Exploring the Orkney Islands

Big waves, unsurfed/undiscovered locations, huge swell windows, vast ocean fetch, endless variety of set ups, constant waves....its like a mini-Hawaii, so who wouldn't want to go to the Orkney Islands?!

For those who dont know, the Orkneys are a group of islands situated north of Scotland and the fabled reefs at Thurso. They lay on the same latitudes as Northern Canada and Greenland but although the islands do get bitterly cold in winter, the gulf stream tempers the climate and the ocean enough to mean that icebergs and polar bears arent local hazards!

We were lucky enough to visit one of the outer islands recently, partly to visit friends and partly to check it out for a possible future Northcore team trip and after days of looking at maps and swell charts I was dreaming of the seemingly limitless surf possibilities.

The main drawback other than the aforementioned cold, is the length of the journey there, for us it meant a 450 mile road trip, a flight, a cross island drive, a ferry and a long walk, which meant that we could have flown to the other side of the world in a similar amount of time. The journey is worth it though as the huge skys, vast seas and remoteness of the Orkneys is stunning.

The drive around the whole island we were staying on is only about 45mins and a few potential surf spots can be seen from the road but most are well hidden and all involve long walks across steep fields, stone walls, dead sheep and streams. Winter swells regularly reach 20ft+ (it was only a 12-14ft swell when we were there) and all of the spots we saw were rock reef set ups, some only accessible by boat or PWC. This place is hardcore!

I'm not going to give away anymore for now but watch this space for a possible trip in 2009.....

Northcore Team riders in Euro Junior surf championships, Morocco

We'd just like to wish team riders, Kathleen Spears and Lewis Clinton all the very best as they compete as part of the English Junior Surf Team in the European Surfing Championships, this weekend. The Championships are being held near Agadir in Morocco between November 28th and December 6th.

Watch this space for more updates....

New Distributor for Benelux

Northcore Europe are pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with Peak Distribution based in Holland. Headed by Jordi De Koning, Peak Distribution are now working with the full range of Northcore products supplying retailers in the surf markets of Holland and Belgium.

In the last few years surfing has really taken off in the Northsea nations of Holland and Belgium and the values of the Northcore brand and the quality of products have been readily embraced by the ever growing band of local surfers.

Jordi DE Koning said of the partnership "Peak Distribution is stoked on this new cooperation and will help spreading Northcore’s top end products in the cold water area’s of Holland and Belgium."

For more information on stocking Northcore's products in Holland and Belgium contact:

peakdistribution@gmail.com

Northcore Rider Kathleen Spears wins 2008 BPSA Welsh Open

Congratulations to Kath Spears for picking up first place in the womens division of the 2008 BPSA Welsh open. Weather and waves all came together for the event which also saw Kath collect a prize cheque for the highest scoring wave of the womens comp at huge 9.07!

*Image Vici Walker/UKPSA

British longboard club championships are a great succes

The British longboard club championships held at Scarborough's South bay last weekend were a great success. The Scarborough Malibu club always host well organised, friendly and professional events and this one was no exception. The comp was held in conditions which ranged from classic 4-6ft offshore in the morning to 1ft crosshore waves in the afternoon. The event was well attended with the North Devon Based "Hotdoggers" club securing first place, followed by Scarborough in second and the Royal navy surf association taking third place.

Image Copyright Northcore: Ryan Hammond, North Yorks local and Northcore sponsored rider

Kathleen Spears secures third place in British Pro Juniors

Congrtaulations to Kathleen Spears who successfully secured third place in last weekends British Pro-Juniors held at Fistral beach, Newquay. Its also the XPY surf comp this weekend 27th/28th Sept, at Fistral so good luck to Kathleen Spears and Lewis Clinton in that event.

British Juniors 2008- Fistral Beach Newquay

This weekend 20th/21st Sept see's an important event for young UK surfers as the British Juniors kick off at Newquay's Fistral beach. Two of our team riders, Lewis Clinton and Kath Spears will both be competing and we wish them both the very best of luck.

Press release

Britain’s top junior surfers will gather to battle it out for the prestigious Billabong British Junior champion titles in the Under 12’s, Under 14’s, Under 16’s, Under 18’s, Girls Under 14’s, and Girls Under 18’s. Over £2000 worth of prize money is also up for grabs thanks to Billabong.

It’s a busy time for the top rated juniors as The British Surfing Association (BSA), has also started its intensive, bespoke winter training programme.

The BSA is also grateful to the RAF Waveriders Association and to the Station Commander at RAF St Mawgan for the use of their facilities where a full activity programme has been implemented for the squad training. The Junior team members have certainly been being put through their paces with early morning runs at 7am, low ropes team building exercises, circuit sessions, bleep tests as well as surfing drill sessions and heat drill sessions.

A follow-up weekend at Fistral has also been run with intensive heat drills run under contest format, enabling the squad members to sharpen their own contest tactics and for the squad coaches to assess squad members fitness commitment and consistency of their performances.

The training weeks and Billabong Junior Championships will form a strong basis for the selection process for the World Championships in Ecuador in March 2009 which will occur after this weekend’s contest so there is everything to play for.

Karen Walton, National Director, BSA said, “The Billabong British Juniors is always such a great event and the enthusiasm at last year’s event was just phenomenal. This is an important competition because the results will have a heavy bearing on the selection process for the World Junior Surfing Games next year so we look forward to the weekend and seeing everyone compete at their best, in the highly charged conditions.”

Lewis Clinton Returns from a summer in Europe

Lewis Clinton knows what it takes to make it on the world stage of pro-surfing and the commitment to his goal is ever present. Lewis has recently returned to Cornwall after a summer in Europe, free-surfing and competing in the Pro-Juniors. In his own words:

"I have just returned from a epic summer of waves and sun in France, Spain and Portugal. In May i didn't think i would make it down to Europe this summer but with a little help from my parents i managed to get it together. Now when i think back to the time i had there i am so glad they did. I think for all the experience, great waves and sunshine i had this summer it was probably the best decision i've ever made. I entered all of the pro jr events whilst i was there, not doing too badly but still occasionally getting my ass kicked. My best result was in Portugal, Ericera to be precise where i got to the round of 32 ( one before the money haha) which i was stoked about. I had a great time and can't wait to get back down there to surf the powerful hollow sucky beach breaks, reefs and point breaks europe has to offer."

Northcore Custom Fish surfboard features in Corduroy Lines magazine

The 6'0" Northcore retro quad fish is a beautiful custom surfboard. Finished in gloss primary colours it looks as good as it surfs, which is fast, loose and with style. Corduroy Lines the Devon based online surf mag have used an image of our fish to grace a full page of their current issue.

To check the mag out visit:
http://www.corduroylines.com

Oakley XPY Pro-Junior

Theres a great surf comp running this Sept at Fistral beach, organised by Newquay's Jack Clinton; surfer, entrepreneur and brother of Northcore team rider Lewis Clinton.

Press release

On the 27^th & 28^th Sept, Fistral Beach will be hosting the 5^th successful Oakley XPY Pro Junior Presented by Globe and this year is looking to be bigger and better than ever before!

The event is stop two on the UKPST Pro junior circuit, and with this event being another 2 star rated event, there is top points up for grabs along with a £500 prize purse for finalists! The Pro junior category will stage all the top under 20 surfers from across the kingdom. Other categories included in this years event are under 16’s, under 16’s girls and under 12’s OPEN. All categories will be supplied with cash prizes for finalists along with tons of other goodies to go with it! With the event being blessed every year with waves, it has grown a reputation amongst the surfers as one of the best stops on the tour! Sponsors this year include Oakley headlining the event, along with presenting sponsor Globe shoes. Other sponsors this year include new sponsors on the scene, Northcore, Monster energy drinks, and carveboard skateboards. Also thanks to Eurobeach & Fistral Blu. For details on entering the event, contact the UKPST office on 01637854854 or www.bpsauktour.com . Check out the contest website at www.x-pressyourself.co.uk .

Our best wishes go out for another hugely successful event and we hope the finalists enjoy the few Northcore goodies in their winners bags.

British Longboard Union Surf Championships: Scarborough 2008

NEWS FLASH:

EVENT POSTPONED TO ALTERNATE DATES 04TH/05TH OCT DUE TO POOR SURF FORECAST THIS WEEKEND (20TH/21ST OCT)

The UK's North Sea is the spiritual home and testing grounds for Northcore, so we are always stoked to be able to support local events.

This year Scarborough Malibu Club is hosting the British Longboard Union Championships and we're pleased to be able to donate some prizes for the raffle to help raise funds for the event and for Surfers Against Sewage.

Phil Thacker: Club Chairman "The club championships were last held here in 2002, when Scarborough’s own club was newly-formed. The event was a brilliant success; our surfers came eighth and since then have steadily climbed up the rankings – they’re now second.

There’ll be eight clubs, with up to three teams of six each, in this year’s competition for the annual perpetual trophy. Teams come from Devon, Cornwall and Sussex with members drawn from Jersey and The Isle of Wight. The Royal Marines will also send a team. Surfers take part in 20-minute heats against each other, with winners scoring for their teams on style and moves.

Holding the championships here is a great coup for Scarborough. The east coast is well known, but not so well used. As Phil says, ‘The surfers who come up north for practice are the hardcore international types who like to surf the various point and slab breaks around our area, which are well known among the experienced surfers.’ But this event will give the area more exposure in the surfing world, and a lot of that will be down to the Malibu club and its nurturing of surfing talent: ‘We as a surf club are doing well because of the youngsters that have grown up with us hitting the water every time there is a surfable wave.’

DATE: Sat 20th/Sun 21st Sept
VENUE: South Bay, Scarb, Nth Yorks

Pic: Joss Wescombe, Northcore team rider and Scarboro local

Kathleen Spears makes cover of West Country Life

Kathleen Spears received recognition recently for her surfing achievements by scoring the cover of West Country Life Magazine. Nice one Kath

Newquay film trip

Over the past few days we've left the North Sea coast HQ to visit Newquay to meet up with Grishka Roberts, Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears to film a short Northcore promo video. The weather wasn't exactly ideal, the waves were marginal but these surfers and their passion for our sport more than compensated for conditions. All of these guys are amazing surfers and stand out as role models for British surfing. To hear and see what Grishka, Lewis and Kath had to say, watch this space for our new video.

Lewis Clinton's latest training trip

After recently winning the English U18's title and being the highest finisher in the British team at the World Junior Surfing Games in France, Northcore team rider, Lewis Clinton, decided to head back down to SW France on a training trip to score a few more Atlantic waves. The following is an taster of his trip in his own words:

"Yesterday I got back from another sick trip down to Hossegors incredible French beach breaks. The first couple of days things were abit slow on the swell front but there was still some fun waves to be had if you were prepared to search for them.

By the end of the week the surf had picked up along with the weather and we were getting some great waves and sunburn, we stayed just outside of Capbreton in a place called Lebenn'e. Even though i have been down to this part of France countless times i had never stayed here before so it was exciting.

After just over a week in Hossegor we decided to move down to Canterbria in northern Spain, when we arrived at the camp site near Santander (this is where we were catching the ferry back to Plymouth in a couple of days time) it was sat right on the beach but there was one problem, no waves.

After a couple of days there were still no waves until my friend decided to walk over the headland to look at a little cove round the corner, when he got there he was shocked to find a perfect 3 foot hollow wedge. I think GUTTED has to be the word i'm going to use when i thought of the hours i sat bored out of my skull thinking there were no waves. It was seriously localised and when we paddled out lets say we didn't get a warm welcoming but they soon got used to us being there."

2008 Surfboard range is now in stock

The 2008 Northcore custom surfboard range has hit the shelves with some new shapes and designs. The boards included are a 6'0" retro quad fish, a must for any quiver, a 6'4" modern fish, a great allrounder, a 6'4" "Lowrider"(super versatile), mini-mals for small waves, beginners and loads of fun and finally the 9'2" longboards which will catch even the smallest summer wave and glide forever. For more info click here:

Introducing Aaron Pierce-Surf Photographer

We were recently introduced to Aaron Pierce, a Kiwi in self imposed exile, living on Ireland's West Coast, whilst looking for some images of Aileens. Aaron has been producing some amazing pictures from the area, some of which we're stoked to feature on the Northcore Website.

“I get a huge kick out of photography, especially when the surf is big. I have a huge passion for Aileens in Ireland." says Aaron

As for his future plans, “I plan to take a few of the boys out to a couple of big wave spots I've found and try them out. I also want to photograph the biggest wave in the world ever to be surfed, hopefully this will happen next winter now that we know what to expect, things are going to get freaky next winter so watch this space....”

From more on Aaron's work click onto our photographers page or visit his website www.liquid-storm.com

ISA world junior surfing championships have started

The 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Hossegor and Seignosse began on Sat 24th May.

Despite some flight disruptions, the delegations from the 28 competing countries have arrived safely in France. For some nations, the journey was long and tiring - up to 40 hours for the Australians - and plenty of teams are still waiting for their boards, which went missing en route.

Altogether, some 290 surfers under the age of 18 – a record - have come together on the coast of south-west France, to see battle commence in this major event on the international surfing scene.

All the continents will be represented in France this year, with the great surfing nations, including Australia, Brazil, the United States, South Africa and Hawaii., Rubbing shoulders with them are a number of emerging surfing countries, such as Israel, Barbados, Canada and Germany, which is sending a full team for the first time, and even Senegal, making its debut in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

This United Nations of junior surfing will be one of the highlights of surfing year. I love to attend the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships. It’s our surfing way of showing the world that peaceful coexistence is a very reachable goal” said exhausted but excited International Surfing Association President, Fernando Aguerre.

Two of the Northcore sponsored Junior riders, Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears, are competing in the comp. We'll be bringing you updates on the event here (which is postponed today) or to follow the UK teams progress log onto http://www.isaworldchamp.com/

British Junior Surf Team for ISA World Junior Champs announced

This weekend saw a host of dedicated 14-18 year olds congregate at Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, to participate in an intensive training session in preparation for one of the most prestigious surf contests of their lives.

Twelve UK youngsters including Northcore team riders Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears have been honoured to be selected by the British Surfing Association for the British Junior Surfing Team for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships which take place in the South West of France from the 24th May–1st June.

The event will see junior athletes under the age of 18 coming from every continent on the planet and the British team will join more than 30 other countries including the surf ‘power brokers’ such as Australia, USA, South Africa, and Hawaii along side emerging nations including Israel, Morocco, Costa Rica.

Unlike standard professional events, the surfers will compete in national team format. This format is unique in world surfing and the surfers will be competing solely for the honour of receiving a gold, silver, bronze or copper medal and representing their nation.

Head coach Barrie Hall said, “To be selected for the team for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships is one of the highlights of these young surfers’ careers thus far and illustrates their talent and dedication to the sport.

This event is the equivalent of the surfing Olympics and our young British athletes will be pushed to their very max, to drive themselves to the absolute top of their game to represent their nation on this prestigious global platform.

Northcore want to wish Lewis and Kathleen all the very best for personal and team success at the event.

Pic: Lucia Griggi

Burma cyclone appeal

The Disaster Emergency committee are the organisation who co-ordinates disaster relief funds through to recognised charities, who are allowed access to and are working in Burma to assist with the massive human tragedy there.

Their website is: http://www.dec.org.uk/

Its a triple for the Northcore team riders at the 2008 English Nationals

It was a storming weekend at the English National surf competition for three of the Northcore team. With fantastic results for both Lewis Clinton and Kathleen Spears taking 1^st place in the U18 boys and girls categories. Not only that, Lewis was awarded the Dave Gent Memorial Trophy for the best-placed junior surfer from Newquay.

Grishka Roberts, who tests Northcore's surfboards, was also honoured by being awarded the Randall Davies Memorial Trophy for the best overall performance by a Newquay surfer.

With 23 divisions and close to 300 entrants, the Headworx English Nationals is one of the biggest surfing competitions in Europe. This year it was also one of the busiest, with Saturday alone seeing 40 hours of heats contested simultaneously on four peaks.

“We had a really busy day on Saturday but luckily the surf was brilliant for a competition; everybody was really happy with yesterday’s surf,” said Contest Director Ester Spears.

In winning their events both Lewis and Kathleen have earned the right to represent England in the European Junior Surfing Championships which will be held in Morocco in November.

Lewis Clinton said of the event, “I'm super happy that I have won, its quite a big event to win! The surf conditions were not great but I suppose I just managed to pick up a couple of waves and it worked out for me! I'm just stoked that I have won but also winning the Dave Gent memorial trophy, was a real privilege for me, it put the icing on the cake”

Kath Spears, said of the weekend " It was amazing to win the english, at the beginning of the year it was one of main aims and I'm stoked to have acheived it. The comp was really well run and the waves were pretty average so it was a bit of a test! Thanks to all my sponsors and every one who has helped me do this."

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!

Pictures:Ester Spears/Les Clinton

English Nationals kick off at Watergate Bay

Contest director Ester Spears has called an 8am start for this morning to maximise on the incoming swell for the English Nationals, which is forecast to be between 3 and 5 feet with light variable winds. With no fewer than 25 Headworx English Titles to be decided by Monday night. Both our Northcore Junior team riders, Kathleen Spears and Lewis Clinton are competing so we'll keep you posted on their results. Good luck guys

Big Wave exploration with Russell Ord Photographer

Russell Ord is based in Margaret, Western Oz and he's out there on his jet ski on a regular basis hunting for unridden, outer reef bombies with some WA tow-in hellmen. We're fortunate enough to feature some of Russ's work on our website and in my humble opinion he's one of the best surf photogs out there, capturing waves and surfers from ever varying perspectives and always with amazing clarity. I always look forward to updates from Russ to hear about the new waves he's found and the latest shots didn't disappoint. The shot here was taken 60km offshore, when they found a mutant slab grinding across an previously unexplored reef. However Russ explained that they won't be visiting the spot again soon as it was just too dangerous!...which when coming from guys who chase waves at Cyclops (check out Russ's awesome double page pic in this issue of The Surfers Path Mag) and the Box, you know its a serious spot.
To see more visit: http://www.russellord.com/

Northcore nominated for Surfers Path Green Wave Award 2008

This years sees further expansion and focus on our environmental initiatives, so we are super stoked to achieve recognition in the form of a nomination for the "Surfers Path Green Wave Awards"The awards, in Surfers Path's own words are "FOR EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE SURFING WORLD"

It's a real honour for us to nominated along with innovative surf industry brands, that have really been pushing the environmental cause.

Watch this space or go to Surfers Path for more info

North Yorkshire press coverage

Northcore East coast drift 08: Snow and surf.

This Easter morning of the Northcore East coast Drift surf competition saw some areas of the UK East coast covered in over 4” of fresh powder so a snowboard competition could have been an alternative if the swell hadn't shown as forecast. Fortunately the waves did arrive and there was a strong turnout with surfers competing from Tyneside, Scarborough and Lincolnshire at Scarborough's South bay which held a cleanish 2-4ft swell with strengthening cold NW winds making conditions more challenging as the day progressed. With 35 surfers competing there were Junior, shortboard, longboard and veterans division heats held throughout the day between 10am and 4pm, with the finals held in difficult high tide waves influenced by a heavy seawall backwash which competitors tackled head on.

All the final winners were from Scarborough with the winner of the Juniors, James (Riv) Kirk, the Veterans winner was Ian (stix) Kirk with Mark (grom) Dickinson winning both the shortboard and Longboard open, receiving a Northcore shortboard as first prize.

NORTHCORE EAST COAST DRIFT SURF COMPETITION IS ON THIS WEEKEND

The forecast is for a 6ft+ Northerly swell with offshore winds so competition organisors have given the thumbs up for the go ahead of the Northcore East Coast Drift, which hopefully see some of the regions best surfers competing in conditions which look really promising

This year will be the first Northcore East Coast Drift surf event to host an Inter-clubs competition between, Tynemouth, Saltburn, Scarborough and Lincolnshire surf clubs. Northcore Europe Surf Co. spokesman says of the event “We're holding this years event on the 23^rd March at Scarborough's South Bay and we're really pleased to be getting involved by supporting the competition with a few prizes. Surfing in the NE area is no where near as main stream as it is in Devon and Cornwall, the scene here is much more at a grass roots level with less corporate involvement. The conditions in the North East are harsher with colder water and air temperatures being common and the infrastructure isn't as well developed, but the waves can be as good as anywhere in the South West and the year round surfers here are amongst the most dedicated and hardcore in the country”

Northcore Team riders in Local press

Scarborough Evening newspaper recently wrote a short article about the Northcore East Coast Drift surf competition to be held this Easter Sunday 23rd March and they featured two of our team riders Joss Wescombe and Ryan Hammond. For more info on the comp click here

NORTHCORE WELCOMES BRITISH JUNIOR RIDER, KATHLEEN SPEARS TO THE TEAM

Northcore Europe officially announced yesterday the signing of Kathleen Spears joining their surf team as the womens National Team Rider.

Kathleen is a talented young surfer, with a massive to desire to prove her self both in the water and out. She grew up in Croyde in North Devon, with the local beaches and reefs as her training ground, and from a young age she has been training under the watchful eyes of her parents and older brother. Kath has been a part of the British squad since she was 12. In the recent years she has made a name for her self by becoming the youngest Open womens English Champion that there has ever been. She competes full time on the UK Pro Surf Tour and also competes in some WQS and ASP pro juniors along the way. As well as competing Kath manages to fit in a full time College course where she studies surfing and business Cornwall.

In the last few years she has traveled the world with coaching and photo shoots taking her to locations like Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Morocco and more. On these trips she has shown her passion for not backing down from bigger waves and is always pushing her limits. Kathleen is a dedicated young athelete and definately a name to watch out for in the future!

Northcore™ are a British based, European surf & boardriding company with a global outlook. Northcore only work with the very best people in the industry from riders, right through to our ISO approved manufacturers. Everything Northcore™ does reflects its roots in hardcore cold water surfing producing tough, practical products and custom surfboards all of exceptional quality, integrity and design.

Northcore East coast drift surf comp 2008

There are a number of local surf clubs taking advantage of North Sea swells and this Easter four of them will get together for the Northcore East Coast Drift. This year will be the first Northcore East Coast Drift surf event to host an Inter-clubs competition between, Tynemouth, Saltburn, Scarborough and Lincolnshire surf clubs. We're holding this years event on the 23^rd March at Scarborough's South Bay and we're really pleased to be getting involved by supporting the competition with a few prizes. Surfing in the NE area is no where near as main stream as it is in Devon and Cornwall, the scene here is much more at a grass roots level with less corporate involvement. The conditions in the North East are harsher with colder water and air temperatures being common and the infrastructure isn't as well developed, but the waves can be as good as anywhere in the South West and the year round surfers here are amongst the most dedicated and hardcore in the country.

Check out the attached flyer for more info.

Lewis Clinton's Hawaiian Diary

Lewis, our national team rider is presently on the Northshore of Oahu...the global epicentre of surfing (lucky man) and he's written a diary piece for us below. The picture is of lewis surfing Haleiwa a few days ago:

"I got to hawaii in the evening on the 26th of febuary and woke up the next day to the north shore pumping, i'm staying about a 2 minute walk away from sunset so i could hear the waves all night. The surf has been so good, last week pipeline was as the locals were saying 'As good as it gets'.

The weather has been great too havn't had a drop of rain which from what i heard from people before i came is pretty strange. The day before last i paddled out at pipe on a smallish day, was soo cool just to be out there i managed to nab a little backhand keg aswell so i'm well stoked! yesterday the swell picked back up and there is meant to be a real big swell coming tomorrow so it should be wicked to watch pipe work again.

On monday there was a kinda medium sized swell and it was clean so i took the opportunity to paddle out at sunset to get a closer veiw of such a sick wave, i used a old brown 7'2 i found in the house where i'm staying. When i got out there it was bigger than expected haha i took off on one got to the bottom and stacked it, then decided that was enough for me and just sat in the channel and watched for abit. Overall so far i've had a bloody sick time and have some sick surf just stocked i've got 3 weeks left of it".

Lincolnshire beach clean

I was pleased to help out with a beach clean this weekend, which saw national organisations and locals join together to clean an area of Lincolnshire beach close to the mouth of the Humber. The particular beach area is a black spot for rubbish and is located at an area called Donna Nook which the US military also use as a live bombing range (so anything looking like bombs weren't touched!!

The Marine conservation society were involved and helped out with surveying the crap that was collected (which included tyres, plastic bottles, shoes, tarpaulins etc) and supplying equipment. The local coastgaurds and RSPB were also involved, collecting and helping haul stuff away. The event was also filmed by a Corporate finance company who provided collection bags. It was also great to see local kids involved, enjoying themselves despite chilling Northerly winds!.

Check out the links above for more info about the organisations involved.

Lewis Clinton In So-Cal

Welcome to the first installment of Lewis Clinton's mini-blog for Northcore. Our mens National team rider has been enjoying a Western Hemisphere surf trip in So-Cal (pic to right is Lower Trestles) and he'll be leaving for the Hawaiian testing grounds of Oahu's North shore tomorrow:

"Ive been in Southern cali for the last 11 days surfing all up and down the coast. The trip started when we arrived in L.A's international airport and a friend of my parents from years ago picked us up. We drove to orange country which is about a half hour drive from Huntington beach and about a 5 minute walk from the legendary Disneyland, as anyone would i took advantage of that to the full haha! After a few days in Orange County we moved south towards the famous Blacks beach and Trestles, it was great to surf so many famous breaks i had heard about. Today we are moving back up north except this time past L.A and to the well known Californian point break Malibu I cant wait should be so sick. Overall surf wise our trip has been sick so far, but as far as weather goes who ever wrote 'It never rains in southern California' seriously got his facts wrong haha we have had so much rain, the worst in years apparently. We fly to the north shore of Oahu tomorrow evening and i cant wait!!!!"

Picture: Copyright Les Clinton

Lewis Clinton joins the Team

Northcore Europe are pleased to introduce Lewis Clinton to their riders team for 2008. Lewis is a talented British Junior Team member based in Newquay, Cornwall and although he is only 16 he's bringing a lot of experience and skill with him.This year Lewis will be travelling to the testing grounds of California and Hawaii for 6 weeks during February and March both to get away from the UK cold and to surf some more challenging waves whilst watching and learning from some of the best surfers in the world.

During the summer Lewis will be seen travelling along the Atlantic coastlines of France, Spain and Portugal following the pro junior circuit maintaining his goal to compete in as many events as possible to improve upon his previous years ranking, and also to keep his seeding in the events.

Lewis's successes have included top 3 placings during 2007 in The English Nationals, The Rip Curl Grom Search and a first in the Gul Newquay Open. Northcore spokesman said “We are really pleased that Lewis has joined our team, he has a drive to succeed in surfing, a professional attitude and a clear goal to join the WQS tour and eventually to even compete amongst the WCT elite. We're looking forward to working with Lewis and supporting him in his developing career”

Photo copyright Geoff Tydman

Northcore: proud to be associated with the British Junior surf team

Happy New year

Heres a great big HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 to our customers from all the team at Northcore. Thanks for your support in 2007 and heres looking forward to more growth and loads of exiting new developments in the coming year, which include: awesome essential new hardware products, a new line of apparel, establishing a team of sponsored riders and further expansion of the brand. So watch this space for updates