Improving surfer from Southampton seeks surfing buddy(s)

[feedmybongos]

Hi everyone. Until this summer, I've basically been surfing one week a year for the last ten years, hiring Swell boards, making my knees bleed in a clapped out shorty wetsuit, and generally making a hash of things.

I've finally pulled my finger out, got me a board, decent wetsuit, and the enthusiasm to really make surfing a part of my life. I'm interested in meeting up with anyone from/around/vaguely near Southampton who fancies sharing fuel costs (and maybe a little advice) for surf trips around the South.

Let me know if you're keen.

Cheers,

Will

[libby]

Moving down to Soton in September, hopefully will have passed my driving test by then (and no im not 17) so up for lift sharing as long as you promise not to cut me up and hide my body in a suitcase

A few others in the area use this forum, watch out for kitesurfer he's VERY short and very angry as a result

[Kabazz]

Maybeee... if you promise not to drive to the new forest and rape me?

[essex sucks]

not on the lift share side as i am just a tab futher away but your welcome to join me or us when someone esle comes for a surf on the south

[feedmybongos]

I'm not quite sure what it was about my post that said 'mentally unhinged hatchet-happy cradlesnatcher', but I promise not to drive to the new forest and I'll be sure to leave my suitcase at home...

I know a very short very angry kitesurfer from uni - maybe it's in the genes

Essex, that's very kind of you - give me a shout when you're going

[essex sucks]

will do its always last min lol thats the south coast for u

[kitesurfer]

so up for lift sharing as long as you promise to cut me up and hide my body in a suitcase

If only.....

KS

[libby]

[Milo]

I can, but as Essex said it is on the spur of the moment. Weather and work permitting. If you pm your number i will call when i`m going down and if you want a lift that would be fine. I usually spend 2 - 3 hours in as long as there's waves. .
P.S As long as you don`t mind sitting in a smelly van. How long is your board as i don`t have a rack.

[feedmybongos]

That'd be great. 3 hours is about my max anyway - need to build up my paddling a little bit... I spend a lot of my time sitting in really stinky vans at work (fresh from horse trials) so I'm sure yours will smell like roses by comparison... My board's 8'6" but if it's too big (and you don't mind) I've got a decent soft rack if needs be. I'll PM you my number

[Milo]

I have one of these, your board may fit at a tight squeeze.

Not sure if a soft rack will fit but we can try

[feedmybongos]

If you don't mind giving it a shot that'd be grand. Please tell me your number plate is actually CHAMP...

[Milo]

Na Kook I will pm you when i`m next going down, most probably next weekend weather permitting.

[ignacio67]

Hi I'm a southern Spanish surfer and I might have to go to Southampton form february 08 to july 08. I've been surfing for a few years so I'm quite sure that we could surf together and share costs and knowledge. I'm actually terrified about the water temp and the quality of the surf around. Do you think a 4/3 would be enough for those months or I'll freeze to death, Walt Dysney style? Are there any nice breaks aorund? I've also heard that there is an artificial surfing reef near by (Poole I reckon) Have you surfed it? How long wouldit take to Cornwell? Is surf there a crowded sport like in Spain? And my last question I'd like to work while i'm there is it easy to find a simple job there?? Thanks and see you in the water.

Hi everyone. Until this summer, I've basically been surfing one week a year for the last ten years, hiring Swell boards, making my knees bleed in a clapped out shorty wetsuit, and generally making a hash of things.

I've finally pulled my finger out, got me a board, decent wetsuit, and the enthusiasm to really make surfing a part of my life. I'm interested in meeting up with anyone from/around/vaguely near Southampton who fancies sharing fuel costs (and maybe a little advice) for surf trips around the South.

Let me know if you're keen.

Cheers,

Will

[feedmybongos]

Hi,

Good to hear your up for sharing some trips. Compared to southern Spain, the water's going to be pretty damn cold, no two ways about it. My knowledge of these things isn't great (I'm sure there are other people on here who will give you a better idea) but for Feb to July you're probably going to be looking at the lower end of 7-15 degrees celsius/centigrade.

I've been more of a summer surfer until now (only ever had a 2/3 shortie) but I suspect for Feb you'll want everything you've got. Hat, gloves, boots, the lot.

As for the artificial surfing reef (at Bournemouth, not too far from Poole) it's supposed to be finishing sometime this month, but I guess it's pretty dependent on the weather conditions. Cornwall/North Devon are 3.5-5 hours away, depending on where you want to go. You can get to Croydein 3 and a half if the traffic's good.

Plenty of jobs in Southampton, loads of bars, office temp work, the local city council do a pretty good temp bank. Some stuff at the university too. What kind of work are you looking for?

[ignacio67]

Thanks for all the answers. I'm a bit worried about cold water, I'm not used to surf below 13 celsius and that for me is VERY COLD! my muscles don't seem to be as quick as in warmer water. The thing is that if I go there, I WANT TO SURF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I haven't been surfing for very long (only 6 years, which means I started pretty old) but I'm really keen and I ussually score around 100 surfing days per year. So I'm very interested in meeting people wanting to surf in the area.

About jobs; I don't mind, I'll take on anything that pays (well if possible) and allows me to surf. I'm actually going there because my wife got in the Erasmus program for Podiatry at Southampton Uni from Feb to Jul 08. And so far we are starting to gather information. We would also need to rent a room near campus for those months. Do you have any idea of prices???

Cheers

[feedmybongos]

The cold water will probably be a bit of a shock whatever happens, but you'll get used to it and it'll start getting warmer before too long. Hopefully!

I've been surfing for about 10 years but I only manage 10 or 20 days a year so you'll probably be able to teach me a thing or two if we do sort out a trip together. The university has a surf club, but I can't seem to find a website for it. If you're on Facebook you can join the group here (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group ... 814&ref=mf) or search SUSURF, and ask to be put on the emailing list.

Job-wise, I guess you'll just have to take a look around when you get here. I met someone last night who works for the city council, just doing admin stuff, but I don't know whether you might have problems with work permits.

I've been at Southampton Uni for five years (just starting a PhD) and I've had good experiences with the university's accommodation office (http://www.soton.ac.uk/accommodation/pr ... index.html). There's also a couple of discussion boards on the Student's Union website about housing (http://forum.susu.org/index.php?sub=list_threads&fid=3) and landlords (http://forum.susu.org/index.php?sub=list_threads&fid=2).

Prices vary quite a bit, usually anywhere between £240-350 per month. I've recently bought a house and am renting out rooms for £340 - expensive, but it's right next door to campus and it's just been completely refurbished. Unfortunately I've already got tenants until next September otherwise I'd offer you guys a room!

I'd be very happy to show you guys round or come and look at places with you when you arrive if you get stuck.

W

[libby]

Hey feedmybongos

Thats a bit bizarre, i too am at the start of a PhD at soton!

Im heading west this weekend guys and although i have 1 space left in the car i dont think there is enough room now for another board- sorry!

Libs

[Ged]

Hey dudes

Im a postdoc at soton Uni in the dept of chemistry. If anyone is up for it and if there are waves Ill go look at Boscombe this weekend. It was nice last Sunday. Maybee a trip to North Devon or Cornwall soon before it gets really cold. I always like some company.

[feedmybongos]

Hey Libby, that's pretty weird! What are you studying? I did my undergrad here in the music department and after a year of working in London I realised that I missed music, being anywhere near the sea, and the ribs they do at the Crown...

Ged - I'm definitely up for this weekend if the waves are there. Do you drive? I usually take my Peugeot 206 with a wrap rack (I've got an 8'6") but it's got a punctured front left tyre at the mo. ND or Cornwall would be ace, I usually go to Polzeath in the summer, and Croyde's lovely. Although, on the two occasions I've been out in the water it's been totally flat..