Southwestern Summer Swells of 06

August: Mere mention of the words 'north shore' inspires images of the world's most beautiful and awe-inspiring Hawaiian waves, however it would be churlish to imply that our recent palm-fronded destination was other than north Cornwall. In the perpetual search for the perfect wave it might be argued, with good reason, that Trevose Head in August is perhaps a bit of a long shot. Finely curving swell peeling across the bay showed surprising alacrity despite its diminutive size. There is, nonetheless, a lesson to be learnt in everything. Paddling out in to the extensive blue calm is more of a tonic to the soul than almost anything else, and much of this was done. The day was won however by bravest of the brave, my ten year old nephew who, venturing out one morning with Il Surfero and surf-warrior cousin Jim, displayed his natural aptitude at sitting, turning, paddling and falling off whilst Mother stood rigid at the shoreline white faced and wild-eyed. Should this brief encounter inspire him further to a lifetime of surf-infested happiness than these indeed were no less than perfect waves.