Where would you rather be? Sitting in the office, staring at a computer screen? Racing off as soon as the half 5 gun sounds? Getting to the beach for a quick scratch and rip before daylight’s end? Or would you rather be somewhere warm and tropical with endless lefts, right and A-frames all lining up? Crystal clear waters, fresh fish suppers grilled on BBQs eaten al fresco style under swaying palm trees?
It’s a no brainer isn’t it? The latter is obviously going to win hands down. And while we completely concur (who wouldn’t?) you may want to take a step back and consider the facts.
Surf media loves broadcasting the idyllic lifestyles of ‘others’ and their way of surfing life across the pond(s). It’s a salivating prospect for sure. But just as with the UK of A everywhere has similar issues. Wave droughts can happen, onshore winds occur just as they do here, localism may be rife, weather phenomenon conspires against you – swatting you back before you’ve even made that first wave. Work and family commitments block your movements. And then there’s the local wildlife that sometimes wants to make ‘contact’.
One thing we’re blessed with in this country is the lack of anything (too) deadly in the water. Well, apart from marauding tourists riding out of control water craft during the height of summer! Sharks and such like – at least the ones looking for their next dinner – are certainly not something we need to be bothered by. Neither do we have lurking land based beasties waiting to sting, chew or inject their venom.
And while we do get rare days of perfection, mostly our waves are gentler affairs than those macking tropical reef breaks wanting to slam you into the slab. Picking coral out of bodily orifices isn’t exactly a hobby we’d readily indulge in.
So, winter’s on the way and single digit thermometer readings will become ever more common moving forwards. Hot aches abound with chapped noses are steadily coming into view. (Remember to keep an axe in your vehicle so you can break the ice before surfing!). But you know what, you can keep your idyllic surfing locations. We’ll plump for 10mm thick neoprene and a warm office any day. After all, tea and biscuits can be found which is enough to push away those surfless blues, isn’t it?
Note: In case you’re thinking we’ve gone completely potty the above article is very much tongue in cheek!
Don’t forget to cope NCW’s new range of neoprene in the shop. Just in time for winter…
www.northcoastwetsuits.co.uk/new/category/wetsuits/