Surfer’s and Dogs Delight

Surfer’s and Dogs Delight

A postcard found on ebay by Len Parker (now in Florida) titled ‘Surfer’s and Dogs Delight, Compton Bay’ The surfer is Martin ‘Bert’ Spencer sometime during the early 90’s carrying a Custard Point longboard at Compton Bay, Isle of...
Close Call on the Volcano

Close Call on the Volcano

During late September 1995 Jo and I decided to make the trip to Mt Ruapehu, staying at the National Park for some snowboarding at the Whakapapa Ski Field. The forecast was perfect with a fresh dump of snow the night before. We got up early and drove up to base at...
‘Do the Wight thing’ – Just Seventeen magazine

‘Do the Wight thing’ – Just Seventeen magazine

In May 1992 there was a mother and daughter swept out to sea off Compton. It was at the end of a day surfing and about tea time and Isle of Wight surfer Andrew Plenty was just off home. The mother and daughter were hanging onto a rubber ring but panicked and let go of...
A Look at the Caribbean by Rob Ward

A Look at the Caribbean by Rob Ward

The Circumnavigation of ORINOCO FLO Part 3 by Rob Ward Marigot Bay, St Martin – Ansedes Colombiers, St Barts (A couple of days in the Caribbean) We arrived at St Martin’s by way of a stonking 13 knot close reach under jib and reefed main to Barbuda from Antigua. And...
Round the World Surf Charter by Rob Ward

Round the World Surf Charter by Rob Ward

The Circumnavigation of Orinoco Flo Part 2 by Rob Ward PART ONE FINISHED happily in Bayona on January 17th. The ‘Bay of Biscuit’ (Hils) had done its worst and the ship of fools had sailed into northern Spain on the back of a northeasterly gale with all nine relieved...
The Circumnavigation of Orinoco Flo by Rob Ward

The Circumnavigation of Orinoco Flo by Rob Ward

The Circumnavigation of Orinoco Flo Part 1 by Rob Ward I BUILT Orinoco Flo in the years 1992-4 with a small gang of young helpers. The circumnavigation took the form of an extended charter to help pay the bills. It was a long one – 35,500 miles. And it took us...