There is nothing like that first pulse of autumnal swell. Solid lines rack up to the horizon and that first duck dive removes all trace of the long, hot and inconsistent summer that went before it. For the first time in weeks you can stroke into a swell and feel its power lift you up. Bottom turns become functional instead of a struggle, waves actually throw and pitch and you can stick that board on a rail knowing it isn’t going to bog because of a lack of speed.
Yes autumn is here, it’s on; those of us living near the coast, who can slip out of work, are in heaven. It’s not all roses though, as you read this mag the clocks have changed, the long evenings of summer are long gone, and the sacred after, or pre-work surf is just a distant dream. So it’s time to start thinking of that winter escape, time to start dreaming about those couple of weeks, or if you’re lucky those couple of months, of surf in warm water under a winter sun.
“Those of us living near the coast, who can slip out of work, are in heaven”
With this in mind we’ve thrown together some ideas for you, some winter getaways just to get those adventure juices flowing. It doesn’t matter what your budget is either, unless it’s absolute zero then sadly, or happily depending on the swell, you’re going to be confined to our shores. We’ve get a real life adventure on page 30 from Jordan Reed, find out what Mexico is like from a traveller’s perspective. Amongst most people’s dream destination is probably the Maldives, those pearls of the Indian Ocean, atolls fringed with fun surf all set to a paradise backdrop. See what awaits you there and feast on some shots of Micah Lester on page 52.
Then there is a destination for three very different budgets: from The Canaries to Australia we give you the pros and cons of making a trip overseas, for a week, a month or a year, it’s all there. But then again if that’s all a bit too much and you prefer to stay home and enjoy some cold water perfection, albeit inconsistent cold water perfection that we occasionally have on our doorstep, then browse the month of surfing. You may even find yourself in the pages. We’ve also got all the regulars including Joel Grey on how to surf wave pools, something that a couple of years ago none of us were likely to ever do. An experience which is now becoming more and more of a reality for all of us with the birth of The Wave Garden. Then there is the website, if you haven’t been on there lately, and l can’t blame you if you haven’t, it will soon be time to reacquaint yourselves. The new site is destined to become the hub for all things surfing in Northern Europe, from the latest news, industry, trips and gear, it’s all on there. Bookmark it, make it your new favourite place on the net, one that you can admit to visiting anyway.
Oh yeah I’m Tim by the way, l’m the new editor and custodian of Europe’s oldest surf mag. As you may have read last issue, Greg has moved on to pastures new. l’ll be your guide through the world of surfing in print and online, with the help of some seriously good photographers and writers, so sit back and enjoy wherever you are.