Stand up Paddle for Charity

Steve Crawford of Fluid Concept Surf shop in Scarborough is to do a 16 mile sponsored SUP paddle to raise
money for SAS and the WDCS. Drop him a line if you'd like to sponsor this admirable venture

Whats the cost of taking a surfboard on a flight?

A company called APH have produced a report on surfboard handling and excess baggage fees for all major airlines. Its a useful report and worth having a look. Please note that APH are not affiliated to Extremehorizon and costs listed are as stated by APH at time of posting 15.07.2009

"Surfers planning to take their surf boards on holiday can often be faced with extra costs when it comes to check-in at the airport. APH (Airport Parking and Hotels) has recently carried out thorough research into every major airline flying out of the UK, revealing the excess baggage charges that surfers could be faced with before they fly.

As the research shows, extra costs can vary wildly from airline to airline and there are also many specific policies that relate to surfing equipment. Some holiday makers may find that getting a great deal on a flight can become a false economy if they want to take their surfboard with them. Worse still, the airline might simply refuse to take any surfboards as luggage.

One of the best airlines for surfers is Virgin Atlantic, who will carry boards in addition to your free baggage allowance at no extra charge. Easyjet and Flybe are also good choices for surfers, with the budget airlines charging no more than their standard excess luggage rates. At the other end of the scale is Air France who charge €150 per item that is in excess of the baggage allowance, and British Airways, who do not allow any surfboards on their flight. Below is a round-up of the best and worst airlines for surfers travelling abroad:

Air France – For surfing equipment in excess of the baggage allowance, the fee is €150 (£134.64) per item each way. A flat fee within a 20 kg limit is charged per trip each way and varies depending on the destination.

British Airways – No surf boards are allowed on the flight

Easyjet - £18.50 charge each way when pre-paid. When paying at the airport the charge is £26.00 plus any excess baggage charge at £9 per kilo

Flybe - Must be booked in advance and there is a charge of £20 per sector on a standby basis. On the turboprop aircraft they must be no longer than 4.5 feet in length. On jet aircraft they can be up to 10 feet in length

Virgin Atlantic - You can take surfboards/boogie boards in addition to your free baggage allowance and at no extra charge when you fly Virgin Atlantic. Your surfboard or boogie board must not exceed 477cm (109ins) and must not exceed 32kg in weight.

APH has put together an easy to read table detailing all of the airlines’ excess baggage policies and the extra cost you may face for taking your surfboard abroad. Check http://www.aph.com/news/surf-equipment-excess-baggage.htm for more details."

SAS beach clean dates

NEWS RELEASE

“SAS MAKING BEACHES BAREFOOT FRIENDLY” CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF

VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE’S ANNUAL BAREFOOT FRIENDLY BEACH CLEANING TOUR

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has once again teamed up with Barefoot wine for their nationwide beach clean-up tour this summer. The SAS team will visit 6 beaches around the UK and everyone’s welcome to help*.

Whether you’re a part of the local community or you just fancy rolling up your sleeves and getting involved, SAS and Barefoot need your help make our British beaches ‘Barefoot Friendly’.

This year the SAS Barefoot Friendly Beach Cleaning Tour will be visiting:

• Newquay, (Fistral’s South end) on 29^th July

• Croyde (Baggy Point End) on 30^th July

• Bournemouth (By Bournemouth Pier) on 31^st July

• Llangennith (Hill End Campsite) on 1^st August

• Saltburn-by-Sea (By the pier) on 2^nd August

• Brighton Yellow Wave, Madeira Drive) on 3^rd August

The 2009 campaign builds on the successes of last year’s SAS Barefoot Friendly tour efforts where over 400 people took part to help remove over 1 tonne of litter from the British coastline.

Andy Cummins, campaign officer, SAS, said “Marine litter is a huge problem on beaches all over the country and this tour gives beach-lovers a great opportunity to make a real and very positive difference on their local beach. It’s extremely important that people take an interest but it’s also really important that people have fun doing it. The beach cleans we organise are enjoyable, educational and are a great way to bring local people from all walks of life together. Everyone is welcome so come on down and make a difference to your local area!”

Balls of steel

OK so its not surf related but its pretty hardcore....Australian Robbie Maddison does motocross no-handed back flip across the open span of Tower Bridge, London. Insane!

Western Oz bombs

WA bombies, as thick as they are tall....not something you'd want landing on your head!

Richie Sills wins UK pro surf tour Sri Lanka

Arugam Bay was firing for the final day of the UKPSA Sri Lankan Surf Championships.
An increase in swell overnight provided 4-6ft barrelling right hander’s for the remaining competitors.

In heat one of the quarter finals Micah Lester took full advantage of the conditions scoring the highest wave of the event (9.4) earning him the return ticket from London to Sri Lanka donated by Sri Lankan Airlines.

The remaining quarter final heats saw outstanding performances from Richie Sills (South Africa) and Newquay surfers Alan Stokes, Mitch Corbett and Tom Butler.

In the first semi final Richie Sills and Sam Lamroy (Newcastle) surfed consistently to edge out Lee Bartlet and Micah Lester.
Four Newquay surfers made up semi final two. Alan Stokes dominated from the beginning with two high scoring rides. Mark Harris scraped ahead of Mitch Corbett to take second with Tom Butler fourth.

The final got underway in front of a packed crowd including the President of Sri Lanka’s son and the Minister for tourism.

In a tactical heat the four surfers struggled to find waves in the early stages.
Richie Sills found his rhythm and picked off two high scoring rides leaving the other three scratching to catch up. Alan Stokes was close behind in second and a final wave with two huge turns left the crowd guessing if he had done enough.
In the end Richie and Alan were tied for first place. A count back (best one wave scored) saw Richie take the title with Alan Stokes following in second, Mark Harris third and Sam Lamroy fourth.

Pic: Jason Feast