Porthleven

Levy lurched into life with one of the biggest, cleanest swells in some time. There were some massive drops in the morning and some tempting walls but not really any epic barrels. As the tide dropped out, the size decreased but things got a whole lot rounder. The inside section was going inside out on a couple and some of the longer barrels ever seen on the main reef kept the assembled crowd (99% of whom were photographers) amused for hours.

The hordes of surfers and bodyboarders were all over it. Ben Skinner and Russell Mullins were among the keenest, paddling out on first light and clocking up three surfs before dragging their aching bodies back north as the sun set. Evergreen ‘Leven stalwarts Martin Mynnes, JK and Robin Kent were there scoring their share and proving that experience goes a long way when mistress ‘Levy is in such unpredictable mood. And to say that it was shifty would have been the understatement of the decade. Before the swell could calm down some rogue bombs in the 8-foot range blasted the pack, catching more than one napping surfer out. By the end of the day of all the leashes that were snapped, two boards were lost to the sea, never to be seen again.

By 2010’s weather standards the temperatures were goddamned tropical, with the afternoon sun actually supplying enough heat to warrant a bit of sun protection factor. Absolutely unheard of for this frigid month.

So for once, what many were calling the best chart that they’ve seen for over three years actually lived up to the froth with most of the south coast lighting up. And It looks like there could be more to come.