Seasons greetings and goodbye to 2008, it was a good year.
A year of highs and lows, the year of the credit crunch, the end of the housing boom and the death of the Celtic tiger. The year Kelly Slater amazed us with a string of performances fitting a man 10 years younger, the year I seen Indonesian waters for the first time, the year I busted my hip, the year I started to eat vegetables for the first time in my life and sadly failed! (its in my new years resolution list), the year I learnt how to grow wheat grass, juice it and drink the damn stuff, hard work. The year I spent 2 months in bed, highly recommended. The year I started this blog with the support from Rosy, the year I won a photography competition, busted a favourite Lens and upgraded to a Sigma Bigma (thanks to rony, shes just arrived in the post). The year Ireland had 2 genuine surf magazines, both not quite as good as Jay Dohertys underground mag “Washing Machzine”, but good all the same, alas the last issue of Fins is out now, the credit crunch has bit its arse off, lets hope Tonnta will survive. The year I watched Fergal Smith pushing boundaries for Irish surfing in Relentless Revolution and the year Glen “Micro” Hall represented Ireland in the QS, a first and a genuine contender, we wish him good luck. The year of more surfers than we ever imagined and all the baggage that brings, words in and out of the water, on forums and in magazines, peace to all. The year of exposing surf spots, seeing photos of sensitive spots plastered all over the net, and emails duly sent to “take them down”. The year Rosy took his shaping to another level, his hand shaped boards are now by far the best in Ireland, watch out for his 2009 models, I’ll post one soon. The year of the surf club debate, it will raise its head again. The year of Jelly Fish invasions, the BPSA tour up the port, and total drop in madness in Inishowen. The year of facebook, texas holdem winning and loosing big “pretend money”. The year of broken boards, broken wallets and broken hearts. Happy New Year to all and lets hope 2009 is as eventful as 2008.
