Newsletter join now Keep in touch with all the latest surf news, green scene and partner info by joining the Drift weekly update. SIGN UP NOW
What are we made of? Drift Magazine is made from ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) FSC Certified pulp and low VOC vegetable inks. Studio power by Ecotricity and delivery made using Biopower V100 waste oil.
Three of Cornwall's top up-and-coming surfers have been invited for special coaching in some of the world's biggest waves
by George Mojo
02/10/2008:// Newquay's George Picking, Watergate Bay's Josh Piper and Tassy Swallow, from St Ives are preparing to head for the North Shore and the third annual Hawaii Project organised by top coach Joel Gray..
Surfboard are being shaped by Wade Tokoro and Jeff Bushman for the arrival and in Cornwall the young surfers are getting ready, training hard to make sure they’re in top physical condition.
This years’ month long coaching trip also involves current national champion Beth Mason from Wales, and 15-year-old Aaron Reid who is the Irish under 16 National Champion.
Picking has had a great year including being picked for the World Championships and is the current British Schools champion.
Swallow and Piper both recently picked up the Girls under 14 and Boys under 16 National titles too.
Pickering is looking forward to training in Hawaii: “This trip is going to be so good. I just can’t wait to get on that plane and get into some good waves on some good boards.”
It's a view echoed by Swallow: “I can’t wait to leave the weak waves of Cornwall to go to the opposite contrast of the most powerful waves in the world in the tropics. To be out there with some of the best under 18 boys along with Beth is really going to push my surfing a lot too.”
Piper is a bit more straightforward – “Have a good time, surf everyday, train and get a proper tan.”
The Surf Solutions trip has a heavy focus on coaching and a weekly routine that will develop each surfers individual goals.
Head Coach Joel Gray explains: "One basic is that we put the kids in as many different situations as possible, wave wise. Each day we analyse the video footage and use this to build on their strengths and work on weaknesses.”
Gray is again assisted by Constantine's Martin Connolly who this year is bringing along a board camera for use in analysis along with the 2 HD cameras that the team have.
“I have used this around Cornwall and it is great for looking at what is happening with stance and particular footwork. It should be interesting when we get some solid barrels too,.” said Connolly.
The final member of the team is renowned European photographer Roger Sharp who brings his many years experience shooting the North Shore to the table:.
“It’s great to have Sharpy onboard. I’ve worked a lot with him the last year and know he can get the results in and out of the water. It’s good for the kids too as we will have certain sessions where the focus is on getting that killer shot for the magazines. This is an important thing to have in any career minded surfers tool bag and working with Sharpy on this can only help,” said Gray.
[Out of retirement, Australia's Mark Occhilupo was a first day standout with rides like this.]
Almost a 1/3rd (32.3%) of designated beaches in England and Wales have failed to meet the UK’s guideline standard for water quality during the 2008 bathing season
More than 150 future surf stars shone at the Animal Cornish Schools Surf Championship in Newquay
Haleiwa served up the best conditions possible for the opening day of the Reef Hawaiian Pro
Skype us
.jpg)
Surf art 
Surf environment