As part of our efforts to promote Surf Action and ultimately help and support our combat veterans, myself and Rich took delivery of our new logs and are so stoked. The two boards, shaped by Rob Wright and glassed and finished at Seabase in Newquay will certainly create some conversation about our charity and if they simply achieve this then its a bonus. The following is a press release written to explain more:
Surf Action proudly announces a collaboration of local businesses.
Surf Action the St Buryan based military charity is very proud to announce a collaboration of Cornish businesses that will have wider benefits in today’s tough economic climate. Surfboard shaper Rob Wright of Slide 65 Surfboards kindly agreed to donate his time and skills to create two unique longboards and Seabase general manager Pani Bundy then generously offered the materials and finishing skills of his team based in Newquay.
Surf Action Director Russ Pierre says “These boards have been designed to be a focal point for promotion of each business; not only will they help create awareness of Slide 65 and Seabase but also a talking point for Surf Action and the work we do supporting Combat Veterans, and the benefits of surfing to those with mental health problems or physical injuries”.
Rob Wright commented "I have embraced hand-shaping these boards for Rich and Russ to show my support, for their dedication, helping veterans find a better life through surfing."
Jennifer Macdonald says “Seabase UK is very proud to announce our support in 2012 for the Cornwall based charity 'Surf Action'. Both Surf Action and Seabase will have the strong connection of being founded and managed in Cornwall and with surfing at the very heart of both. Seabase finished the surfboards for Surf Action at its factory in Newquay and we hope that our support will assist this well worthy cause and attract even greater attention and awareness from the public."
Seabase have generously offered a large discount on all their Custom boards and accessories to all serving military personnel and veterans as part of a loyalty scheme being developed by Surf Action. Other companies have also offered discounts and Surf Action is working hard to attract more to offer their support. Russ says “we have veterans who use art, sculpture and photography as therapy, one rebuilds old cars and others enjoy Tai Chi, we’re looking for companies to sign up to our loyalty scheme or sponsor veterans to aid in re-training and personal development.”
Having the RAF Waveriders club based at RAF St Mawgan and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Boardriders based at Culdrose, Surf Action shall be promoting this through their clubs and clubhouses. Rich Emerson, founder of Surf Action and combat veteran himself adds, “we have just been asked to be longboard coaches for the Army Surf Team and what a better way to begin the coaching than with two great boards flying the flag, we can display these boards at events and promote the workmanship and the benefits of surfing and our charity”.
For more details of the loyalty scheme and companies offering discounts and if veterans or serving personnel would like to register simply go to
www.surfaction.co.uk and register your name online to receive a loyalty card. Alternatively email russ@surfaction.co.uk with your details or call 01736 811920. For details about the boards go to www.Slide65.com and www.seabase.eu
Editors Notes: Surf Action was started in 2009 and uses Surfing and the Beach Environment to support Combat Veterans with mental and physical injuries. Partly funded by funded by the European Social Fund and run by Inclusion Cornwall they are an award winning project and registered charity (no.1140191). Sennen surfers Rich Emerson and Russ Pierre run Surf Action that hold beach clinics for veterans and their families each Wednesday and Friday at Gwithian Towans, Nr Hayle.
This week myself and Rich are running our second residential for veterans at a lovely place near Cape Cornwall called Bosweddon House. The energy is relaxed, funny and plenty of banter but with an underlying seriousness of the issues each one deals with. These weeks are about moving forward and finding ways of coping. This week we're located in the old coastal mining country near St Just. They now hold an amazing strength that has become decayed in places but still stands proud, weathered but not beaten. Much like our Veterans here this week. They just need rebuilding.
A fine use of the Union Flag. A common mistake is to call this the Union Jack but apparently the only time it should be called this is when flying from a British Naval Vessel! A bit of trivia for you ocean going fellows.
Not that I'm hugely Nationalistic, but I do love my country and the British sense of humour, stiff upper lip, fish and chips, roast dinners, cream teas, pubs, queuing, the Queens OK, Harry and Wills are legends, their Mum was a beauty and my job is to support combat veterans that have fought in the British Army in all sorts of wars. I also think that some our surfers like Rodney Sumpter and Viscount Deerhurst who both displayed the union jack proudly on their boards were great surfers in a world dominated by others, but they stood out. Can't wait to see a little bit of Britain on our new logs.
Shaper and Purveyor of quality surfboards Rob Wright. Off on his own in the far corner of a south coast logging spot. Look out for some super fine logs that Rob is shaping for myself and Rich at Surf Action. Shaped by Rob with some fine glass work done by Nick at Seabase in Newquay, these two boards will be fine examples local companies working together to promote each other. You can see more about this on the Surf Action website here. I'll keep you posted on the progress but needless to say we're both super excited with Rob getting in the shaping bay next week.
We held our first Surf Action residential for combat veterans back in December. After an amazing week the parting gift was a pebble from the beautiful Kennegy Cove. In times of doubt or confusion its good to have something solid to grab hold of.
Surf Action recently held our first week long residential working with combat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These are a few of the guys we worked with down at Prussia Cove on the South Coast. Great week and these guys are amazing people.
Please tune in to BBC1 on Saturday night at 9.30 to see if Surf Action win the National lottery awards final. By the way, this is our new logo, stoked.
I've known Freddy Warwick for over ten years. He was a Chunky Brother then and he's a Chunky Brother now. Spending 22 years as a Royal Marine, he is now retired form the forces and in between teaching surfing for his local surf school and as a Director of Surf Action can be seen styling up at Gwithian and Godrevy. Freddy is now representing the Brotherhood of Chunk and one could not find a more perfect example of team requirements!!
This Saturday Surf Action held our first major event. Staying close to our passion of Surfing we held a Surf Fayre at Sennen community hall. Local board companies like Slide 65, Otter, Seed, Glass Tiger, the Balsa Surfers, Traditional Surfing, paipo glide and the lovely Sally Parkin from Original Surfboards. Sally kindly presented us with two of her beautiful board for our veterans to use. I would like to thank everyone who came along and had a stand, such as Muju World and Jilpi. Each person made the event happen and kindly gave a donation to Surf Action. Thanks to all our volunteers who worked solidly throughout the day, raising money, selling refreshments and providing information. Surf Action thanks you all so very much The awareness that was created was fantastic and we shall be starting to plan next years. If there is anything I haven't said here to say how very grateful we are please let me know. As soon as we have a total amount raised we shall let you know. Thanks to Butch Hawkins and Jessica Cooper for providing two fantastic prizes. See you all next year... Yeeewwww!!!
Please come along this Saturday and support our Surf Fayre. This is not only a fundraiser for our charity Surf Action but also a gathering of some amazing small businesses from Cornwall. It will be great to see as many people come along, listen to some music, watch some films, look at some beautiful boards and support Cornish businesses. See you there 10-8pm at the Sennen Community Hall behind the school.
This weekend has been epic; sun, waves and plenty of fun had by all at the Ashely Moffet Memorial Rodeo 2011. each year friends in Sennen get together and have a surf comp that Ashely would approve of, its got to be fun. This year the format began with fancy dress team events. Teams included Surf Action, Royal Marines and Navy, British Army, and other random entries wearing anything you could find. After the team round we held an expression session with the best surfer in each team taking to the water to express their them self! Who won this, James Parry (team Surf Action) who won the overall individual title, James Parry, and who won the team event team Surf Action!! It helps to have a ringer and someone like Rich Emerson (former gymnast) who can do a perfect head stand from out back all the way in, me, I just make up the numbers. All proceeds went to Surf Action which was amazing and this will be used to continue our work by taking combat veterans surfing every week and help them move forward. Ashley you would have been proud, a great, great day.
Please come and check out our Surf Action Surf Fayre in August. Loads of great stuff to come and see and buy.
This is what happens when you come surfing with Surf Action. Veteran Craig Foster up and sliding on his second session in the water with us. he stood up last week but I tripped over just as he did and missed the shot, sorry Craig. Happy Days and smiles on faces
Each Friday afternoon, our orgnaisation meets combat veterans at the beach. Its cold in the water at the moment so we walk along the beach and talk. These veterans have different stories and thats not for me to say here. However, each one is trying to move forward, battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and keeping their lives together. Our Friday clinics are about walking and talking, being positive and using the simple act of walking as a means to feeling healthy and socialising with others, creating a network of friends.
