There’s always excitement when a weather bomb swoops in. Everyone’s favourite surf forecasting site Magicseaweed predicted December 16, 2016’s black hole of swell inbound a good few days out – the interwebs went mad. Everybody with any kind of penchant for swell hunting helped light up social media platforms with chat, bants and general discussion about where would be going off. The low was quite north meaning the south of England (Kernow, Devonshire and the south coast) were primed to be all time. This was rare. A magic combo of light airs and solid, pumping waves was set to lamp up spots away from the usual headline locations.
OK, ‘Lev was going to be insane – everyone got that. But nestled among cliffs, peaks and rocky monoliths waves you hadn’t seen break before were going to come alive. Touch your tongue and poke the sky with a moist finger – zzzz, electricity was in the air!
The day dawned and for sure there was swell. NCW headquarters was off the Richter that was for sure. By now you’ll have seen pics of the Cribbar firing as well – a few hardy souls heading out to do battle with Neptune’s own. But it’s what happened round the corner that intrigues the most. For us at least…
Not widely reported, for fear of giving secrets away, there were a whole heap of Spot X’s that suddenly found themselves with pumping conditions. Going off didn’t even begin to describe it! For wave riders in each location Christmas had come early and we guess there must have been a raft of empty desk space in offices along this stretch of coast as sickies were called in. What must the boss men (and ladies) have thought? ‘Surely all of my staff can’t have broken fingers?’
Swell pumped right up the English Channel and turned the place in to a frothing, excitable, electric and buzzing mass of surfboards, SUPs, riders and crew. Even breaks that get swell suddenly had more than before. There was a lot of push behind this juice and we’re pretty sure it’ll be one of those swells that will be remembered for years to come.
Yes, we’ll no doubt see more pumping madness over the coming months. But this particular swell, for many, was pretty special. If you made it out, we salute you. If you had the ride of your lives, then boom, good on ya! If you took a beating (or three) then big up! Fingers crossed for more soon ay?