OK, let's start by introducing ourselves in this, our first blog for Concept2.

We are a small group of surfers and surf lifesavers from North Devon who all share the same passion for the ocean.

As a small coastal community, all our social lives and recreational interests revolve around the same thing.....getting wet whenever we can, be it the sea, swimming pool or surf! These pursuits take up a large part of our lives and staying in shape is important. Fitting training around work, family and recreation however is not always an easy task so we where stoked when Concept2 UK offered us the use of a Concept2 rowing machine and Skierg machine.

Our training group is a real diverse mix of friends who have devoted their lives to pursing dreams.

Andrew Cotton (not the one in Eastenders!) is currently the UK's top big wave surfer, seeking out and surfing huge waves around the world.

Andrew or Cotty as he known, grew up here in North Devon and is the humblest and most sincere bloke you will ever meet. He is softly spoken and slight in stature, which is probably far from the image you would instantly have in your head of a man who spends the majority of his life surfing some of the world's largest waves!

He is one of only a few elite big wave surfers in the British Isles and was recently nominated for the Billabong XXL wave award. This award recognizes big wave surfers worldwide and offers a large prize fund for the biggest wave surfed globally

During the winter months Cotty is based in Bundoran, Ireland, storm chasing and training for the big day and during the summer months, Cotty re-locates back to his home and family in North Devon where the summer training sessions take part.

Also training on the Concept2 machines are the members of the Croyde Surf Lifesaving club and Surf boat rowing team.

Croyde Surf Lifesaving Club has been active since the 1950's, when it was running under the banner of the North Devon Surf Lifesaving Club. It is now a well-established local club which promotes Surf Lifesaving and teaches sea safety skills to children and adults. These skills are at heart of the clubs ethos as training local children and adults about the ocean and how to themselves be safe and recognize danger for others is essential. The club is a charity run club and as such will hugely benefit from the support that Concept2 have given.

With the help of the Concept2 machines, our members have gained fitness and stamina ensuring they can enjoy the ocean environment with confidence and safety.

The Concept2 rowing machine is by far the best all round training machine we have found. For the activities we do in and around the ocean, it gives us complete fitness and conditioning where we need it. Being keen watermen, it is essential for us to maintain endurance stamina and cardiovascular strength. We have been sprint training on the rowing machine for the last 4 weeks with the time to beat over 500m currently at 1.31! Since using the rower, we have seen a huge improvement and power transfer when swimming, surfing and surf boat rowing. The bonus with the Concept2 rower is that you feel the burn in your legs as well as your upper body, so you know you are having a full body workout.

The Skierg machine was a piece of equipment that none of us where aware of until we received it? That was all about to change!

If you have ever been skiing before, you will know how hard it is to keep those arms pumping through the flats!

Welcome to the SKIerg experience!!!

This machine is unreal and has a direct impact on us. Although none of us are hard core skiers, the muscle groups trained by the SKIerg are specific to the muscle groups we need for swimming, surf paddling and rowing. The biggest improvement areas have been in the lats, shoulders, arms and core where it matters. For us, it is all about the upper body and this is where the SKIerg gets a 5 star ratings. Just ten minutes a day on this machine and you will notice the benefits by the end of week one.

The permanent base for the machines is now at Tiki HQ Braunton, where they are used daily. A massive thank you from all of us to Concept2 for the loan of the machines which the whole community will ultimately benefit from.

We recently competes at the Gold coast Ocean Festival.

After a washout on the Friday, the Croyde stand crew spent all Saturday holding down the tents flags and the surfboat!....with the famous Croyde Surf Life Saving Club "Rowing Challenge" being put on hold for yet another day......The surviving members greeted the dropping winds and opening of the festival gates (closed until 5.30 due to Health & Safety) with Joy and high fives...then proceeded to the bar for a well earned pint!

FRIDAY....THE DUCKS WERE THE ONLY HAPPY ONES.....

Then on Sunday....as if by magic the wind dropped and out came the sun....perfect festival timing... Out came the Concept2 and in came the rowers...With RNLI Lifeguard Robbie Lamb leading the way (Robbie is an ex surfboat rower...but we decided to keep this quiet!) The surfboat crews fresh from morning training turned up to give it a shot and the times tumbled. With a late sudden burst of people wanting to try their hand at the Concept2 the RNLI eventually took honors, just holding on to the 1.29 time over 500M, closely followed by several of the CSLSC surfboat rowers. The under 16 was won by Nathan Wright, younger son of one of Croyde's original boat crew...must run in the family! The machine is now in temporary residence at the club house getting put through its paces by the clubs 2 crews. The Kangaroos & The Cougars in preparation for the UKSRL round 2 event at Portreath www.uksrl.co.uk - for more info on this visually spectacular sport of surfboat rowing check out this site.