Ride Anything Revolution

When surfing started everyone rode one type of board. As surfing progressed we moved to shorter boards. Surfing got to the point where you either rode a typical thruster shortboard or longboard. This stayed the same until Clark Foam shut down. Since Clark Foam has closed we have seen new technology - More Epoxy, Carbon Fiber, Tuflite, FIrewire, Parabolic Stringers etc. We are surfing in an ERA of ride anything.

Here is a list of some popular non-main stream things to ride

• Twin Fin Fish
• Finless Alaia
• Classic Single Fin Longboards
• Single fin eggs

Surfing Big Waves

As any surfer and they will tell you they love big waves. Big waves challenge you and there is lots of things to concentrate on. When you surf big waves you must be focused on your surroundings. When you paddle for a big set wave your body pours out more adrenaline than you every knew was possible. Big waves bring big risks, which is go for the human body. When you surf large waves your endurance and physical fitness will be put to the test. But the speed and power feels great once you are up and riding. Surfers are drawn to big waves for the danger that lies beneath.

To surf big waves many years of training is required. You can not just decide you want to go surf a 30 foot wave one day. You must be mentally and physically strong to ride these large mountains of water. One skill you must have for big wave surfing is being able to hold your breath for a long time. If you wipe out you could be under water for over 1 minute. All of these factors are why there is only an elite crew of big wave surfers.

Guest Post: 5 Reasons Why Home Schooling and Surfing Go Together

1. Home school families have a flexible schedule-surfs good let’s go-we can finish our studies tonight.

2. Home school families usually own a van-perfect for transporting the boards to the beach. (Definitely       just a stereotype-but hey….it sounded good)

3. Home school families like educational experiences-the beach is a great classroom.

4. Home school families like to participate in sports where the whole family can play together-surfing is    a great family sport.

5. Surfing is economical-buy a few used boards and wetsuits and everyone can share!

About the Author:

Jana Miller is a homeschool mom of 2. She started home schooling 8 years ago so she could spend more time with her children and husband. She and her family, travel often and surf whenever possible. To find out more about home schooling, visit her site, Pure Home Schooling.

The California Surf Project

Chris Burkard (photographer) and Eric Soderquist (surfer) were two friends from Northern California. There passion for surfing and photography evoked an idea of a surf trip. Their idea was to travel from the Oregon/california Border down to the Mexico Border.

It was a dream trip for any surfer to surf thousands of miles of coastline with few to no crowds.

When Chris (the photographer) won a contest from the follow the light foundation. This $5,000 was enough to take a trip of a lifetime. After completing the trip they took all of the photos and stories and compiled it into a book: The California Surf Project.

Buy "The California Surf Project" Here

RVCA Clothing

What started as an idea soon turned into a reality. What started as a unique company who broke every fundamental rule, became a success. RVCA has been making there own rules and it has been working. The clothing company was founded by Pm Tenore.

One thing that sets RVCA apart is their "Artist Network Program" which showcases artist work on various clothing items. RVCA is actively involved in the surfing world. In fact the sponsor a surf team of incredible surfers including Alex Knost Christian Fletcher, Matt Archbold and Ford Archbold. 

RVCA is a very unique and creative clothing company who does not follow the crowd.

Volcom Kick Flip Contest

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR VOLCOM STONE'S $10,000 KICKFLIP-OFF CONTEST! READ CAREFULLY!

To date, no one has ever documented a cleanly landed kickflip on a surfboard. Volcom is giving away $10,000 to the first person that can land a "proper" kickflip while surfing! By proper we mean an "above the lip" kickflip where first you launch an air, use your front foot to flip the board, and then land on it and ride out cleanly. No backwash, no fingerflips, no grabs, no laybacks. Just a proper kickflip. We're going to be strict on these following guidelines. The rules are all listed here, so get out there and put this trick in the history books. Good luck!

Rules:

1. Your entry must be on video from the start of the trick through the ride out. No photos allowed.

2. This contest is open to everyone. The contest begins today November 21st, 2007, and will run until there's a winner.

3. The kickflip must be a real air "above the lip" - No backwash, No chop hops, or anything in the flats or below the lip of the wave.

4. All waves must be self caught - You must paddle into the wave. This means NO tow-ats, step-offs, jetskis, boats, dinghys, winches, canoes, oars, helicopters, dolphins or assistance of any kind.

5. No grabs of any kind. Not before, not after, not during.

6. You must completely "ride out" of the kickflip. That means if you land on the back of the wave and fail to continue surfing the wave - it's not a make!

7. No heelflips. Or else we'd have called it the Heelflip-Off.

8. No shoes. Who surfs in shoes anyway? Regular "made for surfing" booties are acceptable.

9. You must be riding a real surfboard with at least one fin. No boogie boards, softboards, wakeboards, wakeskates, skimboards, kiteboards, trays etc.

Photographer Profile: Chris Burkard

Name: Chris Burkard

Years shooting Surf Photography: 3

Equipment: Recently switched to Nikon.... 70-200, 24mm, 50mm, Fisheye... AquaTech waterhousings, I like to keep things simple.

Favorite Type of shot: probably a land photo , that shows some foreground or background, I never like to give away to much, just enough to keep people guessing.

Favorite Spot: Anywhere that is uncrowded and offshore along the california coast.

Where have you been featured: Every major US surfing publication, as well as japan, australia, germany, europe, mexico.. Mens Journal.

Do you shoot in the water: Always.

Your Inspiration: Artists, manipulaters of light and color, Henri Cartier Bresson, any of the landscape photography masters. I try to pull inspiration from non-surf photographers.

Favorite Shooting Conditions: Late evening silhouettes, when its green.

Favorite Surfer to shoot: Anyone that is stoked.