An amateur British surf photographer has a message for rage-filled locals!
On my many travels I have been to Scotland’s Edinburgh, North Ireland’s Belfast, Wales’ Cardiff but I have never been to England’s Cornwall. Its beating surf heart. I should certainly rectify this and yesterday’s dust between a photographer and angry locals made me want to move my trip right up. I love angry locals! And would you like to a recap from CornwallLive?
We all know Cornwall has its fair share of secret surf spots. Waves that may break just a few times a year and that only the locals are supposed to ride.
And we all know how angry surfers can get when their favourite surf spots are revealed.
But now an amateur photographer has landed himself in hot water across the Tamar after taking pictures of rare waves in Plymouth Sound and he’s hit back. Surfer Ben Landricome said that he has received a number of threats since he snapped pictures of the secret surf spot on Saturday, January 6.
He said: “I just wanted to share my pictures. I had no idea the trouble it would cause with the local surfers.” The 36-year-old said that angry surfers having been sending him threats ever since the photos went online.
Ben, from Plymstock, said that some of them had sent him private messages to tell him off for revealing the secret spot.
He explained: “They said they were going to beat me up. I thought ‘woah chill out’. “They’re acting like they own the ocean.”
Jake Yates said: “This should be taken down now. For years it’s been a secret and now one post like this could just go and spoil it for everyone else that has known about it for years.”
Luke Daniel Smith said: “You have got to surf to understand it’s like life out there now there is a chance little scum bags will ruin it for others.”
Cohen Grayling said: “Took us local surfers years of travelling around looking at surf spots at different tides and on different size swells for out advantage. Then one picture and it’s all over.”
Dave C Jones said: “Now everybody will be down there. Thanks Herald.”
But Ben added that he would never encourage anyone to try out the spot – as it is very difficult and dangerous to surf there. He said: “I think it is the most dangerous wave in England. You’ve got to know what you’re doing.” Speaking of the waves themselves, he said: “It is super rare, it probably only happens about three times a year. “There are usually about four or five guys out there when it does happen.
“It’s a shallow reef so one wrong decision and you could crack your head open.
“Some sets of waves were about 4 foot, but it’s hitting on reef so that means deep water hitting shallow reef to produce the wave – way more powerful than a beach wave.”
Old Ben from Plymstock is my new favourite British surf personality (sorry Rip Current Rory). His nonplussed approach to online abuse/continued helpful explanation about the “secret wave” is exactly what the world needs more of. Don’t you agree? I mean, lets be honest. The video of the photographer cowering while spitting high-pitched lawsuit threats was the very bottom of that barrel. Ben from Plymstock sets a new standard in decorum.
(Video on loan from Stab’s permanent collection)
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wibble, wtf are you blabbing on about?
Ol’ Ben From Plymstock. There is one of those in every surf outpost, like – Ol’ Blair from Cockrock. Long rides at the CRock. ‘Long, cock rides’, some of the locals say.
I have a question for Chas. Do you think Stabmag will start posting stories questioning why Chas never posted a story on Dusty Paynes horrible wipe-out at Backdoor…..surely the second biggest story in surfing this year????
Beachgrit should send him to Kalbarri in conjunction with Bright Lager to shine a spotlight on that town. Oh wait, Stabs already done that
Chas please do a story on hippies and their ‘impact’ on surfing. I feel this would gain a lot of traction.
Mate I am 52 . I got to surf daily from 17 till 47 in Oz and then south west France . I run every second day to stay fit so when I get to surf I can . I waited till I was 48 to get married and have kids because I really just wanted to surf . I miss it but we hope to move to Oz in the next few years . I surfed through ten winters in France and I know how tough it can be to get motivated . Spring always comes mate !
I’ve surfed on Germany’s North Sea at Sylt and even in the Baltic an hour north of Kiel . The nearest real waves are in Northern Denmark around a place called Klitmoller but that’s a 6hr drive . If I wasn’t a stay at home dad with 2 kids under 5 I would just jump on a plane for 4hrs to the Canarys as often as possible. Luckily got to surf for 3 months in Oz last year and a week in south west France .
Klitmoller eh?
tell me more.
Klit means dune in Danish. Not as exciting as you may have hoped 🙂
There is a window which allows the swell to sneak in between Scotland and Norway . Flat coastal plain so no romantic image like you might see in Iceland or Alaska . Incredibly cold and even at its best probably not something to write home about .Like most spots in this part of the world it is a better sailboard spot than surf spot .Very popular and crowded .
If I had to surf that wave I’d be pissed too.
Can hardly be described as a ‘secret spot’ when it has a sealed road leading right upto it and a cumfy park bench perfectly orientated towards the peak.
They have a wonderful surfwear company in Devon called Saltrock .
So this week’s results)*Devon 1 Burleigh Heads -1 and Torquay (Aus)also minus 1
I think soon it might be Burleigh Heads half and half! And Torquay really minus one!
In 1977 I was 12 and coerced my mum to drive us to a little shop which was selling Quiksilver boardshorts . 2pairs for $12 each and I thought I was the coolest kid in town and wore them everyday for 2 years till they didn’t fit anymore.If the great swimmers of the 60’s wore speedos and Tennis players wore Dunlop volleys than the great surfers since 69 wore Quiksilver boardshorts . Bit sad to see it go .
I’ve written something for Surfline.com about it, hopefully it’s published as is. It is a sad moment I think.
Thanks 🙏 . I will look out for it at surfline . I must be getting old to get nostalgic about boardies .
The zeal for colonization has sure waned among the English.
Why would anyone want more than their little wet shithole?
ah yes a spent force as far as the colonies go , now I think the Poms are going to erect a wall around the Nearly UK , stop those Europeans polluting their world with silly notions , like a united Europe , and have decided to lead the World towards an incestuous Model of Nationalism , well , that the USA /DT are working on.
Chas, do you mean the “North of Ireland” or the area defined as “North Ireland”?
Tbh I don’t know what I’m talking about
Northern Ireland and you clearly don’t know what you are talking about!
Ha! I work with a bloke who is a “staunch ‘Sinner'”. I have received a very bias history lesson over the last year regarding “blue nose Proddy bastards” and “One Ireland”
I take no sides OFC, just fascinated
It gets ugly quick!
If you go there and I highly recommend you do . DON’T EVER MENTION THE TROUBLES ! EVER !
I work in construction, and get tradespeople from all over on site – my coworker is very passionate, is that true for a great number of middle aged Irish? He’s from a certain part of Dublin.
One of the plumbers is his 20s from Belfast, and thinks differently. They avoid each other, although the young guy says it’s a generational thing, is this true?
Mate I am not Irish but was lucky enough to spend a week with the Irish surf team in 1997 on a training camp at Bundoran which lies just south of the border . At the time this was the only sporting association with surfers from both Ireland and Northern Ireland . I pass on the advice which was given to me by best mate who was their coach at the time .
Shit that would have been interesting, did they treat each other differently?
There was a lot of joking around but it was hard to tell if they were just taking the piss or marking their territory so to speak
Another boy about 20 was on site in a Glasgow Rangers jersey. My Sinn Friend was upset and treated him poorly. My plumber friend thought that was just him?
Glasgow rangers were an only protestant team and rivals Glasgow Celtic were a catholic team .A bit like state of origin but with 600 years of history / rivalry
I was filled in on that aspect, but is it still and issue these days?
As an atheist Australian living in Germany with a French long stay residents visa I really don’t know the current situation in Glasgow or Ireland .Things have a tendency to change slower in Europe in comparison to the New World so there is a good chance that what was happening 20 to 30 years ago is still simmering away .
The hatred the SF bloke has is very real. Most of the younger blokes who come to site just raise a brow when he treats them shit, but someone did carve “Fuck Fenians & the Pope” into the toilet wall…
Read up on the history of Ireland and go see for yourself . Take boards and spend even more on wetsuits and a replacement liver would probably come in handy as well .
I’ve definitely done my own research, but it goes back a long way! Personal opinions such as yours shed a more relevant light on it too.
What’s the surf like over there if you’re not Russell Bierke?
There are all types of waves from beachbreaks to points rivermouths and reefs . It’s windy wet and cold and if your not from Tasmania you have no idea how cold the water can be . 5/4/3 hood gloves booties and your teeth will still be chattering . Bundoran is a good place to stay with waves in town and the surrounding area . I was there for a week and saw the sun for 5 minutes
Only a Tasmanian knows the feeling?
I surfed from 10 till 26 in Sydney and never wore booties once . I don’t think people realize the effort and pain suffered in water less than 12 degrees not to mention 6 . 10 winters in France with no points or reefs and a 100 ice cream headache duck dives each surf . Booties are great , hoods ok but never found a pair of gloves which didn’t fill up when the set of the day was about to crash down on my head .
I grew up in New Zealand, you’re preaching to the choir. I know the icy embrace of the Southern Ocean all too well. Imagine Tasmania without the moderating effects of the Australian continent…
Sorry mate was just trying to answer some questions for Samsung and not to appear as an expert of surfing in colder climes or preach to fellow cold water surfing sufferers.Are you still there or have you followed the call of the sirens to warmer waters ? I’m getting to old for the cold and looking forward to be back dodging blue bottles and skin cancer as soon as possible.If it’s good enough for Wayne Lynch it’s good enough for me .
Cheers tho
How bearable is a French Winter? Was looking to move there for a year, can’t finish up work until end of October…
The best period for France is from Easter till End of October .Much warmer and Day light savings means lots of daylight hours and a chance to surf 3 times a day on all tides . Tides are your friend and enemy as it may be perfect for 2hrs a day but you have to predict it and be out there just before it turns on . From November to Feb you could do Morocco, Portugal and the Canary Islands . Then make your way to France in March / April . There are great waves in winter ❄️ but do you really want to sit there for 6 weeks waiting as 20ft sets close out non stop with nowhere to surf till it drops off .
How do the canarys go? True that it’s a sponge haven?
You can surf 2 foot or ten foot on the same day at spots 500m apart . Spent 3 months on Feurteventura. Cheap accommodation Rental car and food . In 2010 we hit the jackpot and bought 24 cases of beer at 19 c the can . Waves on north coast and surprises to be had on east and south coast depending on the wind and swell directions . December through to March best time and good quality boards to rent and buy available .
Thanks!!
The SF guy is a fucking Dubliner, he is probably full of shit! Tell him he is a fucking Jackeen! He’ll love that! Bet he is a thick cunt in general, and for the record I’m a Catholic from the South! Anyone who is half decent wants to leave all that shit where it belongs – in the past!
Hahaha you’re not the first person to say that! It makes for interesting watching that’s for sure. If someone hates everyone & others are all useless, it’s pretty easy to see the common denominator…
I don’t live in the North, but I don’t believe it’s a great idea walking around in one of those jerseys if wander into the wrong area!
I work in a part of Glasgow where anything green gets fucked up – traffic lights, Subway (signage now black) even grass! Legit, it’s still a thing.
http://www.independent.co.u…
To think Jesus’ Great Leap Forward was to LOVE THINE ENEMY
Mathew 5;44 ?
Football fans are usually dickheads, Catholic or Protestant, doesn’t matter! But you are nearly draping yourself in a flag with those jerseys!
only if your spineless
mate are we talking about Jesus or the troubles or both .
Can’t wait for the Hollywood movie, Gangs of Plymouth Sound, starring Bradley James as Ben…
Gilbert and Sullivan
The Pirates of Penzance go to Plymouth
Pommy surfers – The biggest kooks on the planet.
Also some of the most motivated. The waves are mostly shit apart from a few gems, but if all you have is North Sea slop, you make what you can of it.
This is what happened to the poor sucker’s car: https://scontent.fbrs1-1.fn…
also, the spot in question is in Devon not Cornwall Chas you kook
Ummmm I was trying to keep it a little hidden. But thanks!
I only found pictures of body boarders ?
And I’m sure the jannerz will love you all the more for it
For a second there I thought that Surf Stitch was going full throttle on some ugly guerrilla marketing with poor Ben… I guess I need new glasses to tell that was an N and not a T. And new glasses that would show me why anyone cares if that shit wave is known or not. I think I will stick to spending my travel money on Central America or Hawaii.
Surf Snitch x STAB collab?
yessss
should have burned it and smashed his cameras
Just a bunch a middle aged dudes who greatest accomplishment is finding a spot on a map lol. Good for the photographer.
yea good they smashed him
That wave was never a secret anyway and the only reason anyone would have not to know it’s whereabouts is that it’s fucking shit