Scotland 2, Wade 0

Today saw the action get underway at the O'Neill Highland Open. Brims delivered perfect A-frame surf with an offshore wind, allowing for plenty of cover-ups and some stand-out surfing. Perhaps the best waves were those had by 2000 World Surfing Champion Sunny Garcia. The Hawaiian paddled out pre-heat and blitzed three waves, leaving spectators suitably awestruck. On this form, Garcia's bid to re-qualify for the WCT looks to be well on course.

I can also report that although Garcia isn't exactly sure of the provenance of his middle name (Sennen), he is keen to paddle out at the surf break which is perhaps the furthest from Thurso in the entire country. "Sennen Cove? No, I didn't know that was a surfing beach. But I'd like to surf it," Garcia told me earlier.

Meanwhile, my personal battle with the Scottish roads continues. I whizzed swiftly off to what the water safety crew have dubbed 'Wade Hill', after my near-death experience while skating there on Tuesday (I promise to put the footage up soon). My plan was to skate the hill again, by way of a getting-back-on-the-bike-after-a-fall slice of psychology. As I drove along the deserted Scottish roads, my mobile phone rang. I answered it to tell my wife that I couldn't speak, for I was driving and had left my headset in Cornwall.

I must have been on the phone for all of three seconds, but in that time a police car appeared, as if by magic or, perhaps, a sinister force. I sped on (within the speed limit), wondering if the constables had witnessed this momentary and uncharacteristic contravention of the law. Needless to say, they had. They turned round and came up behind my VW California, blue lights flashing. I decided that attempting to outrun them would be ridiculous - the kind of decision only a fool would make - and so dutifully pulled over.

Result? Three points and a £60 fine.

After they'd gone, I drove on to Strathy, to skate the ill-fated hill. But I found that the lads had built a memorial at the side of the road, a cross to mark the spot of my 30mph impact. I took it as a sign, and returned, sans skating, to my hotel. What, at this rate, will happen if I paddle out and try Brims for myself? It doesn't bear thinking about. Fortunately, however, there is a significant international surfing event underway around here. It might be wise to sit on the reef (appropriately wrapped in cotton wool) and check it out.

Comments

[Neil Watson]

Expensive phone call, Alex, and unlucky to get nailed financially as well as physically on deserted Scottish roads - but at least you WERE driving.

I was stuck in gridlocked traffic, waiting patiently for Lowestoft's notorious harbour bridge to close, when my surf-buddy rang from the beach. I started explaining why I hadn't arrived, when the unmarked police car behind me let rip with siren and lights.

Apart from the near heart-attack, I somehow felt I hadn't had my sixty quid's worth!

Looking forward to the skate-vid!

[ashley futak]

Hi,

I am writing to let you know about an opportunity for your readers to make some waves by “putting words” in the mouth of pro-surfer Kelly Slater.

Surfline.com and Brickfish have teamed up to launch the “Slater Sez” Photo Caption Challenge located at http://www.brickfish.com/Sports/Surfline?tab=1&=pr_surf. Entrants to the campaign are invited to submit a creative caption for a provided picture of Kelly Slater. The grand prize winner and most viral winner will receive a brand new surfboard and wetsuit.

Surfline.com will also award some great surfing gear to the top ten highest scoring entries and to the top ten most viral entries.

If you are interested in covering the campaign and need a URL or images, feel free to contact me at Ashley.Futak@brickfish.com or 858-587-2530.

Thanks!

[Dave J]

Classic stuff. Keep up the good work!

[Dave F]

Just be thankful they didn't strip search you at the roadside. I imagine they're on DEFCON 1 at the moment with hundreds of surfers running around Caithness.

I also assume they didn't confiscate your skateboard for failing to report your earlier accident at Strathy...

[Olly Brand]

Ouch, 3pts is a bit of a kicker :(

[ashley futak]

Hi,

I am writing to let you know about a hands-on campaign your readers will love.

Oakley has teamed up with Brickfish to launch the “Build Your Own Oakley Diorama” campaign located at http://www.brickfish.com/Sports/oakleymyway?tab=1&=pr_oakley. Inspired by dioramas created in conjunction with action sports leaders Mike Mason, Ryan Sheckler, Bruce Irons and Keith Lyman, the campaign invites entrants to express themselves with images, items and artifacts that define their lives. It is an opportunity for them to show the world who they are by creating original art that may include inspiration from action sports such as surfing, skating, wake¬boarding or FMX.

The grand prize winner will receive his or her choice of autographed gear ranging from surfboards, skateboards and clothing. In addition to the grand prize winner, Oakley will also be giving prizes for the first runner up, second runner up, third runner up and the entrant who receives the most attention across the Internet.

If you are interested in covering the campaign and need a URL or images, feel free to contact me at Ashley.Futak@brickfish.com or 858-587-2530.

Thanks!