This isn't fair

[andygates]

Look, I'm not saying that I'm a surfer dude or anything, but that's two nights in a row that I've not been able to get to sleep because I've been itching to feel that catching-a-wave feeling again. And bad itching too, the kind you get just after a new girlfriend has to go home. Anxious and melancholy. That's not right. It will pass, right?

I do not need a surfboard. I do not need a surfboard.

Comments

[skean.livejournal.com]

Well, for a start, I'd say borrow mine. Its a 7'3" funboard. Trouble is, it doesn't pick up nearly as easily as the minimals. Needs good waves and patience.

Its currently sitting either in Ant's place or Ciarans. Your welcome to keep it in your place instead. Proviso is you may have to come surfing with us next time I manage to organise it.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

I fear my skills aren't up to it but thanks - I'll bear it in mind. What I need is some hideous weather so people sell up their summer toys quick.

No I don't. Nononono.

[stripey-mouse.livejournal.com]

Go to the surf shops in Barnstaple and ask if they have any second hand boards for sale - they normal do, esp come the autumn. You can get some really good deals.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Roger wilco. :)

[justoneway.livejournal.com]

And buy yourself a nice longboard or malibu. You have the figure for it and it will suit the gentler waves you are likely to be riding.
Come the end of the winter you will be hanging ten and doing quasimodos with the best of them*.

*Maybe. (This lack of guarantee does not effect your statutory rights.)

[andygates.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about a longboard, that sort of thing is much more my style, but what do you mean, "you have the figure for it"?

Are you perhance saying I'm too fat and old to pull aerials? ;)

[justoneway.livejournal.com]

Eeerhmm! Well not exactly. Just that all the people I know of your build look cool riding longboards and fall off thrusters a lot. It gave me impression that taller people have more problems with thrusters. Balancing on them is a harder the higher up you are. Taller people can also get their arms around a longboard more easily so can pick up the required speed fast enough to catch the waves. The squatties just flail their arms about sideways like a penguin belly riding on ice.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

There is hope.

Mind you my winter wettie is way too big for me now. Gonna have to sell it and buy another... what to look for in a chilly UK surf suit?

[justoneway.livejournal.com]

Warmth comes from thickness (mine is a 4-5-6 and it is fine in summer and good in winter when backed up with a hooded neoprene rash vest, gloves and boots). Also from tightness. It needs to be snug all over but not to the point of pinching.
Flexibility is what you pay for. Most important area where you need it is around the shoulders. A flexible suit stays snug even when you are moving, so no pools of cold water forming in the gaps.
I am sure you can now see the obvious compromises. Warmth = thickness = less flexibility = more cold runs. It all gets a bit circular. My theory is, that the thicker the suit, the more it justifies paying upper end prices, rather than getting a "warm" suit that turns out not to be because it does not have the flexibility to stay snug.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Righto, so pretty much the same as for other flavours of wetsuit. I shall trawl the shops, 'cos my tri suit is WAY too slippery!

[arabis.livejournal.com]

Heh. I get that kind of thing too - from the aerial stuff and snowboarding.

[ehutch.livejournal.com]

Just keep borrowing ours... till you find one you can't live without! Just don't say we didn't warn you!

[ehutch.livejournal.com]

BTW we'll get you snowboarding too at some point...

Is too fair

[despaer.livejournal.com]

Now you know what the rest of us were on about. And if you ever get the chance give snowboarding a go. At its best it is like surfing but with no paddling out and a 'wave' that lasts 10 minutes. The only downers are the getting banged about learning it and the expense.

On a more practical note you can grab the blue and yellow Swell board that we have in our shed until such point as we want to put the kids on it. You can practically ride a millpond on those things

Re: Is too fair

[andygates.livejournal.com]

You're a gent. I'll bring the van up on Friday instead of cycling, then ;)

Re: Is too fair

[stripey-mouse.livejournal.com]

If you did seriously want to have a go at boarding, then we have just picked up a K2 Fatbob...(ignore the name!).

The board is a bit old school but in good condition and comes with flow bindings (the original versions), and would be great for any powder moments you may come accross. Would be a good first time board without the expense! A Fatbob is a slighlty wider board, so better for 'heavier' riders (that's what the packet say btw!!!!).

Anyway...let me know....

Re: Is too fair

[andygates.livejournal.com]

I'd usually say "nononono!" but since I'm riding a massive carpe diem riff at the moment, I'll say "I probably can't afford to play" instead ;)

Until the winter perhaps..!