What does a surfer smell like?

I doubt the creative luvvies at Chanel are old enough to know they're rehashing the classic 1980s advert for gents aftershave Old Spice. But that's not stopped them using surfing and a hunky surfer to sell perfume to blokes (or more likely, their partners) . The Chanel Allure Homme Sport ad is just the latest example of surfploitation by companies selling their wares, in this case the olfactory essence of surfing (admittedly, it is a nice stall under the lip).

But what DOES a surfer smell like? Chanel think their Allure Homme Sport evokes a' Sparkling and invigorating freshness, a natural and radiant sensibility, heightening the scent of a breeze against bare skin...to create an infinitely seductive allure.'

Bizarrely, when I asked my wife what I smell like after surfing, she said it was more like 'a heady cocktail of decaying neoprene, dilute sewage, crusty saltiness and occasionally stale pee.'

Did William the Conqueror surf ashore?

Today's news that Hawaiian princes surfed England's east coast in the 19th century makes me wonder how far back in history can the Museum go? The Bayeaux tapestry should be checked very carefully - William of Normandy may have beaten Edward VIII by 9 centuries to be the first English surfing monarch! Hastings goes off.

Historic day for UK surfing

Yesterday, the Museum of British Surfing opened to the public. The night before, about 200 local dignitaries and national surf legends attend a launch event sponsored by Finisterre, SAS and Skinners brewery. Everyone I spoke to was raving about the Museum which aims to be the best and greenest surf museum in the world.

Ed the Shred - Royal scoop for new Museum

On Friday 6th April, the Museum of British Surfing will open in Braunton, Devon. And to mark this auspicious occasion, the Museum has released the earliest photo of a Briton standing on a surfboard - the future King Edward VIII while on holiday in Hawaii in 1920. Whatever your views of the monarchy in general and Edward VIII in particular, this is an important development in the history of UK surfing. Crowns off to the Museum.

Historic day for British Surfing

I've just been delivering some of these ace posters for the Museum of British Surfing's opening exhibition. Every shop and cafe in Brighton I've been to have commented on the great artwork. Surf art has been in us surfers' lives for ever and is increasingly making it into the mainstream.

Peter Robinson started his collection and had some early displays in Brighton, some travelling exhibitions and is opening the Museum to the public in its permanent home in Braunton, North Devon on Friday 6th April.

It promises to be an exciting start for a 'must see' venue for all British surfers. (I confess, I'm a trustee of the Museum!).