Newquay’s famously infrequent big wave spot seems to light up only once or twice a year, usually on one of my kids’ birthday parties or when my van’s having a MOT. Basically it just hasn’t lined up at a time when I could go; I know there’s always an excuse when it’s massive but genuinely I quite like surfing bigger waves.
A couple of years ago I was frustrated to miss out when a few friends windsurfed it, ever since it’s always been at the back of my mind. I’d mentioned to a friend in Newquay that I’d be keen to get out and asked him to ‘give us a shout’ next time it was on. Now I know plenty of people who’d be up for riding the Cribbar whilst sat in the bar, but to be honest only a handful of the people I know would really be up for the call when it was really on. You’ve sort of got to have a screw loose, be very naïve, or know what you’re doing! It’s mid December, I knew my local South Devon reef was forecast to be pumping at the end of the week and the north coast was due to be a little bigger. I was busy trying to tie up work and keep Friday free when up popped a message on FB from my Newquay source telling me the forecast was good for Cribbar, however, he would be out of town but his mate Nick Healey would probably be keen to go. I sort of knew Nick through a few mutual friends already and I knew he’d ridden it before, ideal. One part of me was nervously excited but the other part was thinking that 8-14ft might not be the best forecast to just ‘give it a go’. So, I messaged Nick and asked him if he was keen and if he would give me a few tips and local knowledge?
No answer. It’s now Thursday and I messaged Nick again, similar questions…no answer. I sort of talked myself out of it and thought it looked like a left and a short ride (from footage I scoured online), and a bit too rocky too.
My local reef was forecast now 6-10’ with an 18 second period and pretty much no wind, therefore I started making plans and arranging times to meet up in the morning and surf with some friends at home. But later that evening I got a reply from Nick. “I’ll be down at 11am if you’re up for it”. Oh shit. Now I had to go. A quick rearrange and a nervous night’s sleep lay ahead for me.
