surfing

Pierre Auguste Renoir: Children on the Beach at Guernsey, 1883

Guernsey really needs a swell with a powerful westerly element to it to make an impact on its coast. When it does, the west coast is the place to be. Achingly beautiful farmland gives way to white sand beaches, points and reefs. Unfortunately, this doesent happen with as much frequency as a lot of us would like.

Nestled close to the French shoreline south of the channel there is plenty of windswell but the outer reefs where you really need to be surfing don't even break on anything less than 2 metres. Nov to Feb is your window here, look out for deep Aleutian lows tracking west of the Irish coastline. Anything that stalls or passes close to the NW coast of France is going to be right in the pocket for you.

what to pack

Antonio Páramo: A shoe; 11 December 2004

A small backpack makes a good carryon bag and will be useful in daily life.  Women: remember to take a good flat pair of shoe's.... And for everybody: pair of comfortable walking shoes will be great for sightseeing. Pack according to the season - winter will require some warm clothes. Beach clothing & sandals will be useful if you are going in the warm season. Try to choose classics, and items that you can mix and match. Have at least one set of nicer clothing for more formal occasions.

Definitely take along some bug repellent spray, good sunscreen and sunglasses! Better take your medicines with you (esp. anti hastamine tablets), as the brands can be unfamiliar.

All the gear if you plan to camp: a good sleeping bag and tent that are good for very low temp; special gas container u can use for heating food and water; a sturdy backpack or a cargo pack with a good daypack. Invest in a portable water filter or at least take some puri-tabs or boil the water.

Bring plenty of memory for digital cameras and bring plenty of batteries.