Down on the west coast…

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Last week I packed up the husband, the kids, the car and headed west.  We went down to North Devon to surf, but thats another story… I’ll blog about next week. This blogs about a little day trip I took south of where we were staying.

Whenever I have a family vacay booked, I always hit up google for some local wake advice to see if its worth packing my board in the back seat with the kids.  Turns out it was worth it this time.  Down on the west coast, there is a lovely cable setup called North Devon Wake Park.  Its situated in a tourist attraction called The Milky Way, so I thought it was going to be like turning up to FestWake…(in a huge complex with a cinema, coffee shops etc)  How wrong was I.  Its more like turning up to Hannams (quietly situated in the middle of many many farmers fields).  You take the turning into The Milky Way park but follow the arrows and useful hand crafted signage (I particularly liked the ‘you can drive down here’ sign), down through a large field filled with sheep and lots of lambs which was lovely in itself (yes, you can tell I’ve got kids can’t you because I’m showing appreciation to the lambs). You then come into the cable from slightly higher ground so you can get a great view of the park.  Its a beautiful setting.

There are two cables there (System 2’s), one has smaller features and the other has larger features, so theres something to suits your needs however beginner, intermediate or advanced you are.

I played on the cable with the smaller features… just kidding, the other one. Its a great cable with all unit toys – a box / wall ride, a-frame and a couple of kickers. The locals have also fashioned a homemade pipe which is pretty cool as well.  I had a bloody freezing (I actually had to bust out the gloves, it had snowed that morning!) but really fun ride down there.

The people are super friendly and extremely welcoming and accommodating. Their pro shop is filled with goodies and already has loads of character which is quite rare for fairly a new cable.  You’d think the shop had been there for ten years with its worn in comfy leather sofas, signed posters and stickers on the walls/ceiling, and a great selection of kit and clothing.  And for when the weather is that little or a lot bit warmer, theres ample amount of decking and picnic benches to sit and enjoy the post ride stoke.  Definitely worth hitting up if you’re in the area or looking for a wake road trip. 

Details: 

Email: info@northdevonwakepark.co.uk

Phone: 07956 009047

Website: http://www.northdevonwakepark.co.uk

Facebook: North Devon Wake Park

Twitter: @DevonWakePark

Instagram: @nd_wakepark

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shred ready

I am so excited about this summer season.  I know everyone is but I’m REEEEALLY excited about it.  I was out pretty much the whole of last year due to my second pregnancy, recovery and learning about life with two kids. Don’t let anyone fool you – its hard, really hard.  Its the tiredness that kills you – you don’t sleep for the first nine months – you’re winning at life if you manage to leave the house with your eyebrows on.

I rode a bit here and there last year, grabbed moments when I could, but I couldn’t really get stuck in.  I couldn’t push my riding because it takes time to recover from child birth, and it seems to take much MUCH longer the second time, which I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting.  This is because you don’t have as much time – a little toddler is bouncing around with tonnes of energy, you’re tired because every night at least one of the kids decides to be a dick and wake up once or twice, house jobs are never ending, nap times are for work rather than napping yourself, and working out in the evening?? Whatever, thats for wine – to celebrate keeping everyone alive for another day.

I’ve been working with a trainer all winter alongside riding when I can just to get my riding fitness back up.  We’ve upped the game on the PT side of things now that my body can take a bit more of a beating and I’m getting stronger all the time.  My current goal is to get back to my pre second baby level of fitness which is still going to take a huge amount of effort but it’ll be worth it, once its done its done as there are definitely no more babies!

Next week my allocated weekly riding time starts and I literally cannot wait!! So this summer can bring it, I’m shred ready!  Eeeeeeeeeks!! 

 

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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