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Apr 26 2021
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Gilo Wave Garden

Wave Garden

By Travel No Comments

By Gilo Robilliard 

Photo by Wave Garden. 

When we left Guernsey in January – I was super annoyed about the consistent Swell ! My Dad promised me that my time would come – and here we are today ! 

As soon as things began to open up and we could travel further we booked our first session at wave garden in Bristol with no expectations. It was probably the clsoest place we could go to with guaranteed waves …… 200-300 per hour ! 

We left Sussex at 6 am in the morning and we were scraping ice of the windscreen and by the time we reached Bristol it was 23 centigrade and beautiful sunshine ! 

The walk from the car park to the place is a long one – I’d advise bringing a skateboard. It’s a 20minute walk or a 10 minute skate. 

The staff are super friendly and helpful from the check in to the time you get there. Wetsuits and foamies are included in the price. You can also hire a selection of other boards if you want. 

I did the advanced session and towards the middle of the hour they crank up the settings. Steeper and quicker take off and faster sections. There’s a small barrel section if you are small enough. 

The take off varies slightly with each set – I found the 3rd wave in the set was consistently the best. 

There’s a powerful rip to get you back out for the next set which saves your arms. 

I caught 13 waves in my hour long session. Great value for money. I had an hour break before a 2nd session – if possible I’d leave a little longer. 

Also ,there’s plenty of space and a great surface to skate around when you’re there. The staff are really encouraging and helpful. 

Make sure you bring your sunscreen on a hot day as there was no shade ! 

Overall the experience was great ….. so good that we went back 5 days later. 

Gilo Wave Garden
Photo by Wave Garden

https://www.thewave.com/

Nov 14 2019
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The Wave Bristol

By Travel No Comments

The Bristol wave pool has just opened and I’ve caught up with Tom Hook who’s just returned from surfing The Wave to ask him a few questions about his trip.

The Wave is an inland surf destination where everyone can surf on consistent, safe waves all year round. It’s the first inland surfing venue in the northern hemisphere to use Wavegarden Cove technology providing over 1,000 waves an hour.

Thanks to Tom Hook for this Q&A, Photos & Videos about this new surf venue.

How did you get there?

I flew with Blue Islands to Bristol airport and then we hired a car. The
drive was about an hour to the Wave Pool from the airport.

Do you need to take your own gear?

I did take my own gear, however they can provide everything you need at no
extra charge. I would advise, if you’re taking your own wetsuit, to make
sure it’s a warm one as the water is cold!

Cost of using pool / how do you book it. By the hour or day?

I had an early rider membership, so had a free session but booked others so
I had five hour long sessions over the weekend. It’s £30 for a child and I
think £40 for an adult. You can choose to surf a right or a left and the
level. I chose to mix it up and surf both lefts and rights on the advanced
setting.

Tom Hook Surfing The Wave Bristol

Accommodation – can you stay there?

I think they will be offering accommodation in the future but the Wave
recommended a place called the Bowl Inn, which was five minutes away and
really comfortable and did good pub grub too.

What is the venue like?

There is a long walk from the car park to the pool but this could be a good
warm up! You’ll need it! There is a cool restaurant and a few food stalls so
plenty on offer and great viewing points to watch the surfing. They also
have hot showers and changing rooms you can use.

What is the wave like to surf?

The wave was very consistent, it will be good for training. The wave wasn’t
that big when I was there but they will be able to make the wave setting
bigger. In an hour’s session you could probably surf up to twenty waves. If
you’re at the front of the queue you could snag a couple of waves in one
set.

Tom Hook Surfing The Wave Bristol

Can anyone go or do you need to be a good surfer?

There are different settings for different levels of ability being advanced,
intermediate and beginner. You will want to try and be in a group with
similar ability for the system to flow well.

Best part of the trip?

This was my first time surfing an artificial wave and it didn’t disappoint.
Obviously surfing was the best part of the trip but it was cool to watch
too.

Would a Guernsey wave pool be good for tourism?

It would be incredible to have a wave pool here and I’m sure it would
attract loads of tourists and be awesome for the locals too. The Bristol
Wave is powered using renewable energy so it’s not a drain on the
environment.

Would you like to surf it again?

Yes definitely, I’d love to go back and try some of the more advanced
settings when they’re available.

Tom Hook Surfing The Wave Bristol

Tom Hook Surfing The Wave Bristol

The Wave Bristol

To find out more about the The Wave and book your stay head over to their website https://www.thewave.com/

Oct 10 2017
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European Surfing Championships CISF team head to Bore Beach, Norway

By Events, Travel No Comments

As the Channel Islands Junior team return from Japan the CISF Senior Team head off for the Senior European Surfing Championships to be held at Bore Beach, Norway from 7th Oct-16th Oct.

The team itself has a blend of experience and youth with all surfers having competed at European, British National and International level.

This is a new location for the Europeans but the team are excited and ready to face whatever is put in front of them. With the increased activity of the Northern Atlantic over the last week the team should expect some decent surf.

For all information please visit the European Surfing Federation Website http://www.eurosurfing.org and follow on facebook Channel Islands Surf Page

CISF TEAM

Men’s Open
From Guernsey – Will De Garis and Jake Warr
From Jersey – Gus Brewer

Ladies Open
From Jersey – Laurie McGregor and Charlotte Bayliss

Men’s Longboard
From Jersey – Matt Tweedie

Men’s Bodyboard
From Jersey – Dave Speller

Ladies Bodyboard
From Jersey – Gabs Taylor

Manager
Colin Crowther

Assistant Manager
Clint (Radius) Loake

Logistics
John Harvey

CI Judge
George Solh

The team would like to thank the Jersey Surfboard Club and the Jersey Longboard Riders Association for the financial support they have provided the team, Breda, Madhatter Surf Shop and a special shout out for Jake Powell for supporting the team with funds from the RumbleTree white collar boxing event held at the Watersplash in August

Sep 22 2017
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Tom & Louis in Japan for ISA World Junior Champs!!!

By Events, junior series, Travel No Comments

Local boys Tom & Louis are in the CISF Juniors Team for the 2017 ISA World Junior Championships.

Hyuga, Japan, September 20, 2017 – The world’s best junior surfers are set to gather in Japan to represent their nations and go for Gold at the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Hyuga from September 23 – October

The CISF Junior team.

This is a historic event for Guernsey and CI surfing with the first ever CI team to compete at a world junior championship event! Get behind these guys and show them your support.

For updates and to wish them luck, follow on Facebook (links below):

Guernsey Surf Club on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySurfClub/
CISF Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CISURF/

Watch LIVE: The ISA World Championship will be streamed live on www.isaworlds.com from September 23 – October 1. 

Fans will also be able to watch the live webcast on the ISA’s Facebook page, International Surfing Association.           

See more http://isaworlds.com/juniors/2017/en/teams/ and click on Channel Islands.

10 Things You Need to Know about the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Here are the ten things you need to know about the upcoming competition:

1. The Olympics

With Olympic Surfing set to make its debut in Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Games, the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship will serve as a precursor to the high-performance Surfing that will be experienced in 2020. The event, which has proven to be an indicator who will become the future stars of the sport, will provide a preview of the potential future Olympians who could represent their countries at the Games in three years’ time.

2. The Records

Riding the Olympic wave of momentum that has allowed Surfing to penetrate new non-traditional markets around the world, the 2016 edition of the event made history as the largest to date with 347 surfers from 39 countries. The 2017 edition is expected to exceed these numbers, featuring more than 40 nations and leading to another record-breaking edition of the event.

3. The Rise of Team Japan

Team Japan made history in the 2016 edition of the event, earning the overall Team Copper Medal, their first-ever ISA junior team medal. The Japanese will return four surfers from their 2016 squad with the aim to win another team medal for the local crowd in Japan.

4. Watch the Event Live

The ISA World Championship will be streamed live on www.isaworlds.com from September 23 – October 1. Visit the official event website for results, photos, videos and news pertaining to the competition.

Fans will also be able to watch the live webcast on the ISA’s Facebook page, International Surfing Association.           

5. VISSLA – The Title Sponsor

This year’s competition marks the fourth consecutive year that VISSLA has supported the World Championship as the title sponsor, bringing their youthful, unique energy to the world’s largest junior surfing competition.

Vissla is a brand that represents creative freedom, a forward-thinking philosophy, and a generation of creators and innovators. They embrace the modern do-it-yourself attitude within surf culture, performance surfing, and craftsmanship. This is a surf-everything and ride-anything mentality.

6. The World Champions

 The 2017 edition will feature two teams that are fielding two past ISA Junior World Champions each. Hawaii will bring Summer Macedo (2015) and Brissa Hennessy (2016) and France will bring Leo-Paul Etienne (2014) and Thomas Debierre (2016).

The 2016 Gold Medalists are as follows:
U16 Girls – Caroline Marks (USA)
U16 Boys – Thomas Debierre (FRA)
U18 Girls – Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
U18 Boys – Weslley Dantas (BRA)
ISA Aloha Cup – Hawaii
Team World Championship – France

7. The History

The 2017 VISSLA ISA World Surfing Junior Championship will be the first time the ISA has held an event in Japan in over 27 years. The last time an ISA World Championship took place in the ‘land of the rising sun’ was when the 1990 ISA World Surfing Games graced the shores of Miyazaki and Niijima featuring future stars of the sport such as Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, and Taylor Knox.

Historically, the ISA has served as a glimpse into the future stars of the sport. Past ISA World Junior Champions include the 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA, 2010), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW, 2014, 2013), Filipe Toledo (BRA, 2011), Tyler Wright (AUS, 2010, 2009), Alejo Muniz (BRA, 2008), Laura Enever (AUS, 2008), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, 2007), Julian Wilson (AUS, 2006), Owen Wright (AUS, 2006), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS, 2005, 2004), Matt Wilkinson (AUS, 2004), Jordy Smith (RSA, 2003) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA, 2015).

8. Social Media

The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat and don’t forget use the official hashtags #ISAworlds and #VISSLAISAworldjuniors.

Facebook:International Surfing Association (@ISAsurfing)
Instagram:@ISAsurfing
Twitter:@ISAsurfing
Snapchat: @ISA_Surfing
Youtube:@ISAsurfing

9. The Schedule

September 23: Opening Ceremony, Hyuga, Japan
September 23: Start of competition following Opening Ceremony at Okuragahama Beach
September 24: – October 1: Competition
October 1:  Closing Ceremony, Okuragahama Beach

10. The Mission

Recognized by the IOC as the world governing body for Surfing, the ISA’s mission is to create a better world through Surfing. This is accomplished through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Surfing’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.

 

 

Feb 23 2015
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Jake in Morocco

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We got sent these photos of Jake Warr in Morocco recently by an Australian named Mark Denny who is currently living in Sweden, here was what he wrote: “Hi !! I met a guy from Guernsey last week in Taghazout, Morocco. I’ve attached a few photos in the link that I managed to get of him although they really don’t do him any justice at all. He was fearless all week. Taking off deep and late and absolutely ripping. I didn’t catch his name but remember that he said he was a plumber. Anyway, maybe you know him and if you do please send the link on to him.”

Good work Jakey and thanks for the pics Mark.

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Nov 13 2014
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Canary caverns

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Lanzarote-based Guernsey lad Ollie Horton dropped us a line recently to tell us about a new set of images he’d posted on his blog. The photos are all here but make sure you head over to Ollie’s site (click here) for more detailed info and GoPro video footage. And remember if you have any pics from any surf trips you’ve been on and you’re happy to share them with us please send them in via the contact page.

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Nov 02 2014
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Kev and Josh hit the Maldives

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Here’s a few shots from Kev Hinshaw and Josh Sexton’s recent trip to the Maldives. According to Kev it pumped  pretty much the whole time (as it has nearly all season this year in the Maldives). Unfortunately Kev wasn’t available to comment on the pics because he is off on another trip to Fuerteventura… living the dream! If any of you have any pics from recent trips please send them through to us and we will post them on the site.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA josh 4OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA  k3 josh1  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAjosh 2 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Apr 02 2014
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UniSURFITY

By General, Travel No Comments

Many of you will know Jez Browning and his brother Nathan and father Richard, all cornerstones of the Guernsey surfing community. Jez moved to Portugal many years ago where he has worked as a surf coach before focusing on surf related boot camps, honing other surfers skills in waves of consequence. The first Bootcamp was back in 2009. The formula worked and since then they have been in great demand and have gone from strength to strength. Due to their success Jez was given the accolade of ASI level 4 Master surf coach. This is the highest surfing recognition you can get in the industry to date with only 6 others in the world that hold it. He also helps train and assess budding surf instructors.

Jez is always keen to get Guernsey surfers on his trips and with the Peniche in Portugal and then the Maldives coming up soon you’re guaranteed to get great waves and great advice. So if you’re keen to improve your surfing or just get some of the best waves of your life check out the newsletter or visit the UniSURFITY website

Dec 04 2013
Love2

Kandooma kegs

By Travel No Comments

Al Mitchell was lucky enough to score two weeks in the Maldives at Kandooma back in July, we catch up with him and find out how it went:

Travel: BA fly direct from Gatwick to Male. 11 hrs and 40 minute boat ride (4 hour time change)

Not really too much negative to say about Kandooma. The Island is blessed with white sands, azure skies, lush tropical greenery, clear turquoise water and a picture perfect right hander peeling metres away from your front door. With a world class left and six more waves within a short trip by boat, great food, 5-star level accommodation/facilities (albeit a 4 Star hotel) and a kids club – Kandooma is a perfect destination for a surfer to go with a partner or a family.

Here’s a run down of the waves on offer:

Kandooma Right: Straight out the front of the resort, this long reeling right hander is fun at any size but at 3-6ft on the lower tides the fun really begins. It has two distinct take off sections, the outside is the softer mal friendly option but the inside peak reels off down the reef for 100 metres. The Crowds fluctuate depending on whether its an Australian school holiday and how long it’s been between swells but I found that if you avoid the earl y and head out when everyone is at the breakfast buffet you can easily find yourself sitting in an empty lineup.

Tucky Joe’s: One of the best left handers I have ever surfed, about a 45 minute boat ride from the resort and notoriously fickle. A freight train left with 200 metre plus rides. It just goes on and on and produces the sort of waves you scribbled on your books at school while you were daydreaming in history. Apparently it can get crowded but I surfed it with 3 other guys until my legs felt like they were going to fall off

Riptides: A short boat ride or wade across the lagoon to the neighbouring island. A peaky, playful right hander, usually a foot or so bigger than Kandooma Right but no where near as punchy.

Foxy’s: Just over the channel from Riptides a fast racy left that breaks over a shallow reef, 100-150 metre rides are frequent.

Quarter’s: Just off the nearest island to Tucky Joe’s is Quarter’s, so named because it breaks alongside the staff quarters for the Anatarra resort. When the wind switches this is the only option as it’s sheltered by the buildings on the headland. definitely the poorest quality wave but the inside section of this right hand point can still provide a punchy barrel section.

Perfectwave.com run the surf tours on the resort and the guides (Rob, who’s from Narrabeen and Brian, from Ireland) are top blokes. so i recommend booking through them.