My Second Attempt at Being Funny.

Although this isn't really about being a London surfer,  it did take place on a water and it happened in London, so it is pretty darn close. And I thought it was worth a share: 

On Sunday night I took part in a charity comedy night to raise money for Help a Capital Child. Over 100 people turned up to Tamesis Dock to watch us all perform and we raised just over £400. Here is the audio from my set:

Thanks to everyone who came along to support the evening.

Normal service will resume shortly.

Ant
@antnewsom89

Confessions and Resolutions.

So predictably enough (unless you are Mayan) London2012 has been followed, rather disappointingly by the unimaginatively name year of 2013. And as its January and all the Christmas and New Year fun has buggered off to be replaced by the tantalizing hoard of diet books, gym memberships and abstinence so I figured, fuck it. I may as well join in with all the New Year, New Me bollocks. As they say If you can't beat them. Get a bigger stick. And as part of being this new me I feel I must start with a confession.

I have been surfing for 11 years. 11 Years. And In all that time I have never... I have never.... you know. Entered the greenroom. Taken the tube. Sat in the pocket. Or as The Chief so eloquently put it "felt the embrace of mother natures womb and been spat out by her salty vagina".

I've never been barreled. Ok? Happy?! You're probably thinking there must be something wrong with him? Well maybe I'm just waiting for the right wave to come along. At least I'm not a wave slut.

The opportunity hasn't come up yet. Although I have been surfing so long its mostly been on summer holidays to Devon, Wales, Cornwall etc. and big barreling waves are not exactly a regular occurrence . Only in the last 5 years have I started going out for autumn and spring sessions and more recently winter. Even so it just hasn't happened yet. Not that I have to explain myself. Its perfectly normal. right? RIGHT?!

2013 also seems like the right time to throw off the shackles of the oppressive wetsuit and head for board short country. Last year it was pasty's, cider and neoprene. This year adventure is in air. In the atmosphere. Somewhere new. Somewhere exciting. Not Bali basically. Not that I've got anything against Bali. Some of my best friends... hang on, that doesn't work. I'd love to go someday but everyone goes to Bali or to the far east: Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand.. Its a path as old as the Gap Yah itself. That leaves the question though. Where to go? As yet I'm unsure. But deciding where to go should make January far more entertaining than usual.

If I'm going to travel seeking adventure like all the thousands of people before me. I want to discover as well. And not in the 'Oh yah I really found myself when travelling around Thailand' bollocks. I mean like Cook. Amundsen. Livingstone. That guy from the Gap Yah video. Wouldn't it be great to do the same? But surely I hear you cry (yes I am watching you as you read this) everything has been discovered already. Everything is on Google isn't it?

Maybe it is still possible. There are great swathes of coastline that surfers haven't explored yete even in Britain. New breaks are always being found, there was one discovered in the last issue of Carve. So it is possible. There are virgin waves out there waiting to be discovered. Someone has to be the first. Why not me? The only question left is what to call it...

If it's a break that is inconsistent and rarely works then Central Line seems like a good name. Or if its polluted and dangerous then Croydon would work. If the area is slimy and filled with hot air then Westminster it is surely (ooh S-Nap). Although no matter what it's characteristics are 'Newsom Point' has a certain ring to it don't you think?

I think that's enough to be getting on with this year. I'm off to the pub... I mean gym!

1. Get Barreled
2. Go on a tropical surfari
3. Discover new lands (or a surf spot - whichever is easiest)

Ant
@antnewsom89

Let me know what you'd call a surf break if you discovered it. Answers on the back of a postcard (or more practically in the comments box below). Best one wins my undying love and respect.

London2012aggedon round-up.

So London2012aggedon is drawing to a close. Unlike the universe which is stubbornly continuing to exist, in stark contrast to the Mayan's who predicted its end. And surf wise (as always) its been a mixed year around the country. Personally my surfing year has been pretty good. It started off with my first winter surf at both of the Witterings in Feb followed pretty quick by a quick easter trip to North Devon - followed by a nice bout of tonsillitis just in time for my anniversary, much to my girlfriend's delight.

The North Devon trip was one of the more eventful trips of the year: we broke down on the way down, got drunk, had a midnight easter egg hunt and went to a sheep sheering match (a first for me).

Then this summer rather than the exotic trips of Morocco and Fuertaventura last year it was a week in Newquay with a new custom Longboard with the boys. And man were we blessed with waves. The whole week was 3-6ft and offshore. IN JULY?! when does that happen?

The swell was sweet. The nightlife lived up to billing. And the new board rode like a dream. There is nothing better than a trip with you're mates or spilling out of a nightclub at 3am, getting home for toast and babestation before heading out for a sunrise session. It was one hell of a week.

But the summer wasn't over. Come August it was back to Newquay for Boardmaster's festival. The surf didn't play ball over the weekend. 1ft at best when my brother Robs and despite the conditions we headed out just to enjoy being in the sea. And the sea rewarded me. With a weaver fish sting. But a weekend of zider, sun, music, bmx and Dizzee ensued. 

The Sunday morning greeted us far too soon. With fuzzy heads and dry mouths we managed to drag ourselves down to Fistral to meet the now British Champion Alan Stokes for our 'Surf with Stokesy'. In our naivety we thought with the small swell that we wouldn't be heading out. And in a way we were right. What we weren't expecting is that Stokesy, Vito Sport and the Animal team would have sorted an artificial wave for us to enjoy. And my god. That thing is a revelation. Such a great end to an awesome weekend.

Before long autumn rolled around and Wales was the destination of choice for, as my girlfriend put it 'a non-surfing holiday'. And I kept that promise. All the way until day 3. When I just couldn't help myself from hiring a board form surfing legend PJ Jones when we were staying at Llangennith in the campsite right by the beach. In the words of the Arctic Monkeys 'I can resist anything but temptation'. The next day I got one of the bigger sessions of the year at Rhosilli. The shelter of the cliffs to the south blocked out the gale blowing throughout the day giving some cleanish 5-7fters which I rode on a hired 8ft bic board. Up yours board snobs!

At the end September I finally joined the London Surf Club. Although I had to wait until early November to go on a trip due to injury. It was also my first surf trip after passing my driving test in October. And what a day it was. A 5am depart from Finsbury Park via Brockley and Streatham before hitting the road to Boscombe Pier. Winter wetuit on and a clear day of cold 2-4ft waves right by the Pier.

Overall 2012 was a hell of a good year full of good trips with good company and good waves as well the small issues of the Olympics, the Jubilee, Euros, Eng beating Nz, Parko's World Championship win, Obama re-elected and the end of the world. Here's to 2013. If we are all still here.

Final day mayhem: The chase for the world title.

It's the final day at Pipe and things are already getting interesting. Ke11y went down in the 4th to Kerrzy, who has injured himself and gone to hospital for checks. So Ke11y has to fight out an extra round if he is to have any chance to beat Parko to get his mitts on his 12th world title - Its just greedy really isn't it.

So whether your Team k11 or Team Parko its going to be the hell of an evening. So crack open the beer and catch all the action here.

Soho's Pop-Up Surf Shop.

So Christmas is coming. The goose is getting fat. Your Nan is planning her racist comments for the dinner table. Christmas Markets have opened their doors and a surf shop has opened in Soho. Who've thought it? A surf shop in Soho?! I know crazy. In amongst all the sex shops, strip clubs and trendy wine bars nestles a little island of surf. Finisterre: the cold water surf specialists, have deemed London cold and wet enough (which it has definitely been this last week) to temporarily set up shop. Fuck yeah!

Nah I haven't got any brollies mate, take a wetsuit instead.

Its a great thing having a surf shop back in central London. After the closure of the Quicksilver store on Regents Street its felt fairly empty wandering the streets each lunch time, I need somewhere to go for a perv at lunch. For a release. A surfgasm if you will. 

However, I have felt a little unfulfilled by Finisterre's pop-up offering. I mean they have some great clothes (if a little out of my price range) and a few boards and pictures as decoration. But it feels a bit sparse. I know its only a pop-up but for a brand that really wants to do something different to Quicksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong, their London surf shop just the same as any of the others; an overpriced clothes shop with a couple of surfboards in as decoration. Which is a bit disappointing, But in all honestly who is going to buy Quad Fish or a wetsuit in central London on a whim? Well me. I would.... And members of the London Surf... And maybe passing Australians. But other than that who? I ask who?! 

The Finisterre shop will remain firmly popped up on Glasshouse Street in Soho until the 2nd of December  (and maybe longer according to one of the lovely Americans inside) and it is worth a visit if just for the uncharacteristically friendly welcome (for London anyway) and chance to talk surfing with like minded people. They are even showing some surf films in the shop at some point this week (@finisterre for the latest info). 

However, if you do need a new wetsuit or just fancy taking a board home on the tube (always a hilarious experience) Ocean Leisure on the Embankment is your place.

Happy festive surf shopping. 

Ant

@antnewsom89

Trick of the Week?

Now there have been some awesome tricks pulled in the last week. First of all there was Gabbi's mental backflip at pipeline which blew everyones freaking minds. I mean have you ever seen a more casual execution of such an awesome move?!

Then later in the week at the Hawaiian Reef Pro Dane Reynolds (accidentally on purpose) pulls off this insane turn...

And then after having the limelight taken away from him for 5 second Medina only goes and does it again...

So who had the best trick? Who cares?! Both were awesome. Though I'd like to see what score a Backflip would get from the ASP judges. Is it possible to get an 11? Though just throwing it out there; backflip... better than a barrel.

As Stoked As Stokesy.

Could anyone in Britain be as stoked as Alan Stokes this week? 

Probably not. The man is now officially the best surfer in Britain after a showdown in pumping swell at Fistral in his home town and in front of his Nan as well. What could make a man more stoked than that? Especially with that amazing tash as well. 

Congratulations Alan... Enjoy celebrating. 

If you want more info on the event you can find it on the Surfing GB website.