a magazine for surfing females

GLOBAL COMMUNITY / VIVA GALICIA / BOARD MATTERS / WAVES OF CHANGE / PADDLE / HANG TWENTY / Enjoy...!

Welcome to the 10th issue. Things have gone a bit mad this month for The Slideshow (in a good way)! We wanted to show you how your global community is growing, and to welcome all the new read-ers we’ve had this month. Take a look on the next page - last time we checked you guys are reading from 101 different countries!

We are EXCITED.

We hope this means The Slideshow is only going to get more interesting. We hope you will get involved, whatever country you are from. Thanks again for reading, sharing and sending in your sliding adventures. theslideshow.mag@gmail.com

Gemma Chalmers - Editor.

This is YOUR growing global community of sliders, striving for something differenthere’s the reader stats for last month’s issue -

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While many Brit surfers prepare for their annual trip to the south west of France to enjoy the barrelling beach breaks and summer party scene, another

European neighbour manages to drift quietly through the summer being battered by swell and producing a plethora of good quality waves that go unridden.

Viva Galicia

While many Brit surfers prepare for their annual trip to the south west of France to enjoy the barrelling beach breaks and summer party scene, another

European neighbour manages to drift quietly through the summer being battered by swell and producing a plethora of good quality waves that go unridden.

Viva Galicia

Galicia, the rugged north

western corner of Spain,

has a 180 degree swell

window, receiving the

brunt of any north Atlantic

swell offerings. So in the

height of summer, when

England and the rest of

Europe is swell-starved

and dying for some decent

waves, in Galicia there is

never a flat day. And with

so many nooks and cran-

nies along the coastline,

stretching for around 1000

miles and offering a multi-

tude of wind and swell op-

tions, the possibilities here

really are endless.

Pho

tos:

Fer

n C

argi

ll

Viva Galicia

There are two main areas of Galicia – the north and the

west. The north is the more populated of the two, with

overall better quality waves and a visible surf scene.

For those seeking solace and adventure, the west of

Galicia is the real gem. This rugged and lesser travelled

area picks up every whisper of swell going, and offers

an abundance of coastline and waves just waiting to be

discovered.

The empty ocean and beautiful scenery can come at a

price though; as well as picking up every inch of swell,

Galicia bears the brunt of any weather fronts crossing

the Atlantic. For the lucky, this can mean hot, dry sum-

mers - but more commonly, the weather in Galicia is

unpredictable and changeable. Frequent rainfall and

winds are often part of the parcel with a trip to this north

west peninsula.

http://www.pmscomfort.com/pms-pmdd-symptoms/pms-breast-tenderness.aspx

Viva Galicia

http://www.pmscomfort.com/pms-pmdd-symptoms/pms-breast-tenderness.aspx

Pho

to: F

ern

Car

gill

Pho

to: F

ern

Car

gill

Viva Galicia

A car or camper van is the best way to see

the region, and it’s a welcoming destination for

respectful free-campers. Many of the beaches

are equipped with showers, water fountains

and barbecue areas, and there is a small

campervan scene, with surfers from Europe

and further afield passing through.

Galicia offers consistent swell, untapped waves

and plenty of space to escape the crowds and

discover your own piece of Iberian paradise.

Words & images: Fern Cargill, Devon, UK.

Viva Galicia

Pho

to: F

ern

Car

gill

Viva Galicia

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Photo courtesy of surfer: Claire Smail.

I HAVE HAD SOME SWEET LITTLE SESSIONS LATELY ON MY 9’6 SINGLE FIN, HAND SHAPED MCTAVISH BOARD, IN A LITTLE COASTAL TOWN ON THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA CALLED CRESCENT HEAD. - Emma-Jane Eeles, Australia.

BOARD MATTERS

I HAVE HAD SOME SWEET LITTLE SESSIONS LATELY ON MY 9’6 SINGLE FIN, HAND SHAPED MCTAVISH BOARD, IN A LITTLE COASTAL TOWN ON THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA CALLED CRESCENT HEAD. - Emma-Jane Eeles, Australia.

So what’s interesting about this snap of Porthtowan beach then? It shows a rare glimpse of the sand bars

on the beach, which under certain conditions make this incredible wavy pattern along the beach where the

sand reaches out into the sea. Most of the time you can’t see sand bars like this as they are under the water

for all but the lowest of spring tides. To me it shows one of those amazing patterns that nature creates for

a short amount of time, and then destroys just as quickly. Small, clean swell arriving straight to the shore is

required for a few weeks for this sort of pattern to appear in the beach, and when the waves change, the

pattern will undoubtedly change. As you might be able to see in this image there is a lovely little wave peeling

down either side of each sandbar; this meant that although the waves were only about 2 ft that day, they

were really rideable little nuggets, as they didn’t close out and peeled for 50-100 m along each bar. I think

it’s something most people were blissfully unaware of, but the shape of those sand bars is what made those

waves rideable that day, if it wasn’t for that amazing rhythmic shape of the beach the waves would have

probably been 2ft close outs. Beaches change shape a remarkable amount, and next week that rhythmic

pattern might be wiped out by a big storm, and replaced by a straight beach that makes the waves close

out, so enjoy it while it lasts! Kit Stokes, Truro, UK

waves of change

Pho

to: K

it S

toke

s

After a week stuck inside at work while the sun was blazing, getting in the water on Friday night was a must. Conditions were flat so we borrowed so foamies, donned our wetsuits and jumped in off the harbour wall into the cool turquoise water. Leaving behind the hordes of noisy teenagers jumping in behind us, we set off. The conditions were perfect: glassy, clear skies and a setting sun. We paddled around towards Towan Head admiring the scenery and relaxing into the freedom of the weekend. We rounded the headland and sat over the Cribber. No breakers today. The crystal clear waters allowed us to look down through the water into the world below. A world of jelly fish, crabs and cool calm. Mackerel jumped and snorkelers explored the underwater world closer into shore while the beats from distant parties reverberated through the still calm. We sat transfixed by the glowing orange ball dipping below the horizon. The sun set and it was time to head back. Battling the tide and our tired muscles, we made it back into the Bay. Groups of gulls settled back onto the water after their day’s exploring and foraging. As darkness closed in we arrived back into town, with our spaghetti arms and electric necks, as the bars and clubs were just getting ready for the night ahead. A perfect Friday night, not to be forgotten.

Words & images: Hanna Richardson, Newquay, UK.

Paddle

After a week stuck inside at work while the sun was blazing, getting in the water on Friday night was a must. Conditions were flat so we borrowed so foamies, donned our wetsuits and jumped in off the harbour wall into the cool turquoise water. Leaving behind the hordes of noisy teenagers jumping in behind us, we set off. The conditions were perfect: glassy, clear skies and a setting sun. We paddled around towards Towan Head admiring the scenery and relaxing into the freedom of the weekend. We rounded the headland and sat over the Cribber. No breakers today. The crystal clear waters allowed us to look down through the water into the world below. A world of jelly fish, crabs and cool calm. Mackerel jumped and snorkelers explored the underwater world closer into shore while the beats from distant parties reverberated through the still calm. We sat transfixed by the glowing orange ball dipping below the horizon. The sun set and it was time to head back. Battling the tide and our tired muscles, we made it back into the Bay. Groups of gulls settled back onto the water after their day’s exploring and foraging. As darkness closed in we arrived back into town, with our spaghetti arms and electric necks, as the bars and clubs were just getting ready for the night ahead. A perfect Friday night, not to be forgotten.

Words & images: Hanna Richardson, Newquay, UK.

HANG TWENTY: THE TAIL OF A SURFING LEGEND.

Photos: Lucas Craze.

A few years ago a good friend and I decided to go on a search for a quiet wave. Being based amidst the packed summer surf of Saunton, Croyde & Woolocombe, we were feeling tired with the struggle for a wave free of the crowds. I have always been more inspired by road trips. Years spent cruising the coasts of Northern Eu-rope in old camper vans made surfing more than a ride. It became a broader adven-ture. Sometimes the buzz of an unknown rocky wave is the only one that seems to quench my thirst.So with an old map, a tank of gas and an excited dog we headed off to see what we could find. My dog Max was always up for these trips. He was a socially delinquent German Shepard Collie cross, rescued from a local dogs home. I used to walk him on the beach at dawn to avoid the crowds as he had a tendency to be a 'bit off' with other dogs.

This trip took us to the rocky out crop of Hartland Point. A jagged headland sur-rounded by reefs, this place has claimed many ships and lives over the years. There are a few known waves around here but we were looking for empty sea . We parked our car at a small pull in close to the coast at a likely looking spot. Grabbing our boards and gear we walk, jumping like kids as we attempt to steal a view over the hedges. The path turns out to be washed away as we hit the cliff edge. We can see some gentle lines though, slipping into the cove so we decide to climb. Max leads using four paw drive and we descend as best as we can climbing with 9'2” of stick slung over our shoulders. Clinging to branches and roots I am struck with a joy-ous feeling. This is what we came in search for. Down on the beach we look at our find. Its small but glassy and more importantly...deserted. This is what I always imagined living at the beach with my dog to be like. He is free to roam the shore as I pick off waves in the water. We suit up and paddle out. The waves are gentle and breaking close to the shore. Its quite rocky but the water is crystal so you can see

what's going on under the surface. Max Is looking out to me. He's lost interest in the shore as there's no one to harass. So I decide to call him out into the water. He's a strong swimmer and we have always been inseparable so he loy-ally paddles out to me. For some reason I slip off my board and pat the deck.... up up max, good boy, UP! He scrabbles onto the board and I have to shift his bum over to the middle to balance him. A small wave comes in behind and without thinking I tell him to 'stay' just as the swell picks up the board. A gentle shove and off he goes, This is Max's first wave. He stays still but sits up and looks back at me as if to say “DADDY!” we are all laughing. He’s a natural. The wave takes him between two rocks and he continues to look back. He milks it of course, we all do on our first wave, right up to the beach. I swim in and he is totally excited. He cant really grasp what just happened but he is nosing the board as if to say....just one more! We swim back out and again he climbs up onto the board. Along comes a wave and 'Stay'- off he goes again. We spend a really magical afternoon in these clean waves with me as teacher and him as student. Perfect doggy conditions.

Max continued to surf over the next few years. Occasionally he could be seen nosing a kid off their board in the white water at Saunton and trying to clamber on. I even saw kids give up in frustration as a this dog surfs past them with ease, claws to the nose. Max spent his 8 ½ years on the beaches of North Devon. He was lost suddenly to cancer in July 2009 and continues to look out onto the ocean there. Good boy Maccy.

Lucas Craze, At Sea, UK.

HANG TWENTY: