British Groms Arrive to Good Waves in Spain

The British junior squad traded wind swept Cornwall for Spain this week, ready to start a two week surf training programme. Since arriving into Santander with Brittany Ferries the crew have been staying with Errant Surf Holidays in new self-catering bungalows right on the beach at Loredo, and over looking the famous big wave spot "Santa Marina".



Kelly O'Toole from New Zealand is one of the British Surfing Association head surf coaches and for the next two weeks he will be on hand to guide the up and coming young surfers, using the latest surf coaching methods. The youngsters include Max Tucker, Mat Chapman, Gabbie Rowe, Daisy Docking, Miles Hargraves and Errant riders Harry Timson and Tom Good.



Since arriving last Monday the groms have scored epic conditions on the main beach of Loredo, and the point of Santa Marina. The conditions have ranged from fun beach breaks, where the kids were able to work on their contest tactics, to challenging low tide barrels.

With such good, high quality surf these two week long trips are invaluable for the groms, for will be ready for action come the new year. "It is essential that our young surfers get the chance to receive top coaching, and spend a decent amount of time focusing solely on their surfing." summed up Kelly.

Follow the groms trip by logging onto http://www.errantsurf.com

British Squad Arrive in Spain for two weeks

This morning the British Jnr team arrived safe and well on the ferry from Plymouth to Santander, ready for two weeks of surf coaching as British Squad Members. They will be staying in Loredo, home to Errant Surf Holidays Spain office, and surf lodges.

Kelly O'Toole from New Zealand will be on hand to coach the up and comming stars of tomorrow.

Today they were greated by head high waves, and a nice offshore breeze. This is set to continue well past the weekend.

Keep coming backl for updates on their trip to Spain.

Kelly Slater Wins 9th World Title in Spain

American surfing sensation Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) has won a record ninth ASP World Title by advancing into round four of the Billabong Pro Mundaka today - the ninth event of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour.

Grey skies and massive downpours couldn't dampen the moment for the 36 year-old who has dominated the 2008 tour winning five of the eight events staged so far.

Slater's 2008 crowning comes 16 years after claiming his first ASP World Title at age 20. He is the oldest and youngest surfer in ASP history to win a world title.

Slater showed no signs of pressure in the world title deciding heat, tactical as ever against local Basque surfer Eneko Acero (EUK) winning the round three Billabong Pro Mundaka heat to once again rewrite the sports history books.



Thirty-one year old Acero opened quickly for an early heat lead in the 1.5 metre (4-6ft) river-mouth waves before a relaxed Slater took control midway and claimed his ninth crown with the heat win.

Despite entering his 14th year on tour already the owner of most every accolade in professional surfing, 2008 has been a banner year for Slater. Five wins in the first eight events of the year.

Slater won his first ASP World Tour title in 1992, claimed five titles in a row from 1994 to 1998 and then went into semi-retirement at age 26 citing burnout and lack of motivation. He returned to the tour full-time in 2003, lost a heart-wrenching title race to Andy Irons (HAW) that same year, and wasn't able to reclaim the crown until 2005. Slater cruised to title No. 8 in 2006, finished World No. 3 in 2007 and is once again World No. 1 after winning his ninth ASP World Title today.

A1Surf.com signs up Alex Wade’s ‘Surf Nation’ blog

A1Surf.com, the surf site for the UK and Ireland, has announced today that they have signed up the renowned author and journalist Alex Wade to write his ‘Surf Nation’ blog exclusively for them.

Surf Nation was up until recently running in conjunction with a national newspaper, but now is partnering up with A1Surf.com, one of the UK’s biggest and most popular surfing websites.

David Somerville from A1Surf says: “We are really excited about signing up Alex and Surf Nation exclusively for A1Surf.

“Alex’s blog has been widely read and hugely popular with surfers across the UK and Ireland for the past two years.

“To have him on the A1Surf team as a blogger is perfect for us as he reflects the views, thoughts and feelings of the thousands of surfers who visit A1Surf.com every day.”

Alex Wade says: "I'm stoked to be writing the surf blog for such an established UK surfing brand as A1surf.com.

“I expect the blog to reach its target audience - surfers - much better than it did previously.

I will continue to cover our vibrant domestic surfing scene as much as possible, with a global glance or two and a fair bit of eccentricity, skating and surfboat rowing thrown in for good measure. Check it out and get in touch with any ideas via alex@alexwade.com."

Surf Nation can be viewed by visiting www.surfnation.co.uk or by clicking the links on www.A1Surf.com.

Alex Wade is also author of the book Surf Nation, which follows his travels across the UK and Ireland discovering the surfing heritage and people that make up this growing community.