A real life community case study - hashtag underscore #socreccamp
From humble beginnings, lots of tweets and a last minute girly weekend gatecrash #socreccamp was upon us.The online community were coming together to as one.
But how would they manage to communicate without a signal?
Would they all fit into one tent?
Would Devon survive such a technophone incoming?
Would anyone die?
As Chief Unorganiser of #socrecamp I need to share my experience amongst the rest of the world of the secret weekend. What started off as a self-invite (by me) to the girls weekend in Exeter of @sarknight @lisascales @wendyjacob and @saraheadworthended up as a real surf adventure of a rather interesting bunch of people. I think it is fair to say, under normal circumstances (those circumstances being before we had all this social media malarkey) there was more chance of such a group going camping together than Lisa Scales actually standing up on her surf board!
As I live in Devon I am used to limited mobile signal but of course the bunch on incomers crossing the Devon border this weekend were ill prepared. I have to admit to being somewhat disappointed in James Mayes not having a solar powered mobile signal mast extender gadget that extended all the way to the pub and the Indian but just seeing everyone with their phone old turkey was great. Sitting in a cafe in Braunton it was pointed out that they didn't need to tweet anything as all their "friends" were sat with them. The weekend continued in this manner!
The camp site was a bit of a mess to be honest. Tents all over the place. Not one regular parallel gap between anyone. How we were supposed to sleep in such an odd layout I do not know. And those damn hay rolls on the field; they needed straightening up pretty damn quick. We seemed to have so many blow up double air beds I think some people thought they were supposed to sleep in comfort; it's camping for god sake. Not sure why Lisa Scales had to have 5 young men crowded around her car helping to blow up said mattress? It was three times bigger than her ten anyway. Not sure why she ran over her tent either? The beeps are warning signals Lisa - they kind of suggest you are going to hit something pretty soon if they go off. Maybe that's why your mattress went down again?
So I got to meet @theHRD. Some say I may know him. I have no idea what they mean. I told him not to wear those f***ing crocs. Yes, lets make sure we don't wear the same. OK bro, I'll keep my hair long for the weekend. OK, I won't then. How about shoes? Yep, leave the crocs at home OK. Cars? Drive separately. Wet suits? Hmmmm, we'll get away with that one. Not sure if anyone suspects? Top guy; just like his brother apparently?
So the surf beckoned and it was off to the beach but not before the wet suits were acquired. We would all be equal in our tight rubber suits. A bunch of fit looking surf dudes strutting our stuff along Putsborough beach. Was the world ready for us? The hen party were (not). I know Gary Franklin will get himself a job very soon but having seen his closing skills this weekend if for any reason he is still free by the end of September grab him quick. The way he got in to help the young lady with her stuck zip. IMPRESSIVE. I was only pointing out that she was struggling. Gary - straight in. OK, so she was trying to do it up but Gary didn't know that. He was just trying to help. He had her suit off in about 4.3 seconds and was pleased with being such a knight in shiny rubber. He's a real hustler. Get him while you can. Sorry hen lady; hope the rest of your day was as planned.
The surf was up. Waves coming at us from every angle. Most of us had a great time. Not sure about hypochondriac Headworth who scratched his foot on a rock but is claiming shark attack on his holiday insurance and Lisa Scales went off in a strop because me, Alex Hens and James Mayes all managed to surf. Apart from that thought we all had a great time.
Evening time had some moments but if Andy Headworth is still looking for his definition of an "interactive community talent pool" (WTF) then maybe he has seen one in action this weekend?
The weather was glorious on Saturday (eventually) but Sunday resorted to Devon summer otherwise known as rain. My bro was first to leave; he had work to do. Alex Hens cadged a lift. Having arrived with Sarah "nose to screen" Knight on Saturday morning (don't ask) he clearly felt a lift back with theHRD was a safer option. He was last seen helping theHRD get a large sports holdall into the car before he left with a smile and a wave goodbye.
So a great weekend of sun, surf and sobriety. I'm sure we will do it all again. Maybe under one canvas next time where we can share our memories of the day around the log fire. Until then, here's what it looks like for anyone that did not achieve standing upness!!
I'm off to London now to see what a constant mobile signal fees like!
