All posts by Steve

2022, Croyde, surfing

North Devon is officially a World Surfing Reserve

A North Devon stretch of coastline, including Croyde, has officially been declared as a World Surfing Reserve, making it one of only 12 spots on the planet to be awarded that title.

The reserve stretches for about 19 miles, starting at the longboarders’ heaven of Saunton, around Down End point and into Croyde, then onwards to Putsborough, Woolacombe and Lynmouth. This is the first time in the UK that any stretch of coast has been named a World Surfing Reserve and also the first cold water surfing reserve, making this award even more prestigious.

Gaining this recognition wasn’t a formality, and required a lot of hard work behind the scenes from local surfers and other supporters.

You can read more about it, and how it came about, here.

Uncategorised

Walking the South West Coast Path

You may have heard of the South West Coast Path (SWCP), it’s England’s longest footpath, stretching for 630 miles (1,014 km), running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. It runs round our own Baggy Point and Croyde Bay. It’s a really challenging trail as it rises and falls with every river mouth, I can vouch for this from personal experience! The total height climbed has been calculated to be 114,931 ft (35,031 m), almost four times the height of Mount Everest. It is listed as one of the world’s best walks, and I can thoroughly recommend doing it, if not the whole thing then just a day walk.

Channel 5 are showing a great TV series about it at the moment which you can watch on the Channel 5 player. If you are familiar with the North Devon Coast you will recognise a lot of the scenery in the first episode.

Read more about the South West Coast Path on its website, and I found this Encounter walking holidays website a great day-by-day guide to the route.

2021, Croyde

Croyde Under Threat From Development – Part 2 – Appeal

You may well be aware from the last post that Croyde has been under threat from excessive development by Parkdean, the company that run the Ruda holiday park, by a massive expansion in to the surrounding greenfield areas, made possible by an administrative error in a planning application made some years ago. The Croyde Area Residents Association (CARA) successfully challenging this erroneous decision thanks to generous support from local residents and Croyde lovers up and down the country, managing to secure enough donations to cover the considerable legal costs of the challenge. A judgment given at the High Court by Mrs Justice Lieven on 19 March 2021 quashed the harmful planning decision which unlawfully and mistakenly granted permission to expand the Holiday Park into green fields in the AONB. However, the latest update is that CARA must once again prepare to take on Parkdean who have been granted leave to appeal the judgment of the High Court. Please follow this link to read the latest case update (14), and follow CARA and their fight on Instagram.

2020, Anchor Down, Croyde, Uncategorised

Croyde Under Threat From Development

No doubt you are on this site because you love Croyde and the surrounding area, which is a stunning landscape in the North Devon Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). However, the area is under threat from a plan by Parkdean, who run the Ruda Holiday Park, to expand in to the surrounding greenfield sites without requirements for the usual assessments. This could mean vast expansion with potentially disastrous consequences for the area, which is already at its capacity in the summer with holidaymakers. What’s more, the planned expansion is only going ahead due to a mistake in a planning application some years ago! The Croyde Area Residents Association (CARA) are challenging this erroneous decision, however they need funds to cover the legal costs just so this issue can be given a hearing and hopefully the decision corrected. You can read more about the campaign here, and also pledge funds to help keep Croyde beautiful.

2017, surfing, surfing videos

Surfing in Bali

With its tropical climate, and warm waters, Bali is on every surfer’s list of places to visit at some point in their life. If you haven’t been lucky enough to get there yet (myself included) check out this short video by Andy Troy showing Rick Vlek shredding some nice Bali waves. The video has great drone footage, and is shot in 4k UHD. You can download the original raw 4k version to enjoy offline for the best quality!

Uncategorised

Caen Street in Braunton closed for roadworks March 2017

* Update April 2017 * The roadworks are now finished!

In March 2017 there are roadworks which have closed Caen Street in Braunton, this prevents access to Saunton Road (B3231) which is the quickest and easiest route in to Croyde. There is an official diversion with yellow signs in place which you can follow, but it’s a huge detour (35+ minutes!). The council have used this long route as it is suitable for larger vehicles.

There are two shorter routes to Croyde, they both involve some narrow country lanes, but save a lot of time, especially as there is not much traffic at this time of year. Please be careful on these country lanes, especially in the dark, as they are twisty and there may be traffic coming in the other direction. Remember the last passing place you pass, and how far back it was, in case you need to back up to allow an oncoming vehicle to pass.

Braunton Burrows

This probably has less single track road than going via Georgeham, but be very careful as there are three small hump back bridges and occasionally runners/pedestrians on the route. Note: If there is heavy rainfall avoid this route as it could be flooded.

Croyde route Braunton Burrows
Croyde route Braunton Burrows

 

Georgeham

This is the route to Croyde a lot of SatNavs will suggest anyway.

Croyde route Georgeham
Croyde route Georgeham
2016, Croyde, surfing

Andrew “Cotty” Cotton in “Beneath the Surface”

Local big wave surfing legend (and occasional plumber) Andrew “Cotty” Cotton is back in a new documentary called “Beneath the Surface”.  The film is an amazing insight into what drives big wave surfers to chase the unknown. This time Cotty’s adventure started in 2013 off the West coast of Ireland, after he caught a glimpse of another potential giant wave which he could attempt to ride. Despite the fact that it sits in one of the stormiest seas on the planet, Cotty was not deterred, and the film follows him exploring the possibility that he might have just discovered the wave of his dreams (and everyone else’s nightmares).

Watch the trailer below, and to watch the full film for free head over to Red Bull TV.

2015, competitions, surfing, WSL

Adriano de Sousa WSL Champion 2015

Congratulations to Adriano de Sousa, who after 10 years competing on the world tour, was crowned World Surfing League 2015 CT champion on the last day of the Billabong Pipe Masters. There was great excitement going in to the tournament, with four contenders still in the running to win the championship. Adriano de Sousa made the best of some sub-optimal surf conditions to battle his way through to the semi-final, at which point he had enough points to  be crowned the champion. Just to top it off he went on to win the final against his Brazilian compatriot, and departing world tour champion, Gabriel Medina. So after Brazil having their first world champion in 2014 they now have two in a row,  and de Sousa also become the first-ever Brazilian winner of the Pipe Masters. Gabriel Medina didn’t go home empty-handed however, as in another first for Brazil Medina won the 2015 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which is awarded to the surfer with the biggest points score for its three events.

Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Sousa
Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Sousa. Image copyright: WSL / Kirstin

 

 

2015, competitions, Croyde, surfing, Surfing Great Britain

British National Surf Championships 2015

Surfing GB put on the largest British Nationals event in recent years over the weekend of October 24th and 25th at Croyde Bay, Devon. Originally planned for September but postponed due to lack of surf, the rescheduled event enjoyed great surfing conditions and some Autumnal sunshine.

A full report can be found here:

 http://magicseaweed.com/news/2015-british-national-surf-championships-wrap-up/8244/

Video highlights: