Name: Simon Twitchen

Age: 40

Lives: Georgeham

Surfs: Croyde, Putsborough, Lynmouth . . . anywhere really.

How long have you been surfing? 25 years.

What got you involved with surfing? A desire to ride waves like real surfers.

Who rips in North Devon? Ralph Freeman, Nigel Cross, Alex Baker, Scott Rannocan, Saltrock Ross, Nick Lloyd.

Who's the best up and coming surfer in the area? Alex Baker.

What's your most memorable session and why? August 2007. Croyde Bay. I surfed with my daughter Hollie, who was on a brief visit from Australia. We both surfed foamies and had a ball. Riding the same waves is something I will never forget.

What is the best thing about surfing for you? Escapism.

What would you say to people wanting to get involved with the sport? Have lessons!

Where else have you surfed in the world? Indo, Australia, Morocco.

How does North Devon compare to other global surf spots? Not bad considering. When Croyde is good, it's really good, but still too cold!

What's the worst thing about surfing? People who think they own the ocean.

Your opinion on hired equipment? It should be illegal to hire a hard board unless you can surf. There are too many injuries caused by idiots on rock hard boards who just want to look cool. You cannot hire Scuba gear without having a certificate of competence, why is it not the same with surf boards)?

What about surf schools, anything to say? It is better that a beginner has a lesson and knows what they are doing than to have a whole bunch of beginners hiring lethal hard boards and half killing themselves and others.

Have you had any nasty injuries surfing? Got a fin in (well very close) to my eye once, (about 2mm from the eyeball apparently) that hurt a bit!

Best wave you've surfed? Croyde low tide barrel along with Green Island, Ulladulla, Australia.

Most overrated wave? I wouldn't say it's 'rated' but I've got to say Saunton because so many people surf it. I guess it's okay if you take a newspaper or book out with you, it really is that slow.

Most underrated wave? Putsborough, every once in a while, just off low tide. Putsborough has some cracking waves in medium offshore wind in a heavy swell.

What do you think about competitive surfing? Good fun.

Competition results? A few over the years, Jesus Surf Classic Masters winner 2007.

Anything else to say? Not really, but I'm sure I saw a huge shark when boat fishing off of Baggy. Something huge snapped my new 50lb boat rod in two bits and bit through the line shortly after. That's all I can say to thin the crowd . . . no seriously, it's true. It only takes one.