HOME.

It's like a drug, hooks you and leaves you wanting more. I never fail to appreciate the ocean and what's in it - all to soon it's gone or you can no longer go there. Live every day to the full!

- Billy Sinclair, Marine Biologist and all round awesome lecturer! 

You can't help who you fall in love with, much like you can't choose which surf spot you'll eventually favor. Its a gut feeling, an affinity, which cannot be explained or understood. My affection for Saltburn crept up on me in the same unexpected way jocks in teen films realize they love the nerdy girl. Saltburn won me over with its cold North Sea, uniqueness and the warmth of it's locals, which is why I'll travel 3+ hours to make it my local break. 

I adore the place and wonder if one day I'll make it my home. The surfers who call it their regular spot welcomed me and my intrepid friend with open arms something which is both rare and a luxury. Nick the surf shop owner/legend (see Endless Winter), even rang me the other day in reply to my out of the blue request...of course he'd open the surf hire shop for me even in the off season and despite working elsewhere! 

It is that level of familiarity which makes it one of the nicest places on earth (in my opinion) and one of the best places to learn how to surf. 

After a sun drenched session on Thursday we got out of the sea to find Vince another local close to my heart, who had a cup of tea waiting for us and biscuits! Despite meeting some people only once we shared waves, talked over pizza and I even got to meet some famous dogs (see Meg the surf dog)! There everyone is so understated and welcoming, half way through a conversation I realized I was chatting to a local pro who had competed in Puerto Rico (and who also had a lovely dog called Bali). 

I sincerely hope I can get my act together and make living in Saltburn a reality. I've come to accept the quirks of my city but Birmingham doesn't enthrall me in the same way the North Sea does, every time I go I feel like I've arrived home. 

Here are photos from the few days I spent up there, some are credited to my travel companion Adelle Gough (look out for the arty ones)! 

My beloved Saltburn. We arrived a little too late to have an afternoon surf on account of a delayed train but it was still nice to head down to the beach and watch the surfers in the last of the light. 

Ahhh where it all began, the Saltburn hire shop. Here you can see my friend Adelle having a natter to one of the locals Andy, we met him a few weeks ago in Scarborough, where we spent a very funny surf festival pretty much doing anything but surfing (on account of a flat spell). 

Unfortunately this photo doesn't show how amazing this guy was on my penny board. He asked if he could have a go and did moves that wouldn't look out of place in 'Lords of Dogtown.' A bit of a dude really! 

Car park cups of tea are amazing! Vince is one of the most prepared people I've ever met, he had literally a cafe in the boot of his car. I can't tell you how lovely a cuppa was after standing about in the cold! 

 Me and Vince having a well earned break! Below is the little sign me and Adelle found off Joan the landlady we were renting the apartment off. I love that she calls us the mermaids hahaha! 

  

As you can probably tell these photos are courtesy of Adelle. I'm really loving skateboarding especially as its something I can do in Birmingham while I'm waiting to escape to the coast. I feel myself progressing with it too, I'm starting to feel a bit more natural which is a massive improvement on the first time I tried (I landed on my arse)!  

 I'll never tire of photographing this place, every time I go I see it with fresh eyes, beautiful. 

This is Phil one of my Saltburn heroes, he surfs like it is the easiest thing in the world and he just happens to be one of the nicest, most humble people you'll ever met such a DUDE! He also has the most Northern accent I've ever heard, AWESOME! 






























Last but not least, Surfer Girls! I love my dudes but there's something amazing about surfing with women, we're water warriors and I love that time in the sea with these girls is always positive and empowering! 

On my way there I penned a little poem I'd like to dedicate to the sea. I know that sounds uber cheesy but I've got a lot of love for the big blue and I'd like to share it with you all before I go take my dog a walk! 

Down to the sea.
Every time. 
She sees me 
and I need her. 
Walking on water,
or gargled underneath
No need to edit myself.
Every time
bliss. 
I never knew.
Down to the sea. 
Her and me. 

By Sophia 

Until next time water babies, stay strong and surf well! 

x