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Surfing, Windsurfing, Foiling & More – 40+ Years of Multi-Craft Riding With Tez Plavenieks.
Surfing isn’t just ‘surfing’ for me. Anything that immerses you in the ocean and gets you buzzing is worthy of inclusion underneath that moniker. Purists may mock, but multi-craft riding in waves is a way to keep things fresh and interesting.
Tez Plavenieks talks all things surf and NCW in this article.
Sola soft top surfboards – 6′ / 7′ / 8′
Price range: £210.00 through £260.00
Table of Contents
Surfing, In All Its Forms.
If there’s one thing that’s kept me buzzing for over four decades, it’s the pure, unfiltered stoke of riding waves in all their forms. Whether it’s surfing, windsurfing, SUP surfing, foiling, or even carving up tarmac on a surf skate, the ocean (and anything that mimics it) has shaped my life since I was a kid.
And along the way, North Coast Wetsuits (NCW) has been a huge part of the journey—providing kit, support, and a shared ethos that keeps me fired up for the next session.
From Bodyboarding to Standing Tall
It all started when I was just five years old. My first taste of wave riding came through bodyboarding on the Spanish Mediterranean. Those waves were soft and mellow, but they gave me an early understanding of glide, timing, and the joy of being propelled by water.
Very quickly, though, I felt the urge to stand. Standing up opened up a whole new dimension and matched perfectly with those rolling Spanish waves. The ocean had me hooked, and by the time I hit my teens, there was no turning back.
Surfing in the UK – The Long Pilgrimages
Back in the UK, the surf bug really took hold. Surfing was becoming a thing, and I wasn’t going to miss out. From the middle of the country, we’d load up the car and make 7+ hour missions to Cornwall, chasing waves, salt, and sun.
Surfing was all I thought about. When I couldn’t get to the beach, I turned to skating—a way to replicate that side-to-side carve and keep the muscle memory alive. It wasn’t the ocean, but it kept the fire burning. (Even though I’ve never been that good at street skating).
Windsurfing Joins the Mix
Around the same time, another craft caught my eye: windsurfing. Again, holidays in Spain gave me a taste, and it didn’t take long before I was drawn to sails, speed, and the idea of riding waves with wind power.
During my mid-teens, I knew I wanted to teach surfing—an easy way to live the life, get in the water more, and stay close to the action. As part of a multi-activity instructor training course, I picked up windsurfing in a more serious way and before long I was teaching both.
A few years in Ireland and stints in the Canary Islands sharpened my skills, before I pivoted to doing Mediterranean seasons with Neilson, teaching windsurfing and sailing. Slowly but surely, windsurfing started to dominate my riding. At first, I was gutted about surfing less, but I soon realised how versatile windsurfing was—especially wave sailing, which gave me the same rush as surfing but with a twist. I was hooked.
SUP Surfing and the Local Stoke
Back in the UK, both surfing and windsurfing had their place. But now living on the south coast of England, decent surf was harder to come by. That’s when stand up paddle boarding (SUP) entered my world. I saw its potential and became a first adopter in my local area.
The local sandbank just offshore turned out to be a SUP surfing paradise. Stretching a mile out to sea, it delivers long rides and clean walls, especially on the right tides. With a paddle in hand, I could make the most of conditions that traditional surfers often overlooked. Suddenly, my local waters came alive with possibility – with wind and without.
The Foiling Revolution
Watersports evolve, and the next big thing was foiling. Like many, I wasn’t sure at first. But once I tried windsurf foiling, the game changed. Suddenly, I could fly in light winds, gliding silently above the chop.
Not long after, SUP foiling found its way into my quiver. Riding open-ocean bumps and catching even the smallest waves became addictive. Each new session felt like learning to surf all over again—a fresh challenge, a fresh stoke.
Then came wing foiling. At first, I was sceptical. But the hybrid of wind power and wave riding soon won me over. Today, I’m a full convert. Wing foiling delivers the freedom of foiling with the versatility of wind sports, and in waves, it’s just magic.
The Right Kit Makes the Ride
One thing I’ve learned across all these disciplines: good kit is everything. From boards and sails to what you wear, the right equipment makes or breaks your session. Comfort, performance, and durability are key.
5/3mm chest zip Gulf Stream Yamamoto neoprene winter wetsuit (men).
Original price was: £275.00.£219.00Current price is: £219.00.
That’s where North Coast Wetsuits (NCW) comes in. Around 2014, I met Mark Graham, the driving force behind NCW, and was introduced to the brand. As a magazine editor, I’ve always loved giving exposure to UK surf brands, and NCW immediately stood out.
5/3mm chest zip Gulf Stream Yamamoto neoprene winter wetsuit (women).
Original price was: £275.00.£219.00Current price is: £219.00.
The wetsuits were—and still are—top-notch. Built for UK watersports riders, every suit I tested was warm, flexible, and hard-wearing. Over the years, I’ve tested a stack of NCW kit, and the quality has never faltered. My wife and kids also wear NCW wetsuits and accessories, and we’re all stoked on the range.
More than that, though, Mark’s ethos and NCW’s down-to-earth, rider-focused approach really resonated with me. It’s not just about selling wetsuits; it’s about supporting the watersports community and keeping the stoke alive.
Building Projects Together – Foilshop & Surf Skateboard Shop
The partnership grew naturally, and in 2022 we launched Foilshop UK—a direct result of our shared passion for foiling. Foiling has become one of the fastest-growing areas of watersports, and Foilshop gives UK riders access to top-end kit and honest advice from people who live and breathe it.
Not long after, we also started Surf Skateboard Shop. Mark introduced me to surf skating, and it immediately clicked – much more than standard skating. Riding concrete waves is the perfect way to train for the ocean—or just have a blast when it’s flat.
The Joy of Multi-Craft Riding
If there’s one takeaway from my journey, it’s this: be versatile. Chopping and changing between craft not only maximises your water time, but also keeps your passion alive.
No surf? Grab the windsurf kit or wing gear. No wind? SUP surf or foil. Still flat? Hit the skatepark. Each discipline feeds into the other, sharpening your skills and keeping you fired up. Which is super important as you get older.
After more than 40 years, I’m just as stoked as when I first belly-flopped onto a bodyboard at age five. And that’s down to mixing it up, embracing new gear, and always chasing that next ride.
NCW – A Brand That Gets It
Working with NCW has been amazing, and I’m looking forward to many more years of partnership and progression. The kit is spot-on, the ethos is genuine, and the people behind the brand care deeply about the watersports community.
If you’re a surfer—or any kind of watersports rider—looking for a friendly, authentic UK brand with epic products, then look no further. North Coast Wetsuits is it.
See you in the water—or in the skatepark. Stoke never dies.
Check out NCW’s full range of wetsuits and accessories here.