Mother Meor Delivers

Proper surf and wave sizes to suit all abilities last Saturday. The Nemos and Dorys were in particularly good form and keen to impress. Out back the Dolphins were smashing out turns and linking manoeuvres while our mid-range groups were finding their own manageable waves, green or white, and getting great enjoyment from meeting the challenges they set themselves. Here is a gallery of my pictures from the session:

And there is a bonus section of pictures this week with this selection by Natalia focussing largely on our intermediate age groups. Enjoy!

Hot Dog!

by Nog Fundraiser General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Boy it was a hot one! A fierce August sun blazed in a blue blue sky on Sunday afternoon as the club set out it’s stall on the putting green for our first BBQ get-together. Aided by the generous support of St. Ives Co-op, St. Ives Brewery and St. Austell Brewery ( Don’t you just want to be in that number when the saints go marching in! ), and a tray full of sumptuous home-baked cakes from Diane Smith, we welcomed members and public to share our space and the hospitality of the clubhouse. We could delight in the culinary skills of several of our eager committee members who brought their kitchen aprons to the feast and twizzled and sizzled with relish. Parents and children, omnivores and vegetarians were well-fed and watered with the fine food and drink provided. The event was very well supported and earned praise from many as a local initiative, and an opportunity for the curious non-surfers to inspect the clubhouse that the surfers enjoy. It was a rewarding afternoon engaging with fellow members and earning funds for the club from the donations given. Can we do it again before the season is over? Many say we should!

Again we offer thanks to St. Ives Co-op for their gift of the bulk of the food. Both St. Ives Brewery and St. Austell Brewery were generous in their support, and Diane’s cakes and treats were an additional wow factor to the day. Thanks too to Porthmeor Beach for the use of the putting green, and to our committee members for hustling up the BBQ and kit required to make the day such a success. There are a few pics capturing a brief spell from the day below. Thanks to David Newton for those.

Summer Sizzle

by Nog General Club News

Here’s a date for the diary! We are holding a BBQ at the clubhouse for all members and their families on Sunday 14th of August from 3.00pm, courtesy of the generous support of the St. Ives Co-op. Come and spend a couple of hours at the club with your fellow members and shoot the breeze on surfing, club matters, St. Ives life and anything else that takes your fancy. If you prefer your sausage meat-free we’ve got vegetarian options! There will be drinks too! A small donation towards the cost of food and drinks would be appreciated, but our main aim is simply to share an afternoon with club members and get to know each other better. We look forward to seeing you there, Saints Boardriders committee.

Low and Slow

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Another 8.30 start on Saturday and the gentlest of waves to welcome us to Porthmeor. I’d characterise conditions as ‘low and slow’ and eminently suited to our youngest surfers. There was ample time to get into a wave and time enough to polish a stance once riding. As the tide shifted out our older groups found their wave size increasing, so all-in-all a very satisfactory day I’d say!

School’s Out!

by Nog General Club News Groms

With the school books tucked away in the cupboard for the summer our young chargers came together on Saturday morning for an 8.30 start to their continuing surf education. The waves were ideal for the early learners and we had a fruitful hour putting them through their paces.

It was also the final day of competition in the Eurosurf Juniors event in Santa Cruz, Portugal and we at Saints Boardriders congratulate Team England on an outstanding week. Of the six divisions contested, England produced three champions and one second-placed surfer – by far our greatest success on the junior international stage! Alys Barton, Girls Under-18 gold! Lucas Skinner, Boys Under-16 gold! Arthur Randall, Boys Under-18 Longboard gold! Lola Bleakley, Girls Under-18 Longboard silver! Exceptional performances by these young English surfers to inspire all our youngsters.

A few pictures of our own more modest morning’s work below with coaches John and Eve keeping an eye on things:

A Sweet Summer Saturday

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Our first session of July and a hot cloudless day brought just the gentlest of waves for our Saturday morning. The keenness of our chargers was palpable as we hit the water for a splendid hour of progress and fun in the best of conditions

Coming on

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Second session and we are finding our groove. A hassle-free check-in and off down the beach in good time for an hour-long surf. It’s pretty much low tide, gusty wind and showers, and some meaty waves punching through. The Nemos and Dorys were finding lots of white water rides on the inside while the Tuna and Swordfish were battling in chest-deep waves to hold position for the best offering. Out back the Dolphins were dealing with overhead and occasionally steep waves, testing the mettle. The banner picture contrasts a novice surfer making those early steps in the club with Teddy out back, now developing into an accomplished performer.

Here we go – here we go – here we go!

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

First session of a new season. Heavy surf, lots of rippy water moving and a cross-shore wind. Coach Navin posted an advisory that tiny tots and nervous types might want to begin their summer at the next session. On the morning, around seventy surfers arrived ready to rumble. There was a good number of adults and experienced juniors on hand to help, both in the water and with the hectic check-in as newbies were introduced to Kids Club for the first time. St. Ives Surf School coaches were keen to meet their new charges and get down to business. It was great to see progress in the older groups from where we left off last summer. Some of the new Dolphins have obviously spent the winter in the water and were keen to bust out the moves. Meanwhile the Nemos and Dorys went through the familiar ‘getting to know you ‘ beach routines before hitting the white water waves for that important introduction to riding a board, the wipe-out and the smiling recovery from a ducking. As we wrapped up the session back up the beach the consensus among surfers, parents and coaches was that a good time was had by all! Can’t wait for the next session!

Kids Club Calendar 2022

by Nog Surf Club Events

The early season fine weather has turned our thoughts to the Saturday morning surf club for our junior members. With only one week to go to our first session, here is the calendar of the coming season. Follow our Facebook page for notices and announcements as the summer progresses, and if you are participating please arrive early at check-in to enjoy the full surf experience.

Christmas Day 2021

by Nog General Club News Surf Club Events

With Covid’s most recent variant, Omicron, hanging over every planned social activity like the sword of Damocles, it was surprising and pleasing in equal measure to see a good number of our members drop down to the beach on Christmas Day morning for a surf, even if we could not gather for a sociable glass of wine, spirit or coffee to share the occasion post-surf. The waves were a fine festive gift for our surfers and the banner picture shows Otis, Harris and Caz arriving for the splash. Here are some of the other participants caught on camera – my apologies to any member who made the effort but was not found by my lens. We were grateful to be able to share the morning with friends in these troubled times and hope that we may see a safer outlook in the New Year and maybe a return to normality by the time we look to Christmas 2022.

Stay safe, everyone! Love and best wishes from Saints Boardriders.