Surf Nation - Times Online - WBLG: About Surf Nation

June 14, 2006

About Surf Nation

Alex Wade is currently writing his second book, Surf Nation, in which he argues that Britain and Ireland, far from being a surfing backwater, have great waves, top-quality surfers and a vibrant surf culture. The Atlantic and North seas have a growing band of aficionados, from beginners who pack the beaches of Devon and Cornwall in the summer to professionals such as Russell Winter, Alan Stokes, Mike Morgan and Sam Lamiroy, who surf year-round and compete on equal terms with the world's best. Surf Nation, will be published by Simon & Schuster in early summer 2007.

Alex's blog will bring you up-to-date news of our surf scene, what's on and where to surf, as well as the best of contemporary surfing writing from around Britain. The aim is to get you stoked and into the water. After all, as the old saying goes: "Surfing is life. The rest is details."

Posted by Times Online on June 14, 2006 at 04:46 PM | Permalink

Comments

It's fantastic to see well-written and informed material about surfing finally penetrate a mainstream newspaper. Alex Wade's byline is a familiar and trustworthy one, and I can think of no one better equipped to keep us abreast of the latest surf news from across the UK. Surfing has long outgrown its sub-cultural roots, and it's high time the mainstream press took notice. Well done, Alex; well done The Times!

Posted by: John Licklitter | Jun 25, 2006 1:07:31 PM

hey Alex, i couldnt remember your last name, then i did, google and BINGO !! what about shots, you need anything i have? stay lucky, all the best to you and yours, Tony

Posted by: Tony Plant | Jul 7, 2006 11:23:43 PM

Hi Tony - good to hear from you! Drop me a line and include your contact details - am keen to talk Cribber shots from Feb + your memories of that swell (and anything else). alex@alexwade.com
Cheers
Alex

Posted by: Alex Wade | Jul 13, 2006 4:59:14 PM

hello Alex. We met at the weekend at the Broch. Just thought i would look you up and get the low down on the book and things. I think its going to be a big thing and will bring to peoples attention just how big and wide spread surfing is around the Brittish isles. Its a shame you left when you did, all the locals turned up and the point started to work well. All the best. Jamie

Posted by: jamie christie | Oct 26, 2006 5:59:06 PM

Britain and Ireland are two completely seperate nations, you would'nt call Britain and France one surfing nation, so why Britain and Ireland?

Also, Irish surfers wont appreciate you promoting Ireland's surf for your own profit.

Posted by: jp | Nov 21, 2006 7:45:51 PM

Surely you are missing the point with the whole Surf Nation idea? Isn't it a nation of surfers that's being discussed, not an arbitrary political or geographical grouping? It's a metaphor for those who love surfing, have common experiences and have knowledge to impart.Anyway, since when has Britain been a nation? The Scots, English and Welsh might want to take you up on that...

Posted by: isabelle | Nov 27, 2006 4:31:19 PM

JP come on..lol...if the scots, welsh and english have a problem with this little island being refered to as a nation than they need to grow up..bless

Posted by: Jonathan | Dec 16, 2006 8:24:10 PM

It is my belief that this is one of the world's best and most informative contemporary written material blogs involving surfing. Alex Wade's is trustworthy to the point and professional throughout and I would have expected no less from The Times newspaper. A credit to good professional journalism and shows the changing face of professionalism with in the lifestyle of surfing.

Posted by: Wesley Baker | Jan 14, 2007 1:49:42 PM

Wade is a genius.
Did anyone get the Conrad parallel in 'Wrecking Machine'.
Looking forward to the new book.

Posted by: RAB | Jan 19, 2007 10:59:52 AM

Alex, great blog, you have some interesting and relevant stories. Do you know about the threats to world famous waves at Trestles in California? Check out www.savetrestles.org for the info, be sure to see our blog, lots of cool stuff. Thought you might like to write about it...

Posted by: Mark | Feb 7, 2007 2:37:39 AM

Of course you are a fool - but we like the stories so keep them up.

Remember when we took that knarly left in the secret spot in NSW back in 89...no nor me

Posted by: Elliot Caldwell | Feb 8, 2007 5:09:17 PM

I do remember us telling a load of Aussies in Surfer's Paradise about Thurso East... As for that left, it was a classic but I don't remember it either.

Posted by: Alex Wade | Feb 8, 2007 6:33:31 PM

..and we never smoked any dope on that trip - just wanted to make that clear

Posted by: Elliot Caldwell | Feb 16, 2007 9:25:20 AM

NOT FOR POSTING

Are you interested in purchasing any photos of Ireland for your book?
If so contact me:
alanrich@wildit.net.au

Thanks,
Alan Rich
Lennox Head, Australia

Posted by: Alan Rich | Mar 9, 2007 8:56:39 AM

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT
Please IMMEDIATELY remove my email address from your website before a spam crawler scoops me up and I have to change my address yet again. thank you.

Posted by: Alan Rich | Mar 9, 2007 8:59:28 AM

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT
Please IMMEDIATELY remove my email address from your website before a spam crawler scoops me up and I have to change my address yet again. thank you.

Posted by: Alan Rich | Mar 9, 2007 8:59:49 AM

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT
Please IMMEDIATELY remove my email address from your website before a spam crawler scoops me up and I have to change my address yet again. thank you.

Posted by: Alan Rich | Mar 9, 2007 9:00:17 AM

Nice site. Any chance we can get a link to http://www.999reasons.com/surfing

BTW, surfed Gower/Llenglennith *Spelling??? a bit when living in London... great waves... bloody cold. Stay at the Western House if get up that way.

Posted by: 999reasons | Apr 9, 2007 12:32:12 PM

Great to see an intelligent, totally un-pretentious website covering many aspects of modern surfing. We have a fantastic, diverse, entirely unique surf culture in the UK we should be proud of. Good on you Alex

Posted by: CJ (NZ) | Apr 19, 2007 7:04:05 AM

Heya Alex, thanks for the link posting...possibly journey to Ireland in October to hook up with a few friends and waiting for the ocean to come alive. Also visiting the Irish side of our family in County Cork hopefully. If you are in Cali during our winter, come along for a pony ride and I'll give you a pedigree tour of some of our Pacific treats..nice and tasty waves at times...
Cheers-
Hellwoman

Posted by: Shawn | Apr 23, 2007 8:48:27 AM

I started to learn to surf when I was 34 and have been to Portugal,France, Morocco and am always in Cornwall. I spent every day for six weeks in Cornwall trying to stand on a surf board. I am still ---- but have not given up. Any tips?

PS who cares what geographical areas a book covers if it is well written. By the way I rememeber Elliot Caldwell from when I was 18. Is he still the sexiest, funniest man in the world?? Comments welcome

Katherine Newey, Barnes

Posted by: Katherine Newey | May 23, 2007 12:59:49 PM