Blue (25 page)

I would like to thank the following people for their assistance:

My wonderful family for helping me to the surface so many times when I was drowning in the impact zone of modern publishing. My agent Ben Illis for always believing in the writing. My editors Roisin Heycock and Talya Baker for excellent ideas and advice.

Tassy Swallow and Jaide Lowe for sharing the highs and lows of life as teenage pro-surfers. Likewise, the brilliant Oli and Emma Adams.

The environmental activist group Surfers for Cetaceans, including pro-surfers Chris del Moro and Dave Rastovich, as well as Justin Krumb and Howie Cooke, for their passion for surf culture and their efforts to protect the marine environment.

Rhys John, Max Hepworth-Povey and Christopher Hunter of Errant Surf for illuminating chats and fun in the water.

Big wave pro-surfer Chris Bertish for telling me how it felt to paddle the mighty Cribbar.

The Bra Boys of Maroubra for their insightful documentary and for making me think about surf brotherhood.

Sara and Jade at the Little Cake Shop for keeping me fed and watered while I wrote this book.

Fistral surf buddies Laura Ward and Francesco Rigolli for surf chat. Likewise Tina Beresford and Karl Michaelides. Thanks also to the other local surfers who gave their time to help me write this book and particularly the surfers of North Fistral, who have been dazzling me for more than a decade.

Sarah Clarke of Checkered Photography. Daniel Stapleford, Aimee Stapleford and Kristin Becker for invaluable help with research and all things yoga.

My colleagues, the Book Foxes of Vulpes Libris, and particularly the writers and reviewers Eve Harvey, Hilary Ely, Moira Briggs, Leena Heino and Kirsty McCluskey, as well as Paul Glass, Jon Cann, Laura Ward, Kate Neal and Beki Jenkins for kindly reading early drafts of this novel.

Screenwriter and novelist Rosy Barnes for always nagging me to write the big scenes.