Archive for: Surfing

Id’ heard these guys before from watching Thomas Campbell’s epic surf movies (The Seedling, Sprout & The Present), but didn’t know who they were. I’m now enlightened and down with the retro vibe!

WAVES for Development are continuing to do great things in Lobitos. One of the latest projects was to build a skate ramp so that the local kids could get into skateboarding. There was a recent competition where entrants won skate equipment. So now not only can the kids have access tothe surf, they also have access to skating too.

Watch out ASP and X Games, these kids are ripping!

Over the past five weeks I’ve been on an 2500 mile journey of a lifetime around California, Nevada and Arizona. I’ve seen some amazing scenery, met some cool people, seen my best bud get married and caught some nice waves. We’ve covered a lot of terrain, both physically and metaphorically and it’s been a blast.

I’m nearly on the home straight now, driving back to San Francisco this morning and then hopping on the big bird back to the UK for a summer of hard work, in a hope to finance a trip to Brazil with Rosie this Christmas.

Check out the map below to see where we’ve been (rough route, as google maps was acting up this morning).

View Larger Map

Before hitting up San Diego the other night, Mike and I got a last few waves together out near the pier in San Clemente. Not epic conditions, but fun times all the same!

Gonna miss that place!

So I met Mike Morse in the surf back in Cardiff By The Sea a few days back.

After trading waves with Mike, Ben and Eli for a few days, I was invited to come down to San Diego for the weekend for a house party.

Last night I met a bunch of Mike’s friends, all super cool, chilled out and really friendly. We had a blast having a few beers and some take out food down here in PB (Pacific Beach). This morning we all grabbed breakfast and did a little thrift shopping.

Heading back to San Clemente soon and then one last surf and then it’s time to say my goodbyes and I’m driving up to San Francisco for the flight back home tomorrow.

It’s been a great end to an awesome trip and hopefully we’ll keep in touch and get a few more waves in the near future. Great people and good times all round, you’ve gotta love SolCal hospitality.

So thanks again to Mike and friends for all their kindness, hospitality and generosity over the past few days, it was very well appreciated and won’t be forgotten!

A few more pics from Cardiff By The Sea, one number one favourite place right now!

So I’ve been staying in Cardiff By The Sea for 5 nights now and loving every moment of it. The weather has been perfect, sunny with a cool breeze. Waves have been a mixed bag. But what has topped it all off is the kindness and friendliness of everyone I have met.

After leaving the boys in Vegas I have been travelling solo and camping out of the back of my SUV. I don’t have any blankets, pillows, sleeping bag or anything. So I improvised and have been sleeping in the back of the car in my board sock, fully clothed, using my dirty laundry sack as a pillow. Some may call that RAW camping!

Anyway, yesterday I met a bunch of people who I guess thought I was in need of a little TLC as I have had a tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, beers and firewood all given to me, without me even asking for a thing. Just goes to show, there are a lot of cool people out there!

I’m now in San Clemente staying at the San Mateo State Park and am fully kitted out and you could say I am almost glamping! Might even treat myself to a hot shower tomorrow as I haven’t had a proper wash since last Sunday!

Tonight I’m going downtown in San Clemente to see Mike (another Mike) and having a few beers and some pizza with my new OC crew!

Happy times!

Caught a few more sweet rides today at Cardiff By The Sea. A bit more swell came in and there were a few walls to carve along. Good crowd, good fun, good times!

A very rough edit of some waves that I caught yesterday at Cardiff By The Sea, CA.

So last night after spending the afternoon surfing at Cardiff By The Sea I headed over the railroad tracks and up into town in search of some food. I decided to pop my head in the Patagonia store on the way and to my surprise there was a little book signing event and presentation by former pro-surfer Shaun Tomson.

Shaun is one of those guys who is inspirational and full of stoke. I had previously bought his book: The Surfer’s Code and loved it. He has just bought out a second edition and I took the opportunity to purchased a signed copy. Whilst I was there I couldn’t resist getting my skateboard signed and also getting a photo with the man himself.

One word, stoked!