WORDS Imogen Pickering
PHOTOS Robbie Dark
It looks as if summer might be here to stay for a little while, so we headed toward the coast in search of the people peddling seaside activities to find out more about them. Life’s a beach, sometimes…
Joe – Little Joe’s Surf Shop
Where do we find you during the summer?
We’re right next to Big Vern’s Restaurant in St Ouen’s Bay. Little Joe’s is a surf school and shop, where we provide surf activity camps for kids from 5 -14 years old and surf lessons for all ages too. The aim is to be a surf school that cares – teaching about the importance of our beach, environment, respect for other surfers and how amazing St Ouen’s Bay is!
Favourite thing to do when not working?
I love to surf myself, so that’s what I try to do most when I’m not working at the school. You’ll also find me carrying bags around for my wife and daughters – and wouldn’t change that for the world!
What do you get up to in the winter months?
I wouldn’t say I get up to that much – it’s usually a much more relaxed pace, so I mostly use the time to catch up on admin and prepare for the next summer season.
Geoff – Jersey Sea Sports
Where do we find you during the summer?
You’ll find me at The Jersey Sea Sport Centre – one of the largest and longest established jet-ski hire centres in Europe (since 1983!). Licenced by the Jersey Maritime Authorities, we are at La Haule Slip, just by St Aubin’s Village – look for the jet ski on a plinth at the roadside!
Favourite thing to do when not working?
I enjoy holidays in Italy and France with my wife and playing the ukulele in the Jersey Ukulele club! I also enjoy a lot of high-speed sports even when I’m not working – like speedboat trips to France and going skiing in the winter.
What do you get up to in the winter months?
I organise weekend and half-term ski and snowboard trips to the Pyrenees direct from Jersey. We do about 6 trips every winter under the banners www.weekendskitrips.com and www.jerseyski.com. I also service the jet-skis, boats and equipment ready for next summer!
Where do we find you during the summer?
You’ll find me on the beach or in the water normally. I spend my time between the Splash Surf Centre in St Ouen and Absolute Adventures in St Brelades Bay. I love being out on the water – whether it’s giving surf lessons, going paddle boarding or driving our boat tours and inflatable rides in St Brelades Bay.
Favourite thing to do when not working?
Even though I work at the beach, it’s where I spend my time off too. On my days off I love water skiing, surfing and paddle boarding. I’ll even take my dog, Tico, out on the waves with me – he loves it!
What do you get up to in the winter months?
Our activities quieten down in the winter months so I spend that time getting both businesses ready for the next summer season and I always try to go back to South Africa for a few weeks; it’s where I grew up.
Jono – Jono’s Water Sports
Where do we find you during the summer?
Jono’s Watersports is found on the slipway at the Wayside, so St Brelade’s Bay is generally my office! You’ll find me there where I’ve been running my business for the past 22 years, offering a huge variety of watersports, RYA approved schooling & training, surf hire and sales – the list goes on!
Favourite thing to do when not working?
I’m really into stand-up paddleboarding and love doing that in my spare time, but believe it or not, I do like to have a bit of down time away from the beach! It’s nice to see a bit of greenery when you spend all day on the sand, so I often enjoy long walks along the North coast too.
What do you get up to in the winter months?
I’m really into horse riding and learning to jump, so I volunteer at the stables during the winter in return for some free tuition. I also love to travel and see new places, so I sometimes incorporate both interests by visiting some of America’s horse ranches – I love seeing and experiencing different things.
