Month: December 2015

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On By lex270In Fitness, Parenthood, Surfing, Travel, Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

Another year down.  The years seem to be flying by at the moment.  I can’t decide whether its down to the fact that I’m getting older, (the older I get the shorter years seem because I’ve been on the planet longer malarky), or because of the kids who keep me so busy that if I want to do something by myself I have to schedule it in a few weeks in advance (not interesting stuff either, things like the food shop, which with kids is no bueno).

So… 2015, in a very quick roundup as the two kids seem to have crushed my ability to have any time to focus on actually composing a blog post these days.  Goal for 2016, blog more. 

January… I can’t remember January, and I was sober because of the bun in the oven…. In February Florida was calling!  Ahhh winter sun… 

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After two years of studying, I became a fully qualified Wakeboard Coach, and to top it off, I was the first one in the UK to pass this qualification!

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I did my one and only pregger shoot which was fun yet very tiring trekking round hills and fields to get the right shot!  [Lemm Photography for FittaMamma]

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The biggest event of 2015 was this little angel being born in May…

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My first ride at BEP was pretty epic, managed seven laps.  Nailed it.

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Just fitting in rides in general was always a highlight…. [Lemm Photography @ Hannams]

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Laps at New Forest Wake Park

I came 2nd in the British Nationals!!!!  Whhhhaaaaatttt??  I wasn’t sure if I could actually enter as it was only eight weeks after I’d given birth, but I did and was stoked to come away with silver!  Definitely a highlight!

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Photo – Mr T’ography @ Nationals 

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Started the horribly challenging journey of getting my pre baby body back.  I’m still working on it… its bloody hard! 

I rode in the UK’s first ever European Tour Stop which was SOOOO much fun!  Can’t wait for next years event!

Our first family (of four) holiday was to Surf Snowdonia.  I can’t wait to go again in the new year, and really can’t wait to go without kids!

Getting a double page in the 2016 Mystic Product Guide was pretty cool 🙂

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Surftripping… always a highlight. 

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So there you have it, a brief overview of my 2105.  Theres been some incredible highs along with some lows, but focussing on the good heading into 2016 I’m sure its going to be a great year.  It’ll be filled with more wakeboarding, more surfing, family holidays, ‘mums drunken nights out’, watching my offspring develop and grow even more, and more challenging parenting situations than you can shake a stick at.  Oh, and wine. 

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and a beautiful 2016! xx

How to wakeboard through the winter in England…

On By lex270In Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

Ahhhh its that time of year again.. the time when the trees are bare and look dead.   The time when driving gets a bit dodgy because the sun sits in that awkward low position for most of the day.  The time when you never have enough windscreen wash in your jet thingys.  The time when the only thing you do in the evening is veg out in your pjs with a glass (bottle) of wine.  Basically that time of year when England turns into the shittest place to live.

It does have its good days though.  Sometimes.  You know those rare bluebird days when theres been a frost and the air is crisp?  Those are my favourite days in the English winter. Unless it snows… I’m always a fan of snow.

Those crisp days are the best ones to ride on, theres just something slightly magical about them, even if they are bloody freezing.  However, they don’t come about to often, so you just have to suck it up and ride in the miserable grey windy, drizzly weather this beautiful little island attracts.

So, how do we survive riding throughout the winter….?

  1. Go abroad.  Get on a plane and go ride somewhere hotter than here, preferably for the season and you’ll come back all tanned and smug because you’ve got a whole new bag of tricks.
  2. If you’re going to ride in the UK, get a decent wettie.  Don’t prat around with some useless piece of rubbish neoprene.  Invest.
  3. If you’re rocking the open toe, get some socks.  Otherwise get your hands on some Systems because you’re basically walking around in a snug snowboard style boot – toastie tootsies!
  4. Gloves.  Its a coin toss really.  Do you want frostbite or do you want that unavoidable forearm ache that you only get with gloves.  I go for the arm ache personally.  Saves my manicure. 
  5. Maintenance.  If you’re landing new tricks in the winter in the UK – give yourself a huge pat on the back.  Otherwise, just maintain what you can already do so that you come into the next season ready to go.
  6. Take your mates.  Theres no fun in riding alone in the winter.  Fact.  And if theres people with you, you’re more likely to actually ride rather than sit in the bar with a cuppa. 
  7. Flask.  Invest in a flask and fill it to the brim with hot tea / coffee / hot choc… you’ll be grateful post ride. 
  8. Leave time for a shower afterwards – to warm up obvs.
  9. If theres no shower, take a sleeping bag and drive home wearing it. 
  10. Fun is the word.  Just be grateful you’re able to get out there and ride.  Cheesy but true.