Guide to Frontside Barrels

One tube ride will always stick out for me.

It was a late afternoon in summer (in Durban, South Africa, that means high humidity, air temperatures in the upper twenties, water temperatures in the low twenties and boardies).

The waves weren't big at all, about 3 feet, but the way that they were offloading in the shallows it was just ideal for pulling in – perfectly round cylinders, the type that you can look straight into as you're paddling back out.
I took off on a cooker, the wave started to suck, the shoulder was in sight and I knew this was the one.

On take off, the lip came over me and everything went quiet. As I was in there looking out, some guys paddled past and hooted. After what seemed like an eternity, the tube opened up and I pulled off the shoulder, about as stoked as a surfer can be, and paddled back out with a smile from ear to ear.


If you're fairly new to surfing and still learning about tube riding, here are a few things to look for:

1. When the lip of a wave throws out it is because the wave has just jacked on a fairly shallow sandbar or reef. You're looking for tubes which are open enough for you to fit inside. Don't try 'pull in' to a foamy. If you're just starting out with tube riding, start with a sand bottom wave.

2. Look for waves which are barreling, but not closing out. In other words, you want to be able to see 'the light at the end of the tunnel' when you're inside. Of course you could just pull in to anything that moves, but be prepared to take your fair share of beatings.

3. If the wave is already starting to barrel on take off, drop in but keep a fairly high line, just enough to tuck under the lip. Try to keep a high line through the tube, this will ensure that you keep your speed and don't get clobbered by the lip.

4. You may need to drop in and pump a few times before the wave starts to throw. If you have too much speed and you need to stall, you can do so by either shoving your hand in the wall of the wave, or stomping on the tail of your board, or both. If you watch experienced barrel riders, you'll notice that they move quite far forward on their boards for more drive when the wave is barreling really fast.
Happy barrel hunting!

By: Sean Laughton






Dosh Wallets

When I first got my Dosh Wallets in the mail I was excited and also a little skeptical at first. With only 3 or 6 slots for credit cards etc.Was it big enough? What about the money clip? What would I do with my change?

But after using one of them for about 3 weeks I am a complete Fan. They are simple and that is why I like them. They are compact and very functional as well.

No more fumbling with different wallet compartments or searching frantically for my credit cards. I know exactly where it is with a Dosh Wallet.

They are all about style and function.  I have been getting many positive comments from both friends and strangers who inquire about it.

If you are like me and only need a few things in a wallet then grab a Dosh Wallet. It has a catchy design and is very simple - which I like.

Click Here to Visit Dosh Wallets

Mick Fanning: Typical Aussie Bloke

It's not easy for a surfer to make the pages a major metropolitan newspaper, but in March of 2010, Mick Fanning managed to make a splash in both the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian, two of Australia's biggest. This came after news leaked of his drunken racist tirade at a party held in his honor by his sponsor, Rip Curl when he won the World Title in 2009. In a nutshell, he called Stab Magazine journalist, Charlie Smith some unnecessary and offensive things. While there's no excuse for what he said, I'd like to take a little "stab" at giving Fanning a fair trial.

Australia really is the "Land Down Under." While jet planes and the internet have made the world smaller, they haven't made it that small. Australia remains relatively isolated from the rest of the world and is a little slow at catching on to social changes. When I moved to a small, isolated beach community north of Sydney in 1985, I was so stunned when I heard people refer to me as a "Seppo" (short for septic tank and an ethnic slur against Americans) behind my back, I actually laughed. It was too bizarre for any other reaction.

I only remained an outcast for a short time, however. Thankfully, there was new blood in town and because at least some of the local surfing community accepted my presence, the others eventually came around as well and judged me on my merits or lack of thereof and not on my weird American accent.

Mick Fanning comes from the Gold Coast of Queensland. Born in 1981, that places his youth at the tail-end of the infamous Jo Bjelke-Petersen reign of power in Queensland. "Sir Jo" was corrupt and racist to the core. He stayed in power by currying favor with the rich and fanning (no pun intended) racist attitudes towards the aboriginal community. Like all of us, Fanning is a product of his upbringing.

I seriously believe that when Mick apologized to the Jewish community for his outburst, he meant it. The country still has quite a way to go, but most Australians are embarrassed by their Neanderthal past and are trying to make amends.

Did you blanch when I made the racist slur against Neanderthals just now? Probably not. It's just a figure of speech. Calling that journalist a "Jew" was just a figure of speech to Fanning, too. He just had to figure out that there were real people who really did get deeply offended by what he said.

Mick Fanning also represents what's best in Aussie blokes. He's a battler. He's suffered setbacks in his career that would have made lesser men throw in the towel and give up. Instead, his setbacks have made him stronger. I like to think he is able to become wiser, too.

Written By: Rob Schneider

Nalgene Water Bottles

Nalgene Water Bottles have quickly become a part of my day to day life ever since they sent me over a couple to try out.

Since I got the Nalgene Multi Drink water bottle I have not bought 1 case of disposable water bottles.This is more than about money. This is more than about Nalgene's Products. This is about being a responsible consumer and protecting the environment. Over 200 Billion disposable water bottles are bought ever year. This needs to change and change can start with just one person......you.

With the option to drink through a straw or un-screwable opening this water bottle is very versatile........ I really enjoy the straw feature.

The best part is that while drinking through it,it doesn't make any weird sounds like stainless-steel bottles often do.At only $12.99 the price can't be beat.






"Hole in the Wall” Restaurants: Hawaii

If you find yourself in the majestic islands of Hawaii for some surfing action, then why not take some time during you downtime to make it to some local “hole in the wall” restaurants that are serving up some great food. These kinds of spots offer great prices, as well as wonderful food. 



Breakfast

There are two places you must get to for breakfast during your stay here I the islands. Head out to the North Shore - which is where a lot of your surfing will be done anyway, to a great little place for breakfast called Ted’s Bakery. Ted’s Bakery is just past Sunset Beach and has a great menu of fresh and delicious breakfast items.


Another can’t miss local place is the Koa Pancake House. This truly is a local favorite for breakfast. They offer every breakfast item that will help you start your day off on the right foot. You will only find this here.


Lunch

Sticking with our North Shore theme – because this is where you will be, why not hit up a wonderful place called Shark’s Cove Grill? This little treasure serves breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. It is located right across the street from Shark’s Cove and you can enjoy a delicious meal while watching the beauty of the ocean.


Dinner

Finishing up on the North Shore. After a long day of surfing, why not hit up Cholo’s Mexican Restaurant located on the North Shore. This place has a full menu, as well as a full bar with any type of margarita you can imagine.






Paddle 2 Live

Paddle 2 Live Press Release:

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 1, 2010—The first annual “PADDLE2LIVE—150 Miles 4 Cancer” fundraiser solo water paddling endurance event, an epic 150-mile journey from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach by cancer survivor Jack Marshall Shimko, will take place Thursday, Sept. 23 through Saturday, Oct. 2. Paddle boarding is a surface water sport in which an athlete on a long surfboard propels himself or herself along by a swimming motion of the arms while kneeling or lying prone on the board.


Shimko, 30, a Newport Beach native, avid waterman and outdoor enthusiast, is currently recovering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the part of the human body's immune system known as the lymphatic system. He was diagnosed with the disease just days after his 29th birthday. After months of chemotherapy and other treatments, he has successfully battled the cancer and is currently in remission!!!!!!

“PADDLE2LIVE—150 Miles 4 Cancer” is presented by the Quiksilver Foundation. Shimko will attempt the feat in order to raise $500,000 for the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Foundation Center and LIVESTRONG, the organization founded by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Shimko founded PADDLE2LIVE (www.paddle2live.org), a non-profit cancer fundraiser, to raise money and awareness for advanced cancer research and treatment.







Bones Swiss - Competition Skate Bearings

When you are looking for speed, durability and outright performance then look no further than Bones Swiss Bearings. At $55 they are more expensive than the BONES Super REDS, but well worth the investment in my opinion.

They will create the speed that you want for your cruising longboard and make cruising around almost effortless. ....Perfect whether you are cruising near the beach or bombing big hills.

Bones Swiss Bearings are made in Switzerland and are constructed to last much longer than traditional ABEC Bearings. Not to mention that all bearings come lubricated with Speed Cream Racing Lubricant.

Whether you are just cruising around town or skating at a skate park, spend the extra money and invest in a pair of Bones Swiss Bearings. They will give you the durability and performance that no other bearing can match. A big thanks to Bones Bearings for sending me a set to try out! Here's their link.....no kick-back to me.



Top 5 Surf Accessories

You have your own surfboard and wetsuit, so what should be next on your list? Getting the right surf accessories can really help you to have more fun in the water, and enable you to look after yourself and equipment better. Here are our suggestions…

 Car roof straps:
 If you’re planning a surfing holiday the one thing that is easy to forget is car roof straps, and you don’t want to be stuck in an airport with a rental car, a surf board and no straps! Plan ahead and buy yourself a pair of roof straps for your car. There are lots on the market at your local surf shop.



Board bag:
To help keep your board/s safe while travelling, a boardbag is a must. However, if you and a mate can team up, get yourself a coffin boardbag. They are cleverly designed to fit multiple boards with room for your stuff… and can even reduce the cost of taking multiple boards on flights. Usually one surfboard bag = less fees.

Board repair kit:
If you damage your board in either transport or simply in the water, being able to repair the ding quickly and effectively is really important. Just make sure that you check how the gel is activated- ie UV needs sunshine… not so great if it’s permanently thick cloud cover where you are!

Ear plugs
Before hitting the water, think about getting yourself some earplugs or ear putty. They are designed to protect your ears from the elements, helping to prevent surfer’s ear (think nasty ear canal bone growth that cuts off your hearing). They aren’t always necessary, but you’ll welcome them on a cold windy day.

Written by: Surf Holidays 

Aviso Surfboards

Aside from the price, people really like them. I think the biggest trade off is the price. Paying over $1,000 dollars (sometimes $2000) for a Surfboard is a huge investment. Aviso cost two times the price of a standard shortboard and about the same as a hand-shaped classic longboard; they are not the most affordable board. But if you can afford one, then go for it.

Portrait of an Australian Surf City

A surfing article I wrote, made the front page of a newspaper once. It was just a little local rag, but editors don't generally consider surfing to be particularly newsworthy, even on the sports pages, much less the front page. Avoca Beach, on the Central Coast of New South Wales is different. Avoca is the quintessential "Surf City."

Until the freeway from Sydney was completed in 1988, Avoca was just a sleepy little beach town. Its population consisted mainly of retirees and surfers who gravitated there from Sydney to take advantage of the Central Coast's plethora of waves. Those surfers created the Avoca Boardriders Club. With a population pool of a only a few thousand to draw from, it's astonishing that this club can boast of having played a big part in the careers of at least 5 of the world's top surfers - Ross Clarke-Jones, Bryce Ellis, Shane Powell, Adrian Buchan and Matt Wilkinson.

There should be one more name on that list - Mark Sainsbury. Sanga has been credited with inventing the floater. If he didn't invent it, then he certainly mastered it and popularized it. We'll never know how far he could have gone in surfing because, after blazing a trail through the Australian amateur and junior ranks, he was just setting his sights on the pros when he died suddenly from a brain aneurism while surfing out at Avoca Point in 1992. Virtually the entire town turned up for his traditional surfer's wake out at the Point and a plaque in his memory remains on the cliff face to this day.

Avoca Beach began to change after the freeway closed the gap between Sydney and the Central Coast. The area boomed, Avoca became gentrified and housing prices soared. Nonetheless, competitive surfing is still a big part of the lifestyle there, as 18 year old Wade Carmichael's budding career can attest. For an inside look at some of Avoca's other future stars, check out the Avoca Boardriders Club website.


Written By: Rob Schneider

SnuggBuds

I first saw SnuggBuds at the OC Fair. I soon got in contact with them and they sent me some of their Ear Buds to test out. I have found that the original ear buds that came with my Ipod are slowing losing sound quality so I was excited to get a new pair to try out.



Each pair of SnuggBuds retails for around $30; a very reasonable price for ear buds. The sound quality was very good. The only thing I needed to adjust was the volume as you don't need the music so loud with Snuggbuds.

Comfort was pretty good; they do take a little getting used too and outside noise is almost non-existent which is great.







I love using these when working out or hiking down to surf. I also use them while on the computer. I have really enjoyed these and will continue to use them in my day to day life.






Buying a Spring Suit

As summer fades into the rear view mirror and Fall starts to appear, you can expect the water temperatures to drop. Sometimes it is more severe than others. Rather than jumping straight from Boardshorts to a Full Suit; many surfers opt to wear a Spring Suit for as long as possible. 

You can usually wear a Spring Suit through November  depending on how warm the weather is. The fit of a spring suit should be the same as a Full Suit - Snug and Comfortable. The best way to buy a spring suit is to try on 2-4 different sizes/brands etc. and choose the one that is most comfortable.





When Your Local Spot Goes Off

There is nothing more rewarding as a surfer than surfing an epic session at your local break. You know exactly how it breaks and where to sit to get the perfect wave. You spend countless days surfing less than desirable surf at this spot. And one day you drive up and it is just reeling in perfectly. This is rare, but when the conditions come together, the result can be incredible.







Bones Super REDS - Precision Skate Bearings

I was excited when the mail came the other day to find a box from Bones Bearings. Inside I found two sets of bearings and this article is about the first pair that I tested on my New Longboard today - Bamboo Sk8 Octobomb Review.

The SUPER REDS, by Bones Bearings, were designed to be some of the best bearings on the market, for the average consumer not looking to break the bank on Skate Bearings. And they did just the, at only $25 the SUPER REDS can fit into anyones budget without sacrificing quality.

I have really enjoyed riding with them and can't wait to try the BONES SWISS Bearings in the next few days!!





Why you need to buy a Board on Craigslist

As summer comes to an end two things tend to happen. Crowds leave and there seems to be an endless supply of surfboards for sale on craigslist. People who are moving, are done surfing, or want a new board are anxious to sell their boards. 

As supply grows, the prices tend to drop. This is a prime time for experience surfers to pick up a few boards for dirt cheap. Many times I have found almost brand new, name brand boards, for $200-$300 off retail. Before you buy a new board this fall, you might consider looking on craigslist.



Is it Wrong to Love a Water bottle?

I’ve been using a stainless steel water bottle for about a year now. I love that I’m not adding to the landfill. The problem is that the size of the opening where you drink from is off and I end up spilling water all over me when I am riding in a car etc. It could be that I’m a klutz. But I’m thinking the design is flawed.

The kind  owners over at Nalgene somehow knew that I was in trouble and they sent us a couple of their new OTF (On The Fly)  BPA free water bottles. I took one for a test drive this past week. It’s perfect! Hmmmm…. I carried it all round Chicago while on vacation. It was so easy to carry. (See that little cutout-hook area-easy on the fingers.) I can even drink from it while walking or driving in the car….. without spilling.

And just look at that design-My favorite is the Roasted Orange. I liked it so much, I ordered one for a friend. At $12.99 with free shipping, you won’t find a better designed water bottle at such an affordable price.

PS-Anyone interested in a slightly used Starbucks Stainless water bottle?