SURF SOLUTIONS

The last 12 Months

Reflection and evaluation is a KEY part of and coaching process. 2011 included a number of highlights for Surf Solutions. Consistent work with a dedicated squad with memorable sessions in France, Scotland and Cornwall. The best waves Ive ever seen while leading the big boys and girls on the Mentawai Elite Camp. Work with Retallack and use of the Flowrider, inputs from qualified experts and a whole new bunch of stoked faces coming in and out the door. A fantastic reef trip to Ireland and the amazing finale of December in Portugal where the sun shone and the groundswell pumped. The year also included a real surge in enthusiasm and skill level from the under 16 girls and the under 12 boys division, personified by the really enjoyable MINI-BUGS event (above). Thanks for all of the support and here's to an even more focussed, professional game leading 2012. 2011 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

P Didds' Vids

Paddy Daniel is in the lead pack of the very strong Under 18's division in Britain. The much improved junior was the unofficial Team Captain of the Surf Solutions' Squad in 2011. Aside from being a hard worker and a rock solid athlete he's got a canny good taste in music for a young 'un. Check some of his 2011 waves in VIDEO here

Under 12's shreddery VIDEO

There;s never been so many pre-teens in the world that can surf SURF. When GB finally gets another surfer earning a living from top level competition it will most likely come from this age group. The hunger, ambition, hope and stoke is there. Let's hope it stays the distance. Click THIS LINK to see the vid. Photo below is of Ben Tucker from Tynemouth. The latest in a line of surfers from the North East hoping to follow in the footsteps of global wave geniuses such as Veitch and G Davies.

 

Africa Unite!

Rev up the camel. Girls coaching week is confirmed for 7-14th February. joelsurf@mac.com for more info on final couple of spots

Bright Young Things

Last week's pre teen training camp in Portugal was a belta. Right now there are more pre-teens shredding in the UK than there has ever been. Surf Solutions will be putting significant energy into this significantly energetic age group in 2012. Regular training with a dedicated squad to help fire and direct the stoke. More info at usual address.

Seth Hughes WINNA

There's a lot of winners names on the Surf Solutions Viking Hat. Seth Hughes is the latest very worthy addition.

"We had a great week this week. The waves were offshore almost every day and never dropped below 2 foot. My favourite day was the second time we went to Ariffana. It was really clean and the waves peeled almost all the way down the beach. Stoked." 

Hal Yes!

Hal Gaskell nailed the Surfer of the Day award today. He won the most votes from the under 12's team out here in Portugal. The daily award comes with a bottle of UCAL. Wow! "Joel sent us out to get some warm up waves. We then had a load of individual tasks. I was working on my arm throws. I tried really hard and had another good day in the sun and waves."

GEORDIE's AAAL OWA THE SHOP

The amazing city of Newcastle pumps out influential people like a factory. George Stephenson, Gazza and Gabe Davies to name but 3 mega Geordies. Ben Tucker (left) and Finn Gamblin are hoping to follow in the latter's footsteps and the 2 pre-teens have been tearing it up this week. Ben won Surfer of the Day today. "The best thing out here is that the water is really warm. The waves are always good. I got one the other day that was very big and I nearly fell but held it together through the inside. The training has been great. Im getting a lot better." 

Stan the man that can...

Stanley Norman took the Surfer of the Day award today here in Portugal. The 8 year old from Bude (centre - in between Seth Hughes and Gabriel Ley) had a blinder of a day including some double overhead bombs and a backhand pigdog pit. Stan reckoned his barrel was "Scary, round and big. I could see Seth out the end of it." Epic!

 

Scary, see Seth out the end. Round and big.

Ley Day at Baranco Bay

"Today was big powerful and clean. I was really happy with my surfing. Everyone was charging and the surf was immense." So say the words of Surfer of the Day and UCAL recipient Gabriel Ley.