School’s Out!

School’s Out!

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

That’s another school year done and a dreamy summer ahead of our junior members! The first Kids Club of the holidays saw 79 attendees tackling some pretty good waves and a couple of torrential downpours. There was an opportunity to study and identify a rip in the water during the warm-up and talk before the groups took to the water. It was satisfying to see the youngest groups ( ages 4 to 7 years ) practising trimming, speeding-up and slowing down exactly as taught. There are some very quick learners in those groups! Here’s a selection of shots from the day:

Dreamin’

Dreamin’

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

After a Saturday lost to high tides, we returned on 8th July to dreamy conditions. A mild day and a regular supply of waves meant that all surfers had their fill of rides, and it proved to be a morning of outstanding performances. It was a real pleasure to witness the skills our young surfers displayed and an indication that our coaches’ lessons are being delivered clearly. Here’s a few pictures from the session!

Kids Club 24th June 2017

Kids Club 24th June 2017

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Sadly, the hot spell of weather had broken and a damp windy morning greeted us as we set up camp for Kids Club on Saturday morning. Would the parents fancy it? Would the kids fancy it? Well a heartening turnout of 89 kids gave coaches and helpers cause for good cheer, and the waves were between ‘about right’ and ‘a bit on the big side” as the 9 o’clock groups set off down the beach. It proved to be a fun session, reinforcing the motto on the St. Ives Surf School hat ” No bad days”. Here’s a gallery of the morning.

 

Poor weather, good attitude

Poor weather, good attitude

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

A foul mizzle and a strong west wind could have put a dampener on proceedings on Saturday, but our young attendees at Kids Club were undeterred! Some tricky rips in the shallows also challenged our groups, but the consensus among the coaches afterwards was that there had been some good progress, and Subo in particular was pleased to have made a promising start with the Sharks first video analysis session of the season. Some pics below:

 

Kids Club Returns!

Kids Club Returns!

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Saturday 3rd of June saw saints boardriders first Kids Club of the season. There were lots of new faces among the eager youngsters as well as the hundred or so existing members who turned out on the day. Surf conditions were an ideal 1 to 2 foot with a mild, almost windless day. There was also a throng of volunteers to help coach, marshal and administer the session, and what could have been a hectic induction to the season went very smoothly and the lessons were soon in their stride. First impression from our new members was that they can’t wait for next Saturday! Yippeee! Here’s a flavour of the day:

Mosquitoes@ The Balcony

Mosquitoes@ The Balcony

by Nog Fundraiser General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Friday 26th May saw our latest fundraising effort as The Balcony hosted a gig by The Mosquitoes in aid of saints boardriders bid to build a clubhouse. Our heartfelt thanks go the band and our hosts for a great night. Below is a photo gallery of some of those who came out to support the event. Thank you one and all!

Can I also ask all our well wishers to go to the site here: www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk/  and vote for saints boardriders bid for support from Jewsons community fund.

 

Eggstravaganza!

Eggstravaganza!

by Nog Fundraiser General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Sorry for the punnish headline! Easter Sunday’s jolly little fundraiser on behalf of The Wave Project and saints boardriders deserved better! Young minds turned to thoughts of eggs on the day, and not just the chocolate variety. First up was the contest to present the best-decorated egg and there were some imaginative offerings on show. Hard-boiled, glazed, glittered, face-painted – the choice of designs was broad. After some agonised deliberation, judge Abbie McCartney awarded the prize to a topical surfing egg.

    The Judging.

Contestants were then led to the start line for the great egg race down the slipway. The benefit of having the hard-boiled egg becoming abundantly clear! The competitors chased behind their free-rolling eggs as they careered down to the beach giving a nudge and a poke to keep the egg on track.

Ready – Get Set!

Go!                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

                            And then came the third element of the day – The Egg Hunt. Buried in the sand were twenty four plastic eggs, each containing prize sweets for the finder. Into the compound went our keen egg hunters and the search was on.

This is what you are looking for!

It proved to be quite a task to recover all the eggs as each unsuccessful scrape possibly buried the hidden treasure just that little bit deeper! Of course, children don’t easily tire when the prize is free sweets so the hunt was pretty intense until everyone had had a fair few mini-eggs. Then, as on beaches everywhere, when the child’s interest waned the parents were only too willing to get digging!

Eager beavers!

I’ve got one Katy! 

 

 

 

 

Bring grown-ups to the beach and they dig!

It was a really fun morning for children and adults alike. Many thanks to Katy Spencer of The Wave Project for some cracking entertainment ( Oooh! There it goes again!).

Anything You Want

Anything You Want

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Profiles

‘Anything You Want” is the title of Harry De Roth’s latest video offering shot and edited by Greg Dennis in 4K and showcasing the best in British surfing and videography. It’s a companion piece to the two videos highlighted in our previous blog, https://www.saintsboardriders.co.uk/rainy-day-videos/ having been shot at the same Thurso Surf Festival in 2016. Taken all together they give a compelling picture of a surfer’s life on the road at a tour competition. Maintaining form over the duration of the event, coping with different waves and sea conditions, getting in some free-surfing and practice between heats, all these elements combined with a nerve for competition are what brings success. Enjoy Harry’s newest vid Anything You Want here! 

British Nationals 2016

British Nationals 2016

by Nog Competition news General Club News Groms

Perranporth hosted the British National Surfing Championships last weekend and some very contestable surf enabled a high standard of surfing to be seen. There was a hectic schedule, with two peaks in operation all weekend to get through the programme and find champions in fifteen divisions.

All our St. Ives surfers were still in contention going into finals day. We lost our first competitor when Taylor Bairds was edged into third place in the Under-14 Boys quarter final.

Taylor bows out in the quarters.

And that was our only loss as we reached the finals! First up was Eleanor Hewlett in the Under-12 Girls. Finishing in fourth place in her first shot at the nationals, this was a very creditable performance!

Eleanor, first left on the podium

Eleanor, first left on the podium

Our next finalist was a new recruit to saints boardriders, Luke Jannaway in the Mens Masters ( 35 and over). In a hotly contested heat, Luke earned fourth place, crowning a good weekend’s surfing.

Luke first left.

Luke first left.

Next up among the saints boardriders team was Harry De Roth in the Under-18 Boys. Harry has won several National titles as he has moved up through the age groups, and this was his last shot as a junior before moving into the Mens Open bracket. This time he had to settle for second place as Croyde’s Will Bailey took the honours in a keenly anticipated final.

Harry, second left.

Harry, second left.

So there remained only Jayce Robinson in the Mens Open if there was to be a British title coming back to St. Ives this year. And it looked very much on as Jayce found the left-handers to his liking, showing his flowing backhand style and taking the fight to his fellow finalists. His efforts were thwarted at the very end of the contest as Bude’s Jobe Harris, home from his European QS campaign, found a buzzer-beater in the dying seconds to claim his first mens title. It was a great final to cap a great weekend of competition, and our banner picture shows Jayce, second left, within reach of the trophy which was so nearly his!

Well done to all our competitors – it’s been a fine show by everyone!