At last I have recovered almost from injury and although freestyle is a but of a way off if I’m sensible!? (not!) I’ve been making sure of getting serious time on the water by getting out in the waves. Portugal was a real kick start for me in the waves, crazy as my background is surfing and windsurfing wave sailing, I’ve always put all my efforts mostly into freestyle but to be honest I’m loving the waves. Waves are a completely different buzz and dren rush and I’m not hanging back and getting stuck into the big stuff whenever its pumping.

I headed up to Aberdeen to take part in the UK Wave Championships and had some amazing conditions at Frazerburgh. Serious wind on some of the days of 50-85knts and some big  waves. The comp was amazing with some great riders showing up including UK Champ, International rider and good egg Will Bennett, and cornish  mukka Pasty, Total ripper and pro surfer Richy Sills, Doc-Neal Gent and many other World class riders.

I had a great 1st wave event and won the last day which put me 4th overall but also won the King of Watersports award for Best Wave.

Not bad for my first event and first proper year in the waves..

Lots of 09 kit is now up for sale with more coming up soon. Check out the for sale section and drop me a line for prices.

Its been a frustrating time for me recently with one injury after the next. I crashed hard mountain biking a few weeks ago and proper ended myself with a night in Hospital, CT scan, X-ray etc.. etc..  and thought I had recovered okay, went back to work straight away only for my arm a week later to swell up in a 5 hour period and pain like I never felt before… back in hospital with an infected elbow and possible fractured bone! Damn! 3 weeks on and I’m still on the anti-biotics and getting there but not 100% fit. Its bad enough being injured but it’s sending me crazy not being able to do the things I love and have spent all my time at events judging, which has been pretty cool, but I’d rather be on the water havin it.

This week has been the final round of the BKSA at Redcar which saw some amazing conditions on Thurs, but the wind fell foul and not everything got finished. But the  riders put on an amazing show of heats and as Head Judge for the comp was staggered at the level and it was hard going judging with 3 or 4 riders all ripping throwing passes regular and switch throughout their charged heats. Cred to the riders!  Hopefully be back out there riding with you all soon!

Well thats me off the water for a little while! Just back from the hospital having crashed hard mountain biking at Hamsterly on the downhill course and knocked myself out. Done my shoulder in and lost about 4 or 5 days from the memory bank.

CT scan, X ray and an overnight stay in DMH and I’ve had the all clear nod and am back home..  Ice pack on recovering for the next ride at Whinlatter on Tues..

The vid that  the lads kindly done of me taking absolute bolloxs in A&E and that I have no recollection of.

my Dad used to say …’Only David!’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsMAcgljBhc

I have just returned from Portugal recently and have so say this is one of the best kiting spots I have been to! Everything from butter flat Brazilian style lagoons to perfect waves, Barrels, and monster downwinders in epic conditions.

The Obidos lagoon is incredible with silky water in the lagoon, yet clean waves on the outside and such an idylic cool, quiet and local place to stay. Guincho is just over an hour away, but the conditions were far better further north with clean winds and sweet waves! I’ll be putting up a load of pics soon, but for the link to the ‘Palace!’ we stayed at  out there which was P>I>M>P!!! click on the link below

http://www.ferienhaeuserportugal.net/

go to Rentals-houses and to the bottom of the page and the house is the last one!

Vivenda Caravela- ‘house by the beach’

Ignore the prices too as they  have offered discount to riders wanting to stay there so drop me a line if you are interested in this and I will see what I can do for you!

There might also be a future coaching clinic run here as it is just perfect for all disciplines, so again if interested in this drop me a line and Iwill put up potential dates soon!

 

 

 

 

Get yourself back on track and on the water fast..

These guys are the best physios out there!  www.body2fit.co.uk

www.zealoptics.com Zeal, one of the leading brands in sports sunglasses and sponsors of the UK North Kiteboarding Team have some sweet new shades out now, with new styles and colours and a massive ladies section.

Go to the website for the full range, face fit tool and to check out their clothing range.

www.zealoptics.com

20% Discount Available!!  Check it Below!

They are also offering  UK Rider Discounts so if you are interested in getting some serious eye jackets.. click on my contact link and drop me a line!!

A good forecast off the West coast over the weekend saw me packing the van up for the 3 1/2 hour road trip to the Isle of Angelsely, North Wales to what is without a doubt one of the best kitesurfing locations anywhere! A strong sw wind was pushing in a big swell and myself and Scott Bourne bombed across with the road angel going ape, eager to hit the conditions with small kites and strapless wave boards.

we were not to be dissapointed as the swell was one of the best i had seen in years and the wind was hoofing, blowing at nearly 30-35mph.  We put up depowered 7m’s and at time struggled to hang on to these.. unhooking was near impossible, but we still hit some good waves. Out back the waves were just sik, but even close in they were a decent size and we came in close to get some photos done.. cheers to Jordan Lee for the pics!

Its been a good few weeks of local conditions with plenty of sea breezes and some classic conditions..local sessions and some not so local sessions up in Northumberland have just been quality..everything from butter flat, waves and some slider action, both constructed and au Natural have made for some good photo shoots….

check out the new short vid in the video section! Myself and the north team out training in the amazing lagoons and waves in Brazil.. or click on the link below to see the youtube vid..