The Saltrock Surfwear Summer Sale

Just a quick plug that our Saltrock Surfwear Summer Sale is now on, both in our stores and online.

And just to show that we appreciate anyone who takes the time to read our meandering ramblings on this Blog we've created a special discount code that you can use on our online store to get an extra 10% off anything - even stuff that's already heavily discounted. Just enter '09SUM10' when prompted - or feel free to just browse and have a look at some of the new lines we've added.

Devon ice-creams and a peace and tranquility.

For fantastic low tide rockpooling, cool Devon ice-creams and a peace and tranquility that seems a hundred miles away from the pace of modern life, pack a Saltrock rucksack and head up the Bristol Channel to Lee Bay. Pull on your board shorts and trawl the rockpools at low tide for anemones, barnacles, crabs, starfish and prawns. Gather enough prawns for a lunchtime bar-b-que and spread out one of our soft large beach towels on a smooth sun warmed rock. Check out Devon wildlife trust’s page on what to find in a Devon rockpool Have a wildlife trail to see who can spot the most. Don’t forget to return anything in your bucket at the end of the hunt back to the place you found it.

Wander through the Lee village and imagine the eighteenth century smugglers scurrying down through the wood to pick up an illicit cargo of rum! Grab a fantastic value snorkel and flippers from any of our beach shops and take a swim around the rocks at low tide.

Take a drive down to Ilfracombe and do a spot of crabbing over the railings in the harbour or watch the boats come in at high tide. Time for a special day out? Book a boat trip on The Oldenburg to the Beautiful island of Lundy or up the coast to look for some seals and dolphins – don’t forget your Saltrock hoody as it can get nippy on the water! Walk around the town and spot the Victorian architecture or stop off in The Chocolate Emporium for some really naughty indulgence.



Our Kids love The Tunnels Beach whatever the weather. Take a restorative swim in the old Victorian swimming pool carved out of the rocks – so warm you don’t even need your wetsuit! Watch the kids explore the pools in safety - The Beaches have been rated the 3rd best beach for
rock pooling in the UK by BBC Wildlife Magazine. On a rainy day visit the café and play area – their curly fries are the best in the area!

If you worked up an appetite marching up and down the cliffs then there’s an abundance of Restaurants on offer. Have lunch in Damian Hurst’s Harbourside restaurant 11 The Quay or finish off a perfect day with a relaxing evening. Take a leisurely wander past the harbor and up Fore Street to stop off for a leisurely meal Spanish style at The Terrace Tapas and Wine Bar. Perfect!

Getting away from it all...

With the tourist upon us and Sunny days a plenty, we down at The Saltrock HQ know a local spot or two around the North Devon coast where there is always a little bit of peace and quiet away from the crowds.

CROW POINT
When the traffic is backed up, the car parks are full and there’s not a space to be had between one families oversized windbreak and the next one’s game of Frisbee there’s a place that we know we can get some space and piece and quiet.

Braunton Burrows is a unique experience and the first designated Unesco biosphere reserve. Even better think about the environment and park the car in Braunton’s village car park pop on a pair of board shorts and cycle down the Tarka Trail – not forgetting to stop off at Saltrock’s Factory Shop at Velator for a few bargain priced t-shirts to update your holiday wardrobe.

Follow the lane down past Velator quay and along the toll road crossing Braunton Marsh alongside the dykes and ditches filled with wildlife. Look out for rare sighting of a Little Owl or spot an Egret. Stop to feed the Swans and watch the Moorhens and Coots paddle alongside you and great Devon Ruby Red graze soulfully in the marshy fields.

Once you get to Crow point make it round the lighthouse and set off across the beach towards Airy Point. Make sure you pack your rucksack with a bottle of ginger beer and a sandwich or two, but don’t forget to take your rubbish home with you.

Spot Instow and the white sails of the sailing club in the distance and Westward Ho! around the corner. On a sunny day – with the crowds of Saunton in the distance you really could be anywhere in the world.

(www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/biospher_reserves/braunton)

Saltrock Open 2009 Video

Have a look at this great video footage of the 2009 Saltrock Open at Croyde Bay, North Devon.

Glen Hall wins The Saltrock Open 2009 Stop No 1 of 9 on 2009 UK PST 24th – 25th May, 2009 Croyde Beach, North Devon

The benchmark has been set for the UK Pro Surf tour – and what a benchmark! A Phenomenal standard of surfing prevailed across the weekend. Fantastic weather, consistent, clean swell and a great turnout to watch what proved to be the best start to the tour yet.

Saturday stood out as possibly the best conditions for The Saltrock Open to date and an exciting surprise for those on celebrity watch as British comedian Justin Lee-Collins turned up to compete in his first ever surf contest. After a 15 minute heat with Russel Winter, and local talent’s Scott Rannochan and Lynden Wake Justin said ‘This is just so great and has been very fortuitous as I was meant to be competing in Newquay in the English Nationals but due to a perforated ear after a sky diving experience it was postphoned to The Saltrock Open. You guys have been great and it’s been fantastic to be able to take part’. Only a month after taking up surfing Justin Lee Collins gave a very credible performance in Croyde’s challenging conditions, managing to score two waves during his heat.

The main competition started on Sunday having been delayed from Saturday to wait for the building swell. Accompanied by great weather and large crowds the best of the future British talent was on display for day one of the The Saltrock Open and they didn’t disappoint. Starting the day with a small but clean 1-2ft the waves built to a solid 3-4ft by the afternoon. Spectacular surfing from Lewis Clinton of Newquay helped him clinch the pro junior final. 2^nd was Luis Eyre followed closely by Jaycee Robinson and Toby Donachie.

In the under 16 boys Leon Mansfield captured a very close final despite slipping on the way down to the beach and having to use his reserve board. Local surfer Beau Bromham came a close second followed by Tom Good and Nathan Elms.

In the under 16 girls, Gabby Rowe was not to be outdone and defeated the rest of the field to clinch 1^st place ahead of Tess Swallow, Lucy Campbell and Laura Crane.

The closest final held was the under 12 open where Alex Gibson showed how far he’s come in the last 12 months to defeat an ‘on form’ Alex Scotney in an unprecedented display of outstanding emerging talent. With Harry De Roth in 3^rd and Will Bailey in 4^th giving very credible performances.

Sunday saw the majority of the battle for the Men’s Open take place in slightly smaller but cleaner waves. A global list of competitors made for some interesting and challenging heats. Battling for first place in the final was Russell Winter (Newquay), Glen Hall (Ireland/ Australia), Matt Capel (Newquay) and Alan Stokes (Newquay).

Against some tough competition Glen Hall stormed the final with some aggressive surfing despite Matt Capel giving him some serious competition. Russel Winter came back in the later stages with some serious moves but failed to connect them and took second place in a gripping battle full of drama and technical brilliance.

Reuben Ash won the £250 prize provided by Relentless Energy drink for the biggest ariel by pulling off two amazing moves in one heat. Prize for highest scoring wave was won by Sarah Beardmore in the women’s and by Lous in the juniors on Saturday.

A strong women’s field also took to the water on Sunday, with Sarah Beardmore (Littlehampton), Gwen Spurlock(Swansea), Jo Dennison (Pembroke), Tass Swallow). World qualifying Sarah Beardmore competing in her first UKPro surf tour event dominated the final and took first place with a stunning performance. Sarah clearly thrilled with the event said ‘Fantastic competition, many thanks to the sponsors and organizers for a great weekend.’

Presenting some epic glass trophies donated by Dartington Crystal a beaming Ross Thomson form Saltrock said ‘We were delighted with the weekend and with the conditions on Saturday in particular. We couldn’t have wished for better conditions and the standard of surfing was inspiring. Holding the event later in the season was definitely the right move and it was great to see so many people on the beach enjoying the surfing.’

Many Thanks go to all the sponsors and everyone who participated in the contest, surfers and organisers alike. All in all The Saltrock Open 2009 was an incredible start to the tour and set the standard for an exciting tour to come.

For further information please contact Dave Reed on 01637 854854 or dave@uksurftour.com, also visit the website www.bpsauktour.com

Or Evo Management: martin@evomanagement.co.uk

Justin Lee Collins enters The Saltrock Open

Massive surprise in tour for contestants and spectators as a Bristolian Bearded Comic Justin Lee Collins entered the Saltrock Open surf competition on Sunday 27th May 2009. Justin went head to head with some of Europe’s top surfers to challenge them for the trophy!

Justin impressed the judges with his style, but unfortunately didn't manage to progress through his heat.

The 2009 UKPSA Saltrock Open, Croyde.