We also go away on trips away from Edinburgh for weekends. Destinations
include Firbush (university field centre at Loch Tay),
Machrihanish, Fraserburgh and Troon. We also go off to
Tiree (an excellent
wavesailing and surfing spot) for a week during the Easter break. Other trips
include a weekend to Machrihanish, a
weekend in
Thurso and a few days in Newquay
for the BUSA championships.
Check out the message board for general banter
and when people are going to the beach. The weather page
will help you to figure out if there will be wind or waves. If you want to buy
or sell kit there is a small section with kit for sale.
Its a good idea for everyone to read the club safety policy. It's a bit
boring but if you're going out on the water, its good to know what we think
about what you should do to be safe.
Finally, the other bit of club info you might want to know is the names and
numbers of the committee. It should be on your membership card, but if you've
lost it, used it, or you're not a member, then you can still get the correct
numbers.
The FAQ below will answer most of your questions - click on a question and
the answer will be displayed below (you can also click on Show All to display
all the answers to all questions). If you have any more questions feel free to
come to our weekly meeting (Revolution on Wednesday from 1:30pm - 2pm) or e-mail someone on the committee.
Show All | Hide All
basics
when are surfing trips and how do I sign up for them?
During the autumn and spring terms we run beginners and intermediate trips every Saturday or Sunday and some Wednesdays. The beginner trips usually go to Pease Bay on the East Coast. Sometimes we go a bit further along the coast to Coldingham, which has a good pub, just in case we get there and the waves are too small (or too big!).
Sign up for trips at our weekly meeting at Revolution on Wednesday from 1:30pm - 2pm. If you can't make it to the meeting then phone the surfing convenor (number is on the membership card or on the committee page).
There are always people going to the beach by car - come to the weekly meeting and get to know the people who go to the beach regularly and have their own cars, then getting to the beach will be easy!
where do trips leave from?
Trips leave from the lockup at the Pleasance (see map below). To get to the lockup from the sports centre walk out of the main entrance, down the stairs to your right and through the archway.
You can also look at this link for information about the lockup, what it looks like and so on.
what must I bring on trips?
You'll need:
- Old trainers
- Your cossie and a towel
- Warm clothes - (preferably with psychedelic colours)
- Snacks and munchies for lunch
- Irn Bru, packet of blue Doritos, a Snickers bar, a banana, etc.... (basic essentials)
- If you have them bring wetsuit gloves and boots.
- If you don't, the club has a limited supply, or you can hire them from Momentum for a couple of quid.
We will provide you with a wetsuit, board and leash. If you have your own board then bring it down to the lockup with you.
where do surfing trips go?
Most day surf trips go to Pease Bay or Coldingham.
how do I know if there will be waves?
Scottish weather is very unpredictable so often you won't know if there will be waves until the day. Check out the weather page for forecasts and some info on how to use the forecasts.
beginners
how do I learn to surf?
Sign up for one of the beginners trips and the person running the trip will teach you. You will also be taught about waves and safety in the sea.
If you want some intensive windsurfing lessons then sign up for the club trip to Machrihanish (normally at the end of week 6 of the autumn term) where you can surf for an entire weekend or just get drunk.
intermediate
how do I improve my skills?
The best way to improve is to surf with the more advanced members of the club who are more than happy to help you improve and give you pointers and tips. Come to the meeting, arrange a lift to the beach and soon you will be getting barrelled just like Occy or Slater...
