WITH contest season still a little way off, one North Devon grom has been getting some early practice in across the border in Cornwall.

Georgeham ripper Taz Knight was in action at the aptly named 2010 ICECUBE Classic.

Organised by South East Cornwall Surf Club, the contest ran in almost perfect 4ft surf at Whitsand Bay.

The under-16s was hotly contested with the groms showing off their skills in the great conditions.

Making the final, Taz posted the highest-scoring wave but was frustrated when he was unable to back it up, finishing second.

The expression session gave Taz the opportunity to let loose and he secured the win, busting a huge fins out snap that was clearly the best.

The dedicated 13-year-old charger will certainly be one to watch this year.

The run of chunky swells we've had in recent weeks has led to a big increase in the number of battered boards in need of TLC.

Ding repairers along the coast have reported a higher than usual demand for their services as the combination of heavy water, evil closeouts and pointy rocks have taken their toll.

Local surfboard manufacturer Gulfstream have resurrected their popular trade-in offer.

After the success of last year's promotion, the award-winning team from Woolacombe will relieve you of your battered stick and happily give you some serious money off any of their tasty boards.

Simon Skelton, Gulfstream's chief test pilot and squeeze-box virtuoso, said: "As long as it's in one piece and has got fins we'll give anyone a £100 trade-in."

Renowned as quiet, introspective quiet types, it comes as a bit of a surprise to see the rise of the surf blogger.

Not content with surfing waves, these computer-savvy riders are almost as happy surfing the web, adding to the pages of drivel that already populate the internet.

Following the trail-blazing Nick "where are the cakes" Lloyd and his site www.pushingtide.com, surfers are queuing up to join the blogosphere and share their thoughts, opinions, videos and pictures.

Barnstaple's Lloyd said: "It started as a bit of shameless self-promotion and has grown from there."

Top longboarder Ashley Braunton confessed to

Lineup

: "It started as a way to keep my sponsors up to date with my progress and has evolved from there. I've written articles on boards and am in the process of writing mini travel guides to the places I've surfed. It's given me a chance to share my knowledge."

From the well-written and informative, such as timkevan.blogspot.com by the well-known surfing barrister, to the weird and twisted world of musician/local celebrity Charley "you're not a real surfer unless you've got a surf blog" Charlesworth, charleysurfsalot.blogspot.com, and Woolacombe's Ste Corcoran at ste-swell.blogspot.com.

So if you want to know what makes these guys tick, look elsewhere.

But if you want to get a distorted, warped view on the world of waves, riding and beards, here's a couple more to get going with: www.ashley braunton.com and gregnormansurfer.blogspot.com.

Finally, spare a thought for North Devon surf photographer Gordon Drybrugh.

Having delayed his ski holiday to make the most of last week's swell, he finally made it to Aviemore — only to be dragged off the hill by mountain rescue following a fall that's left him with what's technically known as a 'knackered back'.

We wish him a speedy recovery and suggest he stick with the surf for a while.