Kimmeridge rocks!

Kimmeridge is a small town on the south coast of Dorset located in an area known as The Isle Of Purbeck. The land the town sits on is some of the oldest geology in England, dating all the way back to the time of dinosaurs. Accordingly, this stretch of shoreline is also known as The Jurassic Coast and archeologists regularly find fossils of long extinct animals hidden in the rocks and cliffs. 

Kimmeridge is also home to one of the south coasts finest surf spots, Broad Bench. A fast barrelling right hander breaking over a shallow reef. There is currently a campaign active to try to maintain and even increase the limited access surfers have to this wave. The wave sits on the fringes of the Lulworth Army Firing Range and due to this proximity the wave can only be surfed when the Army say it is OK to do so.

Here is a collection of photographs showing the type of rocks that line the Kimmeridge Bay coast, with a few other pics thrown in for good measure.

Timed it just right to follow this tractor clearing the snow.

My friend and I were the 1st to arrive and were greeted by this.

The snow began to melt after the sun came out...

...causing waterfalls to flow all along the cliff...

...and other surfers to appear.

Museum Of British Surfing

I had a bit of time to kill between surfs last month while I waited for the tide to turn so I went along to the Museum Of British Surfing in Braunton for a nose around.

This was my first visit to North Devon since the museum opened to the public in April and I was keen to check out the collection of boards and other surf paraphernalia on show. 

Situated in the main car park at the heart of Braunton the Museum is well placed to attract the thousands of passing tourists which visit this friendly surf town yearly. Although not actually on the beach, Braunton acts as a gateway to the popular beaches of Croyde, Saunton and Putsborough. Any surfer wanting to learn about the heritage of the sport can easily call past on their way to or from the beach. 

With many items dating back to when surfing was first introduced to Britain the museum has crammed a massive amount of information into their four high walls (stacked to the ceiling with board porn).

The well laid out and informative exhibits made the museum seem deceptively large and a pleasure to wonder around and soak up the history at your own pace. I took me about 2 hours to take in most of what was on offer. But I still felt like I could have stayed longer to marvel at the eclectic mix of surfboard designs on offer.

                       

During my visit there was an emphasis on surf art. The mediums on display ranged from backlit sculptures through to some beautifully finished surfboards. However, my favourite piece was this one. The original Tris Surfboards logo. An amazing amount of detail and something I would love to have a print of.

The Museum Of British Surfing is a must visit for any surfer with an interest in history. But it is equally accessible for all, whether you surf or not. Here's hoping the museum is a success, otherwise we risk losing part of our culture to the shadows of time.

Some more pictures for ye...

         

(yes, thats a cardboard surfboard in the middle pic!)