HIGH winds and big swell over the past week limited surfing opportunities for most.

The sheltered breaks of Putsborough and Lynmouth have been rammed as everyone hides from the gales.

Check out the aerial antics of Scott Ranochan, looking like a stray firework at Lynmouth — still not sure about the Eighties fluoro revival though.

Looks like more of the same for the rest of the week as those south westerlies are predicted to keep the chunky swell rolling through.

The big swell saw Andrew Cotton heading to Ireland for more monster surf and he didn't get off too lightly this time around.

In a session dubbed the Mullaghmore Massacre because of the number of horrendous wipe-outs and beatings, Cotty had one of the most expensive.

"I got destroyed, wrenched all over the place," he said. "I knackered my pelvis and my arm — they need physio.

"I also had my £700 fancy American knee support ripped off."

At least he's still in one piece, and the rewards for this big-wave lunacy? Last week saw both Andrew and his tow partner Al Meenie nominated for the Billabong XXL big-wave awards.

"I'm stoked I've already been nominated and with the way winter's going so far I'm sure there will be bigger to come," he said.

A new date has been set for the Steve McEwan Memorial contest. The last event in the Croyde Surf Club calendar will be on December 5 with a 9am check-in at Downend. More info can be found at the Croyde Surf Club website.

The Animal Newquay Open, last stop on the 2009 UK pro tour, was held over the wild weekend.

Monstrous seas saw the event moved to Towan Beach on Saturday, with the competition returning to Fistral on Sunday for a thrilling climax in challenging, chunky 6ft swell and a strong cross-shore south-south-west wind.

The testing conditions didn't phase the North Devon contingent.

Croyde's Beau Bromham was third and Zak Lawton fourth as both made the finals of the under-16s in the tough conditions, with Zak also making the semis of the pro juniors.

Beau finished the 2009 under-16 tour in second place overall and was unlucky to miss out on the top slot having been unable to attend the rescheduled Welsh Open.

Westward Ho! ripper Sophie Hellyer made the final of the women's section and finished third.

The finals saw non-stop paddling and massive sets rolling, with Nicole Morgan snapping her board in the heavy waves

Sophie said: "I only caught one wave in the final but it was the highest wave score of the event — if I had got one more wave I'd have won. But I did win the Queen of the Watersports award for the best wave score."

Surfers Against Sewage are calling for volunteers to help with a community beach clean from the rocks on the north end of Saunton Sands all the way to Crow Point on Sunday week, November 29.

Wild Thyme café in Braunton has offered to keep the troops well nourished with soup and rolls, with veggies supplied by Edds the grocer. Others lending support include Loose-Fit, Surfed Out, Tiki and Second Skin surf shops, Gulf Stream surfboards and Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club.

Local SAS representative Mike Corker said: "We are also looking for a horse and cart to help with rubbish removal from the far side of the beach, so if anyone can help with this please contact me.

"Please wear warm, appropriate clothing for the day, including sturdy footwear. We will provide biodegradable bin bags, gloves and full instructions, including health and safety advice."

For more information, go to the SAS website, call Mike Corker on 01271 813300 or e-mail mikey@loose-fit.co.uk.