Click to Enlarge | February 2009 Looking good at the Nationals See the Archive Saunton Sands SLSC Subscribe to... E-Mail Updates Red 7 Surfski (36") Red 7 Ski (34") Hayden Racing Surf Ski (35 & 1/2") Click Here for our 'For Sale' page! Get a Notice Up! Shoutbox Give us a shout - Type in a message! Enter a message in the 'Message' box and press 'send' to SHOUT! The website for Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club is here! Although it is intended mainly for use of the members of Saunton Sands SLSC, anyone can feel free to browse through the website. To this end, if you'd like more information concerning Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club, the UK's Number 1 SLSC & current Superclub Champions (2008), why not check out our 'About' page? Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club is sponsored by Hunter Surfing. Why not also check out their website since you're online? Enjoy! Juniors Devons 17th June 2009 The Junior Devons is coming up and if you haven't entered yet, you need to get a move on! Payment (£10) is needed for the event by Tuesday 23rd June 2009, so if you still need to pay, please get in contact with Charmaine a.s.a.p! Beach competitions will be held on Tuesday 30th June 2009 on Woolacombe beach starting at 6:30pm (6pm registration), while sea competitions will be held on Saturday 4th July 2009 (8:30am registration). Competition hats are mandatory for these events so if you're currently without, get in contact with the clothing ladies or e-mail Tracey Leaper right away! For more details on all of this, and for contact details including numbers, addresses and all that jazz, click here [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 23kb]. Rock Runs 17th June 2009 The Black Rock Run takes place on Friday 3rd July 2009. If you'd like to enter, you can do so via post (Get in contact with WSLSC) or just enter on the night! Registration is from 6pm at the Rd Barn. The Mill Rock Run is at 6:30pm, whilst the Black Rock Run fun starts at 7pm. Beach Training Tomorrow! 13th June 2009 There will be beach training this Sunday (14th June) at 10:30am. This training is particularly important for those who need awards as it's an excellent opportunity to compete, so please make the effort & come down tomorrow morning. Swim/Run Results 9th June 2009 Keith has e-mailed in the results & an overall report of the recent Swim/Run event held at Saunton Sands. You can view the entire thing, just by clicking here! [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 38kb] Nippers Team Building at Wimbleball 9th June 2009 As a reminder, the 'Nippers Training & Team Building Day' is on Sunday 28th June 2009 at 9:45am at Wimbleball Reservoir Water Sports Center (Dulverton). Entry is £3 per person (Max of £15 per family - Pay on the day), and it is asked that all Nippers wear Saunton uniform at all times. For more details, please read over this information pack (Click here) [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 476kb] Vicko's Surf Carnival 2009! 9th June 2009 Peter Vickery's Surf Carnival is on Sunday 12th July 2009! As in previous years, the carnival runs with the same events as the main competitions have (Split into Juniors, Seniors & Over 40's), and all surf club members (Even if they would not normally compete) are welcome to enter in the events. As stated on this poster (Click here) there will also be afternoon tea & a medals presentation at the end of the day. Swim & Run reminder! 3rd June 2009 Keith's Run & Swim event is THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!! (Excuse the obscene amount of exclamation marks there) and help is currently needed across several areas of this weekends event. If you can lend a hand on any of the below items then please get in contact with Charmaine: or : Setting up the course Marshalling Helping Ann with registration Finishing judges BBQ & food preperation Refreshments Being a competitor! It all kicks off at 6pm (Registration 4pm) on beautiful Saunton Sands shores, and the course entails a sea swim of approx. 1000m, followed by a 6.5km sand trail run. All Juniors competing will do half the course whilst all Seniors will compete in the long course. To enter will cost you £8 (Including a BBQ, to which everyone is welcome!), and all entries must be in by Friday 5th June 2009. To enter on the day will cost you £10. Also, a team of 2 can enter (1 person swimming, 1 person running). The cost for this entry is £10 in advance & £12 on the day. For more details and the actual entry form itself, click here [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 41kb]. New Courses 27th May 2009 Richard Harrison has arranged some new courses on Beach Lifeguarding. The beach lifegaurding course takes place on Thursday evenings from 4th June at 6pm (Possibly 1/2 evenings a week) for approx. 6 weeks depending on how many evenings are attended with an exam at the end of it all. Another beach lifeguard course takes place 3rd - 7th August 2009 with Simon Luton. This is a full time course with an exam at the end of that week. If you would like to sign up please do so a.s.a.p as manuals need to be ordered. Manuals cost £15 and are needed for the course (And for further development within the club). Exam fee is £20. For more information contact Richard Harrison: , or Charmaine: . Relief paddling 27th May 2009 Saturday 13th June 2009 is the date this year for the Paddle for Relief event . The club has always supported this event, and alongside everything else, there will also be acoustic music on the patio afterwards! Registration is from 10am. For more information on the event have a look at this poster (Click here) [.pdf file, Adobe Acrobat required - 206kb], and for even more information have a gander at paddle4relief.co.uk. Many thanks! 27th May 2009 Charmaine has gotten in touch wishing to thank "all those who helped out at the stall at the Braunton Carnival on Monday". "It was a great day and raised £150 for the club!" "Also well done to everyone who attended and helped at the training day yesterday." Got Qualifications? 23rd May 2009 Keith Watts (Masters Coach) has requested the following information be posted for the attention of all Masters have not yet become qualified members. "Masters who are NOT qualified are: Unable to represent the club and compete in competitions as individuals or team events (only on beach events) Limited ONLY to using equipment on training nights when other qualified members are present, this is then stopping them doing their training. Supposed to use only swell type boards or the Rescue (Yellow boards) before using the more expensive Racing boards. As explained on Weds evening, the quicker members are qualified it will help everyone around. So can you please enrol on the next course/dates ASAP? Contact myself, Richy, or Dave with your thoughts on what you want from the club / what awards suit you. We are trying to help you so can you help us to move on with this. The next time surf conditions will probably be bigger and therefore I/we will probably have to stop you using club equipment from a safety aspect, not something I/we want to do ok." Help needed! 21st May 2009 Jan & Charmaine have gotten in contact to ask for help towards our stall at Braunton Fair this bank holiday Monday at the Recreation Ground. Currently help is needed on: Making cakes Face painting Running the stall Jan is happy to collect cakes from the club house on Friday evening, or to recieve them on the day, or have them delivered to her house. The opportunity being presented with the stall is a great way to raise money for the club without it coming from everyones pockets! If there is enough support & offers of help, there is also a chance of having a stall at the Picnic in the Park at Rock Park. Please support in any way you can! Please contact Charmaine on the following e-mail address is you can provide any kind of assistance: . Volunteers needed for new TV show 21st May 2009 Dragonfly Film and Television Productions have gotten in contact to ask anyone aged over 18 if they would like to appear in a television programme currently being produced for Channel 4 entitled 'Power Struggle' which looks at human behavior. Here's some more information on the program and application details for you: "The programme ‘Power Struggle’ is a unique educational experience which looks at human behavior. We are looking for a large, diverse, mixed group of volunteers to take part. Should anyone you know be interested in applying then they can find the application form at the below link." For application details and a tad more information, click here [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 66kb] Juniors & Seniors notice... 13th May 2009 Dave Worms has gotten in contact to ask all Seniors & Juniors to pay notice to the following letter of his concerning training, nationals, and killer sharks. "Hi all Youth & Seniors, Please make a note of following information: Ski & Board training at Wimbleball Lake on Sunday 17th May between 10am and 1pm, all Youth, seniors and Masters welcome. Ski coaches will be there to push your training or just to teach you how to paddle! Anyone with a spare roof space for a ski please contact Dave ASAP Any Youth or Senior members needing to qualify or requalify please contact either Colin Davie or Dave ASAP so we can sort out dates for exams and training sessions. Also anyone not yet joined the club please do so ASAP. Tuesday 26th May Youth & Senior training day at Saunton between 11am until finish of evening session at 8pm. Dave & other coaches will be running various sessions including Life Saving & Competition training. There will be time for fun & games as well!!! All welcome including some Masters if they really want to! Bring enough food and drink to last the day. Devons & Youth/Senior Nationals Please make a note of the competition dates & venues so you have plenty of time to warn parents or book time off work. Youth Devons - Woolacombe 4th July Nipper Devons - Putsborough 12th July Senior Devons - Saunton 26th July Nipper Nationals - Falmouth 14/15th August Youth Nationals - Falmouth 16/17th August Senior Nationals - Fistral 20 - 23rd August If you are interested in competing or need info ref accommodation see either Carol Purchase, Jan Reid or Dave. Lastly thank you for a great start to the seasons training sessions, great numbers and all of you seem to be having fun! so lets keep it up and hope the sea gets warmer. See you soon Dave" Ok, so there was nothing about killer sharks there, but it made you read the letter of his pretty carefully didn't it? Also, remember all upcoming competition dates can be found at anytime on the competition calendar. Saunton Sands spring cleaning 13th May 2009 Matt Edworthy of North Devon's Biosphere has gotten in contact to ask everyone if they are interested in participating in a beach clean alike Croyde beach's by Croyde SLSC as previously posted here. Hear him through the below words... "Recent studies by the Marine Conservation Society show litter levels on beaches have more than doubled in the past 15 years, with rubbish having a significant effect on marine life and the environment. So please, do what you can and volunteer for the Saunton Beach Clean on the 17th May 2009. Details of the day are: Assemble Saunton beach car park at 10:00am (note: high tide is approximately noon). Duration: until about 4pm though anyone can do as much time as they can spare, so if you need to leave after an hour, that is fine. What to bring: Water and food, suncream, and mobile phone if you have one What will be provided: Bin bags, litter picking sticks, gloves, yellow tabbards Please register by emailing the below address or calling Matt Edworthy on the below number. The day will start with a health and safety talk and a little brief about beach litter and we'll then begin the clean. We will be cleaning from the strandline into the foredunes. Groups of volunteers will be stationed along the beach by Land Rover. Each and every volunteer on Sunday can make a positive impact!" Calling all fun run runners! 13th May 2009 Woolacombe School & the North Devon Road Runners are once again holding a 6km fun run on Friday 12th June 2009. The route remains the same as last year - A 6km challenging run up & over Woolacombe Down and back along Marine Drive, a 3km fun run through Potters Hill and back, and shorter runs for under 8's (1000m) and under 5's (500m). Being held at The Meadow, Woolacombe, entry costs £5 for the main run runners (£6 on the day), or £2 for children & fun runners. There will be medals for all finishers, plus trophies, barbeque, refreshments, entertainment, and more! To enter now, simply click here to download the entry form [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 1,300kb], print off and send away! Closing date for postal entries is Friday 5th June 2009. Calling all deckchair fans! 13th May 2009 For those regularly attending (Or interested in attending) the Croyde Deckchair Cinema, you may like to know that on Friday 10th July 2009 they are screening the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' (Cert. 15). Doors 7:30pm, film start 8pm, film duration 120 mins. All paid in advance bookings guarantee deckchairs, plus they also now have 'Love Deckchairs' made for 2! £6 each (Including popcorn!). If you are interested please get in contact with Chris Burrows, or send an e-mail in on the usual address and get the details forwarded to you. Surf Holidays in Portugal? Why not! 13th May 2009 Fancy a change of scenary? Well why not try the Figueira Surf Center in Portugal! The surf center has started offering Surf Camp weeks at the Figueira da Foz in Portugal including 7 nights accomodation at the lodging of your choice, 5 days of surf lessons or surf guide tours, 7 days gear rental, transportation and more from 360€. Interested? Then have a look at their surf camp week flyer by clicking here [.pdf file, Adobe Acrobat required - 1,230kb] or visit their website at Figueirasurfcamp.com or Painshophostel.com. New Youth Hostel 13th May 2009 A new youth hostel has just recently opened in Westward Ho!. Sleeping upto 27 people, the hostel is ideal for groups looking to stay a few minutes away from the beach with great sea views from most rooms also included. As well as being within reach of the other beaches in the area, the property has been completely refurbished & offers stylish & modern facilities and affordable prices! For more information check out manorvillehostel.com. Kill the litter at Croyde! 5th May 2009 Chris Burrows has gotten in contact to let everyone from the Braunton & Croyde area know about the event 'Croyde's youth collective against litter' which will be taking place on Sunday 17th May 2009 at 2pm. Cleaning the beach as the tide goes out, everyone is invited to spend the whole day with their families on Croyde beach for free (Including a BBQ). The event also has the full support of all necessary councils, land & beach owners. Swim/Run Challenge 2nd May 2009 On Saturday 6th June 2009, Saunton Sands SLSC presents the Swim...Run Challenge, as organised by Keith. Taking place at 6pm on Saunton Sands, the course entails a sea swim of approx. 1000m, followed by a 6.5km sand trail run. All Juniors competing will do half the course whilst all Seniors will compete in the long course. To enter will cost you £8 (Including a BBQ!), and all entries must be in by Friday 5th June 2009. To enter on the day will cost you £10. For more details and the actual entry form itself, click here [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 41kb]. [AMENDMENT] Also, a team of 2 can enter (1 person swimming, 1 person running). The cost for this entry is £10 in advance & £12 on the day. Taw Triple 2009 27th April 2009 This years Taw Triple takes place on Saturday 9th May 2009 at the North Devon Leisure Centre, so if you feel like you need to know more details having been grabbed by that first line, then keep on reading! The Taw Triple 2009 also includes the Taw Biathlon, consisting of a 400m swim and 5km run, whilst the Taw Triple itself contains a 400m swim, 3.5km run, and 3.5km ski paddle. Registration is at the North Devon Leisure Centre at 4pm, with a 5pm briefing. Individual and team entries cost £10, and the closing date for entries is Friday 1st May 2009. There will also be a social evening (Including food and presentations) at 7:30pm at Barnstaple Rugby Club (Entry £5). Interested in entering? Then all you need is an application form. You can find that, and a bit more info on the event all by clicking here [.pdf file, Adobe Acrobat required - 117kb] Rhoose Racing 27th April 2009 The Rhoose Ski Race takes place on 10th May 2009, and is the opening race of the 2009 British Ocean Ski Series. Organised by Rhoose SLSC, registration is at 11:30am, and briefing is at 12pm. The Juniors will then compete first at 12:30pm with everyone else following at 1:15pm. Entry costs £5 per person. For more information on the event including open categories and contact details, click here [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 28kb]. The race is SLSA accredited. Training, Junior Style! 25th April 2009 Dave Worms has sent in details for the Juniors (Youth) to take note of, concerning beach training. Here it comes... "We return to the beach after a long winter and now look forward to a good summer! First night back at beach Tueday 28th April, start time 6.30pm. Land training for a couple of weeks until sea warmer! Please bring training clothes you do not mind getting sandy and wet. We will as the season moves on go to two training evenings a week being tuesdays and thursdays to allow people who have other committments more flexibility to get some training in, training will be alongside the seniors but you will be split into ability groups. Again as the season moves on there will be opportunities to train on sunday mornings and during some days in the holidays. We as a coaching team are trying to develop the coaching section and the clubs training sessions to cater for all members whether for competition, lifesaving or social pleasure, so please bear with us at this time. If you have any queries, ideas or wish to get involved in the coaching/instructing please contact any of the committee or section reps. Cheers Dave" Returning to Wimbleball 25th April 2009 Dave Worms and co. are currently in the process of organising another Ski Paddling day at Wimbleball Lake. It will take place on Sunday 17th May 2009, so make a note on your calendars! Start times and more information is coming soon. Up and down the country on two wheels 22nd April 2009 Maria & Andy Hindle have sent in a message concerning their upcoming charity cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End. "John O'Groats to Lands End Charity Cycle As some of you may already know Maria and myself are cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End in September. Our route is approximately 1,000 miles and we are aiming to do roughly 75 miles each day for 14 days, that way we can still enjoy the sights as we travel down the country, down hill all the way We have therefore decided to raise money for the Calvert Trust who based up on Exmoor enable people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve their potential through outdoor adventure activities in the countryside. We have set up a website with a little more information about the Calvert Trust and our planned route: http://www.jog-2-le.co.uk/ There is also a link on our website so people can make a donation, it would be great if we could raise a few quid for them. Many thanks Andy & Maria" Taw Triple '09 Reminder 22nd April 2009 Don't forget that Woolacombe SLSC are holding the Taw Triple 2009 on Saturday 9th May 2009. The event includes a 400m swim, 3.5km run and 3.5km ski paddle, and also includes the Taw Biathlon which is comprised of a 400m swim & 5km run. Registration is at North Devon Leisure Centre at 4pm for a 5pm briefing. Entry for individuals and teams is £10 and the closing date for entries is Friday 1st May 2009. For all the information and details on entering, click here [.pdf file, Adobe Acrobat required - 117k]. Open for Business 16th April 2009 There will be an Open day at Saunton Sands on 19th April 2009, for those not already aware of this! Taking place on the Sunday between 1pm & 5pm, there will be a cake stall, BBQ, raffle, and much more. You can also use it as an opportunity to see and celebrate the new refurbished club house, and to buy & sell equipment, wetsuits, etc. There will also be new club clothing, plus kit from Surfed Out and Tiki. Morning activities such as Junior training, etc will also be taking place - For more information on this, contact Dave Worms. Sponsors responsible for the refurbishment will be attending too, so further funding opportunities towards the club could always be possible following a good turnout. Bring all your friends and get to know the club on Sunday! New Clothing Team 16th April 2009 Yes, there's a new clothing team in town, and they're ready to get you kitted out for the summer in all the Saunton Sands SLSC wear you need! Tracey Leaper, Karen Butcher & Sue Poole are available to order you the club clothing you need, as well as setting up new clothing schemes, but don't take my words for it, read everything they've got planned for yourself in this introduction (Click here). [.doc file, Microsoft Word required - 92.5kb] Should you be heading down to the Open Day on 19th April, they will also be at hand to buy/order any clothing you need before the start of beach training. Well cycled 12th April 2009 Dave Worms has gotten in contact regarding last Sundays Bike Ride... "On Sunday 5th April 2009 some intrepid members of Saunton Sands SLSC took to their pushbikes and rode to various points along the Tarka Trail from North Devon Leisure Centre, the weather was kind and some even wore suncream to protect themselves from unwanted tanlines on their legs whilst peddling in shorts!. On their return to NDLC some of the Youth members then emabarked on a ski paddling session while many others partook in a wonderful BBQ located at the rear of Toby's Landrover! Well done to all who took part and to Toby for organising it all." Cakes... Anyone got cakes? 8th April 2009 Caroline Bricknell has gotten in touch to ask for donations of cakes to go towards the upcoming Open Day. "Hi Everyone We are hoping to have a cake stall at the open day and are looking for donations of cakes of all shapes and sizes. The display of cakes we had for the Nipper Nationals last year was magnificent so if you could rise to the occasion again it would be fantastic. If you are able to contribute could you please let me know. Many thanks Caroline Bricknell" For any contributions you may have, please get in touch with Caroline on the following number: Back to the beach for the Nippers 6th April 2009 Pete Purchase has sent in the dates Nippers need to take a note of with regards to pool and beach training. The last Sunday pool training date is 5th April 2009 (Yesterday!), while the last Monday pool training date is 20th April 2009. Also note that there is no pool training on Monday 13th April 2009. The first night training back at the beach is Friday 24th April 2009 for beach work only. Training will then be at the beach from Monday 27th April 2009, starting at 6:30pm, and then every Monday & Friday following from 6:30pm - approx. 8pm. Devon Oceans 5th April 2009 The dates for the upcoming 2009 Devon Ocean Competitions have come in courtesy of Ann Smith. The date for the Juniors Devon Oceans is Saturday 4th July at Woolacombe, whilst the Nippers will be competing on Sunday 12th July at Putsborough. The Seniors & Masters date is Sunday 26th July at Saunton Sands. Entry fees should be the same as last year (£10 in advance, £15 on the day), and entry forms will be available from section leaders and online once beach training starts. All upcoming dates can be seen on the competition calendar (Click here). Keeping on top of form 5th April 2009 Keith would like to inform all Masters that Masters Training for 2009 will commence on Wednesday 23rd April 2009 at 18:30 (Sharp!). Here's some more: "The early sessions will follow the same pattern as last year concentrating on all over fitness. This will be on the beach so suitable clothing will be the order, something that you don’t mind getting a little ‘sandy’ Very important to wear a running type shoe as well, NOT bare foot, this will be eased in over time. It may be possible that a large number of Masters turn up with varying degree of fitness abilities so do not worry about this as I can split up etc hopefully using the others coaches to assist. I am looking for a keen Lady club member to perhaps take a Ladies session only, if that is what suits people, please let me know asap if you can help out here? The plan is to hopefully get people through the necessary awards training asap (see Daves’, Richy ‘Rib’ flyers) nice and early so each week then becomes more racing orientated and honing skills towards retaining our crown(s). It is hoped to run extra training sessions for those who live for it (James!) for example Long distance swim sessions on Friday evenings or when conditions pop up paddle board/ski racing over the weekends. Please feel free to question me on any training which you require and I’ll see what I can do to help. See you soon then? Keith." All items and images belong to their respective owners. Everything else is property of Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club and this website.