Mountain Biking in Kerala, India 2010

Been riding trails up in the Mountains of Kerala since mid January. Absolutely stunning scenery and plenty of trails for all standards. Most days riding about 30km mostly brown trails, with a red or black each day. Riding with Mike and Rakesh from Mountain Bike Kerala and most strongly recommend one of their trips. Lots of rock, drop offs, crazy switchbacks, tough uphill sections but most of all great company and fun. Only taken 1 puncture in 10 days but been over the handlebars way too many times. A few superficial injuries and heading back down today to the beautiful beach at Varkalla for a well earned bit of R&R. Eating local food from roadside stores at 50p a meal, damned tasty but don't be put off by lack of hygiene. All the locals eat here and after the apprehension of the first few meals it's great, tasty and cheap. I reckon all in it's a 10 pound a day holiday of a lifetime in Kerala once you've paid for flights. However essential to try and avoid the tourist spots where that budget would quadruple.

Evenings consist of a cold quiet beer, cards and great conversation. The local people are brilliant and very friendly with most speaking a bit of English. Don't hesitate give it a try. I'm back on the 15th Feb and looking forward to running the early season Powerboat, Day Skipper & Kayak Courses. See you all soon.... Mike

Snowboarding Austria then Mountain Biking Kerala...lucky me

Just back from Snowboarding in Mittersil, Austria with the team. Stayed in the castle, favoured haunt of Himler complete with scary dungeons used for local witches since the 13th century. Absolutely brilliant fun with plenty of high speed falls due to the slopes becoming icy towards the end of the week. Add some cross country Ski a 14 km non stop sledge ride and Ice Climbing on a frozen waterfall and the old body is creaking and groaning this week.

Leaving for Kerala in India on Saturday 16th January back 14th February. Riding some epic trails in the mountains of the Western Ghats...This will finish me off nicely. Customers don't despair,normal service starts from mid Feb. For bookings best to email perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com or use the contact part of the website at www.perfect.uk.com Picking up email every couple of days.

Enjoy a few of those magic moments...

Happy Christmas from Lapland

LAPLAND VISIT 2009
IT REALLY WAS A 'PERFECT DAY' ~ HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

After a great season I am starting to plan the winter adventure...So far I've got Snowboarding with the team in Austria just after New Year and then off to Kerala in India for a month of Mountain Biking and general mayhem. Lot's of Powerboat and a few Kayak expeditions in Feb/March and then a bit of everything from April onwards.

Spent the afternoon yesterday cascading...yep I reckon that's the word down the slopes around the site of the proposed Olympic Mountain Bike course at Hadleigh. After 5 days of rain it was pretty good, but damned slippery. Going sideways through thorny bushes was the highlight alongside some good air time at the top of the course. Only the ocassional splat...arrived home to be told that I can't come in the house..imagine the naked, mud covered nutter at the back door complete with naughty schoolboy look trying to hose himself and the bike down. Thank god for tolerant neighbours.

The knees are a bit knackered as I'm training for the annual mud and obstacle race in the new year. We run it on a local 4x4 track however the deep ruts completely fill with icy water to chest height which makes for unbeleivable fun. Last year we had about 20 of the crew join us but this year it's looking like 50 or 60. I think I might end up doing stretcher detail. It's always a challenge to decide on 'boots' or cross country trainers. Starting last year at the back of the carnage I almost had a heart attack laughing at the huge spouts of water shooting up into the air from a competitors wellington boots as he ran, the water being above the top of the boots somewhat slowed him down. Trust me you had to be there...

My better half has just got back from Argentina taking part in Total Wipe Out. She was really doing well and then made a major tactical error on dizzy dummies... still Gill had a brilliant time and we look forward to the new year so we can watch the fun at our'wipe out party'. Aptly named. The kids are all brilliant and looking forward to Chrimbo...I'm off to the North Pole with the youngest in December to see Father Christmas, I'm not sure who is most excited.

Oh Happy Days,
Mike

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club Fun Day

On Wed 12th August we ran our first Sailing Fun Day with Leigh on Sea Sailing Club.

Everybody was competing for cups and medals in the following categories;

Best Capsize

Maddest Dance

Best Song Delivered

Overall Crazy Sailor

Despite very average weather...the usual really for this summer, everyone had a brilliant time. Special thanks to Harry, George, Izzy, Ben, Gracie, Lizzie, Michael, Chris and Steve. Plus big thanks to the parents who helped drag boats about. If you want to join the fun our next dates are Tuesday and Wednesday 25/26th August 1500 hrs - 1900 hrs. We have up to 10 Club boats that can be reserved at a cost of £10 per day. Just email me on perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com if you are coming or want to reserve a boat.

Leigh on Sea Sailing, Kayak, Powerboat, JetSki, Windsurfing a go go...

In no particular order. Gillian with our strawberry, Leigh after a 10 mile paddle, Harry driving the 'bad boy' and sea kayaking in Skye.

Great weather, plenty of sun and everyone wants to get on the water...hyper busy and having a great time with the clients. We have teamed up with Leigh on Sea Sailing Club offering free development sessions for members. Our first couple of evenings have been a great success. Plenty more booked for the summer.

The new 130 hp rib has seen plenty of action and certainly blows those cobwebs away. Many thanks to Dave, Claire, Rob and Harry for their great work with the clients.

Keeping up with the phone calls has been our major challenge. If you are reading this and fancy enjoying a perfect day on the water, best to email perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com

See you on the water....

Mike

Sailing at Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

It's all been a bit mad recently, so I apologise for lack of updates. RYA inspections, sea kayaking in force 8 winds on the Isle of Wight and general chaos has kept me on the go...We have just teamed up with Leigh on Sea sailing club to offer free training for members and in return we have moved the core operation into the clubhouse on the beach in Leigh. This gives our sailing clients a great opportunity to join a popular local club and gain the benefit of free development sessions. We also offer a 20% reduction on RYA sailing courses for members and a small range of club boats are available during our sessions to borrow. It's a friendly club with excellent facilities and membership is very reasonable. If you need more information just email me on perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com