I am heading home after a good summer of waves down in Australia and Tahiti.

So I made it into the trials event at Teahupoo.
It was a great experience and cant wait to try again next year, I only made two rounds but it was still good all the same getting in there amongst the boys.

I was using the Tokoro fins and they felt great – just to let you know.

So well, it’s home time now and back to Winter soon, cant wait!

All the best,
Fergal

Just to let you know I will be competing in the Jever SUP World Cup in Hamburg Germany on the 28th and 29th August. Some of the best paddlers in the world will be there to compete for the €15000 purse! It is one of the biggest events in Europe and will be a chance to really test myself, so of course I’m taking the new Bark and Mitcho race boards!

I have also just entered the 60km race from Capbreton to San Sebastian on 18th September. This is also a massive event and one of the longest and most gruelling races in the world. Previous winners include Jamie Mitchell.

Then I am going to California where I will be competing in the Battle of the Paddle on the 2nd/3rd October; this is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world and will be a great experience above all.

I’ll keep you updated with the results as soon as I can.

Elliot

Check it out:

The Swansea Evening Post have posted a feature on the BIG Beach Coffee Break taking place at Langland Bay, for Macmillan Cancer World Biggest Coffee Morning, on Saturday, September 25; it’s the perfect event to reflect what this area and the local community are capable of when it comes to good causes.

Surfside Cafes will be hosting the event between 9am and noon, where customers will be handed a free coffee in lieu of a donation to Macmillan.

I have not even seen the finished vid’ yet but I am just buzzin’ to be asked to be in it, its really cool of those guys to recognize what we have been up to in cold old Ireland. So big thanks to Chris Cote and the guys at Transworld:

SurfGirl have published a feature I wrote for them for their ‘technique’ section and published a great shot of me on my H20 Sk8R – I love that board

It’s about how to become a better surfer by pushing and challenging yourself, and not being happy with just cruising along with no challenge:

Becoming a better surfer takes time and is all about challenging yourself – so don’t just cruise around, having a chat and seeing who’s in the lineup next time your out, think about pushing yourself a little bit further.

How do you know your limits if you don’t push them? If you’re determined to paddle for that bug wave, then do it. Don’t hesitate, and never pull back at the last second – that’s when the classic ‘pulled over’ wipe-out happens. I’ve done it loads of times and it’s never much fun!

Celine

Quick update on my travels and how the fins are going.
First up we headed up to north west WA. We had three different swells in ten days so it was fairly full on.
As I said in my first blog I am still only figuring out Futures at the moment.
A friend of mine called Camel is mad into Future fins and he schooled me in what I needed for heavy waves etc.

So what I have figured out is the Black Stix and other concave  fins are great when its small but when it gets bigger and a lot more power you want flat fibreglass fins – that is what I have learned anyway.

It was really cool up North as I did lots of experimenting with fins, not just different sets but also mixing sets!

What I was doing quite a bit was I would use a bigish centre fin and two smaller fins and it works well for going really fast.
Some good sets are; JC1, Timmy Paterson, Simon Anderson fin. The Tokoro fin is what I am using at the moment and is great here in Tahiti.

It is really cool figuring out which fins work best for certain waves and when you get it right you really notice the difference.

So get out there and try some different fins and see how they go! The fin trees are a great way of getting your hands on a new set of fins, I’ve put the locations below.

All the best
Fergal

New Fin Trees!

Last modified on 2010-06-08 10:39:35 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Future Fins ‘Test Ride’ Centre

New Future Fins Trees are going into stores now.

Fins are a very misunderstood yet absolutely vital component in surfing equipment. We want to help you make a confident straight forward purchase, knowing you have got the correct fins to suit your surfing ability and board.

How does the Fin Tree work?

This stand has been specially designed to display a great selection of the Future fin range. Each fin is displayed without packaging and is secured through the tang base with a description card attached giving information and recommending if the fin is suited to you, and you typical surfing conditions. Allowing you to make an informed decision.

In the Store?

As well as being a hands on information centre, surf shops with a ‘Future Fin Tree’ are test centres giving you access to ‘Try before you Buy’. Stores with Fin trees will also receive new fins models before they are launched for sale; allowing you to test and pre-order the latest models. So keep an eye out for the Clay Marzo and Mayhem …Lost fins that will be available in store soon.

For information on the Fin Tree demo centres please contact us.

The trees are currently up and ready to be checked out at Zuma Jay in Bude, Bilbo Surf Shop in Newquay, JP Surfboards‘ showroom in Penclawdd, Swansea, PJ’s Surf Shop in Llangennith Wales and Secret Spot in Scarborough.

Check out his results from last year:
English Nationals – 3rd
Bude Surf Classic – 1st
Quiksilver Tag Team – 3rd
Quiksilver Best Air – 1st
VQS – 3rd
British Nationals – 4th
British Universities – 2nd
English Team Rider

Name: Andrew Griffin
A.K.A: Jeeka or Grifter
D.O.B.: 18/05/1985
From: Newquay (England)
Years surfing: 15
Sponsors: Rhino, Bilbo, Future fins, Kernow Boardriders and Kustom
Favourite manoeuvre: Air reverse
Board size: 6’1″ x 19″ x 2 1/4″
Weight: 78KG
Height: 6’0″
Local Break: Holywell Bay
Favourite Break: Superbank and Various waves in Bali

My name’s Andrew Griffin from Cubert with my local break being Holywell Bay(TR8).  I’ve been surfing for around 15 years, and competing for about 12 of those years.  Last year I had a bit of an up and down season, not doing too well on the UK Pro tour, but making the final of every other event I entered.  When I’m not surfing I’m normally working as a web designer or spending time with the girlfriend.

This year I haven’t entered too many events, but I’ve just had a couple of new boards off Tunnel Vision and they are going really well, so I’m looking to get into a few more comps and get a few results.  At the end of the summer I’m hoping to compete in the World Games representing the British team in peru.

I’ve gotta give them a big thumbs up! and like all Black Stix they’re super light; got good flex and hold and generate some great speed!

“My new JM Surftech 9’8″ works in just about anything! Whether its 2 ft Burleigh Heads, 8 ft Sunset Pt, or some heaving slab somewhere, it’s designed to handle a variety of conditions. Plus Surftech’s Tuflite material makes my board nearly bullet proof! I love it.” – Jamie Mitchell

Nose : 18 3/4″
Mid : 28″
Tail : 16 1/2″
Thickness : 4 1/4″
Volume : 141

Be Sure to check them out at your local dealer before they’re all gone!