1
Sep
2010
Even though H.Earl passed about 200 miles off the North coast D.R. – we took these photos late this afternoon as the waves peaked – the outer reef at Bozo had a likely face of 4 to 5 meters and the shore break 2 – 3 meters in height. We took a ton of photos but here’s a small selection……………These were breathtaking moments;
29
Aug
2010
Great morning SUP and surf session, which began with the alarm clock ringing at 5.15am 
Beautiful weather, water and waves combined to produce the following;
Jim on the SUP board
Luciano Gonzalez ripping as always
Jim and Drew watching the sets coming
Dave
Luciano
Jeff
Dave again – Australian surfers rip too
Simon
26
Aug
2010
Fitness/workout Cabarete
Posted in surfing cabarete
Cabarete Spinning has been getting people fit in Cabarete for 6 years. It is easily the best indoor cycling available in the Dominican Republic by a long way and the only studio with Johnny G qualified instructors 
I should know, I began the studio
We’ve just reduced our prices following our 6th successful summer – and we’ve never been busier!
Now Spinning for residents is just 200 pesos ($6 usd) and for visitors to Cabarete it is 300 pesos or $8 usd.
Please check out our timetable here Cabarete Spinning
Cabarete Spinning is a town-center, air-conditioned facility with a state of the art sound system and imaginative lighting. We use Star Trac Spinner Pro’s which are in excellent condition. Whilst you are in Cabarete, put us on your to-do list. You can contact me directly from the website and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about working out on a spinning bike.
See you in the Studio
19
Aug
2010
It is smoking hot in Cabarete; summer is not our favorite time here – it’s good for wind and smaller waves for beginner/intermediate surfers, but it is so hot that we start to crave those cooler European daytime and evening temperatures. Surfing Cabarete and it’s various surf breaks, or kite surfing or being out on the SUP are the only ways to keep cool.
It’s ironic really, that the beach is full of people who have had the reverse craving; escaping the normally chilly summertime temperatures (although everyone back in the UK tells me that the summer was lovely) and ending up on a Caribbean beach baked in scorching hot sunshine to get their 14 day sun-tan
The children go back to School on Tuesday and we are busy in the air-conditioned apartment getting their books and uniforms all ready for their next grade. They’ve had a great summer; 6 weeks in England and Spain with their Dad and the last two weeks of their vacation hanging out with their friends here in Cabarete. Last night we gave a farewell party at Swell for Kai, one of Drew’s friends who leaves today to go to school in Switzerland. It was a fun night and I’ll add some photos later on.
We had an evening surf session at Encuentro two nights ago; the first photo is of Drew – his surfing is getting pretty good now.
Drew’s off the lip…..
Simon
Souris (mouse), Karine’s new dog
Jim on the new Walden longboard
Jessica who stayed at Swell, having a go at stand up paddle-boarding (she did really well)
Dave
Geff – one of the three Aussies staying with us at Swell surf camp for a month
Oh dear, Euan (my youngest) not having such a great day in the water 
2
Aug
2010
A beautiful morning – no wind and some easy surfing conditions, typical of the summer months in Cabarete – so perfect for beginners to take their first rides and discover the love of surfing.
Pictures courtesy of Swell Surf Camp
quick chat before…..
paddling out together
the whole family together in the water –
Yael has an easy style
Brett and Drew on the same wave
Maya
Orin
Jonathan
Orin
Jonathan
Luciano teaching Donata and Nina the correct way to jump up
Dad, Gideon
Mum, Yael
An interested spectator
V for victory!
Orin stylish
Sniffothon………
Jay….arrived as a stressed out criminal lawyer and leaves today a DUDE……
a passing weather front…….
just makes the day………
even more beautiful…….
That’s me admiring the view………
Jonathan is done for the day
Big smiles after jay’s last morning in the water for a while
Gideon and Jim
Brother and sister compare notes
Mother and Son
15
Jul
2010
Those of you reaching for the Spanish dictionary – don’t worry, here’s the translation – we’re getting married
Jim proposed to me last week after almost 4 years together.
I never imagined that it was possible to meet the man who’s perfect for you in a tiny town in the Caribbean like this, but I did.
Since we met, we have rarely been separated; I’ve written about him before a long while back in this Blog and what an understated, intelligent, funny guy he is. He’s extremely modest despite being one of the most talented people I’ve ever met.
I am extremely happy that I’ll be his wife when we tie the knot next year, most likely in Bali.
picture courtesy Hugo
14
Jul
2010
Is it just us or is this not one of the best kite boarding seasons we’ve had in recent years? Weeks of good wind continue and follow a fantastic surf season when North Swell followed North Swell again and again from October to April……… any doubters who might think that Cabarete, or the north coast DR is past history (beaten by Punta Cana, aka All-Inclusive-ville) think again……you know why Cabarete will always be a better place to be? Because it has soul and character and a ton of active people enjoying the waves and the wind and afterwards, the beach night-life and the friendly, fun and chilled vibe.
When you have a town like this with so much to do, being inside a manufactured corporation hotel is a complete waste of your holiday. There’s a ton of places to stay in Cabarete to suit all budgets – get out and see what’s on offer. Nearest airport is Puerto Plata (POP).
Pictures courtesy of Swell
9
Jul
2010
Jim and I were saying two weeks ago, in a conversation about Richard Branson, that he’d probably love Cabarete as an avid kiteboarder.
He’d never been – until last night. On a super quick visit (just 24 hours) he’s packing in a ton of stuff in his first trip to Cabarete. He says he likes the town a lot. He was kiting with Laurel Eastman on a down-winder from La Boca to Encuentro. We caught up with them on a break at LEK where we also kite from.
Laurel Eastman (far right) enjoying the pool at Millenium
5
Jul
2010
With this weekend came the unexpected death of one of the most respected and loved ex-patriots on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. Ginnie Bedggood, alternatively known as ‘Lambada’ on the D.R.1 forums passed away unexpectedly.
I never met her in person, but had many exchanges with her on the forums; the depth of her knowledge and understanding of all things Dominican was astounding. Instead of just living in someone else’s country (as many of us do) in the many years she lived on the north Coast of the Dominican Republic, she appears to have made it her passion to know and understand the country in a way that many of us merely wish we could.
She spent countless hours passing on her wisdom on DR1……….Questions on the forum would be answered by her intelligently, knowledgeably and above all, kindly, even when the questioner was displaying an ignorance that would have made lesser people give up on them. I cried last night when I read that she had died and I never even met her in person. When I read the tributes from her real friends, my heart broke for them and for her partner Grahame with whom she was obviously so very close.
A prolific and entertaining writer, I am sharing the link to her own website GinnieBedggood.com
What a terrible loss for everyone, especially Grahame and her family to whom we send our deepest sympathies. Clare and Jim.
29
Jun
2010
Cabarete has so much to offer the watersportmen and women; early birds get up for the surfing or Stand up paddle boarding now growing so fast on the town’s various reefs. Wind kicks in around lunchtime and then the kiteboarders, windsurfers and sailors are happy too.
Another nice swell is on it’s way this week (courtesy of an area of stormy weather north east of the DR, which did the perfect job for us; creating some waves and then dissipating). All’s good; we’ve been lucky. Jim and I watched some tourists setting off for Cancun on Sunday when we were at the airport; it was hard to believe they were still running flights there when H. Alex is creating so much havoc. I don’t think I would have boarded
My children are in the UK with their Dad for the next 4 weeks and I’m torn; it’s too noisy when they’re around half the time, but what a terrible silence when they’re gone Still we’ll make the most of it, trying some new SUP spots on the North Coast here – it’s an adventure. 