In saying that, the first part of the month was dedicated to doing a bit more work on the van, in which I fitted a wind driven roof ventilator and a window in the bulkhead, along with a few other bits and bobs.
With a rapid rise in sea temperatures this month, to almost 20 degrees celsius, the main focus after that was predominantly water based, including regular swims in the local cove and a number of adrenaline-fuelled coasteering sessions over at Berry Head.
On one of these outings I finally did a huge jump I'd been eyeing up for a while now, which I believe to be in the 70 to 75 foot range. Things had been going well that day and my jumps were, on the whole, almost textbook, so when I arrived at the big jump (which I hadn't actually planned to jump that day) I was super-relaxed and it just felt right to give it a go. It was pretty much; walk up to the very edge, look down, shout 1,2,3 and just launch off it. The drop was a lot longer than I'd expected and I did let out a few expletives halfway down before tensing my body in readiness for the pencil landing at the bottom. What I discovered was that hitting the sea from a 70 foot, 2 second, drop at over 45mph resulted in a huge impact on my body. Although I entered the water dead straight and super-ridgid, the impact forces were massive, forcing my legs up into almost a frog-like position and pummeling my body from head to toe. There was no notable injuries though, much to my relief, and I emerged from the water whooping for joy and laughing my head off. It was such an adrenaline rush it was crazy!
As a result more coasteering sessions are being planned so I can get my fix again! :)
One of the other water-based activities that I managed to make the most of was a spot of surfing down at my local beach. An overnight swell produced some nice clean three foot plus peelers and I was in the water at 0630 to score a bunch of good rides for an hour before work that morning. Super-stoked with that! :)
When conditions and tides allowed, I managed to bag a handfull of deep water soloing sessions over Torquay in preparation for the Berry Head season which kicks off on the first of August. As well as scoring some nice sessions around the Meadfoot area and over at the super-steep Black Head, I also had a couple of good days down at Longquarry Point in which I succeeded in climbing a fantastic route called 'Once a Swinger', graded 7b. It is a brilliant juggy upsidedown route through the roof of a low hanging block, and is climbable in both directions, although I did feel the route was more like a solid F7a, not 7b as in the guide.
Along with plenty of DWS at Berry Head this August, I am also planning a few trips to Lulworth and Swanage to try and climb a few of the classic routes over there too, so I'm really looking forward to that. I just hope the run of good weather continues. Fingers crossed! :)
Work-wise, I've been helping the local canoe club out by running a BCU three star sea kayak course, as well as doing a bit of freelance work for Sea Kayak Devon in Dartmouth.
Looking forward to much of the same next month really and planning to make the most of things as usual. Long may the summer continue! And as for July, as the Looney Tunes would say; "That's all Folks!" :D
Photo: Me jumping off 'Colossus' 70'
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