I should be a sleep, or at least pretending. Instead I’ve gone for the sunglasses-on-looking-out-the-window method.

Risky but I remain motionless; the music from my iPod blocks any possibility of this encounter going any further. The gentleman walks further along the aircraft and squeezes his hand luggage into whatever space is left over head, he slides into his seat.

The aircraft doors are pulled down, and the seat next to me remains empty. Feeling pretty smug about the double amount of real estate I have just acquired from Ryan Air, I sit back, relax and think of how I got here.

I think I’m a pretty honest bloke, but it dawns on me as the nose of the aircraft rises off the tarmac, the last few hours have been a mixture of deceit, illusion and plain good old fashion lying all in the name of surf travel.

To be fair the vibe of air travel has changed over the last 15 years. Once upon a time, not so long ago, air travel was a once (or twice) in a lifetime experience. Customers were treated like kings, and your holiday really did start the moment you arrived at the airport. These days it’s a case of your holiday starts when you land in the next surfing location.

Now flight companies seem to want to squeeze every last Euro out of you. They will charge for bags, having no bags, bags that are a touch too big or too heavy, surfboards, receiving a text message to confirm your flight and getting on the plane before anyone else. If you managed to get on the plane without paying any more money other than your initial ticket price, you’ll be subjected to hours of being sold at. 3 euro cups of coffee, smokeless cigarettes, perfume, booze, scratch cards, train tickets, the list goes on and on.

Having spent the best part of the last 12 years on the road (in the air) travelling from one surf spot to another, I seem to have adapted and have acquired a certain skill set to get me to the waves without breaking the bank before I arrive.

Get to check in early. If you are travelling with a surfboard this is the most stressful moment. Getting there early, the staff will have just clocked on, and in general will be in a much better mood. You know the aircraft is not already full of luggage, and it would seem you’re least likely to get stung for additional baggage fees. Make it as easy for the staff as possible. Have your passport and ticket out. Take the straps off your board bag. Your check in man/women will probably be trying to catch up with his colleague next to him. Smile, be polite and importantly discrete. You’ll pass under the radar with a few extra kilos of luggage.

Security. Don’t wear a belt when flying. Already have as much as you can in your hand luggage. Don’t forget the clear plastic bags, and they need to be resalable. I always wonder what the bathrooms of security staff must be like, packed full of confiscated shower gel, toothpaste and sun cream.

If you didn’t have the heart to hand over £5 for getting on earlier than everyone else, make sure you head towards the gate on time. Chances are only a small handful of people will have paid for them. Typically the aircraft will open both front and back doors to board passengers. The “speedy boarders” will enter from the front. Sneak round the back and straight down the middle to the emergency exit seats.

At which point slide your bag onto the seat next to you. Slip on some sunglasses. Tilt your head towards the window and turn the volume up on your iPod.

Awake to a fanfare trumpet played over the PA announcing your arrival, which apparently is free of charge.

Headed by Errant’s own surf coach and longboarder Chris Thomson the team stayed at the ocean side Hash Point Villa for one week. The surf coaching was a mixture of in-water tuition, with a focus on using the latest in video coaching technique and technology to allow the group to go through each mornings surfing that night.

Errant is running more of these weeks in 2011, with the next one just around the corner on the 15th January 2011 for one week. At time of writing we have 3 spaces left for this week.

It is also possible to join one of our specific longboard weekends in Newquay, or book in for a private surf coaching session.

In the meantime pour yourself some mint tea and check out this video from last week.

Finding a Christmas present or gift for that special surfer in your life can be a nightmare.

If you are struggling to find the right Christmas gift for your surfer wife, husband, partner or surfing kids then let us guide you through the different Christmas gifts available this Christmas.

First of all, do they have everything they need to catch those waves?

If not then maybe it’s time for a new surfboard, or a nice cosy wetsuit or even a vest that goes under your wetsuit providing warmth and protection against rashes.

If they do have all the equipment then some really cool Christmas gifts include surfer’s books, surfing DVD’s, surf fitness aids, sunglasses and luggage for surf travel.

If the above doesn’t not cut the mustard, then why not kit them out in the latest Errant Surf clothing, Fox Racing Clothing or Rapanui Clothing.

Or, if you think it might be better to leave the decision to them, why not a surf specific gift-voucher for this Christmas?

Failing that a pair of knitted socks and a new tie

Errant and Volcom team rider Harry Timson from Newquay surfed well throughout the event in Crozon in France to find himself in the final of the VQS event against fellow team mate Charly Quivront and 2 locals, Adrien Boadec and Tim Faujour.

However it was Harry’s impressive shredding in the beach break waves that scored with top place against his fellow European peers. A great result for 14 year Timson.

“The waves at Crozon, were fun, really similar to my home break Fistral beach in Newquay. Charly was unlucky with his wave selection, so I made the most of the waves in the heat. Stoked to have won”

Check out Harry surfing from 1.05 mins in red rashie a couple of waves then at 2.05 for presentation.

Errant rider at the VQS Mulletfish, Crozon, France from Volcom Europe on Vimeo.

Now you can follow two friends Tim Boydell and Mitch Corbett as they travel across the world experiencing new cultures, meeting amazing people and Surfing some of the best waves Indonesia has too offer. You Only live once, and this couldn’t be more true a statement to sum up what this trip has been about for Mitch and Tim.

Indolerium Teaser from Tim Boydell on Vimeo.

TR7 Productions

The surf at Chaaya Island Dhonveli is world class and the amazing left hand point break “Pasta point” is right on your door step if you stay at Chaaya Island Dhonveli.

Pasta Point is a unique surf spot in terms of access to surf it. In 1973 Australian born Anthony Hussein Hinde ran aground en-route from Sri Lanka to Réunion Island. Hinde spent several unplanned months in the Maldives repairing the boat. However, he quickly discovered how good the surfing potential was in the northern Maldives and decided to stay in the country.

He developed the Chaaya Island Dhonveli resort and bought the land access to Pasta Point before big investment firms could move in to exploit it further.

Today it is only possible to surf this perfect wave if you book through Errant Surf Holidays which acts as the UK’s agent for Atoll Travel.

Can I buy a surf pass if I have booked with Thomson Holidays, Thomas Cook or First Choice Holidays?

In short no. The resort itself can hold hundreds of people, without limted access, the break would become very busy. You can not turn up and buy a surf pass. Surf passes are limited to 30 people on any given day.

If you wish to surf at Chaaya Island Dhonveli you will need to book through Errant Surf Holidays.

About Anthony Hussein Hinde

He  was an Australian-born Maldivian surfer and surfing pioneer. Hinde is considered to be the “father of surfing in the Maldives.” He is co-credited with discovering the surfing potential in the Maldives, along with Australian surfer Mark Scanlon, and kick-starting the nation’s emerging tourism industry.

Hinde’s life in the Maldives began in December 1973. Hinde and fellow Australian surfer Mark Scanlon were shipwrecked on the North Malé atoll in the Maldives aboard the Whitewings, a ketch in which they had been hired as crew members. The Whitewings had been en route across the Indian Ocean from Sri Lanka to Réunion Island when they ran aground. Hinde spent several unplanned months in the Maldives repairing the boat. However, he quickly discovered how good the surfing potential was in the northern Maldives and decided to stay in the country.

In order to stay in the country Hinde became a Maldivian citizen and converted to Islam. He married a Maldivian woman, Zulfa, on May 27, 1983. Hinde largely managed to keep the surfing possibilities of the Maldives an open secret among surfing friends for almost fifteen years. However, in the mid-1980s Hinde opened Atoll Adventures, a surfing camp in Tari village, in response to plans by foreign investor to open resorts in the area. Hinde continued to run the surfing camp and hotel, which changes its name to Dhonveli Beach & Spa in early 2000. It is now known as Chaaya Dhonveli, or Dhonveli Beach.

Tony Hussein Hinde died on May 27, 2008 while surfing at Pasta Point in Malé Atoll in the Maldives at the age of 55. He suffered an apparent heart attack after riding a wave. He was found floating face down in the water, but CPR failed to resuscitate him. He was buried at Mollymook cemetery in his native New South Wales, Australia on June 3, 2008. Local Maldivian and foreign surfers held a memorial at Varunulaa Raalhugandu, the main surfing spot in the capital city of Malé, and at Pasta Point on June 8.

Hinde was survived by his daughter, Mishal, and his son, Ashley. His wife, Zulfa, whom he married in 1983, died in January 2008. The same day that Hinde died would have marked the couple’s twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

The Dhivehi Observer, a Maldivian newspaper based in the United Kingdom, said of Hinde that “In fact most Maldivians think he is a Maldivian but is an Australian who has bridged that cultural gap” (between the two countries).

Anyone got the number for the RAC?

Two young surfers, 4000 miles of dirt road, one 1991 VW Polo with 200,000 miles on the clock, one mission; to drive from Plymouth to The Gambia.

During the drive Ian Holford and Tom Neal will give away surfboards to young children they meet on their rally through Europe and then west Africa, raising funds for UK based ShelterBox.

Here at Errant Surf Holidays we are proud support and sponsor the team on their errant journey. We will be providing a platform for the guys to showcase their trip, a surfing holiday to South Africa as raffle prize for anyone who donates over £2 at the Just Giving website.