great association. The fact that it could possibly go on E Bay is a marketing technique itself, and could well create widespread interest amongst the forums, members and everyone connected to them. But at least the sport will benefit, and, the price anyone pays will be what the deal is actually worth, plus, it might mean I get to do the winners business’ copywriting anyway! You can’t say that hanging out at the beach is un-productive can you? All the best ideas are had there I reckon…

Irish Wave Event Is A Go!

Damn! The wind blew for the first time in a month and I had to spend the day running a contest for everyone else to enjoy their sailing!

Never mind. It’s always a spectacle to see the likes of John Skye and Andy King, John Hibbard and Jamie Hancock display just how loose the kangaroo is in their top paddocks.

Nuclear winds at ‘Dumps’ meant they got to put an awesome jumping display of double forward loops, push-loop tabletops, table forwards and more. In the afternoon we moved them to Stradbally Strand for some waveriding in small but increasing swell to give them a rest from the howling onshore conditions at Dumps. John Skye won round 1 with a great final against John Hibbard.

The second round got to the semi-final stage before the wind died in the evening.

Everyone earned their Guinness yesterday for sure! More later. Gotta go run the next skipper’s meeting and make a call on if and where in Brandon Bay we’ll run the event today.

Shazam!

www.concept-content-copy.com customer Shazam entertainment just went live with their new website.

This Uber-cool music recognition, tagging and web-community company rocks. When you hear a tune you love but don’t know who it’s by you can ‘Tag’ it by dialling 2580 on your mobile and pointing it towards the speakers. How cool? They instantly send you the answer plus the chance to buy the download or ringtone!

You can make your own Blog, and Myspace-style layout at their website to share and hear other music from likeminded lovers of the songs you love to hear. They also have some pretty neat promotions on free tagging, and a little birdie told me members might be in for much more than that if they sign up now. (Could it be hearing pre-release material?).

The tagging charts that represent the most popular tags are a powerful tool for the record companies, as they're relevant to what people are listening too and liking, and so, sites like Shazam will have some seriously cultured and forward-thinking ears to get opinions from on what’s likely to be hot or not.

As a listener too, it’s cool to be able to share and enjoy great music, whether it’s pre-release or 20 years old. And no doubt those same music biz execs will browse the reviews for any budding journalists and critics.

One of the projects I was instrumental in there on the concept side was the Music Discovery engine. This works like a ‘Cloud’ and clusters genres and similar music in a graphical format for lovers of any type of music to see what else they might like based on what other members have rated.

Head over to Shazam now and check it out!

Squidoo Lense Goes live!

I'd like this lense to tell you about my work as seen at http://www.concept-content-copy.com/, and to show you things I like from other writers, my customers, bloggers and relevant companies. Plus, it's great way to link up to some discussions about important issues.

Maybe you're a windsurfer or surfer who needs a like-minded copywriter for your business needs? Maybe you just need a job done, but, want to find out more about these beautiful sports? I'll help you with both!

Please check the lense out for daily news postings of this Blog, my PWA content, add a customer or reader recommendations and see some nice photos! Thanks!

Corona Extra Tiree Event Press Release

The confirmation of a new British World Cup Windsurfing event meant another press release was required ASAP. Obviously it's already on the PWA website, but to see the word for word, internationally syndicated nature of the material I output you can see it on a range of sites such as Boards in the UK, and Deepfried in New Zealand to name but a few.

UK and Irish Wavesailing Events

Here in beautiful County Kerry I'm blessed with wind, waves and the most amazing light conditions that attract artists and photographers from world over. Unusually though, since St. Patrick’s weekend in fact, there's been little wind and only small surf. That weekend I judged at the Irish Windsurfing Association windsurfing competition, who kindly invited me on hearing one of the PWA and UK judges had moved to their stunning country.

I also missed the best conditions in 5 years to sit in the van and watch everyone else enjoy themselves. It is with almost total disbelief that, on checking the forecasts, I now see waves and wind approach from the west... It really does look as if both the UKWA and IWA will be lucky with great conditions as they roll into town, (Castlegregory), for their back to back wavesailing events starting this Monday. Guess who's judging both contests?

I must try not to be negative but I admit it's a struggle. I love others having fun, and I love to see the high standard of the pro's, the enthusiasm of the amateurs, but, once a wind addict you're always an addict, and to remain captive in a vehicle on the beach just feels unnatural.

Of course Karma will save the day, and hopefully it won't mean the others suffer a windless event just because I don't want to miss out. Maybe we'll have so much wind I'll get a chance to sail anyway? Let's wait and see eh?

Read my articles at The Professional Windsurfers Association hompage!

Check out my regular daily postings at the PWA website! This explains my lack of regular updates for so long... I started this blog to prove to people that I wanted to and could write online content and hey ho I got a job doing just that! Hopefully now I can get back to keeping this blog content rich again. On the PWA site you can keep up to date with all things related to the pro windsurfing world and read live news and event reports with my webcasts, plus read daily articles of interest to all windsurfers. If you love Maui, Hawaii, then you'd be interested to read the sad news about Rope Tree at Camp One Its not a blog, so the site doesn't have a feedback facility but I'd appreciate your comments here if you want to make any suggestions or comments. Thanks!

Cockney Surfers... Watch out for those Jellied Eals...Guvnor!

Since we reported the Flowrider on a cruise ship a new artificial wave opportunity has presented itself. SurfDome plan a massive facility near the Olympic site in Londons East End. Cor Blimey and luv a duck, we could hardly Adam and Eve it that this could be a possibility. Apparently the developers have a changeable floor to the main pool planned, which can replicate the reef contours of famous waves. All this whilst being surrounded by climbing walls and Flowriders. Check out what they have to say about it here So all Pearly King and Queens will now be ripping it up in a location about as far removed from the traditonal surf culture possible, plus having a right knees up afterwards. Could it be that some real talent could emerge from this and other planned pools elsewhere? I'm sure this would take off in mainland continental Europe, just as the 'SnowDomes' have in the UK's flat, snowless Midlands. One image of some of the best riders from Hawaii and other wave strongholds always sticks in the mind; Seeing these stars arriving for 7am practice in the for the London Indoor Windsurfing Championships! You'd never expect to see such names stepping out of a battered taxi van on a dank and freezing January morning in Londons Docklands ! The action was hot though, and there's more to come in Belgium soon.

Surf Travellers First Aid Kit

Sometimes you wonder why it took so long to put something together that would obviously be a success. Or, more to the point why you didn't think of that yourself! But at last sensible Aussies, Jono and Scott from New South Wales Company, Natural Footed, have put together the definitive surfers first aid travel pack. After extensive research, (Yeah yeah boys, putting Indo boat trips on the tax deductible list…), the guys have put together everything you need for that jaunt to spine-infested, razor sharp live-coral waters. I'm sure their research involved chatting to a fair few good-looking nurses along the way too... In a handy size for packing, be sure to get one of these or ask your dealer for one, and make a point of reading the useful manual included, for instructions on how to get the best use and sensible treatment of those inevitable cuts and scrapes. Now there’s no excuse for not going hard! Charge on friends!

Son of a Beach

Seems we have a brother in Texas with a similar interest in all things beachy. Shame he's such a Son of a Beach...

Boobs on the Beach Fine. A Big NO to butts!

Ha! Well done O'Neill for hooking up with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) of the UK with their NO BUTTS on the beach campaign. Reported here by Boards mag help spread the word that stubbing out ciggies 'aint cool at the beach. Plus, don't be fooled with those Soul-Surfer types who smoke roll-ups and joints 'cos they're biodegradeable, as real surfers and all the good surfers take care of their bodies and stay fit and healthy. Let's face it, despite all the imagery and spliff-cloud billowing vee-dub buses, smoke and this beautiful natural sport don't mix very well. So here's to the UK's national NO Smoking day, from a typically anti-smoking ex-smoker...

Exocet Kona - For the Waterman and Family!

I'd like to show you the excellent Exocet Kona all-purpose family board. Based on a paddle board the Kona is primarily a windsurfer. Ideal for beginers, and bags of fun for advanced and intermediate sailors wanting fun in all winds, especially lighter summer breezes, and in between swells. If you're following the path to ultimate fitness, then the soft EVA deck makes a perfectly comfortable position as you train to take on the Maui Watermen at paddleboard racing. Who knows, maybe the lifeguards should have these so they can paddle, surf and sail out to help those in need of it! And why not use the Kona to catch some of that small summer surf, or paddle your kids into a few of their first ever waves with you! Could this be the best board ever to open doors for individuals and families to get on the water, and have fun in at least two sports? I reckon it might be. I love mackerel and bass fishing on surf and windsurf boards off my backyard beach, and I should think this board and a paddle or sail, will be perfect; maybe even for two! I'm sure this will be a great sucess, and if you surf and ever wanted to try windsurfing, then get one of these and have two sports for the price of one! Check it out here at the Exocet website.There's a video clip too so you can see it in action. I can't wait to try this baby and I'm pretty sure I'll be laughing as I catch waves further out and far before anyone else does!

Footage of Sharkguard Shark Repellant in Action!

After the last Shark deterrent articles let me point you towards some movie footage of the SharkGuard in action............ just watch out behind you!

Shark Deterrents? Fang Shoey Shark Repellents!

Another Shark thread ... I've noticed a couple of products recently that claim to ease your fears about sharky water. As a white-fleshed UK-based sailor I know I'm not alone when venturing into tooth-filled waters off foreign soil. Sure these guys are not really a big risk for us water goers, but it does cross ones mind when the suns setting and you've a long paddle in... One product is the SharkGuard, a repellent signal as seen by many on the countless shark programs that grace our TV screens. Aquanaut of Australia sells this device, which is used by Scuba divers, especially professionals. Sounds great and surely worth every penny to me, even if you’re only occasionally scared of shadows in the water. However the commercial version Aquanaut are trying to sell to state beach authorities, hoping to repel unwelcome teeth away from busy swimming beaches, in vital tourist dependant areas, has suffered a blow after the Queensland government rejected it on grounds of there being ‘No scientific merit’ and citing insufficient proof. This was pretty radical off the back of recent fatal attacks by Bull sharks in that very region. Perhaps then we should look at a more err, Zen approach? Fang Shoey, pictured above, sell a shark look-alike sticker they say tells the 'Blind' great whites and the like that this is one of their mates, not just a sticker underneath your stick! Who knows this might have more merit than the SharkGuard, but it looks like a magic force field, mental or not, is still not a real possibility just yet, so watch out for your toes…and legs…and…

Algarve Surf Forecast

Firstly my apologies for not updating for a while. I've been ill and travelling, but enough excuses, there are waves to be hunted. Check this out... My personal favorite, Portugal seems to be coming up with the goods again, serving up yet another great west coast forecast and easterly offshore winds to groom the swell! Get a flight to Faro and escaper the chillier North. Rent a car, or even better got to www.surf-experience.com/ and these guys and their dog Ratty, really will look after you. I'll go into why exactly in a later posting, so watch this space, but lets just say they'll pick you up, put you up, get you set up for surfing whatever conditions you want, whatever ability you are. And let me warn you too, these guys can party hard, and you'll get taken to all the best bars and charged the best prices! Come winter time though, the surf might leave you bereft of night time energy, as there's always another big day dawning at this time of year. Oh, did I mention what great value they are as well? Go my friend. Do not hesitate.

London Boatshow - Book your tickets!

A quick update for you as I am at the London Boatshow judging the PWA Indoor Windsurfing Championships from today. Make sure you book tickets and come to watch this spectacle if possible. My advice is to try and see a jump session as its definitely the most radical. Also the best jump session is bound to be the final on Sunday evening. Saying that though last year we had some incredible action at the trials stages, and the much missed UK only event. But thats another story! And don't worry - I'll be sure to update you of anything of interest or anything worth knowing from backstage. See you there!

Waterproof Ipod Nano Housing

Waterproof Ipod Nano Housing Check this out from H2O Audio.Like the various offerings for mountainwear and audio, here is the latest for waterborn music-lovers. But is this the way forward? In todays media-rich world do we have no solace in the beauty of nature, and the peace offered by the great outdoors? In my opinion those great natural sounds of boards over snow or water, and even, dare I say it, silence, are sacred. Many, perhaps you included think not, but at least you are catered for. I love my music as much as the next man, but as much as I don't want one of these, I hope everyone else does. The line-up at my local break with be quite as everyone will be nodding away to their latest downloads. Oh, apart from the mindless out of tune humming... (Or the annoying noise of Camera-toting RC Helicopters). H2O Audio say that, “Everyone from surfers, wakeboarders, water skiers, and swimmers to joggers and snowboarders can now strap on an H2O for nano using an armband or swim belt and take their soundtrack into their favorite activity regardless of environmental conditions.” The patented H2O for nano provides a unique full-function click-wheel assembly design that gives users ready access to all of the iPod nano’s proprietary command and control functions even when fully submerged in water. H2O for nano features include: • Secure waterproof housing for Apple iPod nano players rated to 10ft. (3m) • Patented easy-access click-wheel control of iPod nano command functions • Custom form-fit case compliments iPod nano’s small size • Durable, elastomeric, diagonal T-seal for absolute waterproof protection • Full view Menu screen • Extreme impact and scratch protection • Water, wind, dust and sand safe • Compatible with standard and H2O Audio patented waterproof headphones • Secure armband for carefree mobility Lovely, but not my cup of tea. Let us know what you think. Perhaps useful to drown out the noise of the kids at the onboard Flowrider or the plane to Portugal eh?

Freedom on the sea? Flowrider on a cruise ship!

Freedom on the sea? Flowrider on a cruise ship! Oh my God! Whatever next? If your other half ever pressures you into those non-surfing or windsurfing holidays, then consider two things. 1). Leave her and get a cooler surf chick or 2). Relent but under the condition you go on one of these cruises. A cruise? Yes. The ultimate nightmare for the active beach enthusiast, but if you got to do the whole family/Disney world go on a stupid boat full of gambling inlanders thing, then consider this. Royal Caribbean has added the Flowrider artificial wave to their new ship Freedom of the Seas. So whilst you've relented to being cooped-up on a ship, you can get some quality practice in working on your cutback! There's also a climbing wall - great I'd imagine with a hangover and a rolling swell - and water park. This could be a perfect stag party solution too. Some wave action, some stop-offs for sampling local rum shacks, and a load of all -inclusive booze! Apparently it's scheduled for launch in May. There's a pretty cool flash video on the Freedom of the seas website in the Activities section, including action from the Flowrider pro tour. It might not be the best wave ever, but it won't leave you skunked with a flat spell, and could be the solution for a compromise with that partner of yours; plus the kids'll love it.

Guincho Wind and Waves Forecast - book a flight now!

Guincho Wind and Waves Forecast - - book a flight now! Scanning the charts today looking for a short haul destination for us freezing away here in Europe, sees Guincho, nr Lisbon Portugal, with a cracking, and rare out of season forecast. If you're itching for some slightly warmer wind and waves, but 'aint got much time for a long-haul treat, then this could your chance to get on a flight, and get some quality surf. It looks like a GO for Thurs through to Sunday - a perfect weekend solution to your lust for action! Windguru is saying Friday and Sat look pretty epic with a solid swell running to boot. Most places elsewhere in Europe are looking dire for this period, with the possible exception of some waves in Sardina. My favourite flight search engine is saying around 120 British pounds return inc. taxes from London Gatwick with Monarch - who are supposed to be board friendly! Check out skyscanner dot net. They scan all the low cost AND scheduled airlines in one hit, and show all prices inclusive of tax. Click on the graph for which flight you want and they re-direct you straight to the relevant section for that airline. Easy! Be sure to use the Month view and you can see a graph of all the different departure days, and compare really easily in one place. Also you can click on a destination and see all the airlines and destinations you can fly to from that place. Cheap accomadation will be easy to source in Guincho at this time of year. Personally, at this time of year, I would get a cheap hire car through holiday autos or skyscanner, and then stay at the Muchaxo hotel right on the beach. Be sure to leave a comment below if you're up for it, or end up going and let us know how it was! Pictures too please! Happy wave hunting!

Remote Control Shark Attack!

Remote Control Shark Attack! As a quick follow on to the RC Helicopter article there is this excellent piece of silliness. Yes, a fully Remote control shark! Designed to terrorise the whole beach and clear the entire line-up from the surf!

Remote Control Helicopter Surf Photography

Remote Control Helicopter Photography I recently saw a remote control helicopter called the DraganFlyer IV, Intended for aerial remote control photography. I’m wondering how this might be useful for surf photography and whether it would have a meritable use? I'm going to ask John Carter,Dave White, and Erik Aeder, all veteran pro windsurf and surf photographers to look at these now on our behalf. Please watch this space for their views. Looking at the claims it seems it might have a place for getting unique views of water sports, such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing without the expense of hiring the real thing. RC Toys say this about it: ‘The Draganflyer V Ti R/C Helicopter is small and agile at just 30 inches in diameter. This compact flying-masterpiece lifts off effortlessly with its ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre body and stylish lines. Unlike gas-powered or other electric radio-controlled helicopters that are complicated and difficult to fly, The Draganflyer has been designed for beginners. The Draganflyer V Ti RC helicopter uses a heading-lock yaw gyro which helps simplify flight in all conditions and gives you complete control over yaw, pitch, and roll - full aerial manoeuvrability - using a patented control board that is so elegant it uses 95% fewer parts than conventional helicopters. The Draganflyer V Ti comes as a complete package requiring a simple, quick, and straightforward assembly of only 30 minutes’. Is it tough enough for idiots like me to bash it around at my local beach above the surf? A fair point at just short of 900 US bucks. They go on to say ‘The Draganfly V Ti's durability is unmatched by conventional RC helicopters. The Draganfly's body is virtually indestructible due to its tough carbon-fibre and high-impact nylon construction.’ Ask them how high it’ll go? ‘It flies up to 30mph and as high as you can see (at 200ft the helicopter is a dot in the sky) even though the radio range is approximately 1/2 a mile. The Draganflyer V Ti can lift 4 ounces, effortlessly and also uses thermal plastic rotors that are efficient, safe and inexpensive to replace’ Yeah right, but I’ve broken hundreds of supposedly indestructible things in my time. But apparently ‘Thermal Intelligence eliminates most of the dangers and provides both safety and fun while training and flying. If you run low on batteries, the innovative electronic control system prevents battery over-discharge by limiting available power. Lose transmitter signal? It will descend safely and autonomously outdoors. Incorporated into each Draganflyer V Ti's patented control board are four infrared heat sensors and three state-of-the-art piezo gyros which provide automatic self-levelling for an effortless outdoor piloting experience’. Sounds ideal. Not sure if that means the Thermal intelligence will sit my bird down on the water or the land in a fresh trade wind! Whilst you fly it about playing tunes from Apocalypse Now, it’s got a wireless colour micro-video camera mounted onto the Draganflyer's frame, which sends high-quality video signal to a small, portable base station. This footage can be viewed in real-time, or recorded onto VHS or digital video camera. You will indeed be able to film if Charlie can or cannot surf, no matter what Napalm smells like in the morning. There could also be a sideline for real estate aerial shots etc. in your local neighbourhood. Maybe you could at least justify this to yourself or spouse as a means for this toy paying for itself! It looks like there could the start of a revolution in aerial surveillance and footage about to break out! Anyone who has tried one of these or is tempted to buy one please drop us a line and let us know if you’ve used it for surf shots. Thanks.

Metal Detector Beach Rage

Metal Detector Beach Rage A fine sunny day at the beach. Suns starting to set and it’s nearly beer o’clock. Everyone’s packing their bags and gathering their gear. The sweet smell of a beach BBQ wafting by is certainly making those surfers carrying their boards from the water feel hungry. Couples walking in the shallows and dogs running around. Buts what’s this behind them, and in and amongst the leaving crowds? Yes, some deaf to the world idiot with earmuffs on, waving his silly metal detector about. Scavengers? I think so. I mean give people a chance to leave for crying out loud. Even the most honest scourers of the beach must come across really recently lost wedding rings, cash and other vital personal possessions. OK some might hand these in now and then, or help others find lost items, but in general it smacks of scrounging to me, and it’s in your face to say the least. I’m sure these metal detectors have use in historical contexts, crime and if you lost your keys yourself, but I object to them looking for my stuff, (Yes I am very forgetful! And now I’ve got a daughter to watch out for too!), right under my nose. I’d be interested to know what some people think? Do you have a metal detector? Do you scan the beach for lost jewellery? Lets hear it. Back me up or put me right.

Hang out at the Beach

Hang out at the Beach You're a good for nothing beach bum layabout, and that’s why you're here right? Feel free to hang out at this beach and talk sheeet anytime. I'll be ranting, wondering and suggesting. You can agree or disagree, and at the end of day it don't matter 'cos its just another one of those silly conversations down at the beach right? Come back here to find out whats going down at the beach. A surf report, a weekend suggestion for a surf destination perhaps? I reckon my weather and wave forecasting skills are quite handy! Beach issues, and issues discussed at the beach. Get the picture?

Pic 'Mysterious Beach Bums' courtesy of cowofdoom.com gallery