Frank’s Blog  28th April...

I guess the big local news just now has to be the Artemis Transat yacht race, which starts from Plymouth on May 11th. Things are already starting to buzz around the barbican in Plymouth and immediately outside Harbour Sports Plymouth is a huge tent thing, which is the centre of events. It’s curious how folk just come to view this new arrival. It is very big and dominates our part of the Barbican. The big tent is called the race village and contains the BT Race Hub, the Media Centre and the VIP Club Mumm hospitality marquee! All the yachts will be lined up outside Harbour Sports Plymouth and throughout the bank holiday week there are dozens of things to look at including dozens of street entertainers.

Meanwhile further up the South Devon coast Paignton Harbour is suddenly full of boats that include the Paignton Rowing Club gig, which has increased rowing participation and provides a wonderful visitor attraction. Kayak hire from Harbour Sports Paignton is increasingly popular with single kayak hire for £20 a day and double kayak hire for £40 a day.

Frank’s Blog 14th April 2008...

This is all very confusing this early Easter. The actual Bank Holiday weekend was two weeks ago and now suddenly we have the schools all on their Easter vacation! You can always tell when the schools are out because of the increasing number of sticker sales, mainly perhaps because we probably have one of the largest selections of interesting stickers around.

Those Tucagua boys and girls from Harbour Sports Plymouth have been out on another Dartmoor camping mission last weekend to celebrate Neil Ballantyne’s birthday. Every alpaca for miles around disappeared as these ethnically clad warriors hit the high ground!!!! This time they were joined by the Owster from Paignton in his really lovely restored VW Camper. His VW Camper is usually parked outside Harbour Sports Paignton and can be viewed on our Paignton Harbour Webcam.  The harbour is increasingly active now and the webcam is more popular than ever.

Frank’s blog 2nd April 2008...

It’s been busy recently and so this little blog is once again late, which is disappointing because it’s fun to write! Part of the loss of time is of course this really early Easter, which is about as early as it can get. Could actually be one day earlier! Quite a good party tale is explaining how Easter is set: which is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox! So there you have it, more knowledge! Of course to complicate the 2008 season we have had Easter before the school holiday!

One of the nicest places to watch the full moon is from Harbour Sports Paignton. The moon lifts dramatically high over Torbay sending shafts of shimmering silver light over the water. It’s really romantic and a great way to end the day after a session of Bic kayaking. I say that because although there is no full moon tonight the weather today is summer-like and we’ve just hired the first Bic Tobago kayak of the season!

Harbour Sports Exeter now, like all the other Harbour Sports shops, has an excellent range of wetsuits. One suit that seems to be selling really well is the new C-SKINS WIRED SERIES 2 3/2 at £179.99, which I climbed into the other day in a moment of weakness. Wow – what a fit. This is what a wetsuit is all about folks. As Laura, our assistant manager in Exeter said, after climbing into her new Ladies Wired, “Point me to the water boys!”

It is difficult to talk about Harbour Sports Plymouth without mention of our Tucagua Touring Team of intrepid surfers who were last seen heading to the North Coast clutching assorted surfboards and dressed from head to toe in that unique brand. They will be pleased to know that Adriano, the man behind the brand, is heading their way shortly.  Around the Barbican just now is the sound of folk getting boats ready for the season. A new pontoon close to the shop adds additional ambiance to the boating atmosphere I think. I really really love Plymouth’s Barbican and the energy of our staff makes this a place that you really should visit.

Frank's Blog 22nd Feb 2008...

This is a long overdue blog and I can’t really think why that has happened. I guess if is one of those good intentions that somehow don’t quite reach the launching pad. Silly really when so much is going on in the Harbour Sports world!

All the Harbour Sports shops have brilliant ranges of shoes, especially Harbour Sports Exeter. The guys there have been really busy building the most fantastic shoe display out of fishing line and Perspex which gives the impression that the shoes are floating! People walk past the window, stop and then walk back to work out why they are floating! The new Adio KennyV2 at £59.99 and the new Adio Impact at £44.99 look like you need to own a pair!

It’s a curious thing at this time of year about the amount of snorkelling gear that we sell. It’s all proper kit rather than the shoddy toys that litter the gift shops. The new Aqua Sphere stand in Harbour Sports Paignton is packed with dive masks and snorkels, which add to the terrific range of Sea and Sea dive kit that we have always stocked, including prescription dive masks at £64.99 including fitting (in a range of prescriptions from -1 to -8!).

Poor old Andy, our Harbour Sports Plymouth manager has felt like a pioneer frontiersman since the road around Harbour Sports Plymouth was made a no parking area whilst South West Water dug up Southside Street! Fortuantely it didn’t last long and all is back to normal with parking right outside the shop. The odd thing was that although we expected folk not to visit, they did. Of course our selection of C-Skins, Gul and O’Neill winter suits is outstanding. The new summer C Skins Wired Series 2 3/2 at £179.99 is now in stock and already selling despite the fact that we are still in February! Explain that?

Frank's Blog 31st December 2007…

It’s always a bit of a shock when you glance at the date and realise that it is the end of another year! Harbour Sports shops only close on Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, so tomorrow we all have the day off!  I’ve been tempted this week to have a paddle around the Torbay coast and perhaps tomorrow will be that day! If I can get my wife to join me then it’s the Bic Tobago, if not then it will be just me (and perhaps my dog Marley in his rather smart Crewsaver Petfloat Buoyancy Aid!) in a Bic Bilbao! The good thing about Harbour Sports Paignton is that it is actually on the harbour and so launching is easy!  I’ve been toying with the idea of organising group ‘paddles’ in the Spring, so if you’re up for that send me an email (info@harbour.co.uk) and we’ll see what we can sort.

Last Sunday we had run out of staff and so I decided to cover Harbour Sports Plymouth for the day. Too often now I find that I just haven’t got the time for long periods on the shop floor and so last Sunday was a blast of fresh air! During the summer the barbican is vibrant, or at least it is when the sun shines which sadly was not the case during the incredibly wet ‘summer’ of 2007! I did have an interesting chat with a couple who are heading off to the sunshine about diving masks with prescription lens. What a difference it makes to a dive / snorkel holiday when you can actually see where you are going! We can build prescriptions masks and all you have to do is provide a prescription card with your details on and within days you are ready to hit the warm water! A prescription diving / snorkel mask will cost only £64.99 including labour. Bargain!!

Marc Wood, the Harbour Sports Exeter manager, is jumping for joy again because local organic food store and café Foodease has reopened in Exeter’s Corn Exchange, which is just across the road. As you probably know, we are at the bottom of the High Street and the top of Fore Street, in the middle of what is now know as Exeter’s Western Quarter. It’s a great place to spend time with loads of interesting original shops, cafes, restaurants and views over the river. I love Exeter and lived there years ago whilst playing at being a student!

Frank’s Blog - 19/12/2007

Tomorrow is the last of the Harbour Sports Exeter late night opening sessions before Christmas and as usual the staff will be handing out chocolates to all, plus of course the new Harbour Sports Loyalty Cards! Exeter has been quite festive this year and the new shopping centre appears to have been good for all. The design is inclusive rather than exclusive with clever architecture, which encourages people to walk around the town, rather than the large shopping barn that Plymouth threw up!

For the past two years the Harbour Sports Paignton webcam has been active as regular easterly wind driven waves pile up the beach. Chris Beardsmore seems to have been in the water most days, whilst co-Harbour Sporter Scott ‘The Prophet’ Marsden has nipped over to Portugal for a soaking in warmer water.  I happened to be wandering around South Devon College and noticed a number of the Harbour Sports C-Skins offer postcards in the student area! This is the ‘spend over £50 on C-Skins and get a free tee shirt!’

The east wind has also given Plymouth’s Barbican a seasonal feel and the guys at Harbour Sports Plymouth seem hugely pleased with their Tucagua clothing.  Oly Penn has taken the warmth of these alpaca looking garments to an extreme by heading off to test his in Canada’s frozen Nova Scotia! Ooh, now that’s a cold place.  The other good news is that Abi Vann is back for Christmas, adding season cheer and a vibrant atmosphere to the Harbour Sports Plymouth ambiance!

Franks - Bolle, Free Animal Lanyards and Loyalty Cards....07/12/07

The suddenly it was December. I love the Christmas period for all sorts of reasons, but most of all for the meeting of family and friends from all over the place.  All three Harbour Sports shops are festooned with colourful lights and seasonal decorations. Harbour Sports manager Andy Partridge has been working hard with local DJ Andy Howard and the city is plastered with large posters listing club nights that we have sponsored. At these popular evenings Andy Howard hands out gifts, donated by us, to seasonal revellers.

Harbour Sports Paignton went into party mode the other day when Bolle sunglasses rep Julia came in to measure Owen up for a pair of prescription shades! I wanted to include a photograph of the two of them sitting face to face but the blasted camera battery went flat. Julia claims that these are ‘pulling glasses’ which had the Owster on the edge of his seat. We watch with interest.

Late night shopping at Harbour Sports Exeter on Thursday evenings is wonderful fun, with our staff handing out chocolates to customer, although I am not sure about the ‘one for you and one for me’ arrangement! The promotion on Animal watches is attractive, with a free bottle opener lanyard with every watch sold.

The other thing that is going well is the new wallet size Harbour Sports Loyalty Card. The card fits neatly into a wallet or purse and every time you make a purchase over £10 a little sticker is attached to the card. When you have ten stickers the card is redeemed as a ten pound discount!

Frank - Winter Water, Thanksgiving, New Quiksilver and Roxy Watches...23/11/07

This morning I found myself walking Paignton beach with my dog just before dawn and wishing I had not left my coat behind. The easterly wind at this time of year sends waves rushing up the beach accompanied by a very cold air! Even in that early morning gloom a couple of hardy surfers were already paddling out. Of course the first sales of the day in Harbour Sports Paignton were C-Skin wetsuit boots!

It’s been a bit of a week weather-wise with everything from torrential rain to light frost. One thing about the colder weather is that it does actually feel as though we are heading toward the ski season and Christmas. Marc, our Harbour Sports Exeter manager was on the phone first thing this morning requesting more Bolle goggles on the transfer run today.  All very festive there last night for the first evening of Thursday late night shopping, with Exeter undergraduate Tatum on the door dishing out chocolates!

Meanwhile down on Plymouth’s Barbican Harbour Sports Plymouth stayed open for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which went past the front door. There were many guests from the United States including senior people from the American Embassy in London. The Barbican really is the most beautiful part of Plymouth and if you’ve not been there then you life is incomplete! Mayflower Steps, Pilgrim Fathers and all that sort of thing.

Part of the season cheer is the arrival of new Quiksilver and Roxy watches. Delivery was a little slow and so Owen Smith (our Paignton based clothing buyer) hopped in the Transit and called at their warehouse collecting superb stands and some stunning watches.  The really are very nice. Now where did I leave my half finished letter to dear old Santa?

Frank - New Tucagua Stock, Ski Snowboard Kit...16/11/07

You’ve got to hand it to the guys at Harbour Sports Plymouth! It all started with a conversation about alpaca’s. Why alpaca’s you ask? Well we’ve always stocked interesting clothing from Adriano of Tucagua, which someone decided was ideal for herding alpaca’s in the high mountain meadows! Since then most have the staff and many of their friends now wear this hugely individual clothing. The first Tucagua camping trip was held on Dartmoor recently and included many fun stunts obviously liberated from Baden-Powell’s Scouting for Boys. Many thanks to Oly and Neil for leading this foray into the wild!

There must be reports of snow in high places recently because the Harbour Sports Exeter staff report a sudden surge in the sale of Bolle and Oakley ski goggles. The range this year is extensive and will make all the difference for those high moments when you would suddenly sell your best friend for decent goggles! For those who say you don’t need good goggles I am reminded of a too steep slope in Alberta when the way down suddenly lost definition!

The waters of Torbay have been interesting this week, with everything from small waves to completely flat. As I write the Bay is perfect for wakeboarding and top salesman Scott knows that he has improved the life of so many people as they leave Harbour Sports Paignton with new winter wetsuits, boots, hoods and gloves! Folk seem very pleased with the little offer that we are running on C-Skins wetsuit boots at the moment, especially when Scott has tucked them in!

So there you have it! Another week in South Devon and remember that our people don’t just walk the walk and talk the talk, they really live the life!

Frank - Reef Sandals, C-Skins Clearance, Bic Kayak Hire...7/11/07

Well, it’s time for another weekly blog from Frank! Of course the most interesting thing this week has been the weather. Do you know, there are loads of new eateries in Exeter and as I walked past the other day, so many people were sitting outside wearing Harbour Sports Exeter style clothing. Who would have expected people in Reef slaps in November! But then we were wearing wellie boots in July!

Last night (Tuesday) the Harbour Sports Transit arrived back from the C-Skins warehouse in Cornwall packed to the roof with factory clearance product. We have dozens and dozens of winter boots and wetsuits at really silly prices, which will make you feel even warmer as you leap into the water. There were also loads of surfboards, body-boards, rash vests etc. The biggest range of this sort of product will be found in Harbour Sports Plymouth, on the Barbican. Go and have a rummage!!

Oddly enough, the un-seasonally warm weather has had people hiring Bic kayaks from Harbour Sports Paignton. At only £25 per day for a single and £40 a day for a double it’s a really fantastic way to spend a calm and balmy autumn day.

We’ve had two departures from staff this week, which is always a little sad. Morgan Hext-Woodrow from Harbour Sports Exeter has joined the NHS and Becky Ricks from Harbour Sports Paignton is working toward A Levels in the hope of becoming a journalist and is going to keep her head in the books for a while. Tom Preston joins Harbour Sports Exeter and has the added value of being able to repair surfboards.

Frank - Another note from the old man...29/10/07

Well, like all good intentions this weekly blog is already a day or so behind schedule! Most of the schools and some of the colleges locally have been on half term and making the most of the better weather at the start of the week. There has been a wave in Torbay for most of the holiday and so it’s been wall to wall surfers on the seafront. Both webcams have had numerous hits from all over Devon and Cornwall.

The Exeter shop has had the pleasure of 16 year Franziska Kremser from Austria on two weeks work experience. Fran says that she has really enjoyed working in the shop and we’ve enjoyed the rime she has spent here. Marc and Tatum (who is an Exeter student) have been working hard at Exeter University telling students about the Headworx clothing prize (£400 worth of clothing to be won). All folk have to do is drop in and add their name to the e-mail list. Lots of names now on the list!

If you happen to be in Plymouth, do have a look at the Extreme Board Shots photographs that are on sale. Some super beach shots and lots of VW images, plus stunning sunsets. Andy has sorted his Headworx evening with local DJ Andy Howard and that has developed into a series of evenings! Well done Andy.

Frank

Frank - A blog from the Old Man...16/10/07

Well, the thing about a blog is that it has to be regular. As you know, being regular is an OK thing, and on the subject of being regular, what a cr** summer! The prediction was for a long hot summer and what we had was a roasting April, a bright start to May and then day after day of rain until the end of August. Even the Paignton shop was flooded by rain water at one point which had Chris Beardsmore paddling around the shop in a Bic Ouassou! No lasting damage, but a bit of an epic at the time.

Anyway, taking the opportunity to make the most of the summer we teamed up with Bic and ran colourful competitions in the local press, giving away surfboards and a kayak. All good fun. That was followed by a ‘freshers’ offer in all four of the local papers (Herald Express (South Devon, Express and Echo (Exeter), Evening Herald (Plymouth) and the Western Morning News (West of England)). This was a Harbour Sports / Headworx promotion which asked students to bring the advert into the shop, spend £15 on Headworx Clothing and get a free Headworx polo shirt worth £25!

At the moment we’re doing another fun thing with Headworx. Andy Partridge our Harbour Sports Plymouth manager has teamed up with Andy Howard, a local DJ to run a series of Harbour / Headworx club evenings. Our Harbour Sports Exeter manager Marc Wood has pulled out all the stops with Headworx and is running a number of evenings at The Hub. The prize for this event is £400 of Headworx clothing! All people have to do is add their name and e-mail address to a list, which signs folk up for the Harbour Sports e-newsletter! The list is also in all of our shops and the draw will be made at the end of October 2007. Marc has produced all the posters and e-forms. Good one Marc!

Oh yes, one more thing. We’ve been joined in Paignton by Scott ‘The Prophet’ Marsden, after a month or so surfing Bali.  Like so all our staff, Scott ‘lives the life’.

Frank

Luke - Paignton staff...05/09/07

Owen and I went to Exeter Westpoint in Devon yesterday for the Surf Shop trade show.  There were some great new designs on show from brands such as Reef, Headworx, Tucagua, Ocean Publishing, O'Neill Wetsuits, Bic Surfboards, Bic Kayaks, Over-Board and Alder to name a few. We also had a bit of time left to have a chat with some of the Reef girls!!

Luke

Frank - One of our Directors...13/07/07

So what about this? Bodyboarding in one expected place and two unexpected places! Well, the expected place was veteran bodyboarder Frank Sobey attempting to get friends out paddling as a way of keeping fit! Watch out for numerous keep fit people splashing around off Paignton’s Redcliffe Hotel!

And the unexpected places? The first was not far from Harbour Sports in Plymouth where some intrepid bloke was paddling out to his yacht in Sutton Harbour on a bodyboard! Not sure whether the board came form our shop, but it was good to see it in multi use.  The other was some suicidal idiot bodyboarding over a weir on the River Exe, just down the hill from Harbour Sports Exeter.  Yes folks, your bodyboard really is a multi use tool!

Frank

Owen - Paignton staff...09/07/07

I went to Bude in Cornwall over the weekend for a mates stag party.  We managed to get in for a surf on Saturday and Sunday.  Crooklets beach was pretty good on the Saturday (about 2 to 3 foot) but a bit choppy.  The surf dropped off on Sunday but we all still got in at Widemouth Bay for a paddle.

Owen

Luke - Paignton staff...23/05/07

A few of us dusted the cobwebs off the boat last wednesday and took it out for a wakeboard in Torbay.  Was not the best conditions but it was great to get out behind the boat again.  We did a bit of wakeboarding and a bit of wake surfing by dropping the speed and building up the wake. 

Part of the reason in getting the boat out was to test out the new High Five prop!  The pick up was much quicker and pretty much was better all round.  We will be heading out again soon so will get some pics...watch this space.

Luke

Jenny - Plymouth staff...8/05/07

Hi I’m Jenny.

I’m just completing a degree in Surf Science at the uni here in Plymouth and have decided that stopping here seems like a good idea. I’m a gypo at heart and have slummed it up in places like La Jolla, Rincon, Up North and Newquay.

I’ve been surfing for 12 yrs and currently ride a 6”0” fish, which I look damn good carrying down the beach with my blonde hair blowing in the wind. I’ve been told that spongers really dig it (just kidding!)

Musically I have very eclectic tastes, ranging from Celine Dion to Linkin Park.

If I won the lottery I’d find a solution for world peace and drink all the Starbucks and eat as many McDonalds I could,

My dream date, apart from Andy (my boss), would have to be Ricky Martin and me sailing off into the sunset.

Luke - Paignton staff...18/04/07

I have just returned from a trip to Kenya.  Some days the temperature reached 45 degrees!! I managed to get a couple of days scuba diving in which was really good.  I have attached a couple of photos and a video from the dive.

               (view dive vid!!)

Pete - Exeter staff...16/04/07

Six months have passed since I bust up my arm skating, resulting in a very long non skating winter.  Finally I've emerged from my skate hibernation and, with squinting eyes and disobedient, creaking legs, have gingerly stepped back on my board and proceeded to, er, roll about a bit.  Not really up to doing anything gnarly at the mo, got to shake off the cobwebs and get the confidence back.  At last spring is here, the birds are singing and the smell of freshly cut griptape is in the air.  No doubt I'll be throwing myself about like an idiot again soon.  I love the smell of urethane in the morning.  Happy spring!

Pete B

Luke - Paignton staff...12/03/07

Surfed Bantham on Friday for a few hours.  Not that great as the wind was strong messing things up.  A few of the sets were about chest high so worth getting it.  I took my 6'0" in but wish i had left it at home and brought a 6'3!

Still in a winter, boots and hood...we might have some sunny weather but the sea is still really cold.  I had a C-Skins Wired 2 on so i was pretty warm.

Click on the pics to have look at what it was like.........

Luke - Paignton staff...16/02/07

Just a quick bit to let you all about the surf on the north coast yesterday.  A few of us surfed South Fistral in the morning.  I was a pretty heavy four footish, the wind was quite strong cross shore making it cleanISH!  A few of the bigger sets which came had a bit of a barrel......

Its still hell of a cold in there...winter suit, gloves, boots and hood...dont be fooled by a sunny day!!   Laters

Oli Penn - Plymouth Staff...

Now, to summarize the activities that my life consists of outside Harbour sports, which isn’t much, as my love for the shop overwhelms any motivation I have to partake in non-work related tasks, but occasionally I enjoy taking some time to push myself along on my slightly faster than walking contraption, that some may call a board de skate, and wowing passing spectators by showing that the cool hairy individual with his four wheeled perceived mode of transport, is actually the super hero, extreme man, with his trusty extreme-mobile, carved from the magic tree in a southern region of the little known country by the name of ‘WALES’, (that’s right, there is life there), and thus creating the illusion that my deck of doom is some how stuck to the flats of my feet, while I sore through the air over such objects as a discarded empty sandwich packet.

If I really wanted to, I could rip a surf board like Kelly Slater, Ride a motocross bike like Seth Enslow, and dance like Michael Flatly, I could if I wanted to, but I can’t be bothered.

I also make my own experimental electronic music which some of has been described as a behind the eye headache, but I like it very, very much. My favorite food is Meat, my lucky numbers are 4 and 7, I prefer boxers to pants and can fit a 50p in my right nostril. Thank you for your time, and look forward to making your acquaintance in the Plymouth branch, or maybe one of the others as I have recently taught myself to teleport. Bye x

Becky - Paignton Staff...

Hellooo I’m Becky Bex Becca Rebecca Bec yawns…

I’ve been working at harbour sports for an exciting 5 months and ever since my mental health has been heading downhill rapidly!!

I have a tendency to spend my wages on bags and hair extensions which have probably come from some poor foreign child who sold her hair for 50p just so I could look the business :D oh and clothes at the wonderful world of harbour sports (not the hair extensions)

I like to be thrown around on the backs of boats ;) NB on floaty things I know what your thinking.  I’m an Eddwina the Eagless in the making and enjoy ‘crashing’ into fellow skiers (if they’re male and pretty!) 

My surf knowledge is expanding and I now know Kelly Slater is not a gardener thanks to Chris!  I dance a bit and I haven’t tried surfing but like to strut my stuff in my winter suit - at least I look the part.  I have a fetish for beautiful boys so be scared

Hair extensions – American dream real human hair.

Straighteners – GHD’s

Bags – Animal one, it’s sexy

Hana - Paignton Staff...    

Age: 18

Occupation: Student at Plymouth Uni studying Wildlife Conservation in order to accomplish my life long dream of being a professional tree hugger.

Shop: Paignton Store

Boards..

            Surf: 9’1” Cooloola Longboard, 6’6” Henty Pintail (Retro stylee)

            Skate: 58” Lush Longboard Kisiwa, carve stik and dirtsurfer.

Favourite..

            Surf spots: Goodrington (when/ if its on) and Whitsand Bay. King’s beach, oh and Dickies beach, Australia.

            Skate spots: I can often be seen cruising round Young’s park, any smooth empty car park, and running over tourists on Paignton seafront.

Hobbies: Surfing, skating, meditating, fire/glow poi, tree hugging.

Music: Hellogoodbye, The Rocket Summer, Ben Harper, The Peter Bruntnell Combination, Devendra Banhart, Bob Marley, the list is never ending.

Idols: Nat and Beau Young, Kassia Meador and Siddartha Gautama.

Hana likes: Turtles, autumn, orange smarties, dreads, my beetle and saving the world!

Hana doesn’t like: Kayakers that possess no wave riding etiquette and tourists that leave their rubbish on the beach.   

Thing’s hana’s gotta do before she departs this world: Witness aurora borealis, hang 10 on my longboard, free dive with great whites, own a vw splitty. Oh, and win a Nobel peace prize. I don’t ask for much..

P.S I just planted one of my apple seeds in the flower- bed outside, so if anyone sees a tree growing, it’s mine. Thanks.
Increase the peace
xx

Pete Theobald – Exeter Staff...

When I’m not at Harbour Sports I like to continue the fun in my life through the medium of mime and conceptual dance.  Seriously though, I can be found usually in the high street talking to myself or shouting at bus drivers and pedestrians who inconvenience me by their very existence.  The shouting and talking to myself is not because I’m insane it’s because I’m on one of my many skate set-ups, a different one representing every evolution through every decade of the old plank and wheels that seems to fascinate me so much and oh yes and two spare decks if I get bored.  I also spend time on ATB’s, I have two, one is a two wheeled dirt surfer which I avoid since I broke my nose on the side of a rock on Dartmoor!  I love my place of work and my bosses are the best any employee could ask for (any chance of a pay rise!).  Actually I really enjoy working here.  My biggest passions in life are, my girlfriend, listening to music, friendship and laughter.  Pop into the Exeter shop and if you are lucky you may meet me…it may make your day.

Chris B - Paignton Staff...

Hey, how’s it going?  My name is Chris.  I’ve grown up working at Harbour Sports, been here since I was 16…it’s my second home!!

I bodyboard, surf, swim, ski, attempt to skate and occasionally wakeboard.  Currently ride a 42” Elemenophee skip comp crescent tail bodyboard, a 6’6” Yancy Spencer fish for those smaller days or my latest edition to the quiver a new 6’6” custom Tiki.  I usually go surfing anywhere around South Devon, mainly Bantham but wherever is good I guess, North Cornwall mainly Trebarwith, or when its easterly anywhere around the bay, the pier is always a winner for a classic onshore mess!

I have surfed in California, the Canary Islands, Oz and Indo.  When its flat I cruise on my longboard, which I just picked up from my latest trip to Cali.

I have a habit of talking to anyone so if you feel like a chat come down and see me!!  Or visit me at www.myspace.com/ctbeardsmore !

Adios!

Morgan – Exeter Staff…

I’m called Morgan but my friends, acquaintances and colleagues call me THE MORGANATOR as I feel it adds a certain sense of class.

I like to skate whenever I can, but the weathers a bit rubbish for it this time of year.  Saying that though; I’m not very good (but that’s probably because I only started skating properly in February).  I’ve got a 7.65” Santa Cruz deck, Bones wheels and a really old pair of Royal trucks, which I need to replace.

I’ve got a pretty dark sense of humour and I’m surprised how few people I’ve accidentally offended over the years.  Luckily everyone I work with is the same so I can get away with it here!

Recently I wrote to the author of Surf Fiction Short Stories (John McLean – “Deep Inside” £3.99 and “Down the Line” £6 both available from Harbour Sports) asking for a signed photo – and I got one!!  So I’m going to make it my mission to get as many signed photos as possible…because I can.

Marc - Exeter Staff…

I like to surf mainly longboards, my favourite break would have to be Saunton which is usually ideal for longboarding.  I also skate, again with the longboard, primarily as I can’t pull off any tricks on a short board.  I’m into photography in a big way and I play drums in a band called The Nine, check us out we kick ass and should be signed www.myspace.com/thenineonline

Surfboards – 7’6” Take Off, 9’ Epoxy Bic

Skateboards – Dog Town Pinstripe longboard, Surf One / Powell longboard.

Matt Martin – Exeter Staff…

Hello internet surfs….how’s it going. My name is matt and I am a harbour sports worker.

I've been here for about 2 years. I am in to skating, surfing, graffiti, music, and partying.

I am in a band called the genital babies (www.myspace.com/thegenitalbabies)

and also a photography student at Exeter College.

I don’t own my own surf board so I usually borrow Marc’s, I’ve got 4 skate boards….a Santa Cruz re issue skull, Santa Cruz pool board with pirates on it, death box pirate and a really old Powell and Peralta  cab board that I bought of a drunk kid for 4 quid. Skate mostly around Exeter but it’s not that good for street! Anyway the peeps at harbour sports are all proper boss and we all have a laugh……and also work hard (and drink lots of tea).

I like to think of my self as an all right guy but make your own judgement by coming in a meeting me and the gang. Big up to all the crews….keep it real misfits…..latzx

Pete B – Exeter Staff…

Tom - Paignton Staff...

Ello, im tom. Welcome to the wonderfull and insane world of the Harbour sports crew. Ive worked at harbour sports on and off for nearly 6 YEARS!!!... i started as a wee 15 year old lad after bugging frank until he gave me a job... This is a decision i know he deeply, deeply regrets...

Im at uni studdying Computer aided Graphic design and packaging which is most fun...but like to spend my holidays, assiting customers here in the harbour with complex decisions, like what socks to get with there lovley new winter wetsuit. I have dabbled in most sports in the surf/skate world, but am regurally told i am not safe when equpped with these toys... I find my adrenalin by holding onto very large and over powered traction kites and strapping my feet to a flexible All terrain board. I get chucked all over the place, nearly smash my face up and go home crying with a large bag of tangled lines...  im really into music, photography film, design and anything else that floats my way. Well thats enough from me at the moment... if you visit.... im the lankey one.. Check out myspace @

www.myspace.com/lusky1987