Good to see classic K it's been some time.

So after yesterdays 'I'm giving up winter surfing' thoughts, I lasted little more than 12 hours. Checking the early buoys I new I had to go again and this time I wore all my warmest gear. I broke out the 7ml Xcel clumpy mittens which are so thick I can't even tuck them into my sleeve, I have customised an old 1ml thermal rash vest, chopped off the arms as I found them restricting, also the original hood has gone, and finally I wore 2 hoods, A 0.5ml Xcel scull cap and my usual Snug hood. My slightly too big Xcel 8ml boots have been on for a little while now and my Snug wetsuit is usually top dollar, but I think I've become a bit soft! Or maybe I always was! 

Surf 43/78 Wednesday 8th February 

It was freezing this morning, but with my flask of hot water, a box of flapjacks and more rubber than somebody with a strange rubber fetish would know what to do with, I felt confident of a little bit of warmth. The waves looked very tasty, The Bench was pumping, the Bay was full of lines and my first look at the Ledges showed a set of about 3 waves with the first just breaking in a perfect A frame, head high with long walls. I whooped and the excitement helped take my mind from the cold as I got changed. I started on the Ledges and finished on Yellows, lots of fun clean waves were had by all with the odd longish ride, although some of the lefts were closing down, I tended to sit on the inside trying to stay busy (and warm) rather than waiting for the bigger and better sets. I had one moment where I went for glory, tucking into an impossible to make barrel section, I managed to see a beautiful view for a split second before I punched through the white water, some how still staying on my feet.

It was a very fun and enjoyable session, lots of friendly faces were out and it felt like a while since surfing with locals at K in waves like this. 

Another good pic from guys blog, not sure if this was today or yesterday? But you get the idea.

http://houseofbonzer.blogspot.com/2012/02/ya-missed-this-too.html

Winter has arrived!

Bloody hell... I'll stop there... note to self... must rant less... but... no stop it....ok just one point... I HATE WINTER.. ok that's all. I missed the K Beach clean... Sorry... But I (and Dan) were stuck in Belgium in Arctic conditions... that blog to come... 


Surf 41/76 Wednesday 1st February 
A super clean small easterly provided me and 3 others with a surprising amount of fun... It was in the 2ft range but with nice shape and tiny barrels on the inside my little 6'1 quad (sorry Dan's 6'1 Quad) didn't let me down and apart from dropping in on the same guy on 2 occasions (very embarrassing and I emphatically apologised) I came away with a surprising amount of stoke.
Guy has plenty of pics from the Wednesday and Thursday easterly swells here..
http://houseofbonzer.blogspot.com/2012/02/jolly-cold-pier.html
http://houseofbonzer.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-cold-pier-today-ya-missed-it.html


Surf 42/77 Thursday 7th February 
Cold cold cold, it felt really cold today out at K apparently according to Matt and Guy, we (Dan, Gary, Kim, Woody and others) missed the best of it in the morning, long long waits between sets only sped up my slump towards hypothermia but when the waves eventually came they were very pleasant. Over an hour of paddling between yellows and ledges (mostly to try and stay warm) and as my session was nearing the end due to the lack of feeling in my hands and feet, the waves started to improve but they became impossible for me to catch due to my coldness. I finished my session at the ledges mostly frustrated but admiring Timo's stunning display on an SUP, he surfed it like a fish and if surfing them was as easy as he made it look I might be more interested, but it isn't and that man has got some talent. 


Getting changed was horrible, my tired, cold body was past shivering, when the cold North East wind blasted my wet skin it was very painful, with nowhere to hide I hopped and skipped around the car park desperately trying to pull my wetsuit off which seemed to be stuck on my shoulder. For a moment I considered getting into the car fully suited but with one mighty surge of energy I some how pulled one side of the suit over my shoulder. My hands were burning, white and almost useless but eventually I was able to jump into my car dressed. The journey home gave my hands time to thaw and as the blood returned to fingers I suffered severe and painful Pins and Needles. I managed to listen to the whole of 'Wish You Were Here' Album before I got home as the rush hour traffic was heavy, the mellow warm drive helped me recuperate and I laughed at some of the ironies in the music. Do you think you can tell, Heaven from Hell? 


I vowed to give up surfing during winter, I really am not made for it.. I feel the cold more than most and I do surfer from Raynaud's.... I can't handle this..... but like a drunk who vows never to drink again I think my promise will last little more than 12 hours... Now how are those flapjacks getting on!  


Again Check Guys Blog....
http://houseofbonzer.blogspot.com/2012/02/today-you-missed-it.html