Hey Everyone...
With the distinct lack of swell for the last couple of months we've had a chance to look at this years Gathering.
Here are the dates for this year.
First weekend we're looking at is 26th and 27th of September.
Failing that the 17th and 18th of October and the last back up we got is the next weekend 24th and 25th of October.
This years event is going to be held in Fraserburgh.
More details to follow closer to the time.
Hopefully there's going to be more swell than there's been lately. mind you there's been talk of a few east coast waves over the past month or so, the place to be?
Cheers
Chris
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
ESP Team in Indo...
Finalists from this years Scottish Championships Mark Boyd and Scott Main made their way to West Java, Indonesia over May and June.
During the trip the boys managed to get a few shacks and spanks under Indos scorching sun. Scotty managed to get severly sunburnt and ended up surfing in his wetsuit for the remainder of the trip. Despite this he still scored the best forehand tube of his life at Turtles right in front of Boydie who was in the channel, all on his first day!
Nobody could top Scotty's 6 second double shack at Turtles for the rest of the trip, however fun waves were had at Cimaja, Sawarna and Panaitan Island. Unfortunately the swell never really produced during their stay at Panaitan Island and One Palm Point did not break. There were some tubes and some fast rides however at the most perfect left set up Scottish eyes have ever seen... Napalms.
Scotty and Boydie returned to Turtles where they had began their trip to find a few more fun days before they left. Overall it was a successful trip with plenty time in the green room avoiding the flatness at home. Both Scotty and Boydie agreed that they will be back to Panaitan for another look on a bigger swell though!
Boydie
Once I can figure out how to post there will be a wee video to follow and maybe a few shots too...
During the trip the boys managed to get a few shacks and spanks under Indos scorching sun. Scotty managed to get severly sunburnt and ended up surfing in his wetsuit for the remainder of the trip. Despite this he still scored the best forehand tube of his life at Turtles right in front of Boydie who was in the channel, all on his first day!
Nobody could top Scotty's 6 second double shack at Turtles for the rest of the trip, however fun waves were had at Cimaja, Sawarna and Panaitan Island. Unfortunately the swell never really produced during their stay at Panaitan Island and One Palm Point did not break. There were some tubes and some fast rides however at the most perfect left set up Scottish eyes have ever seen... Napalms.
Scotty and Boydie returned to Turtles where they had began their trip to find a few more fun days before they left. Overall it was a successful trip with plenty time in the green room avoiding the flatness at home. Both Scotty and Boydie agreed that they will be back to Panaitan for another look on a bigger swell though!
Boydie
Once I can figure out how to post there will be a wee video to follow and maybe a few shots too...
Saturday, 11 July 2009
One day left!
Sorry about the delays been having some proper bad days on the old computer but if you get a chance and your in the area this looks well worth...
WAVERIDERS
directed by Joel Conroy
FRIDAY 10 – SUNDAY 12 JULY AT GLASGOW FILM THEATRE
“IN THE icy waters off the coast of Ireland, surfers are riding exceptional waves that are now rated amongst the best in the world.”
WAVERIDERS is the previously untold story of the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenon and today’s pioneers of Irish big wave surfing. The story unfolds through the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman, George Freeth, the son of an Irishman, who was responsible for the rebirth of this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early twentieth century.
With its distinguished cast of world-renowned Irish, British and Irish/American surfers WAVERIDERS journeys full-circle from Hawaii to California and back to Irish shores following Freeth’s wave of influence. The journey reaches a spectacular climax when the surfers conquer the biggest swell ever to have been ridden in Ireland by catching monster waves of over fifty feet.
This raw and exhilarating film is narrated by Cillian Murphy, (The Wind that Shakes the Barley) adding a beautifully understated voiceover to this raw and exhilarating film’s soundtrack that includes The Undertones’ Teenage Kicks, U2 and John Martyn.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Film at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2008, “Joel Conroy harnesses something intangible: the spiritual purity that lures extreme surfers to the ocean.” (Paul Lynch, film critic).
Note to editors: Director Joel Conroy is happy to be interviewed. Please contact Seonaid Frame: press@gft.org or on 0141 352 8613
Pics: High quality production stills can be downloaded from www.waveriders thefilm.com or contact Richy Freeman: digital@gft.org.uk or on 0141 352 8612
WAVERIDERS
directed by Joel Conroy
FRIDAY 10 – SUNDAY 12 JULY AT GLASGOW FILM THEATRE
“IN THE icy waters off the coast of Ireland, surfers are riding exceptional waves that are now rated amongst the best in the world.”
WAVERIDERS is the previously untold story of the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenon and today’s pioneers of Irish big wave surfing. The story unfolds through the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman, George Freeth, the son of an Irishman, who was responsible for the rebirth of this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early twentieth century.
With its distinguished cast of world-renowned Irish, British and Irish/American surfers WAVERIDERS journeys full-circle from Hawaii to California and back to Irish shores following Freeth’s wave of influence. The journey reaches a spectacular climax when the surfers conquer the biggest swell ever to have been ridden in Ireland by catching monster waves of over fifty feet.
This raw and exhilarating film is narrated by Cillian Murphy, (The Wind that Shakes the Barley) adding a beautifully understated voiceover to this raw and exhilarating film’s soundtrack that includes The Undertones’ Teenage Kicks, U2 and John Martyn.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Film at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2008, “Joel Conroy harnesses something intangible: the spiritual purity that lures extreme surfers to the ocean.” (Paul Lynch, film critic).
Note to editors: Director Joel Conroy is happy to be interviewed. Please contact Seonaid Frame: press@gft.org or on 0141 352 8613
Pics: High quality production stills can be downloaded from www.waveriders thefilm.com or contact Richy Freeman: digital@gft.org.uk or on 0141 352 8612
Friday, 12 June 2009
Summer time blues
Hey Everyone,
Well looks like summer's well and truly here. Only two days of swell last time home, mind you can't really complain the sun was shining and the swell held for the whole weekend. As the swell died on Sunday it left time for a quick BBQ, a few beers and a spot of sunbathing on Sunday afternoon just before the sun went home on Monday.
rumors are that the east coast may have broken their two month flat spell last weekend, mind you that was only rumors and that's not to say that it's not going to be flat for the next two months!
Looks like magic seaweed is predicting that wee pulse for later in the week... then the weekend... then later in the week but it'll never get here! Oh the joys of the Internet, if only it would say it was going to be flat we might actually manage to do something with our lives instead of always hanging on for that elusive summer swell.
But wait... Looks like there's a swell coming soon ;o)
Well looks like summer's well and truly here. Only two days of swell last time home, mind you can't really complain the sun was shining and the swell held for the whole weekend. As the swell died on Sunday it left time for a quick BBQ, a few beers and a spot of sunbathing on Sunday afternoon just before the sun went home on Monday.
rumors are that the east coast may have broken their two month flat spell last weekend, mind you that was only rumors and that's not to say that it's not going to be flat for the next two months!
Looks like magic seaweed is predicting that wee pulse for later in the week... then the weekend... then later in the week but it'll never get here! Oh the joys of the Internet, if only it would say it was going to be flat we might actually manage to do something with our lives instead of always hanging on for that elusive summer swell.
But wait... Looks like there's a swell coming soon ;o)
Friday, 15 May 2009
O’Neill CWC Highland Open 2009
By Marc Cameron
Is it that time of year again? Come on work ma coming up for Easter which I think is a cracking time of year for surfing. Longer days kicking in birds chirping and swell... Well not on the east coast this must be the worst season for swell for years I’m sure you’ll agree
The Scottish surfing championships was held in Thurso a welcomed boost for waves and after seeing numerous good charts this year thought we’re up for a good one. Sadly the surf was very small but contest organizers Chris, Watson and Damon did a belting job hunting enough conditions to run of the comp that finished late Sunday at Melvich. With 3 goofyfoots and me regular in the final and the waves being small lefts I needed to think big on my first wave I came off the bottom smashed it then pulled off a huge 360kickflip air choke on at boys no wait a minute I just woke up. Damn! I managed to scrape together a couple of half decent rides then late on picked up a good one with a wall for a few spanks. After the heat I thought me and George scored the best ones with nothing in it I got the nod.
So for the second year running I got a wildcard into the O’Neill CWC highland open a 6 star WQS oocha boys. So except the main asp tour this is the highest standard of surfing I could compete against. I was in the second heat and up against sunny Garcia who I’ve watched in videos like green iguana, filthy habits for years what a result power man up against the haggis hack and a jap surfer. The waves were at the bowl sick little numbers for hooking into a wee pit or a quick solid wall for real good turns but with only say 2 or 3 sets per 30 minute heat it really was a case of pick the best waves and you’ll be in. For me my chance to progress is with waves like this because the mort time they get on a wave the more to their advantage because they are amazingly fast and pull off manoeuvres like I dreamt earlier. The first 10 minutes of the heat nothing came in, we just sat there looking into shore I’m like gee whiz lets get busy folks. I caught a nice one with a float the boat n a nice spank then turned round here’s Sunny took off tucked in using his hand full in the wave honking little pit all the way passed me I’m like on you go that’s a beauty. Sunny was convincingly 1st, me and (Jap surfer) battling for 2nd. I knew one good wave would give me a chance to progress. I have to say, sitting there I was buzzing for it go on ocean give me a peach but, with time running out, I picked a smaller one, surfed it well to my standard. It was not enough but I was stoked up.
Seeing the guys close up, how they draw their lines and position in the line up to dishing out sick turns is fantastic for me to see. It really shows you what can be done; inspiring stuff.
Make the most of the swell before summer kicks in – could be a bad one for surf. I’m off to Oz in September for a months surfing, I’m going to bang in the Sydney marathon as well so I’ll be running all summer. Keep on it boyz.
Scratch
Is it that time of year again? Come on work ma coming up for Easter which I think is a cracking time of year for surfing. Longer days kicking in birds chirping and swell... Well not on the east coast this must be the worst season for swell for years I’m sure you’ll agree
The Scottish surfing championships was held in Thurso a welcomed boost for waves and after seeing numerous good charts this year thought we’re up for a good one. Sadly the surf was very small but contest organizers Chris, Watson and Damon did a belting job hunting enough conditions to run of the comp that finished late Sunday at Melvich. With 3 goofyfoots and me regular in the final and the waves being small lefts I needed to think big on my first wave I came off the bottom smashed it then pulled off a huge 360kickflip air choke on at boys no wait a minute I just woke up. Damn! I managed to scrape together a couple of half decent rides then late on picked up a good one with a wall for a few spanks. After the heat I thought me and George scored the best ones with nothing in it I got the nod.
So for the second year running I got a wildcard into the O’Neill CWC highland open a 6 star WQS oocha boys. So except the main asp tour this is the highest standard of surfing I could compete against. I was in the second heat and up against sunny Garcia who I’ve watched in videos like green iguana, filthy habits for years what a result power man up against the haggis hack and a jap surfer. The waves were at the bowl sick little numbers for hooking into a wee pit or a quick solid wall for real good turns but with only say 2 or 3 sets per 30 minute heat it really was a case of pick the best waves and you’ll be in. For me my chance to progress is with waves like this because the mort time they get on a wave the more to their advantage because they are amazingly fast and pull off manoeuvres like I dreamt earlier. The first 10 minutes of the heat nothing came in, we just sat there looking into shore I’m like gee whiz lets get busy folks. I caught a nice one with a float the boat n a nice spank then turned round here’s Sunny took off tucked in using his hand full in the wave honking little pit all the way passed me I’m like on you go that’s a beauty. Sunny was convincingly 1st, me and (Jap surfer) battling for 2nd. I knew one good wave would give me a chance to progress. I have to say, sitting there I was buzzing for it go on ocean give me a peach but, with time running out, I picked a smaller one, surfed it well to my standard. It was not enough but I was stoked up.
Seeing the guys close up, how they draw their lines and position in the line up to dishing out sick turns is fantastic for me to see. It really shows you what can be done; inspiring stuff.
Make the most of the swell before summer kicks in – could be a bad one for surf. I’m off to Oz in September for a months surfing, I’m going to bang in the Sydney marathon as well so I’ll be running all summer. Keep on it boyz.
Scratch
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Swell Time: The 2009 Scottish
By ROGER COX
IT'S 1pm on the second and final day of the 2009 Scottish Surfing Championships, and the best surfers in the country are gathered in a farmyard-cum-car park, overlooking the fabled reefbreak known throughout the surfing universe as Thurso East. In an ideal world there would be perfect, hollow waves spitting and reeling along this kelp-covered rock slab, but today: nothing. A few heats were held here early in the morning in smallish surf, but now the sea looks worryingly calm.
Thurso East is Scotland's premier wave, but it only works in a big swell. There are other spots in the area which should be surfable under these marginal conditions, however, so contest director Chris Noble and his team are going to have to up sticks and transport their entire operation to a different beach. And with only a few hours to go until dark, and lots of heats still to run, they will have to move fast.
"I know this isn't what a lot of you guys are going to want to hear," Noble tells the assembled competitors, "but we're going to get this event finished today, even if it's in the ugliest waves you can imagine."
In years gone by, there wouldn't have been any great rush to crown a Scottish surfing champ, but times have changed. Since 2006, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) has held a major contest in Thurso every spring – the O'Neill Highland Open – and offered a first round "wildcard" berth to that year's best Scots rider. With the 2009 pro contest just weeks away, the Scottish Surfing Federation (SSF) needs to select a representative to compete against the big boys, and soon, preferably today.
When the surf is too small for Thurso East, there are usually surfable waves at Brims Ness – a nearby reef open to the full force of the North Atlantic. The surf here is reported to be more powerful but also lumpy and unpredictable because it's exposed to the wind, so in the end, Noble gambles and calls the contest on at Melvich – a beachbreak half an hour's drive to the west. Within seconds, a convoy of surf mobiles is bouncing out of the farmyard and heading for the coast road.
The arrival of the ASP event in Thurso in 2006 wasn't to everyone's liking. Sure, local surfers would get to see the best in the world riding their waves, but they would also have spectacular pictures of their favourite spots plastered all over the surfing media, potentially sending hordes of foreign surfers high-tailing it to the north coast of Scotland.At the SSF's AGM, held at the end of the first day of this year's Scottish Surfing Championships at Thurso's Tempest surf shop and cafe, the general consensus seems to be that the media feeding frenzy surrounding the ASP contest has definitely resulted in more crowded waves, but that the thing is here to stay, so the Scottish surfing community may as well try to get something out of it.
The SSF is very keen to foster youth development. At one point it looked as if event sponsors, O'Neill, were going to get some of the pros competing in the 2009 event to put on masterclasses for young Scottish surfers at beaches all around the country, but now, the humongous multinational retailer claims it no longer has the budget for such altruistic acts. Credit crunch or no, it would surely be a nice gesture – a way of putting something back into a surfing community that has, on the whole, welcomed the pro surfing circus with open arms.
Melvich is a beautiful surfing spot – a huge sweep of white sand – and it's a relief to see small but perfectly formed waves breaking in front of the rivermouth at its eastern end.
As the tide pushes in, the waves get a little bigger until, by the time the four-man final hits the water, they're shoulder-to-head high and peeling into the river with machine-like precision. Fraserburgh's George Watt takes an early lead, surfing with real power and style – at just 21 years old, he's surely one of the brightest hopes for the future of Scottish surfing. In the end, though, he is narrowly beaten by last year's champion, Mark "Scratch" Cameron, 31, who pulls off a spectacular 360 to clinch first place.
"I'm obviously delighted to have come out on top," Cameron says, at an awards ceremony at the nearby Halladale Inn, "particularly when such a good crew of surfers came up for the competition."
Last year, Cameron narrowly missed out on causing a major upset in the first round of the Highland Open with a brave display of tube riding. Does he think he can do something similar this year?
"It's a great experience to come up here and see all the pro surfers," he says. "They're really good compared to me, so it boosts my surfing, having to compete with them. So, we'll see."
IT'S 1pm on the second and final day of the 2009 Scottish Surfing Championships, and the best surfers in the country are gathered in a farmyard-cum-car park, overlooking the fabled reefbreak known throughout the surfing universe as Thurso East. In an ideal world there would be perfect, hollow waves spitting and reeling along this kelp-covered rock slab, but today: nothing. A few heats were held here early in the morning in smallish surf, but now the sea looks worryingly calm.
Thurso East is Scotland's premier wave, but it only works in a big swell. There are other spots in the area which should be surfable under these marginal conditions, however, so contest director Chris Noble and his team are going to have to up sticks and transport their entire operation to a different beach. And with only a few hours to go until dark, and lots of heats still to run, they will have to move fast.
"I know this isn't what a lot of you guys are going to want to hear," Noble tells the assembled competitors, "but we're going to get this event finished today, even if it's in the ugliest waves you can imagine."
In years gone by, there wouldn't have been any great rush to crown a Scottish surfing champ, but times have changed. Since 2006, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) has held a major contest in Thurso every spring – the O'Neill Highland Open – and offered a first round "wildcard" berth to that year's best Scots rider. With the 2009 pro contest just weeks away, the Scottish Surfing Federation (SSF) needs to select a representative to compete against the big boys, and soon, preferably today.
When the surf is too small for Thurso East, there are usually surfable waves at Brims Ness – a nearby reef open to the full force of the North Atlantic. The surf here is reported to be more powerful but also lumpy and unpredictable because it's exposed to the wind, so in the end, Noble gambles and calls the contest on at Melvich – a beachbreak half an hour's drive to the west. Within seconds, a convoy of surf mobiles is bouncing out of the farmyard and heading for the coast road.
The arrival of the ASP event in Thurso in 2006 wasn't to everyone's liking. Sure, local surfers would get to see the best in the world riding their waves, but they would also have spectacular pictures of their favourite spots plastered all over the surfing media, potentially sending hordes of foreign surfers high-tailing it to the north coast of Scotland.At the SSF's AGM, held at the end of the first day of this year's Scottish Surfing Championships at Thurso's Tempest surf shop and cafe, the general consensus seems to be that the media feeding frenzy surrounding the ASP contest has definitely resulted in more crowded waves, but that the thing is here to stay, so the Scottish surfing community may as well try to get something out of it.
The SSF is very keen to foster youth development. At one point it looked as if event sponsors, O'Neill, were going to get some of the pros competing in the 2009 event to put on masterclasses for young Scottish surfers at beaches all around the country, but now, the humongous multinational retailer claims it no longer has the budget for such altruistic acts. Credit crunch or no, it would surely be a nice gesture – a way of putting something back into a surfing community that has, on the whole, welcomed the pro surfing circus with open arms.
Melvich is a beautiful surfing spot – a huge sweep of white sand – and it's a relief to see small but perfectly formed waves breaking in front of the rivermouth at its eastern end.
As the tide pushes in, the waves get a little bigger until, by the time the four-man final hits the water, they're shoulder-to-head high and peeling into the river with machine-like precision. Fraserburgh's George Watt takes an early lead, surfing with real power and style – at just 21 years old, he's surely one of the brightest hopes for the future of Scottish surfing. In the end, though, he is narrowly beaten by last year's champion, Mark "Scratch" Cameron, 31, who pulls off a spectacular 360 to clinch first place.
"I'm obviously delighted to have come out on top," Cameron says, at an awards ceremony at the nearby Halladale Inn, "particularly when such a good crew of surfers came up for the competition."
Last year, Cameron narrowly missed out on causing a major upset in the first round of the Highland Open with a brave display of tube riding. Does he think he can do something similar this year?
"It's a great experience to come up here and see all the pro surfers," he says. "They're really good compared to me, so it boosts my surfing, having to compete with them. So, we'll see."
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Scottish Surfing Championships '09
Hey Everyone,
The Scottish Championships wsere held on the weekend of the 4th and 5th of April '09 on the North coast of Scotland. Conditions were testing not only for the competitors but also for the organisers but in the end the event was held in the best waves possible with some really fun 2 - 3' waves to be had at Melvich for the finals.
Here's a quick run down of the results
Open
1 Mark 'Scratch' Cameron
2 George Watt
3 Mark Boyd
4 Scott Main
Seniors
1 Mark 'Scratch' Cameron
2 Scott Main
3 Sam Christopherson
4 Christopher Williamson
Ladies
1 Shona McGuinnes
2 Dianne King
3 Dee Riphol
4 Shelia Findlayson
Junior
1 Ali Coghill
2 Louie Chadwick
Longboards
1 Sam Christopherson
2 William Watson
Thanks
Chris
The Scottish Championships wsere held on the weekend of the 4th and 5th of April '09 on the North coast of Scotland. Conditions were testing not only for the competitors but also for the organisers but in the end the event was held in the best waves possible with some really fun 2 - 3' waves to be had at Melvich for the finals.
Here's a quick run down of the results
Open
1 Mark 'Scratch' Cameron
2 George Watt
3 Mark Boyd
4 Scott Main
Seniors
1 Mark 'Scratch' Cameron
2 Scott Main
3 Sam Christopherson
4 Christopher Williamson
Ladies
1 Shona McGuinnes
2 Dianne King
3 Dee Riphol
4 Shelia Findlayson
Junior
1 Ali Coghill
2 Louie Chadwick
Longboards
1 Sam Christopherson
2 William Watson
Thanks
Chris
Friday, 10 April 2009
East V's West Contest
Hey,
You may or may not know but the Belhaven surfclub ran a wee contest the week before the Scottish, here's a short review and the results.
Belhaven Surf club hosted the 2nd East V West Surf comp with teams from around Scotland competing in nice 2ft offshore surf at Belhaven beach Dunbar. Unlike the first competition where we had 8 teams (3 West and 5 East) we struggled to get any teams from the west to come through to challenge us due to the Universities having a big bash in Tiree on the same weekend however those that did arrive from the East made the competition competitive and fun socially!
Thanks to Coast to Coast, St Vedas, Puro Nectar, and Ratho for sponsorship.
Final results:
Open Men
1.Lee Wood (Edinburgh)
2. Karel Phillips (Coast to Coast)
3.Sam Christopherson (Coast to Coast)
4.Alistair Chalmers (Belhaven Surf Club)
Open Ladies
1. Diane King (Coast to Coast)
2.Olivia Advil (Edinburgh)
3.Gillian Thomson (Belhaven Surf Club)
Longboard
1. Lee Wood (Edinburgh)
2. Sam Christopherson (Coast to Coast)
3.Andrew Leiper (Belhaven Surf Club)
Bodyboard
1. Tim Christopherson (Coast to Coast)
2. Douglas Howie (Belhaven Surf Club)
Junior
1. Douglas Mackenzie (Belhaven Surf Club)
2. Max (Coast to Coast)
Overall Team Placing
1. Coast to Coast
2. Edinburgh
3. Belhaven Surf Club
Cheers
Chris
You may or may not know but the Belhaven surfclub ran a wee contest the week before the Scottish, here's a short review and the results.
Belhaven Surf club hosted the 2nd East V West Surf comp with teams from around Scotland competing in nice 2ft offshore surf at Belhaven beach Dunbar. Unlike the first competition where we had 8 teams (3 West and 5 East) we struggled to get any teams from the west to come through to challenge us due to the Universities having a big bash in Tiree on the same weekend however those that did arrive from the East made the competition competitive and fun socially!
Thanks to Coast to Coast, St Vedas, Puro Nectar, and Ratho for sponsorship.
Final results:
Open Men
1.Lee Wood (Edinburgh)
2. Karel Phillips (Coast to Coast)
3.Sam Christopherson (Coast to Coast)
4.Alistair Chalmers (Belhaven Surf Club)
Open Ladies
1. Diane King (Coast to Coast)
2.Olivia Advil (Edinburgh)
3.Gillian Thomson (Belhaven Surf Club)
Longboard
1. Lee Wood (Edinburgh)
2. Sam Christopherson (Coast to Coast)
3.Andrew Leiper (Belhaven Surf Club)
Bodyboard
1. Tim Christopherson (Coast to Coast)
2. Douglas Howie (Belhaven Surf Club)
Junior
1. Douglas Mackenzie (Belhaven Surf Club)
2. Max (Coast to Coast)
Overall Team Placing
1. Coast to Coast
2. Edinburgh
3. Belhaven Surf Club
Cheers
Chris
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