Climate deal sealed by US U-turn

Delegates at the UN summit in Bali have agreed a deal on curbing climate change after days of bitter wrangling.

Agreement was reached after a U-turn from the US (about bloody time-Ed), which had wanted firmer commitments from developing countries.

Earlier, the EU and US agreed that industrialised countries would not set firm emissions targets at this stage.

The "Bali roadmap" initiates a two-year process of negotiations designed to agree a new set of emissions targets to replace those in the Kyoto Protocol.

"I think we have come a long way here," said Paula Dobriansky, head of the US delegation.

"In this, the United States is very committed to this effort and just wants to really ensure we all act together."

Assist Al Gore to get the World's governments to address Global Warming

In seven days 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore is going to address the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia. Surfersvillage, Earthwave and Northcore have signed his petition showing their support for the important call for a visionary treaty to address the climate crisis. We hope you will too.

The world's elected leaders must take the steps necessary to solve global warming. It's not too late. We have the opportunity now to improve the Earth's future for our children, and their children. If we don't act, we will only have ourselves to blame. Please spend one minute of your time to sign the petition today.

We encourage you to forward this page to everyone in your address book. The Climate Crisis is the greatest threat the planet has ever faced!

Record size waves forecast to hit west coast Ireland today

TOWSURFERS READY TO RIDE THE BIGGEST SWELLS PREDICTED IN YEARS.

Massive waves are set to batter the western shores of the British and Irish Isles this weekend, and a small group of dedicated surfers are ready to take up the challenge of riding the biggest swells forecasted in recent years. I f conditions are right riders will be tackling Aileens in Co Clare, where one of the home page images was taken by Al McKinnon on Northcore-europe.com

Swell forecasters are predicting the arrival of powerful swells peaking Saturday afternoon of 38 feet (12.5m) high. There is an 18- second wave interval between the crest of successive waves, a daunting measure of the power behind these swells, generated by a 960 mb low-pressure system out in the Atlantic west of Ireland.

Once the swell comes out of deep water off Mullagmore Head, Donegal Bay, onto a shallow reef shelf, the waves can double in size as the wave crest is forced upwards by the changing seafloor contours, making waves heights greater then 55ft faces likely for the surfers.

The four surfers who are looking forward to the oceanic equivalent of summiting Mount Everest are Duncan Scott (Newquay, UK), Alistair Mennie (Portrush, IE), Gabe Davies (Newcastle, UK) and Ritchie Fitzgerald (Bundoran, IE.)

New member joins Northcore

Introducing the newest member of the Northcore Boardriders team!

Mike Vincelli is the creator of the "Beachnuts Comic Strip" an insightful and sideways vision of the surfing world. His writing is clever and the quality of his artwork speaks for itself. We're pleased to say that Mike has kindly produced a Northcore character for us. The idea for this character was to represent a surfer who's stoked to be surfing head high waves in freezing water and we think he's captured it perfectly! You'll hopefully be seeing more of our character in the future.

To see more of Mike's work visit:

http://www.beachnutscomic.com/

Surfing on Biodiesel

Here at Northcore we try and do our bit for the environment....we're not all out mung bean eating, tree hugging, teepee dwellers but we do attempt to have a social conscience and every little helps. Along with our Climate Neutral policy (we're part of one of the UKs first Climate Neutral surf organisations) of planting 500 trees annually to offset our carbon footprint, we're now experimenting with biodiesel for our surf vehicle.
As surfers we tend to want to be green and environmentally conscious but the irony is we travel more than most especially in our cars so we're pretty heavy pollutors...but we can make things better. After doing a bit of research it turns out that its pretty simple to run a Diesel vehicle on biodiesel. (Quick disclaimer here, this is only opinion based on what we've tried and read, so dont take our word for it and sue if something goes wrong, like chucking veg oil in a petrol car!)
Theres 2 basic options: one is to install a conversion in the car to pre-heat the oil so the car can run on 100% veggie oil. Theres loads of conversions out there but can be costly. Secondly just add normal vegetable oil into the car to mix with the diesel! Sounds simple and it is. We ran the car out of fuel and added 30 litres of diesel and then 3 litres of veggie oil...run the car, let the whole lot mix and you're off with a 10% biodiesel fuel.
Next step was to go up to a 25% mix...the car is starting to smell a bit like a chip shop (cool) but other than that theres no other effects.

The details:
1. In the UK its now legal to run a car on veg oil. The allowance is 2500 litres annually without paying any tax!
2. You can run on a diesel veg oil of up to 50/50 mix but not recommended during colder weather. 30% mix and it should be OK
3. Only try this on older diesel cars 90's and older. Injectors on newer cars wont like it and you'll probably invalidate the car warranty
4. You will create less sulphur emissions and be much "greener". Its a sustainable energy source
5. The engine should run smoother
6. Its cheaper to run the car
7. Vegetable oil is best (rape seed oil) as its thinner
8. Veg oil can be bought direct from supermarkets but recycled oil from chippies and kebab shops can also used...but it has to be filtered and processed to make it clean/useable again - so take advice on this

If in doubt ask experts on what to do and do lots of research. But we've tried it and its working....happy driving and surfing!

Try this link for more detailed info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

Website fine tuning

You may have noticed that our website has had some fine tuning in the design to produce even cleaner lines to enhance the user experience. Theres also going to be some new content and some new products arriving soon....so watch this space!

Trade Mark secured

Northcore are pleased to announce that a Trade Mark for our Name and logo has been secured. The Northcore brand is moving from strength to strength building on a grass roots support of boardriders across the globe.

Competition Winners

The Northcore summer competition to win a load of Northcore accessories is now over. Thanks to all of those who entered and correctly answered b: Lowrider, which is the name of one our coolest surfboards. Congratulations to the winners who are as follows:

1st Place, winning one of each of Northcores accessories is Sarita Jarrett (right) of Devizes, Wilts
2nd Place, winning a Northcore waterproof car seat cover is James Sargison of Penryn Cornwall
3rd Place, winning all a Northcore t-shirt is Christina Gard of Exeter.

Well done guys and for everyone else keep an eye for more top comps to come.

Grishka Roberts 2 x European Champion joins Northcore

We are really pleased to say that Grishka Roberts, 2 x European surf champ and British Masters Team member has joined up with us a Northcore to test boards and accessories. Grishka brings a vast amount of invaluable experience and knowledge. For more info visit his page at: http://www.northcore-europe.com/surf_grishka_roberts.htm

North Devon board testing

We spent some time in Croyde, North Devon recently testing our latest longboard shape, a 9'2", tri-fin with a single concave in the nose. The board rode beautifully, but especially scored highly in a 2ft glassy swell where it picked up waves easily, had loads of glide and speed which carried it through any flat spots in the wave. Look out for it in surf shops soon!

Northcore sponsored Film premiered

Northcore sponsored, Devil County Films, "Surf Guide to Brighton" DVD, got its first public showing last night in a club in Louth, showing to the Lincs surf club. It was well received with members mentioning the varied content and cool soundtrack. Grab a copy while you can!

Great White Shark seen off St Ives?

You might want to stick to the swimming pool: a tourist has filmed what experts said could well be a Great White shark 200 yards (182 metres) from a beach off England's south-west coast.

In a front page story Saturday headlined "Great White Shark Off UK", holidaymaker Nick Fletcher told The Sun tabloid how he saw "the 12 foot maneater" while he was videoing dolphins near the town of St Ives in Cornwall.

After seeing the footage of it following the dolphins and crashing out of the water, Richard Peirce, chairman of the Shark Trust, said: "It clearly has a white belly like a Great White.

"And something about the way it breaches -- twisting as it leaps out of the water -- also suggests it is. I'm very excited at the prospect."

Oliver Crimmen, fish curator at London's Natural History Museum, added: "It's definitely predatory and definitely big. I can't rule out a Great White."

Although harmless giant Basking Sharks have been spotted off Britain's coast, Great White sharks -- which can reach up to 20 feet long and weigh 5,000 pounds (2,250 kilogrammes) -- are not native to the country's cool waters.

But marine experts have said the world's largest predatory fish could be seen more often off Britain because of global warming and a rise in sea temperatures.

Northcore sponsor new UK surf film

UK Surf Guide Series release first installment

Indie surf film makers Devil County films are well into a long term quest to document modern surfing and its associated lifestyle in the UK.

Entitled the UK Surf Guide Series, the DVDs will be a sequence of films based on the premise of bringing surfing information to the viewer from the primary surfing locations in the UK. The series will reach out beyond the standard format of current surf films, by including not only incredible surfing footage, music from local, national and international bands but also interviews with UK and global surf personalities, a complete guide to everything a UK surfer will ever need to know from board shaping, equipment, weather and wave forecasting, learning to surf, all wrapped up with detailed information on where to surf, sleep, eat and drink within each specific films location.

The first release from the UK Surf Guide Series is available from 20/07/07, is sponsored by Northcore, set in Brighton and includes 72mins of footage packed with everything needed to get under the skin of the local surf scene. Music includes the bands “The Soundtrack of Our Lives” and “The Brian Jones Town Massacre” and is a must own DVD for anyone surfing or thinking of surfing in and around Brighton.

The UK Surf Guide Series showreel can be viewed on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ3XiAoOdNU

To Purchase Surf Guide to Brighton online visit:

http://www.extremehorizon.com/acatalog/surf_dvd_s.html

Latest product photo shoot

In between, the rain and cloud cover there was the occasional burst of sunshine to allow us to snap the latest product shots of the Double and Single overhead soft roof racks. We used a funky new Mitsubishi L200 for the job which was fun driving on the beach. Luckily there was no swell that day to distract us from getting the shots!

Our surfboards feature in TV broadcast

Northcore surfboards were featured in a recent TV broadcast on Sky, produced by Channel 7 based in NE Lincs. The article was presented as part of a regular series highlighting life in Lincolnshire, which discussed the east coast surf scene, the local surf club and featured our boards.

Italian Longboard competition

Northcore sponsor the Singlefin Italy classic longboard festival donating prizes to this prestigious med based comp. Prizes include the Northcore Bolt, which is an hand adjustable longboard fin bolt which negates the need for a screwdriver when fitting, adjusting or removing a longboard fin.
We wish the event organisers all the very best for a fantastic competition, with offshore winds and glassy walls!

Northcore sponsor British Junior surf team at World Juniors

The ISA kindly asked us at Northcore if we'd like to be involved with sponsoring the the British Junior surf team at this months World Junior surf surfing games in Costa Da Caparica on Portugals west coast this May. Of course we said yes as its a great opportunity to support, albeit in a small way, young British atheletes, who one day may be up there on the WCT representing Britain.

For more info on this great event visit http://www.isasurf.org/

Easter Glide surf comp video is now loaded

Check out the video from the Lincs surf club easter glide comp at :

http://www.northcore-europe.com/surf_video.htm

Northcore sponsored Lincs surf club event scores perfect conditions

Sunday 08th April Lincolnshire surf club rans its first event and club comp with prizes sponsored by Northcore Europe. Conditions were near perfect with a long period glassy 3ft north groundswell and warm sunshine. 12 riders in all competed in 4 separate heats finished with a four man final. It was a great start to summer!

Northcore sponsor Lincolnshire surf club East Coast Drift comp

This Sunday sees Lincolnshire surf clubs first get together and competition the Easter East Coast Drift comp 2007. The forecast is for a long period 2 ft North groundswell, with light offshores and warm sunshine, so hopefully ideal conditions. Northcore are proud to be sponsoring the event providing a range of prizes and giveaways for the competitors

UK East coast surf comp

Northcore are pleased to be sponsoring the Lincs surf club East coast Easter Drift Surf comp. The competition is thought to be the first of its kind on Lincolnshire beaches based on an informal gathering of like minded locals keen to meet, surf and socialise. The competition itself is going to be an open session with all comers welcomed, with prizes donated by Northcore. Lets hope that the North Sea blesses us with some swell

Jack English surf photographer

We've recently added some v.cool pics to Northcore-Europe.com supplied by Jack English a SoCal based photographer. He produces some amazing work which can be found at www.SURFIMAGES.com
www.SURFINGPRINTS.com
Check em out

Al Mackinnon XXL Biggest wave-vote here

Its that time again when the voting is on for the Billabong XXL search for the biggest wave ridden in 2006. Al Mackinnon, whos images appear here on Northcore-europe.com, is in the running with this truely monster wave taken at Dungeons in SA.

To vote for this pic check out:

http://xxl.billabong.com/

New product brochure

Its been a little hectic in the Northcore office recently preparing for a Northern hemisphere summer (at last!) and putting together the latest product shots, design work and brochure ready for spring.

Pro-pockets press pics

This is one of the press shots taken of the pro-pockets action sports belt, before we all went for a surf. The extra warmth came in handy as its still cold out there despite the sunshine. Its not easy to see from this shot but there was a solid 4ft+ swell running with a cheeky barrelling shorebreak to make it even more fun!

Photo shoot

Theres a decent swell running today and the suns shining so a couple of the crew are making the most of it with an afternoon surf on the push and taking the opportunity to do a product photo shoot and try out a couple of new board shapes at the same time.

Brand new actions sports innovation- "Pro-Pockets"

Northcore are proud to be launching a brand new innovation into the action sports market. Pro-pockets is a multi-function sports belt for water and action sports enthusiasts, that can be used for both storage and as a mini heat generator that can be worn under a wetsuit for those cold water sessions.

-Multi-function action sports belt.
-Super comfortable adjustable neoprene design.
-Add reusable chemical heatpacks for under wetsuit or drysuit warmth. These assist with keeping core body tempertures higher for longer in cold conditions.
-Wear over wetsuit or clothing to use pockets.
-Perfect for storing smaller items you need close by like, surf wax, keys (in waterproof pouch), small waterproof cameras etc
-3 Pockets plus center clip for securing stored items

Surfers village press release

http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/26409/news.htm

Distribution

Working with Extremehorizon distribution in the UK, this week we're expanding our facilities to ensure fast efficient trade order turnarounds and deliveries....which will hopefully free up some surfing time!

Northcore Europe Launch new website

To keep up with the underground following and continuing growth of the Northcore Europe boardriding brand, we've launched this all new website to provide a focal point for the trade and surfers alike. The site includes info on all of the Northcore products supported by some stunning imagery from some of the UKs top photographers. Theres also a community page with regular updates via the blog and video uploads and loads more. Enjoy