Sweet September

So we move into the final month of the Kids Club season and September brings a very surfable wave on a blustery Saturday morning. As so often this summer, conditions were favourable for our most advanced surfers, the Dolphins, and there were twenty of them checked in for the ride! Conversely, the second session saw the tide filling in rapidly and the Nemos found themselves bodyboarding in deepening water instead of the Swelly rides they might have expected. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all as evidenced below. Our banner picture today has instructor Burger resolving his choice of craft mid-ride after initial indecision. Or something like that!

Autumnal Swells

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

It’s the last day of August, the last Kids Club before the school year begins and there is a distinct chill in the early morning air. An Autumn swell is rolling in to Porthmeor offering some chest-high waves out back as well as the long runners that we find inside on the falling tide. Both the Nemos and the Dorys are given a brisk warm-up to get the muscles ready and the minds psyched before launching. Out on the green waves, the Dolphins, reduced in number by the absence of those members contesting the Rip Curl Gromsearch in Newquay, are battling heavy paddle-outs to earn the right to ride those bigger waves back in. It’s a challenge, and it’s fun!

It’s pumpin’

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Well, we are suddenly blessed with some swell, and while it brings a few problems of rips and washes for the most junior surfers on the inside, the guys out back are having their fill of some meaty waves. Here’s a flavour of the morning:

Yippee!

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The first weekend of the school summer holiday! We can’t remember if it’s ever rained here, we have a welcoming wave at Porthmeor, all is truly sitting right in this world. There was another good turnout of eager surfers, some of whom can be seen doing their thing below. And here’s hoping that summer vibe goes on and on and…

Kids Club 13.07.19.

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Coach John posted an advisory on our Facebook page on Friday evening that conditions for Saturday club could be tricky with a forecast of strong onshore winds bringing choppy steep waves. Some of our youngest novices heeded the advice and gave the session a miss, but we still had over 70 kids tackling the waves on the day. The Dolphins, in particular, had a good workout and are well featured in our gallery of the day. There’s also a bonus picture showing St. Ives surfer Joe Greenaway’s new mural for Foxholes At West, just completed for the weekend. Enjoy!

Yay!
Ragging the instructor at the warm-up
Joe Greenaway art for Porthmeor

One Of Those Days!

by Nog General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

It has been an on – off start to the summer season for the Kids Club as the tides have caused a few blank Saturdays in the calendar so far. Then when we did get a favourable morning, the waves were offering only a little help when we got in the water. However, there were over 80 eager beavers jumping in and making the best of the conditions. Here’s how.

Pre-session coaches’ briefing
The basics
It’s a rafting kind of day!
Charge!!
Just cruisin’

Here’s hoping for bigger waves at the next session!

Settling In

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Week two and coaches and the surfers are getting to know one another better. The surf again offered all abilities something to work with – and became quite challenging for our newbies in the Nemos as the tide dropped and it became quite dumpy on the inside! The banner pick this week has one of our Nemos showing some stoke as he brings a successful ride to the beach.

Overall then, a stiff workout and a chance to see where we are at the beginning of the season. Now we can set our goals for the summer and get down to the nitty gritty! There’s a gallery of some of the action below.

Here Comes Summer!

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It was a great thrill to have the Kids Club sign-up in the new clubhouse a couple of weeks ago, and our first session of the 2019 season kicked off on June 1st with over 130 eager surfers getting into action over the two sessions. There were new faces among the coaches as well as the juniors – here’s how we got on!

Harris briefs the coaches
Nemos and Dorys induction
Like this?
Getting a feel for it
How am I doing?
Think about posture
I’m free!

Meanwhile, our more advanced surfers were out back dealing with some chunky waist-high waves which offered a challenging paddle out to earn a thrilling ride back in. And in between, there was a group of improvers who were working toward their first shortboard experience. So, something for everyone on our first day back – and it feels great!

Where we’re at!

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The story of our clubhouse, which was last featured here in May 2018, now continues. Construction was placed on hold for summer 2018 and only resumed once the tourist season abated and we had unfettered access to the car park and the site. The story continues now in pictures;

And first, our hall of fame. Five characters who are crucial to the story. These are the lynchpins of the job.

Ryan
Neil – Construction manager
John
Lee

And here’s how the story continued…

The first task on resuming was to erect the upper storey
This timber-frame construction shows rapid changes in progress
The outlook on the seaward side reveals itself
A broad lintel over the patio doors

And now the roof parapet
Insulation added
Door and glazing installed
The principal view is glazed

Once to roof is insulated, the final finishing begins
Timber cladding for the clubhouse
Capping the parapet will complete the roof
The clubhouse floor is in!

Chasing cables
First fixes and plastering done
Parapet capped
Where we sit in the landscape
The scaffolding is down
Our public-facing side
Rendering the ground floor
Surf School crew digging the gas supply trench
Smooth finish
How do we get in?
Steps!
Sitting pretty now
Fitting out the kiosk
Here we are!

Pete working on the storeroom steps
Nav lends a hand
Kitchen installed
Nightshift celebrate finishing kitchen
Looking tidy now
Ready for Kids Club sign-up tomorrow

This story can’t end without me once again thanking our major partners and benefactors in the project:

Here they are, celebrated on a plaque on the building for their contributions to the project. Many, many thanks to one and all!

Christmas Day Bash 2018

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As the club grows stronger, so does the Christmas Day novelty surf gathering also grow more popular. We met at 10.30 to find friendly conditions and a willing crew, so here it is! As usual, my apologies to those I didn’t catch on camera – I should make it a New Years Resolution to improve my photography skills, or encourage someone more clued-up to bring a camera. Happy New Year to all our members , sponsors and supporters. May it bring you health, wealth and happiness!