Soch Press
by Bex Tappin
14 / 10 / 2009
THE FIRST WAKEBOARD CABLE PARK IN WALES.
For the first time in Wales, for 9 days from Saturday 24th October you
will be able to wakeboard on a lake behind a professional cable tow,
courtesy of the team behind Wakestock and with expert tuition from the
Offaxis Academy. It’s a one off opportunity and can cater for complete
beginners right through to those that want to learn new tricks or even
try their hand at hitting floating rails!
For those of you who might have watched the world’s best wakeboarders
at Wakestock and thought you’d love to have a go – well now is your
chance as there is a brilliant new cable tow system being installed at
a lake at Glasfryn Parc, near Pwllheli this half term. This will allow
anyone who is a complete beginner and may not have had the chance to
try the sport before to have a go in perfect conditions, with
professional equipment and in the safety of fully trained instructors.
Or if you already do the sport, help progress you to any level of
tricks and even hit floating rails for the first time, which brings a
whole different aspect to the sport.
This is a first for Wales as the only other UK cable parks are located
in England, mainly around the London area and this hugely successful
Sesitec System 2.0 cable set-up is one of only two in the UK, brought
into the country only a few months ago. It is set up to tow anyone from
a complete novice to a professional rider along the perfect flat water
at Glasfryn lake at an even speed, so you can practice without having
to rely on a boat or waiting for one of those rare perfect days with no
wind or swell. The cable can be used whatever the weather and is the
most accessible way of getting into wakeboarding.
This one off opportunity will take place during October Half Term from
Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November. Over the course of the
nine days you will be able to have sessions on the cable for just £15
an hour or £50 for a block session of 4 people. If you have your own
equipment then bring it along, if not your wetsuit, wakeboard, vest and
helmet hire are all FREE!
You can book your session in advance at www.alliancewake.co.uk/wakepark or by calling 01758 713407. Booking is recommended to avoid
disappointment but you can just rock up and ride, or if you’d like to
just go along to watch then feel free to head over at any time during
the 9 days as pro wakeboarders will also be on hand to demonstrate what
it has to offer. You can park at Glasfyn Parc, just off the A499
Caernarfon to Pwllheli road, famous for its go karting and 10-pin
bowling and then just follow the signs to the lake.
Further information.
This is an opportunity not just for the complete beginner, but for the
more advance riders to progress their wakeboarding to the next level.
The floating rail is available to hit for the first time in any Welsh
waters or just improve your technique by using the short line to learn
inverts and raley style tricks. Professional tuition will be provided
by Offaxis Wakeboard Academy based in Abersoch.
For the complete beginner the Offaxis professional riders, who are all
qualified BWS Wakeboard instructors, will be there to help you find
your legs and feel at ease out on the water gradually building your
confidence to take on the harder disciplines. The atmosphere will be
relaxed and non-intimidating and the instructors who have many years
worth of teaching experience behind them supporting you all the way.
There are also full changing facilities with showers, a Pro Shop
stocking clothing and equipment from leading brands along with food and
drinks.
Wakeboard History
In 1985, a San Diego surfer named Tony Finn developed the Surfer - a
hybrid of a water ski and a surfboard. It looked like a little
surfboard, and was pulled by a boat while the rider performed
surf-style carving moves on the wake. This riding style evokes visions
of snowboarding and skateboarding with a bit of water skiing. The board
had adjustable rubber foot-straps, concave tunnel bottom and a keel fin.
Links
Glasfryn parc - www.glasfryn.co.uk, Alliance Wakeboard - www.alliancewake.co.uk, Offaxis Academy - www.offaxis.co.uk, Wakestock Festival - www.wakestock.co.uk
by Bex Tappin
13 / 10 / 2009
The annual West Coast Surf Comp went off with a bang this
weekend with two days worth of top surfing action and a great night of
partying. The competition kicked off at 9am on Saturday morning when organisers
and competitors gathered to check the surf and see where the best waves would
be. It was decided that the competition would be held at Hell’s Mouth so the
juniors and women got ready to take each other on. Both sections of the
competition were hotly contested and with more entries than ever before in both
sections there was plenty of surfing action for the spectators to take in.
After a hard fought battle in the Women’s Competition it was Katie Gee that
came out on top, beating Rhiannon Evans into second place. Third place went to
Lina Cruas. It is always great to see junior surfers out on the water,
especially when it shows just how much local talent there is out there. The
Juniors Competition was another hard fought battle, Local boy Eilir Davies
Hughes shone in his heats and went on to take first place in this section.
Second place went to Nathan Darby. Third place went to Urien Davies Hughes and
fourth to Llewelyn Williams. The sun shone throughout the day and put people in
a great mood for a night of partying on the Saturday.
Crowds made their way to Abersoch Powerboat Club to enjoy a
few drinks and enjoy music from local band The Black Leather All Stars, who
played a great set to a large crowd who all got in the spirit of things.
The action continued down on the beach on Sunday
morning with the Open Men’s Competition. There were some great surfers in the
water, all of whom got some good waves, but in the end it was Danny Oldfield
who went away with the title of West Coast Surf Comp Champ 2009. He just pipped
local boy Phil Woods to the post. Phil went away with the trophy for second
place, with Stef Harkan coming in third and Si Turner in Fourth. It was a great
weekend for all involved and a great way of putting the stunning beaches that
we have on the Llyn on the map when it comes to surfing, plus the sun was out!
If you fancy having a go at surfing locally why not pop into either West Coast
Surf or Offaxis for some advice and to book a lesson. You could be entering the
comp yourself it a few years!
by Bex Tappin
05 / 10 / 2009
Dwyfor
Camera Club are holding an open evening at the Village Hall in Abersoch
tomorrow evening on Tuesday 6th October 2009 at 8pm. The members will be displaying
their work, including some National Award Winning Images and Royal Photographic
Society Panels of prints. The Club will also be showing presentations of
digitally projected images from around the world. Members of Dwyfor Camera Club
meet each Tuesday at 7:30pm from October to April in the Village Hall and are
always looking for new members so why not call in one Tuesday and see what they
get up to.
|
|
|
