Month: December 2018

2018

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

As 2018 comes to a close, I am looking back at the year to see what I can take away from it to move forward into 2019.

Over last Christmas, my Nana at the ripe old age of 96, decided it was her time to go, and she sadly passed away on New Years Eve.  Not the best start.

February brought my birthday where Jon and I got head to the coast for a childfree weekend!  We stayed in a swanky hotel, had loads of good food and surfed some decent waves!  Great times!  Same again next year?  Yeah?

March/April:  I was Portugal bound for an epic family holiday!  Fun times as we all hit the beach, ate, drank, golfed and surfed.  Winter sun is ALWAYS welcome.

     

      

May: saw the first of the Wake Daze events and it was so so hot, we could not have wished for more epic weather!  And it was the same day as the Royal Wedding so of course we had to stop to see ‘the dress’.  The warm weather was just epic for wakeboarding… all summer long in skins!  Literally the best summer riding!

June: We held a big party at our house for my husbands birthday.  This was pretty nerve racking as there were a lot of people to hold!  We got a hog roast which was the highlight and went down like a dream.  And we cannot possibly continue without mentioning the epic weather again can we?  Hands down, the best summer that I can remember.  We had the paddling pool out everyday, garden, park, forests, outdoor pools, wakeboarding, camping, surfing…. you name it we were into it.  This is also when I decided that I would start doing yoga every day.  I literally just decided one night that I would get up 30mins before the kids and do yoga, and I just carried on.  I’m still doing between 10-25mins of yoga everyday and I can’t believe I didn’t put this habit into place sooner.  But thats for another blog.

July: I chopped 13inches of hair off for Cancer Research UK and donated the hair to The Little Princess Trust.

August: Portugal bound for more surf!  Although we had never been at that time of year before but we are now locked into the doom of the school holidays. Our local holiday spot was crowded to the max, 1000’s of people on the beaches that we are usually the only people on.  The waves were pretty shitty as well apart from a couple of days. Gotta love them summer waves.

Photo Credit: Janni @ Club Wake Park
Credit: Nik Green

September: saw the last Wake Daze event (four in total). And they were all amazing!  So many new faces, some familiar faces and a whole lotta good times!  And did I mention it was a summer full of wakeboarding?!

October: I loved hanging out with Watersports World for the dealer days and even more so that I got my 2019 ride (Hyperlite Scandal & Defacto Bindings)! And half term also took us down to Newquay for a week of surf, beach and family time.

And as the cold creeps in and the nights get darker, is the time when I work away getting ready for the exciting year to come.  As my year comes to an end, I’m happy with everything that has happened, the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve spent my time with, the fun family times I’ve had and generally a bloody brilliant year! Christmas was warm and cozy spent with my family.

What I feel I can take away from this year…. I have had friends who have had their worlds turned upside down.  If theres any way to appreciate what you have, put yourself in their shoes.  Don’t become stagnant – never stop improving on yourself through diet, exercise, work, learning, questioning and exploring.  People will question what you’re doing. Let their questions drive you forward.

And I’ve just ended the year surfing!

Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all have a good one and enjoy your time with the people you love. xx

How to wakeboard through the winter in England

On By lex270In Fitness, WakeboardingLeave a comment

 

Lets be honest, we’ve had the most epic summer that I can remember, and so far, winter has not really been that bad yet.  Can you believe that we’d had a foot of snow this time last year?

I know its colder now, but think of all the good things about the lakes this time of year…

You are with like minded people.  I know technically you you could say this is the case all year round because you are all there to wakeboard.  But for those of you who ride through the winter (and actually ride in England), you will know what I mean.  No bad vibes, no attitudes, no queues… its all good!  There is a different kind of breed down on the dock between the months of October through to April.  A friendly bunch of water folk that just want to ride because they love it.  And you will see the same faces over the winter months, and you will be surrounded by people who will strive to have just 20mins of freezing water time, to make their week. 

If you hadn’t guessed, I actually quite like riding this time of year.

So here are my top tips on how to get on the water this winter! 

  1. Stating the obvious but its not always available to everyone.  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 wetsuit.  Invest.  It’ll be worth it.  Honest.  I’m in the new Mystic Diva 5.3mm and its toastie warm.
  3. If you’re rocking the open toe bindings, grab some neoprene socks. Otherwise get your hands on some Walk-In bindings because you’re basically walking around in a snug bootie – toastie tootsies! I’m in the Hyperlite Defactos
  4. I know the glove look isn’t the best.. but I wouldn’t be able to ride through the freezing days without my wetsuit gloves.  So I’m wearing the gloves.
  5.  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, maybe add on some smaller tricks, so that you come into the next season ready to go.
  6. Keep active.  You cannot sit around doing nothing all winter and then expect to be able to shred your nuts off come April.  Keep those muscles active and work out in other ways, whether it be gym work, cycling, running, yoga… just keep moving.
  7. Take your mates.  Its much more fun riding with someone.
  8.  Invest in a flask and fill it to the brim with hot tea / coffee / hot choc… you’ll be grateful post ride.
  9. Leave time for a shower afterwards, or to sit in the hot tub– to warm up obvs.
  10. If theres no shower, take a sleeping bag and drive home wearing it.  Jokes.  Take thermals, sweats, mountain attire; anything to keep you warm until you get home.
  11. Have fun.  Be grateful you’re able to get out there and ride.  Good vibes only.

Hyperlite 2019 Scandal Wakeboard & Defacto Bindings

On By lex270In Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

2019 is right around the corner and then there are only three(ish) chillier months to power through until our little island starts to perk up around April time.  The lakes will still be a bit cold but with the days getting longer and warmer, people that haven’t braved (or fled) the winter riding, come out of the woodwork… and what will you be riding?

I got my new stick back in October at the Watersports World Dealer Days. (Actually  I took a few boards out for a spin, its always good to get the vibes of other rides). So I am on the 2019 Hyperlite Scandal with Defacto Bindings.  And it is a sick setup.

The board is from the same mould as the Wishbone, but the flex has been tailored to suit a womans riding.  The graphics are the best they’ve ever been! This is the third year for this board: the first year it was fresh and glossy, last year was a bit more punky, and cruising into 2019 it is super super chic.  Just look at it!  Business on top, party on the base.

It rides as smooth as butter over the park toys, gets great pop off kickers and holds a solid edge for air tricks, if you’re into that kinda thing.

All round great womens specific board that I am stoked to be riding for the third year in a row!  #iridehyperlite

Now onto the bindings… the Defactos.  Deeeee-fac-toooooooos.  Defacto000s. These are ridiculously comfortable, they have a walk-in liner (GREAT for winter!!) and are supportive but super flexible.  They have a duel lace system and strap to keep you snug.  They are from the mens binding line, but go down to a womens UK size 5.  A great binding all round.  AND, bonus, they look amazing on the Scandal.