Surfing Waves

hey to all fellow english surfers,
i have been out of the uk for about 7 years now working in the tropics, with occasional trips back home in the summer for a week or 2 max. however, me and my girlfriend will be heading home in late march and april for about 4-6 weeks after (hopefully) a kick ass trip to hawaii.

i have only surfed twice in the uk, st-ives and newquay, in the summer. im hoping to do some trips to north devon as im from torquay in south devon, where would you head with some old friends for good waves and good pubs?

i would also like to buy a winter wetsuit, i hate rentals and my budget is around 250quid, im looking at either billabong or excel which ive heard good things about. what would you go for and what thickness should i be looking it for april waters? bear in mind im used to tropical waters.

would you use a hood and boots at that time of year?

im also looking at finally getting a board shaped for myself. i would like a 6'6 fish shaped by a local devon shaper, my budget is up to 400quid who would you recommend?

finally if anyone is looking to plan a trip from the south devon area and needs help paying for petrol, food and booze, im always up for a trip! just PM me and let me know when and where.

thanks in advance for the help

Croyde is always a good bet for waves and some half descent pubs, bit touristy and very busy in the summer. Definately use hood and boots upto mid march after that boots till may/june and winter steamer for me until mayjune unless the weather is unseasonally warm.
What kind of fish are you talking about. A real fish or one the modern wide shortboards with a swallow tail that people like to call fishes?

KS

definately more of a propper fish, high volume in the nose, ideal for the smaller summer waves and the smaller swells we get in the carribean. the majority of waves we get are only 3-4ft on a good day. i need something that glides easily over the flatter spots and a real wave hog