Surfing in the North – It’s no secret…

The first rule of surfing in Northumberland is; … you DO NOT talk about surfing in Northumberland. The second rule of ….

… but its just been too good recently to not talk about it.. sorry.

And its not like its a well kept secret anymore… Northumberland is fully OUT in surfing terms. Read on.

September THROBBED with swells, we had big southerlies, big northerlies, and just about the best conditions you can get up here. Now, as every surfer will tell you, when its good, you go. You just do. There are plenty of onshore days to sacrifice when you need to. That sentiment works even harder up here in the deep north. Our swells have short windows and can be gone the next morning after being perfect. It was ‘good’ alot in September.

The photos in this post are all mine taken from the swells in September, but there are a lot of shots here that look similar to those inside the articles of Carve and Wavelength this month. That’s as mainstream as it gets.

The crews had arrived form all over the country, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland – with Pro riders – Tow-teams with Jetski’s – photographers and video-guys – the place was buzzing for the surf.

You see, we have a secret here in Northumberland, and it attracts surfers form far and wide. Its not the clean water, empty beaches, stunning backdrops, or miles of coast to choose from. No, it’s a piece of rock, that collects swell and creates a truly great left-hand wave, unlike anything you will find on the beaches in the vicinity. This is why I keep bumping into the cream of UK surfing at 7am in a field next to a farm..

This piece of rock has attracted the cream of the UK Pro riders, Eugene Tollemache, Alan Stokes, Russel Winter, Spencer Hargreaves, Matt Capel… these guys have all been sat in the lineup in the last months.

So, you can understand how the mags got the lead – Cornall is a small place, and when the surf is flat everyone is looking further afield, and how the Welsh boys arrive on cue each swell – forecasts are pretty good and easy to read these days, and why its special – this is a legitimate, heavy, barreling wave… and its on our doorstep.

Anyway, this is not a magazine article, so I don’t have to justify anything, Im not here to talk about the good or the bad. I’m not naming the spot, but if your reading this then the chances are you know where it is.

Just think about it like this : Being up here – we’re all very lucky – and even luckier when we get that one morning with no-one else out and its perfect…. and gone an hour later…that’s the North for ya… appreciate it. :)

Horses, castles and beaches… welcome to Northumberland.

Only days ago, amidst what had been very changeable weather I was asked to run a photo-shoot for a local PR agency who needed shots for an upcoming book and guide to the North-East coastline.

Bamburgh Beach bathed in morning sunlight

The weather had been terrible the day before, and I wasn’t expecting to be ‘on’ for the photos. Luckily, it was a glorious morning.

Rider, back-lit against castle

The perfect match

Claire and Mr Kai, have a very close relationship…

Holy Island Castle

Bamburgh beach is unique in that it offers good vantage points for Bamburgh castle, Lindisfarne castle and the Farne Islands.

Trotting in the shallows

With the group assembled, we headed down the beach a while.

Good looking castle...

Water sun and sky coming together.

Same castle... different angle.

You don’t see too many shots of Bamburgh castle from the south. I like it.

Having some fun

The horses love a good stretch on the beach, stopping them was hard. :)

The group resting

Walking-off...

Although not empty, the beach looked as good as any you could imagine.

A different kind of shot.

For a beach ride along to Bamburgh along to the castle get in touch with Slatehall Riding Centre.