| 19th
December : Simon Cowell Loses His Man-Boobs For Christmas. |
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While Simon Cowell's bank
balance is growing at a fast and steady rate, the same can no longer
be said of his figure.
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It appears the X Factor judge
may have made a 2007 New year's resolution to banish his man boobs -
and stuck to it.
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This time last year, Cowell
was pictured holidaying in Barbados, keeping abreast of the rest, with
an expanding chest.
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However, exactly a year on,
Cowell wasted no time in stripping down to his trunks to reveal his
newly-honed torso.
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The 48-year-old media mogul
jumped straight on a plane, back to Barbados with his girlfriend Terri
Seymour after the talent show wrapped last Saturday, avoiding the
wrath of furious fans who claim the voting lines for Rhydian Roberts
were blocked.
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Despite the scandal engulfing
the show, Simon looked carefree as he unveiled a new slimline physique
while he cruised around the jewel-toned waters on a jet-ski yesterday.
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Gone were the man boobs and
paunch he bore last year on his annual Christmas jaunt to the paradise
island.
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Instead, Cowell looked lean
and muscular as he enjoyed his annual winter break with long-term
girlfriend Terri Seymour.
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His devotion to getting
himself in shape has clearly paid off and 33-year-old Miss Seymour
would have had to look long and hard to find his former love handles.
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Photo
Courtesy BIG
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Daily
Mail
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| 15th
December : Jetski
"Plague" Making Life A Nightmare, Says Villager. |
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By David Hemming
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A Village "plagued"
by jet skis is how one Brean resident expressed her anger at the new
wave of extreme sports taking place at the seaside resort.
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The Weekly News reported
recently that villagers had been left divided by a debate raging over
the future of the popular seafront.
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On one hand, some residents
and councillors had shown concerns that traditional bucket and spade
pastimes seemed to be under threat, but opponents argue they wanted to
see the new sports at the beach to bring it into the 21st Century.
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Brean Parish councillor
Hilary Guy was worried that new activities such as jet skis and kite
buggies would put holidaymakers and residents in danger and affecting
homeowners' quality of life.
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A public meeting was held in
Brean on Friday (December 7) to discuss the issue, with a packed house
waiting to hear from representatives from the land yachting club and
the South West Association of Traction Kiting.
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One alarmed resident at the
meeting, Rowena Corcos, said: "The meeting was hugely attended,
but tellingly no one was present representing the jet skiers.
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"The general discussion
amongst residents was overwhelmingly anti-jet skis and we are now
looking at a petition to get them off the beach.
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"The noise is like
having a plague of wasps nests in your ears for hours on end, and it
has been a nightmare for some of the older residents."
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SWATK chairman Alistair
McHardy said he was grateful for the chance to explain the sport and
its opportunities to the Brean community, and said it was refreshing
to hear their views.
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He said: "SWATK would
like to have an opportunity to demonstrate how the kites work and are
controlled, and the unique nature of our sport.
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"We would be very happy
to organise a suitable time for local people to come along and find
out what this sport is all about."
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Burnham
and Highbridge Weekly News
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| 13th
December : Man Dies In Jetski
Tragedy Days After Wedding. |
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By Phil Dennett
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A Burgess Hill man has died
in a jetski tragedy abroad only 13 days after getting married.
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Brian Clark, 51, had found
love again, two years after losing his first wife Maureen after they
had been married only two years.
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Brian, from Leylands Park,
met a Thai girl called Tong while on holiday earlier this year, and
brought her back to England.
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The couple returned to
Thailand to take their vows in Bangkok and were celebrating on their
honeymoon on the coast when tragedy struck while they shared a jetski
run.
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The family has been told
Brian, who had an artery unblocked and a "stent" inserted a
few years ago, fell from his jetski into the water in front of his
bride, and rescuers carried him from the water.
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It took an hour and a half to
reach intensive care at Pattaya and doctors were unable to save his
life. Doctors confirmed he had suffered a heart attack.
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This week, instead of
celebrating the wedding and looking forward to Christmas, the family
is preparing for a memorial service for Brian, known as Blabbs, at St
Andrew's Church in Burgess Hill on December 21 at 3pm.
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He has already been given a
traditional cremation in a Buddhist temple in Thailand.
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Brian, whose last job was as
a porter at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, was one of
three brothers, including Alan, a businessman from Burgess Hill, and
John, who lives in Orlando, Florida, who were raised in St Andrews
Road, Burgess Hill by parents Pam and Maurice.
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Mrs Clark, of Silverdale
Road, Burgess Hill, was told of the accident, which happened on
December 2, when she called last Sunday at Brian's home to check his
dogs.
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Mrs Clark said: "He got
married for the first time late in life and after he lost Maureen only
his love for his two dogs kept him going. After he met Tong he seemed
really happy. He said to me once 'She's brought the happiness back
into my life.'
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"It seems as if he fell
off the jetski and then tried to struggle back on and collapsed but we
don't know for certain."
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Chichester
Observer
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| 6th
December : Ski whizzes. |
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By Anthony Marshall
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While most people would only
think about hopping on a jetski as the most strenuous thing they do on
a beach holiday, a brother and sister from Stratton are being tipped
to make waves in the sport across Europe.
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Sophie and Michael Perrin, 11
and 13 respectively, took second and third place in the 2007 British
Jet Ski Championships Juniors, and next season will make the step up
to battle it out for honours all over the continent.
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Their love of sport and commitment
to succeed means spare time is at a premium, but jet-skiing is a
family affair for the Perrins.
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Mum and dad, Sharon and
Shane, introduced their children to life on the water, and are hopeful
that the family's youngest addition, three-year-old Bethany, will also
take up the sport.
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Sharon said: "Myself and
Shane had a sit-down jet ski, and when we started going about six
years ago the kids used to sit on the back of it.
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"We decided to get rid
of it and got two stand-ups so we could all use them.
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"Someone told us Michael
and Sophie were good so we entered them in a competition and it all
went from there.
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"They're doing the
European rounds next year, and then possibly the World Finals in
America next October.
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"They love it so much
that they would do it whatever the weather - rain, snow, you name it.
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"And I can already see
our youngest, Bethany, being on a jet ski with one of us in the
summer."
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With nowhere local for the
Kingsdown School pupils to train, the Perrins travel to Oxford or
Northampton every weekend, and make sure they do it in comfort, thanks
to an eight-berth motor home.
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"In the school holidays
we take advantage and stay away for a week or two at a time,"
said Sharon.
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"It's our second home.
We had a smaller one, but had to upgrade to an eight-berth because we
are in there two-and-a-half days a week.
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"It's fair to say that
jet-skiing has taken over everything in our lives, but it's good and
we don't mind."
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The aspiring duo compete for
the Piranha Race Team as part of the Jet Ski Racing Association of
Great Britain (JSRA).
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They race a Kawasaki in the
Junior Two-Stroke category and are trained by Garry Smith, who Sharon
believes is one of the best around.
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"He's a very good coach.
Garry is the best in the circuit and I wouldn't want them to be with
anyone else.
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"They've been with him
three months and hopefully he will be working with them for a long
time to come," added Sharon
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For more information about
jet-skiing or to get involved, visit www.jsra.co.uk.
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Swindon
Advertiser
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| 5th
December : Jetskier Fined For
Harassing Dolphins. |
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Craig Brown
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The first jet-skier to be convicted in Scotland for recklessly
harassing dolphins has been fined £500.
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Nicol Wood, 22, of Banff, admitted disturbing the school of bottlenose
dolphins a mile offshore at Faw Bay, Macduff.
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Dave MacKinnon, Force Wildlife Crime Officer for Grampian Police, said
he hoped the conviction would send a warning to other jet-skiers.
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He said: "The message that we want to get out is that this
activity is an offence. These marine mammals are no different from
other protected wildlife.
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"They have to feed and look after their young. The activity of a
jet-ski being driven recklessly around them is likely to have led to
them being disturbed."
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He added: "Wildlife crime investigation is not all about getting
people to court and convictions, but education of the public and
awareness raising.
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"Hopefully the conclusion to this incident will send a strong
message to people who use the marine environment for their work and
leisure.
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What we ask is that people using such crafts as jet-skis and speed
boats do so in a responsible manner for their safety and that of
others, including protected wildlife."
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Wood had previously denied the charge of intentionally or recklessly
disturbing or harassing a dolphin by splashing water in an attempt to
attract the attention of the creatures on 24 June last year.
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The allegation that he intentionally disturbed the dolphins was later
deleted and Wood was fined following an appearance at Banff Sheriff
Court on Monday.
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Some jet-skiers and power boaters have been caught tormenting dolphins
by chasing and circling them.
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However, this is the first time anyone has been successfully convicted
of the offence. It follows an amendment under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981.
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In the past, experts have expressed concern that breeding grounds are
being disturbed by jet-skiers, with young calves separated from their
mothers when chased off feeding grounds.
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Anne Saunders, Scottish Projects Officer for the Marine Conservation
Society Scotland, said: "We welcome the fact that harassment of
marine wildlife has been recognised as an offence in practice and not
just in theory.
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"There is plenty room in our seas for recreation, provided marine
wildlife is given adequate space: the sea is their natural habitat and
we must respect that when using it.
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"All sea users should be aware of and follow the Marine Wildlife
Watching Code."
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Pressure On Jet-Skiers
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Jet-Skiers have come under heavy scrutiny in recent years.
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Loch Lomond is the main focus for attempts to restrict the sport,
along with the use of speedboats.
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Speed restrictions are in place in certain areas and the presence of
police and ranger staff on the water has increased.
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Scotsman
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| 4th
December : Man Fined For Harassing
Dolphins. |
| A man convicted
of recklessly harassing a school of dolphins while on a jetski has
been fined £500.
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| Nicol Wood, 22,
had earlier gone on trial over an incident with a school of bottlenose
dolphins in the Moray Firth.
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| However, he
then offered a plea at Banff Sheriff Court and the allegation that he
intentionally disturbed the dolphins was deleted.
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| Wood, from
Banff, is believed to be the first person convicted in Scotland for
such an offence.
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| The offence - under the amended Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - happened in
coastal waters about half a mile offshore at Faw Bay, Macduff, in June
last year.
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| Dave MacKinnon,
a wildlife crime officer for Grampian Police who investigated the
incident, said: "I believe this is the first time a successful
conviction has been achieved under the amended legislation.
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| "The
message that we want to get out is that this activity is an offence.
These marine mammals are no different from other protected wildlife.
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| "In their
marine environment they have to feed and look after their young."
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| Mr MacKinnon
said it was likely that they would have been disturbed in the incident
and a key element of wildlife crime investigation was raising public
awareness about animal welfare.
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| He said:
"Hopefully the conclusion to this incident will send a strong
message to people who use the marine environment for their work and
leisure.
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| "What we
ask is that people using such crafts do so in a responsible manner for
their safety and that of others including protected wildlife."
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| BBC
News
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| 4th
December : The Pogo Stick Is Back. |
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But don't be fooled.
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This is not the pogo stick of
years gone by!
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In fact, with its Motocross
engineering and durability, the Motostik has become a valuable
training tool for world champion motocross riders, supercross riders
and wakeboarders as well as a fun way to keep fit for kids and adults
alike.
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The Motostik has a huge
extreme sports following, with endorsement from Jeremy McGrath (7x AMA
SX/MX champion) who says:
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"Balance and stamina are
two must-haves for motocross. The Motostik allows me improve both
right in my driveway."
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So whether it's used to
increase your strength, learn to bar hop, saran wrap and back flip, or
even just to bounce bounce bounce, the Motostik is all about having
fun while you get fit!
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N&C Jetski are happy to
announce the arrival of Motostik in the UK, with its patented design
featuring motocross handlebars and grips, motocross style foot pegs
and tyre inspired knobby tip. Also it's adjustable spring tension
means that it's possible to change the Motostik to suit weight and
level of skill.
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www.ncjetski.co.uk
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| 1st
December : Massive Surf Heading For UK
West Coast. |
| Massive waves up to 55ft
high are set to batter the western shores of the British and Irish
Isles this weekend.
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| And while most sensible
boat owners will be busy in the shed or on the hardstanding, a small
group of dedicated surfers are ready to take up the challenge of
riding the biggest swells forecast in recent years.
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| Swell forecasters are
predicting the arrival of powerful swells peaking Saturday afternoon
of 38 feet (12.5m) high.
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| There is an 18-second wave
interval between the crest of successive waves, a daunting measure of
the power behind these swells, generated by a 960mb low-pressure
system out in the Atlantic west of Ireland.
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| Once the swell comes out of
deep water off Mullagmore Head, Donegal Bay, onto a shallow reef
shelf, the waves can double in size as the wave crest is forced
upwards by the changing seafloor contours, making waves heights
greater then 55ft faces likely for the surfers.
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| Working in teams surfers
will utilise jetskis to provide them with the initial momentum to
slingshot them onto the giant unbroken swells. Waves of such magnitude
and power move too fast to be caught by traditional human
paddling-power alone.
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| Paul O'Kane (Easkey), the
towsurfing co-ordinator for the Irish Surfing Association stated 'This
is what we towsurfers wait for. This is a huge swell that comes
along every five or six years.'
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| A group of Cornish and
Irish surfers were involved in a ground-breaking session in October
2006 at a feared surfspot 'Aileens', under the Cliffs of Moher (Lahinch,
Co Clare), where wave buoy readings of 27 feet with a 17 second
interval were the largest ever ridden and recorded in the British
Isles.
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Duncan Scott, chairman of the
British Towsurfing Association, and acting chair of the British
Surfing Association, stated
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'The swell forecast looks the
most promising many of us have ever seen in the British Isles.
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All of the surfers involved
are professional with many years heavy water experience.
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We train regularly for
fitness, and in using the jetskis effectively for safety and rescue
purposes.
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We have the utmost respect
for the power of the ocean, and look forward to the challenge,
camaraderie and 'stoke' of riding some huge, challenging waves
together, and coming home safely afterwards.'
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Portush's Alistair Mennie,
one of the pioneering towsurfers on the Irish big-wave scene
commented,
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'In the past I have travelled
to famous big-wave spots like the island of Madeira, and Mavericks
(Half Moon Bay, N.California) looking for big waves to surf.
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Through exploration of our
own coastlines in recent years, I have realised that there are some
world-class big-wave spots in my own backyard.
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Now, the most respected
Hawaiian, Californian and South African big-wave surfers are coming
over to Ireland to tap into our waves. Surf spots like Aileens and
Mullagmore Head are putting Ireland firmly on the global big-wave
map.'
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The surfers are expected to
head out at first light at Mullagmore Head, Donegal Bay, tomorrow
Saturday 1 December, returning to shore around 1 pm.
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Practical
Boat Owner
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