tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28914656891335912002024-03-05T13:46:25.874-08:00StuffSurfersLike.ComStuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-75854652902829599942011-03-26T16:45:00.000-07:002011-04-21T23:30:53.963-07:00#36 "Just Getting Wet"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEApisxr-W_Qin9oTCgKmkAKw72oQapEodyTGMhU3PooCNw2NeziDla0CWl4AliIBzNsynbXhzTBUFiY1Nfdb3xKXW-XOPX4G6rTvErdPt3G6FboqUmfSDe5_cmmfCDiMnhrjkEl7WLnmh/s1600/%252336+Just+Getting+Wet+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEApisxr-W_Qin9oTCgKmkAKw72oQapEodyTGMhU3PooCNw2NeziDla0CWl4AliIBzNsynbXhzTBUFiY1Nfdb3xKXW-XOPX4G6rTvErdPt3G6FboqUmfSDe5_cmmfCDiMnhrjkEl7WLnmh/s400/%252336+Just+Getting+Wet+Final.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Within the colorful world of surf speak lingo, there’s a popular catch phrase that every surfer seems to say at one time or another. It’s the go-to vernacular to use when rationalizing your decision to <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/20-paddling-out.html">paddle out</a> in crappy, less than appealing surf conditions. You’ve probably heard it before mentioned casually in passing when <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/13.html">checking the waves</a> or even muttered it yourself before paddling out in gutless slop. It’s a filler statement that surfers’ can’t help but proclaim in times of surf drought despair. Common usage often falls in line with the following examples; i.e.- “<i>the waves suck, but I haven’t surfed in weeks so I’m just gonna get wet</i><i>”</i> or “<i>ever since <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/11-getting-new-surfboard.html">I got this new surfboard</a> it’s been like a lake out there. I’m just gonna get wet and charge it anyways</i>”. It’s a win-win situation in most cases to say this cliché phrase because you get to go surfing and still save face (a.k.a.- protecting your valuable “one hot shreddah” street cred stylo) (see <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/16-north-shore-movie.html">North Shore</a>). The downside of failing to utter these magical words puts one at risk of social heckling or <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/21-wilbur-kookmeyer.html">Wilbur Kookmeyer</a> finger pointing from the accompanying bro pack. The beauty of the “I’m just gonna get wet” mantra is that surf session expectations are already set so extremely low that any upside is met with heightened appreciation. It’s a dose of glass half full optimism that maybe, just maybe a rogue wave from somewhere down unda’ will miraculously appear on the horizon and willfully peak up directly in front of you for a perfect 10 point ride (keep dreaming!!). This in turn will enable you to <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/19-bragging-about-scoring-epic-surf.html">brag about scoring</a> “epic” (ok, let’s be honest - rideable at best) surf to all the naysayers that missed out by not making the decision to “just get wet”. Some key things to remember when uttering the “I’m just gonna get wet” credo is that it’s best not to be used on a regular basis as this could be a telltale sign that the surfer is either a) in dire need of a <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trip</a>, b) desperately needs to move someplace with actual waves, or c) they have become completely delusional in which case there is no coming back! In summation, when opting for this popular surfer catch phrase, use it sparingly, but when you do decide to “just get wet”, own it with no regrets! Who knows? It might just be better than you thought it would be. A definite reason in our book to "Just Get Wet"!</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-57021870317317247952010-12-05T21:39:00.000-08:002010-12-12T20:22:07.627-08:00#35 Stretching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCi4ObAnf88kpUHHmq8ivLJAUp5dyh4rGvMshro_Jy9him7dehtQvEtYZylZ5a2W-odmwHF0vtlIrGS1OUuSufrl9UOBtwq2HUE66Hrn6SjVtGownxQpxsT5Ou0aisN3O2zLIeRhARvPV/s1600/%252335+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCi4ObAnf88kpUHHmq8ivLJAUp5dyh4rGvMshro_Jy9him7dehtQvEtYZylZ5a2W-odmwHF0vtlIrGS1OUuSufrl9UOBtwq2HUE66Hrn6SjVtGownxQpxsT5Ou0aisN3O2zLIeRhARvPV/s320/%252335+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Every surfer knows that surfing requires countless years of dedication, natural athleticism, and feline-like tight rope balancing ninja skills to ever get good at the sport. It’s a sport of finesse, subtle timing, going with the flow, and rapid directional changes that often throws many surfers for a loop (a.k.a.- wipeout!!). Forced to deal with limb twisting wipeouts, oxygen depriving hold downs, never ending recurring injuries, old man maladies, and muscle constricting Charlie horses, the surfer needs a force, a tool if you will to combat all of these body wrenching woes. Better known as “stretching”, it’s like milk and it does a body good! It’s the antidote that every surfer needs to incorporate into their surfing regimen to preserve and extend their surfing years injury free. (Note: Stretching also happens to come pre-approved by your Jr. High school gym teacher as an excellent pre-workout ritual (minus the shorter than short “man hammock” gym shorts - check please!!)). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Stretching as a practice maintains a rather long history in the hallowed halls of mainstream sports. Every major sports league from peewee division to major league professionals have implemented some form of stretching or calisthenics to get the blood flow flowing and the muscles juiced before hitting the field. With surfing things are no different but the approach is vastly different, some might even say counterculture to the norm. As to be expected, surfers are a different breed; a colorful cast of characters that tend to fall into a few basic schools of thought on how stretching should be done prior to <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/20-paddling-out.html">paddling out</a>. Drumroll please…..Here they are!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The “Free to Be Me” Yogi Stretcher:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">This particular breed of hippidy dippity surfers brings <a href="http://www.surfersvillage.com/gal/pictures/500_tandem_training_f.jpg">the yoga studio</a> to the beach with numerous displays of tantric sun salutations and downward dog poses. The “Free to Be Me” Yogi Stretcher is the pre-eminent expert on striking a pose and maintaining all things chi, circular, and earth whilst sipping on a gourd of yerba mate. All jokes aside, this group of surfers is definitely “in tune” with their bodies and especially their inner child (i.e.- child’s pose). It’s anyone’s guess if they’ll ever make into the lineup sometime this century with their seemingly never ending chi inducing extenda-stretch sessions and meditation routines. One thing’s for certain is that when they finally do, they’ll pull off a killer headstand with ease!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The “Half-Assed” Stretcher:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The “half-assed” stretcher has no shame in the eyes of their surf stretching peers. This limber group of stretch abstaining surfers are typically younger, devoid of injuries, way “too cool for school”, and often maintain a relatively undeveloped frontal lobe in their cerebellum incapable of considering negative consequences based on their actions or inactions (i.e.-not stretching!!). Either that or they’re entirely too <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/24-being-stoked.html">stoked</a> to wait around and stretch while enticing waves await them just a stones throw away. Common half-assed stretches practiced by this group are the 2-3 second half-assed quad stretch shuffle at the waters edge or the ever popular “I kinda bent over and touched my toes but gave up and went surfing instead” routine. Ahhhh youth!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The “Spring Training” Stretcher:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">This particular group of surfers are on a level all their own. They were probably voted most likely to win the presidential physical fitness award in elementary school gym class or deemed runner up as the next Lance Armstrong in their high school yearbook. They are unique in the fact that they show up to the beach rearing to go and instead of just surfing like the half-assed stretcher choose to embark upon a series of strenuous workouts and stretching routines prior to actually setting foot in the water. It is not uncommon to see this group of surfers running wind sprints up and down the beach like a not so magical Baywatch moment followed by overzealous displays of windmill stretches, jumping jacks, and a power set of push ups for extra credit (added bonus points for grunting sound effects). These are also the kind of surfers that will tell you about how they already scored a 2 hour dawn patrol sesh, ran a half marathon, and snagged an Acai bowl all before you saw the light of day. Feel the burn!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The “Exhibitionist” Stretcher:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The exhibitionist stretcher likes to put on a show when they hit the beach. They’re kind of like a cross between the “spring training” stretcher and the “free to be me” yogi stretcher except way creepier! This particular breed of stretchers likes to be noticed and will often post up uncomfortably close to a group of sunbathing babes and proceed to stretch like a cheap, oiled up Chippendale looking for a tip. Focus will be on gyrating hip rotations sans hula hoop and overemphasized glute (butt) stretches straight out of a kama sutra infomercial. Creepy….very creepy!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Injury Prone Stretcher:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The injury prone stretcher always seems to have something wrong with their ailing body. Whether it’s a bad back, torn rotator cuff, broken bones, arthritis; the list goes on and on. It is for this very reason that The Injury Prone Surfer is an extremely dedicated stretcher – they have to be, they don’t have a choice! Take notes from this breed of stretchers as injuries can happen to the best of us regardless of age, skill level, or body type. Keep it limber and the surf will deliver!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0971225702&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0006I679E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000PSZ2PK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-40547712435327951922010-10-28T23:24:00.000-07:002010-11-10T13:58:43.747-08:00#34 The Wedge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0MSK3icfPFKk0M03D01PwAQZQsl4H-x2LcQY5kbG97g02Qu2Lzzana79SXW9W6GVzYOtGB-5F3cbFqePsvvlaubOQ1NIPcEXfm_bVRlxIUqYsh9cHPtjf_krHxGH5fb_oyT4cbwEfMF3/s1600/%2334+The+Wedge-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0MSK3icfPFKk0M03D01PwAQZQsl4H-x2LcQY5kbG97g02Qu2Lzzana79SXW9W6GVzYOtGB-5F3cbFqePsvvlaubOQ1NIPcEXfm_bVRlxIUqYsh9cHPtjf_krHxGH5fb_oyT4cbwEfMF3/s400/%2334+The+Wedge-Final.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Nestled amongst the McMansions and ritzy yacht clubs of Newport Beach, California lies a wave shrouded in back and neck breaking infamy. Created accidently back in the 1930’s by the Army Corp of Engineer’s extension of the Newport Harbor jetty, The Wedge is a mechanical, freak of nature wave seemingly hell bent on destroying anyone who dares to try and ride it! Straight out of a science fiction novel, the wave is a monstrous, Frankensteinian version of a wave that not even a bored high school math student could dream up during daily wave doodlings. The wave (if it can even be called that) is truly a sight to behold on its day. It summons itself to life from the depths of the underworld when certain long interval south swells approach the steep shoreline, refract off the jetty, and backwash into oncoming set waves that end up doubling or tripling the wave size in a matter of seconds (See <a href="http://socalforecast.blogspot.com/2008/03/surf-break-maps-wedge-newport-beach.html">Wedge swell characteristics</a>). In fact, the Wedge has been well documented to reach sizes of 20 feet plus on some of the biggest swells with plenty of skull pounding power to boot! On these days, expect to see hoards of photographers and onlookers crowding this stretch of beach opting for a rare glimpse of this thumping wave anomaly at work. From the beach, the crowd watches in awe (and horror) as a select few (can we say – psychotic!!?) match wits with this mutant of a wave. The carnage and wipeouts that ensue are just plain ridiculous! Check out <a href="http://www.garagetv.be/video-galerij/hotpotatoes.be/The_Wedge_Newport_Beach.aspx">this video</a> and see what we’re talking about!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Wedge in its purest form is a violent and unpredictable warble of a wave that takes no prisoners! Its sole objective is to barrel, pit, spit, and ruin all that enter its shore break domain. Words that best describe it are: thumping, grinding, heaving, kamikaze, punishing, extremely shallow, and yes, unfortunately for some - even paralyzing. It should be noted that the wave is not really geared for stand up surfing (i.e.- surfboard + freak of nature wave = really bad wipeout with chunks of fiberglass stuck in your bloody head). In all reality, the shape and flow of the wave is best left to the bodysurfers which works out in the end because there’s a blackball ordinance from 10-5 daily May through October (prime south swell season) precluding any wave riding vehicles of any sort at the break. To the surfer, the Wedge is an evil stepchild of a wave; a novelty item with a nearly impossible drop and an even more difficult exit strategy. It’s more akin to the Play-Doh Wipeout Factory for self mutilating wave riding enthusiasts, pumping out a healthy dose of whoop-ass and sand papery enemas for all those crazy enough to challenge it. It’s a wave that hardly gets surfed unless your name happens to be <a href="http://www.juicemagazine.com/STRIDERWASILEWSKI.html">Strider Wasilewski</a>, Kelly Slater, or the Hobgood brothers and you figured it was about time you mixed things up a bit for the next cover shot of Surfer Mag (“Duuude……3<sup>rd</sup> reef Pipe was getting played out man”). In fact, it’s not uncommon to see The Wedge featured in many media sources and surf video blooper reels documenting the never ending destruction as bodies and limbs get tossed like ragdolls into 1 foot of water. Sound tempting? Get some premium health insurance, some cojones, and say your prayers. This wave is one meaty monster!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000BR5BHE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-78914852942760067602010-10-25T21:20:00.000-07:002010-10-28T09:37:51.992-07:00#33 The End of Tourist Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTaCnmftInH88Dp_19FIdst2rWevjC3wbCQT5D1Y0SdWwQ0mXaGtsZsQp4TP9d9J7G8LKkLTGnHNwdN9BtAA-tNrLBYZ-_OtJIvUEr40hQiTzffGrrSEiCEG7uSLyhS48GSItxkA8pk_c/s1600/%2333+The+End+of+Tourist+Season+-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTaCnmftInH88Dp_19FIdst2rWevjC3wbCQT5D1Y0SdWwQ0mXaGtsZsQp4TP9d9J7G8LKkLTGnHNwdN9BtAA-tNrLBYZ-_OtJIvUEr40hQiTzffGrrSEiCEG7uSLyhS48GSItxkA8pk_c/s320/%2333+The+End+of+Tourist+Season+-Final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/stuffsurferslike/33TheEndofTouristSeason-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Every year the ebb and flow of seasons come and go like the sequential tick tock of the grandfather’s clock. To the surfer, seasons are everything! They dictate when and where they need to be to score the best surf. Take for example the annual pilgrimage to the North Shore of Oahu like <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/16-north-shore-movie.html">Rick Kane</a> did to meet the North Pacific’s Winter swells or the annual trip down south of the border come summertime to <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/14-getting-barreled.html">get barreled</a> at the “Mexican Pipeline” – Puerto Escondido. Timing is everything and the surfer is there to score! But just as certain as there are ironclad seasons to mark a surfers’ calendar by, there are other more obscure but equally joyous seasons that surfers can count on to enliven their surfing year. Better known as “The End of Tourist Season”, this period marks a special time of year where overrun, overly <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.rollanet.org/%7Econorw/cwome/tourist_season_sticker1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rollanet.org/%7Econorw/cwome/article71.htm&usg=__eFiehd7lChpFwCs8DQkHzHfeL68=&h=1704&w=2272&sz=1006&hl=en&start=0&sig2=LttL-ULI_QyVCyZk">touristified</a> surf towns can finally breathe a sigh of relief as their favorite beaches and surf breaks are once again their own! Perhaps most noticeable and indicative of the season is the marked drop in head count at <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/18-locals-only-aka-localism.html">local surf breaks</a> as <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/22-uncrowded-surf.html">uncrowded surf</a> becomes the norm rather than the exception. Gone are the stifling masses of inland invaders (a.k.a. – “tourists”) clogging up the roadways and bobbing like buoys throughout the local surf lineups like “deer in headlights” conspiring to ruin your wave! (note - <i>this makes surfing more akin to a game of <a href="http://musiciancoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/whck6a.jpg">whack-a-mole</a> or slalom skiing than actual surfing!</i>). No longer are the silly partitioned sections of beaches donning blackball flags and restrictive “No Surfing Allowed” sections enforced. As an added bonus, like a flick of the light switch, the rabid armies of <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/21-wilbur-kookmeyer.html">Wilbur Kookmeyer</a> BZ board toting surf camp enlistees seemingly disappear overnight. It’s a grand time of the year indeed! Just when one might think things couldn’t possibly get any better, they do! “The End of Tourist Season” also happens to coincide with the annual “back to school” routine which means all the kiddos, surf groms, and soccer mom tourists are back in their respective towns or school and therefore not at your beach! While this might be a major buzz kill for Alice Cooper and his epic “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbNEOJMGFAo">Schools Out For Summer</a>” montage, rest assured there will be a surfer (many surfers in fact!) that will be grinning from ear to ear at the thought of this special occurrence. Just check out how happy <a href="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/stuffsurferslike/EricRisdon-BacktoSchool-1.jpg">this particular surfer</a> seems to be!</span> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">SSL Disclosure</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Here at SSL, we love summer. Don’t get us wrong - summertime is great! With all the beach blanket bingo going on, scantily clad bodies (see <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/15-reef-brazil-ads.html">Reef Brazil Ads</a>), extended late night surf sessions (thank you daylight savings time!), and warmer temps both in and out of the water what’s not to like? But sometimes like a guest that overstays his welcome, the party is over, the circus leaves town, enough is enough! And for that we as surfers are grateful for the time when “The End of Tourist Season” finally rolls around. Read on below for more reasons why “The End of Tourist Season” rocks and you’ll see what we mean…..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">No longer are the 5 tourist shops per square block lamely peddling their “made in china” blow up rafts, cheesy postcards of David Hasselhoff wannabee dudes posing as lifeguards, saltwater taffy kits, and “I Love (</span><i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Insert Surf Town Name</span></i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">)” t-shirts and bumper stickers.</span></li>
</ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Incidents of <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images1.cpcache.com/product/vacation-travel-sticker/297540841v6_225x225_Front.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cafepress.com/%2Bo.b.x.%2Bbumper-stickers&usg=__paaK_MmXbv_fTVisxEdIoktw8dg=&h=225&w=225&sz=9&hl=en&start=0&zo">surf town sticker decals</a> posted proudly on tourist vehicles that are blatantly not from the town that they are now claiming to represent (pseudo local status) slows to a trickle. The flipside to this is that these same tourist vehicles are now marketing your surf town to other would be tourists in inland towns, burroughs, and municipalities far and wide! This in turn will undoubtedly have someone, somewhere utter the words; “gee hun, that (“Insert Surf Town”) place seems great! Let’s bring our entire extended family, dogs, cats, and hellion children down there next summer!!! That would be super!!”</span></li>
</ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Less trash on the beach – Simple!</span></li>
</ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Parking spaces abound!! There’s so much space I think I hear an echo.</span></li>
</ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">That guy everyone jokingly calls the “knee high shreddah” seemingly disappears at the first sign of a juicy swell. </span></li>
</ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Fewer tourists can be overheard referring to waves as “curl” and “breakers”. </span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">We’re sure you have more! Feel free to comment…….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000WOYBGI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001RI39SY&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001GPUVNO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-59122093367923296272010-10-06T21:41:00.000-07:002010-11-09T20:44:16.709-08:00#32 Combo Swells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d3MArnKsuQQhIQ3197CL1JWDGqFsJkBJb5lDZkOAXsLY-kQk6CNrSHp-Upu0gRGTH5ej2wy8lZh3mVq613H_xTk51897Ml9bDurrXKvsZwJpNNKzH8bOe7F_QdCcd_wwZe3kEQN_MyMb/s1600/%252332+Combo+Swells-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d3MArnKsuQQhIQ3197CL1JWDGqFsJkBJb5lDZkOAXsLY-kQk6CNrSHp-Upu0gRGTH5ej2wy8lZh3mVq613H_xTk51897Ml9bDurrXKvsZwJpNNKzH8bOe7F_QdCcd_wwZe3kEQN_MyMb/s320/%252332+Combo+Swells-Final.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8n3ApE59rtPdtskQG1xfGcewRCpVB2NvJReGDfLSywiElW9dBExXOkrdgR0jzG0nFv-Eq_fEX8L_GLTUpMkmRua9njJslVr_bMqawjGng2i-2OVmKsuadui7wpwOVrSWkV8UJp2QZEct/s1600/%252332+Combo+Swells-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Any surfer who has faced a walled up beach break lineup will attest to its saving grace, it’s luscious A-frame morsels of peaky goodness, it’s welcome respite from the everyday let down of continuous closeouts. Yes, in certain times of the year (think Spring & Fall) when both swell generating hemispheres of the globe are working together in perfect symbiotic harmony, crossed up combo swells will arrive as the surfers’ answer to super fun, spread out, <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/22-uncrowded-surf.html">uncrowded surf</a>. As the swells from different sources approach the coastline, their energies combine to create amazingly wedgy, peaky, A-frame <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/14-getting-barreled.html">barrels</a> that will make you think found a <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/28-secret-spots.html">secret spot</a> in your own backyard or just <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/8-mindsurfing.html">mindsurfed</a> your way into another all expenses paid <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trip</a> (keep dreamin’ bud!). By all accounts, the combo swell scenario doesn’t happen all that often and doesn’t even need to be all that big to produce surprisingly fun surf. It’s a a rare but welcome anomaly of stoke perpetuating bliss. The combo swell casts a wide net on surf sesh possibilities that helps to spread out the crowds on the usually overburdened <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/25-point-breaks.html">pointbreaks</a>, reef breaks, and marquee surf spots that would normally be inundated with the “oops, I <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/29-accidently-dropping-in-aka-cutting.html">accidently dropped in on you</a>” <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/21-wilbur-kookmeyer.html">Wilbur Kookmeyer</a> crew and the ever present, card carrying ambassadors of the local stink eye movement (see <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/18-locals-only-aka-localism.html">Localism</a>). Combo swells are there to greet the surfer in times of need when yet another “2 pump chump” to closeout combo just won’t cut it. Next time one shows up at your local break – get on it!! You’ll <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/24-being-stoked.html">be stoked</a> you did!</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-76238693417336537642010-10-06T21:25:00.000-07:002010-10-06T21:41:32.450-07:00#31 The "Shaka"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez3i4jxkllo9NgY3-SWBF5AU5UyjXXzXWSQDUg3vxxhjslQj30CZsz9M086sbaCKDlEjVmdCbiPndUpEnR0JVNMGzyW7yu0eXLllJWooUOIYkVE94xtc2cvCfM-QtTFrZT5W5DdU_uRAz/s1600/%2331+The+shaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez3i4jxkllo9NgY3-SWBF5AU5UyjXXzXWSQDUg3vxxhjslQj30CZsz9M086sbaCKDlEjVmdCbiPndUpEnR0JVNMGzyW7yu0eXLllJWooUOIYkVE94xtc2cvCfM-QtTFrZT5W5DdU_uRAz/s200/%2331+The+shaka.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Within the realm of surfer sign language, nothing says <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloha">aloha</a> more than the infamous shaka! Born and bred out of the islands, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign">shaka</a> is all about perpetuating good vibes, mutual respect, and <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/24-being-stoked.html">being stoked</a>. Consisting of nothing more than an outstretched thumb and pinky with the three middle fingers folded into the palm (<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Shaka-sign.png">try look</a>), the shaka is an indelible fixture within the indigenous Hawaiian culture. Used regularly by Hawaiian locals as a warm greeting or whenever a driver is allowed to pass another (unlike the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BGwJ-KX7jRCtTzNIJFHHKv14PM3vIbeq-ZEN-npevt6lNlAANVT6DIbIs3B8EqpEjdrqvSUF0-EeBU49ICaCTGXNwPqV-0INxF4AsCcUPU5HbkvWvhDwTSFiVHxK-dyBSNjrgKQPxV0/s400/Angry+Driver.jpg">Mainlander Haole</a>), the shaka is chock full of “hang loose” island stylie living. Its origins are sketchy at best but like many far-fetched fish stories the shaka has its very own fanciful fairy tale (<a href="http://www.polynesia.com/shop-online/the-shaka.html">see history</a>).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Back on “Da Mainland”, the shaka loses a bit of it’s aloha spirit. While it is well known and used by surfers it generally maintains a different context than is found in the Islands. Much like the hokey nature of puka shells and $1 touristy postcards, the shaka is more a novelty item reserved for cornball hand gestures in late night <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2635078976_ef2168f31a.jpg">photo opps</a> (in addition to Westside & other assorted gang references) or on <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trips</a> to add spice to yet another picture of you in front of a palm tree. It can also be seen being used in loose reference to Turtle’s epic “shaka-kadda-fadda-braddah” montage in the final scene of the classic Rick Kane surf saga – <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/16-north-shore-movie.html">North Shore</a>. Unfortunately for <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=haole">haole</a> surfers, to take the shaka seriously is setting oneself up to look like a major <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/21-wilbur-kookmeyer.html">Wilbur</a>. It’s one of those subtle cultural nuances that cannot easily be bridged (much like white people trying to rap). Nonetheless, whether you’re the “The Kanaka Maoli” (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">indigenous Hawaiian</span></i>) or just some haole to the max surfer, the shaka is a solid addition to any surfers’ sign language repertoire. Use it sparingly amongst your daily “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fist_bump">fist bumping</a>” and secret club handshake greetings. Shaka Brah!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002FU6TB2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00453PRSS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003J36QLC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-80811872364654595632010-10-06T21:03:00.000-07:002010-10-06T21:18:49.213-07:00#30 The Car Key Stash Pocket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIR6lDnCYwUMZJb9AyccHIWXWE-rRKdzCUePFoydyvvshOOJzQzc5JACGF686EfvHZ_LruhXqrggzsWefI9Lq43aIkOKzX3VKpNaJ_KRKMk4dlpE8Jp4L9U8WF7rOzV5Me4pFwSRammFm/s1600/%2330+The+Car+Key+Stash+Pocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIR6lDnCYwUMZJb9AyccHIWXWE-rRKdzCUePFoydyvvshOOJzQzc5JACGF686EfvHZ_LruhXqrggzsWefI9Lq43aIkOKzX3VKpNaJ_KRKMk4dlpE8Jp4L9U8WF7rOzV5Me4pFwSRammFm/s200/%2330+The+Car+Key+Stash+Pocket.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">It’s a promising day of surf as the surfer rolls up to their favorite spot in their trusty <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/26-surf-vehicles.html">surf vehicle</a>. After a brief <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/13.html">wave check</a> it’s affirmative that the waves are going off!! Nothing left to do now but quickly <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/9-changing-in-public.html">change in public</a>, <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/3-surf-wax.html">wax up the board</a>, and <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/20-paddling-out.html">paddle out</a> for yet another epic surf session. Just one lingering detail to figure out, a BIG one in fact – Where to put the car keys? It’s a question that has perplexed the surfing community for decades now as we continually look for better ways to safeguard our personal possessions and surf vehicles from would be thieves. It’s a fact that cannot be denied – Surfers are notorious targets for surf vehicle robbery. While we bob and float far out to sea oblivious to what may be happening back on shore to our ride, opportunistic and predatory crooks have full reign to take advantage of the easy pickings like a flock of rabid seagulls on an all out feeding frenzy. The simplest solution to all of this lies in a subtle, yet highly effective add-on component commonly fabricated into the back or leg panel of <a href="http://www.boardco.com/images/oneill/external_key_pocket.jpg">wetsuits</a>, <a href="http://www.genesissurfshop.com/shop/images/aritz-pocket.jpg">board shorts</a> (more secure with a zippered pocket), and <a href="http://www.surfboardsetc.com/images/product/limages/135932.jpg">leashes</a>. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Better known as the “Car Key Stash Pocket”, this little gem devised by the surf industry provides us surfers with the reassuring piece of mind that our keys are safe and secure with us and not in the hands of some credit card stealing, identity theft perpetrating, vehicle joyriding kook (<a href="http://www.surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/truckgone/">see this story</a>). It’s a lifesaver that takes the guessing game out of the equation unlike other surfers whom would rather roll the dice with their peek a boo, I see you <a href="http://www.vinregistration.com/Hide%20a%20Key%20.gif">Hide-a-Key</a> under the <a href="http://michaelgracie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/hideakey.jpg">bumper routine</a>, car keys stowed in the captain obvious gas cap gig, or the always popular “let’s bring all of our worldly possessions down to the beach” in an unattended grab bag “free for all” special. It must be mentioned that in addition to the Car Key Stash Pocket, a healthy dose of common sense goes a long way in protecting assets (i.e.- don’t leave valuables in the vehicle or expensive items showcased on the dashboard of the vehicle like a <a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/1449071910_50bb72d502.jpg">voluptuous window display</a> at Victoria Secrets screaming “take me Big Boy!”) For other surfers who have not adopted the genius of the Car Key Stash Pocket or are wary to do so (microchip in key & salt water = bad) there are other options available on the market (albeit pricier & perhaps a bit flaunting = “come try & break into me”) such as the <a href="http://www.neverlockedout.com/">Hitch Safe Key Vault</a> if you have a truck or the Australian <a href="http://www.surflock.com.au/">Surf Lock</a> product which can be attached to any vehicle. Just don’t go forgetting the key code or you might be left out in the cold shivering in yer booties! Don’t be “Dat Guy!” When in doubt, keep things simple. If your wetsuit comes equipped, stash it in the car key stash pocket and surf well into the evening glass off session with confidence!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000I66JEM&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003EN4ZCO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000XQ6ME4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-87793607687148790142010-10-06T20:43:00.000-07:002010-10-06T20:44:34.639-07:00#29 Accidently Dropping In (a.k.a. - Cutting Others Off)<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">In surfing there’s a well established code of conduct that surfers live by in order to maintain some sense of sanity and safety in the lineup. Aside from the caveman-esque “meet me at the beach” ass whoopings by Chuey, it’s the only civilized way we surfers know to keep order in a world of <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/22-uncrowded-surf.html">crowded surf chaos</a>. Also known as “<a href="http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/surfing-etiquette/">surf etiquette</a>”, it’s the surfers’ Ten Commandments of ethical and sportsman like behavior. While all of the rules within the surfers’ code of conduct are worth following, perhaps the most important one and concurrently most abused rule of them all would have to be the; “<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">thou shall not drop in on or cut off thy surfer brother</span></i>!” It’s amazing how a concept so blatantly simple and obvious in theory can be so misconstrued (or ignored) for personal gain! Alas, like the competing rhetoric of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI91fovhiOJXrOra5y72gdpuI2_d6uGMeVE8orccV4uZ7SoJVjaLmqIsc68lcmjgdOuV80pPEvazg-x8kNVpgAfEPxzVsS2fYu93g4qn7vwyYPKffen3be9K4-JfKBiZSoUC40SIV70o/s320/devil+and+angel+homer2.jpg">devil and the angel</a> on the shoulder routine, this rule seems destined to be broken time and time again. To add fuel to the fire; throw a little ego into the equation, perhaps a healthy dousing of <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/18-locals-only-aka-localism.html">localism</a> and see what you get. Or maybe toss a bunch of surf starved surfers into a tight takeoff spot or into a long period swell scenario with agonizingly long lulls and inconsistent set waves and see how quickly the golden rule of surfing fades away. At one point or another (a.k.a. – nearly every session with a crowded lineup) the fragile equilibrium between surf etiquette and personal gain/greed will be breached. When this happens, the most typical reaction by surfers is actually no reaction at all but rather to denounce all responsibility of wrongdoing or act like the instance of dropping in on another surfer never even happened! This brings us to every surfer’s favorite rationalized self serving statement – “It was an accident bro, I didn’t see you!” Other honorable mentions include; “I didn’t think you’d make that section” or the rather worthless, after the fact apology – “sorry bro, I didn’t mean to cut you off” when the damage is already done. “Accidently Dropping In” by all accounts is at pandemic levels of contagiousness within the surfing community these days. Question Is – “Are you infected?” If so, it might be best to re-evaluate your stance on the issue. After all, paybacks a bitch when you’re screaming down the line on the set wave of the day only to be “accidently” dropped in on by yet another fellow member of the “it was an accident” drop in club! Irony at its finest!</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-33761873111110348612010-10-06T20:35:00.000-07:002010-10-06T20:37:27.030-07:00#28 Secret Spots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU8DAvKM9gtC_0YERyuUxKsT5tb5vi_eXudYxTb5VQKk_I8uEbUXtTzBKBQj2hgDvQ8mPgYXUvO2VSmnHZPzqG5nmbMrHBY8mRcUD834Iwrpw40TglntNwrwQGQEkq_BLhe-sVjhJHIuS/s1600/%2328+Secret+Spots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU8DAvKM9gtC_0YERyuUxKsT5tb5vi_eXudYxTb5VQKk_I8uEbUXtTzBKBQj2hgDvQ8mPgYXUvO2VSmnHZPzqG5nmbMrHBY8mRcUD834Iwrpw40TglntNwrwQGQEkq_BLhe-sVjhJHIuS/s320/%2328+Secret+Spots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">There’s a place at the end of the road, a surf spot to be exact, that by its sheer location and hard to reach obscurity has left it pure and unvarnished from human touch; a spot that surfers can still call their own within the rapidly developing world as we know it. Collectively referred to as “Secret Spots”, they are the proverbial dark horse within the underground black market of surf spots. They’re the epitome of what surf dreams are made of – untapped, exotic, pumping <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/22-uncrowded-surf.html">uncrowded surf</a>. Secret spots ooze of adventure and wanderlust discoveries straight out of a Treasure Island novel. Surfers lucky enough to find them not only get to score epic surf but purportedly lay claim to a resource that is in short supply these days. To what extent they shamelessly <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/19-bragging-about-scoring-epic-surf.html">brag about scoring epic surf</a> (thus exposing the spot) or guard their new found secret spot with a passion (see <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/18-locals-only-aka-localism.html">Localism</a>) is up to the individual surfer. As with any secret, once the cat’s out of the bag it is no longer a secret anymore. Once exposed, surfers will inevitably arrive in droves to seek out their own piece of the secret spot paradise. This is why surfers often talk about secret spots in such hushed, cryptic tones. Some might even go so far as to carry the secret with them to the grave. After all, why bring sand to the beach when it’s already the perfect balance for those chosen few already “in-the-know”? At the end of the day, a secret spot is only a secret if it remains privy information to a select few. Like winning the lottery jackpot, it’s often better just to keep it to yourself. “Secret Spots” – can you keep a secret?</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-23494013614879511592010-10-06T20:29:00.000-07:002010-10-06T20:30:03.368-07:00#27 Offshore Winds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBCPa3WHlKAPrEhsMkmf8Hqfcb0d-_MqN_Xu-5U6waJhVXepKYNn04SdUZMzZ_wBjWBt9U2-oXA6_qPfd-FYahYi2xN4YoWGXQXRpeJ0r1qecuH1YSPUGXGTieizZqOhq2Bw1nOom0ffi/s1600/%2327+Offshore+Winds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBCPa3WHlKAPrEhsMkmf8Hqfcb0d-_MqN_Xu-5U6waJhVXepKYNn04SdUZMzZ_wBjWBt9U2-oXA6_qPfd-FYahYi2xN4YoWGXQXRpeJ0r1qecuH1YSPUGXGTieizZqOhq2Bw1nOom0ffi/s320/%2327+Offshore+Winds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">It’s pre-dawn and the surfer is awakened out of yet another surf infused dreamlike slumber by the erratic rat-a-tat-tat of a tree branch outside their window pane. Down the street the unmistakable melodic tones of the neighbor’s wind chimes sing their way through the musical scales of space, time, and air into the auditory senses of the surfer’s subconscious state like an early morning lullaby calling the surfer to action. As grogginess gives way to consciousness, the surfer takes note that this time something is different, something unique, something surfy. As if drawing from some ingrained 6th sense left over in our d.n.a. from cave man times, the surfer feels the change in the air, the hair rising off their skin, the sight unseen visualization that maybe, just maybe, a healthy swell will be there to meet this mystical anomaly of tight isobars meets impending <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/24-being-stoked.html">surf stoke</a>. As the surfer pulls up to check the surf all suspicions are confirmed. Waves can be seen reeling in from all directions like a <a href="http://www.offshoresurfreefs.com/images/reefBret2.jpg">surf porno convention</a>. The permagrin on the surfer’s face beams radiant; equal if not greater than the illuminating light of the rising sun on the incoming swell lines. Not a drop of water is out of place on the open ocean canvas today. Waves continue to march in unleashing their energy in feathering peacock displays of spume and spray dancing in the early morning light. The invisible visitor from a land interior is hard at work grooming the open wave faces like a fine toothed comb. Not too much to think about now. Just need to get out there and get it while the getting is good! After all, these types of conditions don’t happen everyday or last that long when they do (unless of course you happen to be in <a href="http://www.surfnicaragua.com/about.php">Nicaragua</a> – score!). For now we will embrace them wholeheartedly. We value the fact that your wave sculpting ways have a way of transforming what would have been mediocre conditions at best into <a href="http://surfmusic.blogsome.com/images/hossegor141.jpg">epic, memorable sessions</a> that are forever ingrained in our mental surf slideshow archives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Thank you “<a href="http://www.sportsdefinitions.com/windsurfing/Offshore-wind.html">Offshore Winds</a>”! We salute you!</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-49346595728794741382010-10-06T20:04:00.000-07:002010-10-06T20:17:59.677-07:00#26 Surf Vehicles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcWJ3dFUgMfKOBwtA_b8AdLw6DEux_0euqiuVhm7K1t9XGCbfPxflxJtsj-Osqe-TQA_uOvXuJHRaFz6LWzc7Tf8oYTEEChJLcvStOg9rkw-ZobhYfOCGf3Mn_r0CrPo5oNbx8nE9MF81/s1600/%2326+surf+vehicles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcWJ3dFUgMfKOBwtA_b8AdLw6DEux_0euqiuVhm7K1t9XGCbfPxflxJtsj-Osqe-TQA_uOvXuJHRaFz6LWzc7Tf8oYTEEChJLcvStOg9rkw-ZobhYfOCGf3Mn_r0CrPo5oNbx8nE9MF81/s320/%2326+surf+vehicles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">As surfers, we love <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/19-bragging-about-scoring-epic-surf.html">bragging about scoring epic surf</a>, <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/14-getting-barreled.html">getting barreled</a>, <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/13.html">checking the waves</a>, and <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/12-peeing-in-wetsuits.html">peeing in our wetsuits</a>. It’s a fact – we can’t help ourselves! But what we often take for granted besides our surfboards and a solid underlying swell to ride them on is a decent set of wheels specially formulated and customized to meet our varying personalities and demanding surfing needs that will get us to the surf when and where we need them. Surf Vehicles as we like to refer to them are an essential logistical element of the overall surfing experience. Without them, sadly many surf sessions would be lost. They are the link between being there at the right time, right place vs. twiddling our thumbs in agony as we watch perfect drainers unveil before our eyes on some far removed computer screen miles away from the action. Besides, who can really bear to hear the cliché “<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">ya should have been here yesterday</span></i>” line again by the time you finally bum a ride and show up to surf. Do yourself a favor – Get a surf vehicle and get it while the getting is good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The modern day surf vehicle comes in a variety of surf scoring packages ranging from barely operable to economy class on up to the “high society” roving land yacht. Whatever flavor a surfer chooses (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">or can afford</span></i>), there are a few basic necessities a surfer needs in order to operate and maintain a fully functioning surf vehicle. First and foremost there needs to be some space available either inside (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">preferred</span></i>) or on the roof via surf racks (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">lockable</span></i>) to securely stow and transport their coveted wave riding vehicles. Next, unless you’ve always had an underlying passion to harvest mold spores, the surf vehicle will need to be equipped with a self contained, waterproof Tupperware container to store all those wet, soggy, pee infused wetsuits and rash guards (sick!!). Other “nice to have” options are a changing mat for <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/9-changing-in-public.html">changing in public</a>, a ding repair/ First Aid kit for mending those rail cracks and mere flesh wounds on the fly, a water jug or portable shower to wash off the funk, a sun visor for the dash to protect your ride from internal 3<sup>rd</sup> degree burns, and some bumping beats for the pre-surf pump up inspiration. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of choosing a surf vehicle lies in the balancing act between surf practicality vs. everyday luxury (i.e.- <i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">what might get readily thrashed by a constant influx of salt, sand, and melted <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/3-surf-wax.html">surf wax</a> on those nice leather seats</span></i>). Keep in mind, a surfers’ vehicle receives more annual accumulation of sand than some ski resorts receive in snow over seasons! Unless you enjoy obsessing about your vehicle or berating you bros about every speck of sand on their feet, you might save yourself a lot of time vacuuming and some friendships by keeping things simple, salty, and surfy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">As usual here at SSL, we couldn’t help but delve deeper into some of the more colorful surf vehicles you might come across in any surf town or feral surf trip excursion. While it would be nearly impossible (and not nearly as fun!) to commemorate every make and model of surf vehicle out there, we have chosen a generalized selection of surf vehicles that we feel add a bit of flavor to the everyday surfing mix. Read on… you just might recognize or drive one of these awesome (…..or not so awesome) surf vehicles yourself!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Creepy “Chester Molester” Surf Van – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">If B.A. Barrachus (a.k.a. – “<a href="http://buffetoblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/mr-t-pities-da-fool.jpg">Mr. T</a>”) was still wrecking shit in his <a href="http://www.automopedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/zombie-ateam-van.jpg">A-team van</a>, he’d “pity da fool” that drove <a href="http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2006/11/novone50.jpg">this thing</a>! Often parked (emphasis on “Parked!”) near beachside parks or at the end of your street for days, weeks, or even months on end (until the cops get wind), these vehicles are more extend-a-stay surfside accommodation than everyday transportation (think <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPaHePmyLH_1YyvhviI4JfcMWBQM4eds1i2NtW6rz8jPwtdWO42X3nwD9VpQo9XOFkBuAe1sAGcP4mGn5fpbRbrzNEw9lx5JFJZoYmTmwAR1HyCCMK4okeY3EllunJWZA9twYRRNdntfv/s400/Merry+Christmas,+shitter+was+full.jpg">Randy Quaid</a> in “Christmas Vacation”). While The Creepy “Chester Molester” Surf Van” might be on the hotlist for a new vehicular <a href="http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/">Megan’s Law</a>, here’s one <a href="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2009/0827/as_surf_girls_van_550.jpg">not so creepy surf van</a> we feel can park at the end of our block anytime they want!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Grom Mobile – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Grom Mobile can take many forms depending on the demographics and income brackets of the parents who give them these hand me down (see “Beater” below) surf vehicles to be…. (Unless of course they happen to be “<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=trustafarian">Trustafarians</a>-In-Training” (TITs) or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_spoon">Silver Spoons</a> – See “Yuppie Ride” below). Within the first week of acquiring their license and scoring their set of “hell on wheels”, The Grom Mobile will be plastered with a fresh coating of “buy my poster” <a href="http://blogthebeach.best-of-st-pete-beach.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/IMG_4672.JPG">surf stickers</a> representing the various food groups of the surf industry and “<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=counter-culture">counter-culture</a>” establishments. Rolling up to their favorite surf breaks with half the neighborhood in tow, The Grom Mobile is like a roving party boy limo busting mad beats, heart tinged emo chords, pop punk, and any genre of underground music that nobody has ever heard of but will unfortunately now (can you say – “ear rape”?) if they happen to be within a 2-mile radius. The Grom Mobile is a grom’s first taste of freedom from mom and dad and a catalyst for surfing new and far away breaks previously unknown. No longer relegated to bumming rides from older brothers/sisters, friends, and soccer moms, The Grom Mobile provides an all out feeding frenzy of new experiences for the Grom and rightfully so. After all those years of riding a bike back home in the dark, surfboard in tow, wetsuit dripping, and completely spent from surfing all day; the young Grom now claims what is rightfully theirs (a license!!) as they no longer have to feel that shuddering blast of loser denial whilst cars go flying past with heaters on full blast!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Beater </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">- Feeling like taking a nice leisurely Sunday drive down to Mexico? Looking to transport yourself and as many of your bros as possible into sketchy 3<sup>rd</sup> world countries lickety split? Do you sometimes fantasize about letting the parking brake go and watching a free fireworks display as your car careens into the ravine? Well then my friend, you are the next contestant on The Beater Car network!! <a href="http://jennyballen.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/6-car.jpg">This car</a> comes complete with peeling paint, an oil guzzling addiction, and very questionable reliability (Sound good!!? It’s yours!!). It could keep going like the Energizer Bunny for another 100,000 miles or it might just conk out around the next desolate corner with no help for miles – it’s anybody’s guess really. The Beater as its name implies is “BEAT” but that’s not always such a bad thing when you’re trying not to draw too much attention to yourself. A good option for flying under the radar in foreign countries, getting a tax write-off when you donate it to charity, or for use as a hand me down Grom Mobile.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://image.europeancarweb.com/f/projectcars/9336453+w200/0309_01z+1993_bmw_325is_coupe+top_rear_left.jpg_">The Yuppie Ride</a> – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">If <a href="http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/richie_rich2.gif">Richie Rich</a> grew up to be a surfer, he’d probably opt for one of these top-of-the-line vehicles and have his butler detail it for him after every surf. Known as the Beamers, Mercedes, Audi’s, Porsche’s, and Range Rovers of the high end car industry; the Yuppie Rides are excellent choices for hitting the town, commuting to work, and entertaining clients, but not so great for mixing salt, sand, boards, wax, and stinky wetsuits with leather and expensive fixtures. In addition, these are not the type of vehicles that you would want to drive into crime ridden countries or leave unattended for long periods of time on the side of the road while surfing. The Yuppie Ride almost always comes equipped with an alarm system that lulls its neighbors to sleep with ear wrenching lullabies at odd hours of the night while effectively deterring absolutely zero would be criminals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">(<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Ode to Car Alarm </span></b>– “Dear Car Alarm that goes off for hours on end in the middle of the night. No one is coming to rescue you or calling the police on behalf of your incessant, obnoxious screeching. Please die a timely death like all outdated, worthless technology eventually does. Adieu!!”).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.oldwoodies.com/img/events/watb01/51ford_chase.jpg">The Woodie</a> – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Woodie is a flashback to an earlier era in surfing history. Known as a “Woodie” because it typically comes coated with a wood veneer on the back 2/3<sup>rd</sup>’s of the vehicle, the Woodie was the real deal surf mobile back in the days of Gidget and Dora. These are collector cars nowadays and there are even several well established road shows and parades dedicated to these classic surf vehicles. Ask your dad or grandpa – they know! For more on Woodies and their rich surf based history check out <a href="http://www.nationalwoodieclub.com/home.htm">this site</a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.localsurfer.madasafish.com/graphics/Rups-Datsun.jpg">The Compact Cruiser</a> (a.k.a. “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” or “Lil Pepe)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – The Compact Cruiser is a lightweight, gas efficient, no frills breed of surf vehicle. Typically taking the form of a small car or hatchback model; they shake, rattle, and roll like a flimsy tin can and you may at times feel like a simple gust of wind could be your final demise. On a positive note, they do get the surfer from Point A to B without breaking the bank (i.e. – Economical = Good). It’s usually necessary to put the boards on the roof with a set of sturdy surf racks to save room (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">unless of course you enjoy sitting on your bro’s lap as boards prod you in the ass</span></i>). Some models come with retractable back seats to put boards in through the trunk or there’s always the option of reclining the front passenger seat to tote your board around town like a hot date. Get a room you two!!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Big Boy Tonka Truck (a.k.a. – “<a href="http://www.feisar.de/stuff/dodge.jpg">I have a small wee wee</a>”) – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Let’s get one thing straight – Monster Truck Rally’s rule!! They air over cars and crush stuff (we like it, carnage is cool!!) But driving a <a href="http://image.truckinweb.com/f/8436535/0805tr_01_z+2006_chevy_kodiak_4500+front_view.jpg">monster truck</a> on a daily basis on municipal roads for work or surf just seems silly. They suck up liquid gold gas quicker than an OC golddiggin’ housewife looking for a divorce without a pre-nup and they’re a bitch to park. What are you trying to prove anyways? (or make up for!!??) It becomes even lamer when you know that the person driving it has never taken their ride off-road or if it even comes equipped with 4-wheel drive to begin with (puulleasee!!). Luckily there is a saving grace in this category as exhibited by <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bikeboardusa.com/images/hurricane-hunter-02.gif&imgrefurl=http://bikeboardusa.com/news.asp&usg=__ezxpo8rwOrjeKiKr2RX4fo0kwdo=&h=462&w=210&sz=58&hl=en&start=17&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Vf2D9k_xroI2eM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=58&">Brian Conley’s</a> large n’ in charge “<a href="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=2881454&categoryid=3076085">Hurricane Hunter</a>”. Clocking in at a paltry $100,000 investment, this beast has all the bells and whistles a surfer needs to hit the dusty road and score epic <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/22-uncrowded-surf.html">uncrowded waves</a> in far away, desolate places (think Baja, Mexico). This ride is 5-Star accommodations on the fly. I wonder if he picks up hitchhikers?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Surf RV – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">When most people think of RV’s they get a mental image of senior citizens touring our nation’s network of state parks and recreational areas in oversized mobile homes whilst driving an obnoxiously geriatric speed of 40 mph in the fast lane. All that was thrown out the window the moment “<a href="http://www.fuel.tv/DriveThru">The Drive Thru Surf Series</a>” was released to the modern surfing world. This wanderlust surf series throws several world class surfers into a sweaty, cramped RV for two week road trips through some of the planet’s most ripe, wave rich zones. While we’re pretty certain it would blow to drive this rig on an everyday basis, it could be fun to wreak havoc in on a surf road trip (just don’t ask us to park the beast!).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Surf Trip Rental Car</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – These cars take a real <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=15985858">beating</a>! Depending on where you travel (or who you travel with) you might just want to save yourself the pain and pony up the extra insurance to foot the impending bill. The <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">Surf Trip</a> Rental Car gets thrashed day in and day out with salt, sand, sweat and body odors from every orifice (think hotboxing full of farts and 3<sup>rd</sup> World gastrointestinal goodness seasoned with a side of extra humid tropical heat – check please!!). This car screams tourist, gringo, haole, or whatever derogatory word the world has come up with to describe “out of place” and “not <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/18-locals-only-aka-localism.html">local</a>”. Potential mishaps that can occur (hence the insurance) from order of severity are the random flat tire, the entire desecration of the vehicle’s undercarriage due to leviathan sized 3<sup>rd</sup> world potholes, flipping over of the vehicle whilst driving highly intoxicated on the beach (See <a href="http://www.wetsand.com/story/8153/Dude+Cruise+Premiere/">Dude Cruise</a>), or the ever popular locking the car only to have the windows busted out and items stolen as a welcoming gift (thanks Costa Rica!).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The “Super Deluxe” 4X4 Surf Van (a.k.a. – Baja Destroyer!!)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – If <a href="http://snarkerati.com/movie-news/files/2007/11/xzibit-pimp-my-ride.jpg">Xzibit</a> had the steez to pimp a surfers’ ride, he would undoubtedly produce a beauty <a href="http://www.elkapitan.com/4x4-van-conversion.htm">like this</a>! This surf vehicle has it all! Specially customized to accommodate the latest and greatest gadgetry as well as serious 4×4 muscle under the hood, The “Super Deluxe” 4×4 Surf Van is a surfer’s wet dream for wanderlust surf excursions in style!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.theadventurelife.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/curious01.jpg">The VW Bus/ Vanagon</a> – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The <a href="http://thesurfbird.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/california/Con%20parking%20lot.jpg">VW Bus</a> is a classic surf vehicle hailing from the hippidy dippity, “far out” days of the 60’s and 70’s. It along with its updated counterpart – <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBWPXMa-aJHg_hL5upyh9JEZ_qK0MR0qAKTRZbqinsumdS5pUqEWnvdFoq0OwaO8uZqwUQ-pR1k4UTSqrR7dD56l7lpnhnKY9n34dLeYeNcuUwBCCfPyy2ExQkUPgzRm3b1K0DAIYfzdT/s400/beachdianadubsbusagainwww.jpg">The Vanagon</a>, is synonymous with extended surf treks and camping out by the beach for days or weeks on end to score epic surf (think <a href="http://www.vintagebus.com/gallery/subcat/image/2000204.JPG">camping out</a> in Hossegor, France milking the swell). It comes <a href="http://stuffsurferslike.com/2008/07/17/jeff-spicoli/">Spicoli</a> pre-approved and is voted most likely to showcase a large selection of <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/101756475_a2dd591341.jpg">earth friendly</a>, <a href="http://bethpartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/VW-bus-with-bumper-stickers-near-9-11-monument-SHARP-Denver-2009-500x333.jpg">politically oriented bumper stickers</a> on its exterior (See “<a href="http://www.stickershoppe.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/d201.jpg">Coexist</a>”, “<a href="http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/Grateful%20Dead.JPG">Grateful Dead</a>”, but probably not <a href="http://images7.cafepress.com/product/13440167v3_480x480_Front.jpg">this one</a>).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.etepnosnevets.com/pics/HIFF05/surf.briceman.1.jpg">The Surf Scooter</a> – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Surf Scooter is the surfers’ solution for short trips up and down the coast. It is especially helpful during the Summer months for weaving in and out of traffic and for finding an often times non-existent parking spot. Outfitted with a surf rack on the side, the Surf Scooter is a peppy, gas efficient solution for the surfer who likes to air dry on the way home from a surf sesh. To learn more <a href="http://www.boardhunt.com/Blog/BlogDetails.aspx?iD=30&uId=135">click here</a>.</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002DWBMAA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0002X9BXC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0014HW56U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000A2EN6A&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0017L06DC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0007OINK8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002T4WZQM&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002LGSE5Y&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000IX8H86&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-77091388718284824022010-10-06T19:38:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:46:24.702-07:00#25 Point Breaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIlrobV9cWuEG30becKA-phHFRFqx_H2OLKXXTPDF42FUqUp32lFRwifvMgDSiWGBmClCJrSrnt44yCCyJSjLR-tsrHQWujTG3hrzGOCn2tPEPHWKLWGWcv8u4bWzyjgiI9hIns_18QkG/s1600/%2325+Point+Breaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIlrobV9cWuEG30becKA-phHFRFqx_H2OLKXXTPDF42FUqUp32lFRwifvMgDSiWGBmClCJrSrnt44yCCyJSjLR-tsrHQWujTG3hrzGOCn2tPEPHWKLWGWcv8u4bWzyjgiI9hIns_18QkG/s320/%2325+Point+Breaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Within the surf break strata; there is a highly sought after type of wave that surfers froth over for its overall length of ride and shreddability. Commonly referred to as a “<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/point%20break">Point Break</a>” (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">No, not the cheesy </span></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Break"><i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">1991 movie</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> Bodhi</span></i>!!), they are the surfers’ Holy Grail for long, drawn out turns and extended flow mojo. Just uttering the word conjures up images of famous point breaks like <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surfing-a-to-z/malibu-history_857/">Malibu</a>, <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/rincon-southern-california_4197/travel/">Rincon</a>, <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/pavones-costa-rica_5796/travel/">Pavones</a>, <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/kirra-queensland_6191/travel/">Kirra</a>, <a href="http://ww.surfline.com/surf-report/chicama-peru_6992/travel/">Chicama</a>, <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/raglan-north-island_7358/travel/">Raglan</a>, <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/mundaka-spain_6894/travel/">Mundaka</a>, and <a href="http://www.surfline.com/surfing-a-to-z/jeffreys-bay-history_838/">Jeffreys Bay</a> to name a few. While not all point breaks are created equal or even world class for that matter, they are often far superior to the fickle beach break scenario and its ever present 2 pump chump closeout routine. Point breaks are like the Autobahn speedway of surf breaks allowing the surfer a bit more breathing room to stretch their legs, put the pedal to the metal, and let loose on the open ocean highway with a series of highline speed drives, buckets of spray inducing whack-em’s, and styled out soul turns. On their best days, point breaks become a lesson in geometry and perfect symmetry. Long period open ocean swells wrap in off the point and funnel down the beach at nearly right angles as tapering walls of whitewater pitch down the line in hypnotizing succession. Rides can be so long and surreal that surfers often have to pinch themselves just to make sure they’re not dreaming or still <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/8-mindsurfing.html">mindsurfing</a> back on the beach for that matter. In addition to their stoke inducing qualities, point breaks also offer up logistical advantages affording the surfer the option of walking back up the point to catch another wave rather than <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/20-paddling-out.html">paddling back out</a> (<i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">a useful technique that saves the surfer from unnecessary “noodle arm-itis” after especially long rides</span></i>). It’s the type of wave where your legs are liable to conch out on you before your arms do from the sheer length of ride – a very rare and enviable occurrence indeed in the sport of surfing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Point Breaks are true gems in an ocean full of featureless bottom contours and straight angled coastlines. One look at <a href="http://www.surfingmagazine.com/surfing-magazine-features/enter-to-win/google-earth-reader-challenge/index.html">Google Earth</a> and it becomes painfully obvious that certain parts of the Globe have an abundance of these wave tapering topographies while other coastlines get the shaft (think East Coast of USA). To the detriment of the surfer, point breaks are a feast or famine type of proposition. It’s almost as if when God created the Earth in 7 days he hit the snooze button on the “point break creation proclamation” blessing certain locales with 2 parts rock, 1 part headland, while leaving other areas to squabble over shifty sandbars and a fleeting prayer that tomorrow will finally be the day when the waves don’t closeout. All blasphemy aside, there are point breaks out there that have yet to be discovered and are being discovered on a daily basis. Take for instance the running of Rip Curl’s <a href="http://surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/mexicoripcurl/">WCT Event</a> at the once obscure right-hander down in Mexico known as “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpSIyRTVpHU">La Jolla</a>” or the amazing footage of Cory Lopez getting shacked silly on a <a href="http://www.surfingmagazine.com/surfing-photo-video/surfing-videos/flash/skeleton-bay-africa-google-earth-challenge-discovery/">never ending lefthander</a> somewhere in Africa. And who can forget the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6DGeZV7SdM">classic footage</a> of two young surfers ascending that last sand dune to find untapped point break perfection at Cape St. Francis in Bruce Brown’s epic “Endless Summer” documentary. Just another day of living the dream – seek and ye shall score!!</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000GUJZ4G&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0014TN1EI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001OULQI0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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</div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-46608607960455511952010-10-06T19:34:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:35:14.381-07:00#24 Being Stoked!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAjrqRVNGoyDobnPUnfmxIAbHUvZt_Dc8ifDS7HR3ghwP79yIelTCG84BfMkUxGNkHBYjsRUg7VQzjyYrpGicZYnmJ0T7ApdS6ShVNBdqDU2Co6I2dIWPvXBomisddNcZ2gFv9bD7nTZr/s1600/%2324+Being+Stoked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAjrqRVNGoyDobnPUnfmxIAbHUvZt_Dc8ifDS7HR3ghwP79yIelTCG84BfMkUxGNkHBYjsRUg7VQzjyYrpGicZYnmJ0T7ApdS6ShVNBdqDU2Co6I2dIWPvXBomisddNcZ2gFv9bD7nTZr/s320/%2324+Being+Stoked.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Few things personify the surfing spirit like the feeling of being “<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=stoked">stoked</a>”! Born out of 1960’s beach blanket bingo swagger, being “stoked” is the ultimate high and form of ecstatic expression amongst surfers the world over. It’s that highly sought after Zen state of surfer nirvana where scoring epic waves or relishing in a positive set of circumstances envelops the surfer with waves of euphoria and shit eating perma-grins. Being “stoked” is that fuzzy feeling of exhilaration and insatiable rush of endorphins one gets from screaming down the face of a wave and <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/14-getting-barreled.html">getting barreled</a>, it’s that loving bond you develop after <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/11-getting-new-surfboard.html">getting a new surfboard</a>, the adventure you get from taking a <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trip</a>, or just getting it good on the <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/4-dawn-patrol.html">dawn patrol</a> with <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/22-uncrowded-surf.html">uncrowded surf</a>. Being “stoked” is a state of mind that isn’t going out of style anytime soon. Get out there and get some! There’s an infinite supply around the next corner if you’re only willing to look!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The word “stoked” is by far one of surfing’s most popular adjectives. “Dude, I’m stoked!”, “We’re so stoked!”, “You’re STOKED!!!” are all in a days work for the modern day surfer. Hang around with surfers long enough and you will undoubtedly bear witness to its use as one of surfing’s most prolific everyday surf lingo vernacular. It’s a word that knows no bounds, especially when spending time with those who like to <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/19-bragging-about-scoring-epic-surf.html">brag about scoring epic surf</a>, watching copious amounts of <a href="http://www.fuel.tv/">Fuel TV</a>, or if you happen to find yourself hanging out at surf industry functions like the Surfer Poll Awards, ASR (serious bro-down), or a WCT winner’s podium in which case you will hear a lot of it! It’s moments like these where you could probably get drunk off your face if you decided to play drinking games every time a surfer uttered the word. Nevertheless, being “stoked” is nothing to be ashamed of but rather embraced. It’s a celebration of good times, great waves, and the recognition of the many ways the surfing lifestyle enhances our daily lives. It’s there for us like a shield to protect us from all the clueless naysayers trying to bring the surfer dude down. Being “stoked” like surfing is more than just a word but a way of life. Be stoked that you’re a surfer and know the difference. Keep the stoke alive!</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-24357743870757306162010-10-06T18:55:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:27:15.007-07:00#23 Flip Flops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hji44WVtuGkocdfRX-KfHeUNzR5TZ54qmxTDdaI0GcvUUsVcU5DBD3Nm8Z-WF607W7TbUoWNvriWyoqPxslHGwToatmesgq_XngXlL0M19pBEar3i2HU7sGT86OMo5M0zt_WmO-0_iTf/s1600/%2323+Flip+Flops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hji44WVtuGkocdfRX-KfHeUNzR5TZ54qmxTDdaI0GcvUUsVcU5DBD3Nm8Z-WF607W7TbUoWNvriWyoqPxslHGwToatmesgq_XngXlL0M19pBEar3i2HU7sGT86OMo5M0zt_WmO-0_iTf/s320/%2323+Flip+Flops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">In the world of surf apparel where casual fashion meets function; there is perhaps nothing more iconic of the surfer and the surfing lifestyle than the classic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flops">flip flop </a>(also known as “sandal”, “slippah”, “thong”, or “go aheads”). It is by far the footwear of choice amongst surfers the world over. Consisting of nothing more than a Y thonged strap inset into a rubber sole to hold the toes in, the flip flop is simplistic ingenuity at its finest. Its convenient slip on, slip off functionality lends itself well to the casual surfer lifestyle where wearing shirts is often optional and sporting boardshorts is a way of life. For those surfers who might have just as easily gone barefoot through life, the flip flop provides a refined solution for getting around town or for patronizing those demanding “no shirt, no shoes, no dice” type of restaurant establishments. They have also saved many a surfer from imminent 3rd degree burns on countless hot, sunny days where haole feet and lava hot sand don’t mix (Black sand beaches – Really??!! Can we turn it down a notch?!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">For surfers, flip flops are practically a part of our d.n.a. Just as surfing is seen as pure freedom, flip flops are liberation for our feet. They’re like a convertible with the top down throwing inhibitions (..and possibly toe jam) to the wind. Sauntering down to our favorite beaches for a quick surf, the flip flop is there for us and our feet in their time of need. They wait for us patiently while we surf and are there to greet us as we get out of the water just so long as they don’t wear a hefty price tag on them beckoning “come steal me!” (i.e.- only cost $20 or less) or somebody’s dog didn’t mistake them as a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6P8o0KwFOM">chew toy</a>. Surfers quickly grow attached to their flip flops forming bonds of embedded toe and heel prints into the body of the sole. But much like a six month High School romance, the writing is on the wall and one day the flip flop’s toe strap breaks and it’s all over before it really even had a chance to begin.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Ode to Flip Flop’s Passing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: “R.I.P. dear Flip Flop. We will remember you and all the joy you brought our feet. We tried to resuscitate you but our MacGyver like attempt to reconnect the toe strap was amateur at best. We will try and recycle you so that you may come back in another life (presumably in a Chinese factory) and bring happiness to another surfer’s feet. Yours Truly, Surfer Dude”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">To shed some more light on the array of flip flop options out there, SSL would like to recognize and poke fun at some of the companies that make these glorious flip flops. While nearly every major surf company sells them, we’d like to focus on the more core contenders who make it their business to produce the highest quality flip flops available. If we miss someone, please feel free to add them on our comments section and we can update the post as needed to include them. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.astrodeck.com/store/category/astrodeck-sandals/146.oa?osCsid=erv809i024nv481u3siqv4vib6">Astrodeck</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Well know for being one of the first in the industry to make traction pads, Astrodeck now makes sandals with the same traction patterns built into their sandals. Now you never have to lose that classic Astrodeck feeling of grip it and rip it!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.cobianusa.com/">Cobian</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Their slogan is “Walk with us” and you may just want to as they make reasonably priced flip flops that hold up quite well over time.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.flojos.com/">Flojos</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Flojos have been around since 1979 and were extremely popular back in the bitchin’ 80’s. They are making a comeback and have an especially popular girls line.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.havaianasus.com/">Havaianas</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Hailing from Brazil, makes a simple, rubber thonged flip flop with the use of florals and bright colors. Popular with the ladies. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.kustomfootwear.com/">Kustom</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Makes a wide range of comfortable rubber and leather flip flops worth checking out.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.hawaiianlocals.com/">Locals</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: It used to be you could only get these if you were in Hawaii. Now they are available in select shops on the Mainland. They are a classic, very inexpensive flip flop worth having in the surf sesh repertoire.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.oceanminded.com/">Ocean Minded</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: A sustainably minded, earth friendly sandal company to the core. They use recycled plastics and materials to make their stylin’ flip flops. They also organize numerous beach cleanups and work to promote a cleaner environment through the sale of their products. When they’re not too busy saving the world, they’re adding to its beauty and our eye candy enjoyment by sponsoring surfer twin hotties like <a href="http://www.oceanminded.com/ambassadors/surf/sierra-partridge/">these</a>. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.rainbowsandals.com/">Rainbow Sandals</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: This company makes very high end leather sandals that last a long time. In fact, it is not uncommon to see surfers wearing these flip flops for years until they are worn down to mere nubs, yet the toe strap survives! Worth the money and it has a great entrepreneurial rags to riches story behind its founding in a garage in Laguna Beach.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.reef.com/">Reef</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: The undeniable leader in flip flops, sandals, thongs, whatever you want to call it. Speaking of thongs, just check out their <a href="http://stuffsurferslike.com/2009/08/04/15-reef-brazil-ads/">Reef Brazil Ads</a>! Enough said! They even make a <a href="http://www.pophangover.com/wp-content/uploads/reef-sandals-1.jpg">Mick Fanning Pro Model Sandal </a>complete with a bottle opener embedded in the underside of the sole for those who enjoy mixing bubble gum, toe jam, and residual dog poo with their beer of choice. All in all, pretty cool!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.sanuk.com/">Sanuk</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">: Sanuk flip flops are fun. They reek of creativity and funkadelic-ness. Like Ocean Minded, they are pretty earth friendly and they even make a flop in the likeness of an artificial putting green. Fore!!</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.scotthawaii.com/">Scott</a></b></span><span style="font-size: small;">: Original Hawaii Sandals since 1932. Also called “Slippahs”. High end and last a long time like Rainbows. A good choice for upping your game on nights out whilst wearing your man blouse (no popping collar please).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002LITNYS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000NVCIHE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0019TM6AI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0036WOQ54&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002206LV8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000OYUIHW&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000NY4W6G&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003V6KPWS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003AXZ8MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-9239241998115276012010-10-06T18:38:00.000-07:002010-10-28T10:05:23.186-07:00#22 Uncrowded Surf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vYZG7ki90WUb9YEMYQbWmEFQf0Ai7DsbT3D59kumi0Mqlgj6YlHFQh8x8d7whLZjURVsIO-NwfyaoUuBiDCIz2tiVS10lWhHI7e1Acf2_diKX4COXrUmExzwhgfIxV2ak2Q5OZH8vUPz/s1600/%2322+Uncrowded+Surf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vYZG7ki90WUb9YEMYQbWmEFQf0Ai7DsbT3D59kumi0Mqlgj6YlHFQh8x8d7whLZjURVsIO-NwfyaoUuBiDCIz2tiVS10lWhHI7e1Acf2_diKX4COXrUmExzwhgfIxV2ak2Q5OZH8vUPz/s1600/%2322+Uncrowded+Surf.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the modern day surfer, scoring good waves all to oneself or in a small group isn’t as easy as it used to be (in case you haven’t noticed!). With the advent of the internet and its slew of wave cams and forecasts, today’s surfer is forever hard pressed to get the goods all to themselves. Try as they may, other surfers just keep popping out of the woodwork at every turn. It’s all a bit disconcerting, yes, but a humbling reminder that the surfing population will only continue to grow while surf spots and waves remain fixed, finite resources. With the floating zoo sideshow in full effect at many of our favorite surf breaks, surfers are left to their own devices and methodologies to score waves and maintain sanity in the ever challenging, competitive conditions (See <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/18-locals-only-aka-localism.html">Localism</a>). If only there were more waves to go around, less surfers shoulder hopping, or dare we even say less surfers!? While we won’t hold our breath on that last one happening anytime soon, surfers who bide their time can take solace in those rare moments when the circus leaves town, the kids go back to school, and the summer rental tourists pack it in for the season (see "<a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/33-end-of-tourist-season.html">The End of Tourist Season</a>"). Note – (That last sick cutback sequence you just did followed by 3 to the beach was not ignored. It was most assuredly observed & critiqued by every frothing surfer in the parking lot and wave cam jockey from here to the valley. Rest assured they’re packing their boards and on their way to join you in the lineup asap!!)</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scoring uncrowded surf near any major population center in this day and age is an illusive and trying endeavor to say the least. Short of <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/20-paddling-out.html">paddling out</a> down the beach to subpar waves or taking a far flung and oft times expensive <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trip</a>, surfing locally and dealing with the crowds is the only option we have. Lo and behold, after enduring so many crowded sessions complete with paddle battles, back paddling, and copious amounts of stink-eye, eventually a day dawns where by cosmic forces of chance the local lineups thin out and uncrowded surf conditions reign. It is rare occasions like these that are cause for unadulterated celebration for the ever diligent surfer. As if in some alternative universe straight out of the Twilight Zone, the surfer may initially enter into a mild state of shock at their newfound good luck. They can’t help but second guess their enviable position. While they gorge themselves on the set waves of their choice, the surfer will mutter to themselves or a bro within earshot, “where is everybody?” knowing full well that they don’t want to know the answer or risk jinxing their amazingly uncrowded surf session. Periodically the surfer will frenetically scan the beach half expecting a mutant army of surf starved surfers to appear any minute around the bend like a zombie scene straight out of the movie “Night of the Living Dead”. If it’s really firing the surfers’ mind might start to play tricks on them such as, “was there a shark attack here?”; “am I asleep and only dreaming this?”; or “wow, I guess all that sewage runoff from the recent rain we just had really could be cause for contracting Hepatitis, super!” At the end of the day, the surfer will revel in their good fortune of getting it good without the hassles of a crowded lineup. This will of course be brought to every other surfer’s attention that wasn’t there in the form of more shameless <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/19-bragging-about-scoring-epic-surf.html">bragging about scoring epic surf</a>. This in turn will let the cat out of the bag on the uncrowded surf sitch and the next day will find 50+ eager surfers circumventing the lineup on a rumor that it was firing yesterday with nobody out. “Hmmmmm…..Might want to get it while the getting is good!! Crowds suck bro!!”</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0762725982&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0811849988&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0764155385&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-73962496926583837412010-10-06T18:20:00.000-07:002010-10-06T18:23:06.870-07:00#21 Wilbur Kookmeyer<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><a href="http://www.wilbur-kookmeyer.com/index.html">Wilbur Kookmeyer</a> was a much beloved cartoon character created by animator Bob Penuelas in the early 80’s. Wilbur first appeared in a more obscure comic strip known as “Maynard and the Rat” but quickly got his own gig starring in a 2 page animated spread in Surfer Magazine spanning from 1986 – 2006. The Wilbur Kookmeyer animated series was an overnight success amongst the surfing community. It took a gawky, buck toothed, bundle of loser denial and made him into the uncontested icon of “<a href="http://www.wilbur-kookmeyer.com/html/word_from_author.html">all things kook</a>” for a generation of surfers. With his animated tales of kook-a-mania spreading far and wide across the land, Wilbur was so utterly “uncool” that he quickly transcended the gap into uber cool status! It was a social phenomenon much like the current popularity of wearing wretchedly tight black tapered jeans. Each new animation maintained the reliable yet addictive formula of Wilbur spouting off some big game about his surfing skills only to see him eat it hard, arms flailing in the final slides of the animation. It was all too predictable yet so gratifying at the same time for the fully captivated surfer. The Wilbur Kookmeyer comic series became so popular that the word ‘Wilbur’ is now a permanent fixture in every surfer’s lingo in the likes of “kook”, “barney”, and “haole to the max” to denote a proficient lack of style and surfing skill. Just recite – “Geez, there were a bunch of Wilburs out there in the lineup today!!” There ya go!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The rise of Wilbur Kookmeyer’s popularity is perhaps unrivaled to this day in the echelon of surf animation. But while the Kookmeyer series might have seemed on the surface to be just another campy comic strip there was more than meets the eye. Beyond its scope of masterful animation and witty dialogue, the Wilbur Kookmeyer series was actually a satire of the rapidly commercializing surf industry and the desecration of the soul and individuality of the sport of surfing for profits sake. Wilbur personified and poked fun at all the wannabee surfers trickling into the surf scene in the mid-late 80’s as it suddenly became hip to be a surfer and look the part of the surfing lifestyle. He provided a humorous outlet for surfers to vent their frustrations at the rapidly homogenizing surf industry and the puka shell touting wannabees that bought into it. The underlying message of the comic strip was that surfing is not to be bought or sold and that if you still subscribe to that ideology, well then you’re just as Wilbur as Wilbur can be!! On a lighter note, the comic series was a genius composition of surf doodlery. <a href="http://www.wilbur-kookmeyer.com/html/comic__archives.HTM">Each animation</a> was a work of art in its own rite. It helped to inspire a generation of burgeoning surf doodlers and bored out of their mind students to create works of surf art in their notebooks, trapper keepers, and paper bag covered school books rather than fall into a comatose induced drooling state upon their desk. Unofficial contests were held during lunch breaks to see who could draw the raddest waves and wanderlust surf imagery in the likeness of the Wilbur Kookmeyer strip’s exotic animated locales. It wasn’t until years later that animator Penuelas actually showed us the way by posting his “<a href="http://www.wilbur-kookmeyer.com/html/draw_a_cartoon_wave.html">how to draw a cartoon wave- the Wilbur Kookmeyer way</a>” series. Now there is no excuse to not be grinning ear to ear like a kindergartner when you post your latest surf doodle on the fridge!! Wilbur Kookmeyer – A Surfing Legend!!</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0006S0B0A&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-27096023656543993392010-10-06T18:02:00.000-07:002010-10-06T18:17:21.083-07:00#20 Paddling Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP1-MeaCcn_4Vv3A81ES2w1j-7vklV79BZ0Sfs8mNeaJf45dN4_exXismGWO47DSoxZYckrDH0N6axeHxqBsBiSRwI6x7FH4fXkbZ90CDrF7qD8rb2Q8pnUPmBJktcq_WqeTPceV5f4I5/s1600/%2320+Paddling+Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP1-MeaCcn_4Vv3A81ES2w1j-7vklV79BZ0Sfs8mNeaJf45dN4_exXismGWO47DSoxZYckrDH0N6axeHxqBsBiSRwI6x7FH4fXkbZ90CDrF7qD8rb2Q8pnUPmBJktcq_WqeTPceV5f4I5/s1600/%2320+Paddling+Out.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Paddling out is at the core of any good surf session, in fact it’s a bona-fide necessity! It’s the tenacious and repetitive cycle that delivers a surfer from the landlocked confines of the beach and into the lineup to score some much needed surf. It’s a take it or leave it enterprise where the waves seen feathering on the outside are all the fuel a surfer needs to get out there and get some! Standing there on the beach, surfboard in hand – paddling out becomes the proverbial dangling of the carrot at the end of the stick for any surfer with a set of surf stoked eyes on the prize. It’s a means to an end that with some luck, agility, and experience will deliver the surfer out to the lineup and into some adrenaline pumping waves as quickly and effortlessly as possible. Now if we could only find a way to hitch a ride on some Jet Ski assist or air drop out of a helicopter into an idyllic tropical surf break in Bali like Andy & Bruce Irons did in <a href="http://www.fuel.tv/mcool/videos/view/1898">Fuel TV’s ad campaign</a> things would be so much easier. Hmmm… not betting Christmas on that one.........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Paddling out is a highly variable experience for the surfer depending on when and where they choose to surf. Unlike other sports where the playing field remains static, in surfing, no two go-outs are ever the same. Paddling out requires dedication and mental as well as physical stamina to surmount the ever changing dynamics of the sea. Erratic cleanup sneaker sets, rip tides, and angry walls of whitewater are all potential game changers of the paddling out experience. One day conditions can be “surfer meets lazy river” where nary a hair gets wet and the next can produce an all out hell on earth paddle battle against detonating death walls of white water with your name on it! When conditions are <a href="http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_America/USA/California/San_Diego_County/blacks_beach/photo/BenLewisBlacksText.jpg.jpg">large n’ in charge</a>, the paddling out game re-writes itself entirely and only those willing to take a few beatings need apply. Paddling out becomes a series of heart thumping scratches for the horizon on par with a Michael Phelp’s Olympic qualifying 250 meter “mad-dash” as large black blobs rear their ugly heads from the depths of the oceanic abyss. It should come as no surprise to the surfer who challenges Mother Nature on her own turf that sooner or later they too shall have to pay the piper! These not so fun lickings can come in any variety of pain and panic inducing packages. One option could be the infamous “having your board ripped out of your hands with a side of rag dolling along the ocean bottom until you can’t breathe so well anymore” scenario. Or perhaps it’s the taunting heartbreak of nearly making it out to the lineup only to be sent packing for the beach as an angry outside <a href="http://www.erh.noaa.gov/phi/images/tsunamisurf.jpg">canyon set</a> swings your way, unleashing its wrath upon your vulnerable body like a calculated Mr. Miyagi Judo Chop to the head!! (Note -the only real benefit to this scenario is if you just so happened to scratch over that last bomber set wave. This affords you the right to chuckle ever so briefly at all the less fortunate surfers left behind in the meat grinder. Make sure not to laugh too long though – karma’s a biatch!!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Whether conditions are macking or a mere doggie paddle at the <a href="http://z.about.com/d/themeparks/1/0/O/r/BigSurf1.jpg">wave pool</a> with <a href="http://stuffsurferslike.com/2009/08/23/16-north-shore-the-movie/">Rick Kane</a>, paddling out is here to stay. It’s as much a part of surfing as riding waves, perhaps even more so. In fact, statistically speaking, surfers spend over 50% of their time paddling out and duckdiving with another 44% spent bobbing around in the lineup waiting for waves. The actual riding of waves is only a <a href="http://www.driftsurfing.eu/index.php/archives/2453">mere 4 – 6%</a>!! With all the time surfers spend “not” surfing, perhaps some day in some far off existential surfing universe a surfer will compliment another surfer on some “nice paddling” versus catching a “sick wave”? Ok, admittedly not likely – probably just a pipedream born of oxygen deprivation from one too many brutal hold downs!! But for all of paddling’s shortcomings, it does provide a surfer some undeniable bonuses. For instance, it <b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">a</span></b>) gets them into and out to multitudes of waves via their own motive power (i.e. – good exercise!), <b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">b</span></b>) it provides them just the right amount of time to hoot their bros into waves as they scratch over the shoulder, <b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">c</span></b>) gives the surfer time to curse themselves for kooking it on their last wave, <b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">d</span></b>) allows them time to flaunt a shit eating grin for all to see as a testament to their freshly snagged epic ride, and perhaps most importantly, <b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">e</span></b>) occasionally provides views like <a href="http://www.surfing-waves.com/forum/images/up/1186675414_1.jpg">these</a>! When in doubt, paddle out!!</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000E95CLO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000JTCWQW&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002N2DNO8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-13170553966102555712010-10-06T17:52:00.000-07:002010-10-06T17:52:56.461-07:00#19 Bragging About Scoring Epic Surf!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGY9RCjnRyjvNxgMikqq0a6bxeyCQKBR8kH_ejYQc0BOboK9lu990l1uhDvXyxle1RosMDqadj54TRthKldx6o8THNhhuhJ5Xirt7C-6o4EfxPxgur7hqzC4ERQYfhhwk2c44ils1FzV9/s1600/%2319+Bragging+About+Scoring+Epic+Surf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGY9RCjnRyjvNxgMikqq0a6bxeyCQKBR8kH_ejYQc0BOboK9lu990l1uhDvXyxle1RosMDqadj54TRthKldx6o8THNhhuhJ5Xirt7C-6o4EfxPxgur7hqzC4ERQYfhhwk2c44ils1FzV9/s1600/%2319+Bragging+About+Scoring+Epic+Surf.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers love the satisfaction that comes from scoring epic surf. It rejuvenates the soul and replenishes the stoke meter like no other. Fully spent and noodle armed, the surfer basks in the afterglow of an amazing surf sesh as they fondly reflect on their cornucopia of epic rides. Bit by bit, the message that materializes to the surfer becomes glaringly obvious – they just got it good, really good! The feeling of euphoria overwhelms the surfer like a powerful, tranquilizing drug. Reluctant to call it last call on this après-surf party of emotional high barbiturates, the surfer clings to the only tool they have left in the arsenal – shamelessly bragging to others about how much they just scored! It’s a gloat fest feeding frenzy of epic proportions! No one will be spared the wrath of the bragging surfer’s self-promoting propaganda. Clear and simple, the message to all other surfers unlucky enough to bear witness to these self centered, attention seeking mongers rings loud and clear – “I scored and YOU MISSED OUT!!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">One might think that scoring epic surf in and of itself would be enough to satisfy even the most discerning surfer. But sometimes the sheer enjoyment of scoring great surf just doesn’t cut it. For these surfers, they need more, they need recognition! Determined to get their day in the sun, these surfers cannot help but browbeat their fellow bros about how they just missed the most epic session ever (really???) or how waking up for the <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/4-dawn-patrol.html">dawn patrol</a> decidedly makes them a better person. To make matters worse, in this technological age of hand held PDA devices and Web 2.0 social networking applications, no surfer is immune to the après-surf “You Missed Out” telecast. The surfer will showcase their “all-time” surf sesh like a guest plug on the Jay Leno Show to all of their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Stuff-Surfers-Like/1592024750">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/stuffsurferlike">Twitter</a> friends as well as unleashing a barrage of voicemails and celebratory texts only to those bros who were NOT present. It’s an unabashed cry for attention on the part of the bragging surfer which in no uncertain terms implies “I’m kind of a big deal!” and subsequently “Buy My Poster!!” Inevitably on the day after scoring epic surf, the surfer will unleash their final ace in the hole while <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/13.html">checking the waves</a>. When questioned by an unknowing surfer with a friendly “howsit look out there?” the response will ALWAYS be the quintessential surfer response of “it’s o.k., but you should have been here yesterday. It was Sooooo good!” Next time, do yourself a favor and don’t bother to ask! Rest assured you already know the answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">(*Note - When in the presence of a gloating surfer, do not attempt to impart your own story or embellish upon your most recent crappy surf sesh down the street as this will get you nowhere. When in doubt, make up an excuse as to why you don’t have time to hear about their “<a href="http://surfing.about.com/od/wordortheday/g/052705alltime.htm">all-time</a>” surf sesh and run!! If not, prepare to grit your teeth and settle in for a nice 20 minute infomercial on how they scored, you didn’t, and how you should really get your priorities straight. If things get serious, they might even hand you a burned disc containing all of the photographic evidence of their sesh or invite you over to their house to watch the video. Sweet!!!??? Make a mental note to pay them back tenfold come your next <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trip</a>. After all, sharing is caring!!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001KW14EI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003RZKRDK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0446692786&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-91216226427659372622010-10-06T17:29:00.000-07:002010-11-14T21:14:35.041-08:00#18 Locals Only - a.k.a. "Localism"<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJ_bb0Nw68&feature=player_embeddedEvery surfer has their favorite beach, surf break, or hometown they like to call their own. It gives them a sense of identity and provides nostalgic memories of great sessions past, friends, and community. Surfers often spend seasons, perhaps even a lifetime indoctrinating themselves into their lineups and the social strata pecking order that enforces them. Whether “born n’ bred” or a recent transplant to a surfing community, every surfer feels a sense of pride and entitlement (some more so than others) at the waves that break right outside their front door. It is this pride and sense of entitlement combined with finite resources (waves) and a hungry subset of surfers that sets up the perfect storm for what we surfers refer to as “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surf_culture#Localism">localism</a>”. Forced to scrap for waves, paddle battle for position, and compete head to head with other surfers like an episode of American Gladiators, surfers are pretty much left to their own devices and abilities to score waves in the competitive arenas better known as your town’s best surf breaks. It’s enough to make a surfer want to plan a <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/5-surf-trips.html">surf trip</a> stat just to get away from it all. Similar to mafia turf wars, the day-in, day-out struggle for dominance within the lineup is a constantly shifting paradigm. All too often, natural ability, putting in face time, and a strong desire to score waves just doesn’t cut it. For better or worse, this is where localism takes over. Are you ready to play?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Localism in a broader sense has been around since the beginning of time. It’s a “first come, first serve” feudal like claim to the resources of an area for the benefit of a privileged few. For surfers, it’s the taking over of a certain break or wave rich region for the rights to surf its superior waves unobstructed by the likes of outsiders and to those who might pose a threat to the optimal wave/surfer ratio. It is by all accounts a highly un-democratic process. But to those akin to the wild animal kingdom, localism is a social enigma where there are undeniable winners and losers. At its core essence, <a href="http://surfing.wikia.com/wiki/Localism_%28essay%29">localism</a> is a shamelessly selfish endeavor. It is like a powerful aphrodisiac for the ego minded surfer crew hell bent on total wave annihilation domination. It feeds upon itself in a vicious cycle of greed, intimidation, and resentment towards outsiders. To add fuel to the fire, take a world class marquee surf break and cram it full of a large group of talented, testosterone infused surfers who think they own the place and you’ve got a ticking time bomb of localism induced mayhem ready to explode!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers afflicted with the self-righteous localism bug are very much the territorial dog marking their own territory whenever possible. These surfers like to leave endearing messages to other surfers like “<a href="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1183451483044358747OmYrbY">No Kooks Allowed</a>” or “<a href="http://capetownsurfer.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/locals-only.jpg">Locals Only</a>” etched into sidewalks with melted <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/3-surf-wax.html">surf wax</a> in a passive yet foreboding attempt to discourage outsiders from surfing their breaks with their sheepish “enter at your own risk” advertisements. Often times this type of tagging is accompanied by a reference to an obscure group or local crew who must have spent hours mulling over what to call themselves but ran out of ideas and decided that an area code designation like “The 949 crew” or “<a href="http://stuffsl.wordpress.com/http:/assets.hulu.com/shows/key_art_the_808.jpg">The 808 Posse</a>” would surely suffice. Some better established groups like Da Hui as showcased in every surfer’s favorite movie – “<a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/16-north-shore-movie.html">The North Shore</a>” have taken things to a completely different level, literally writing the book on localism and paving the way for other wannabe factions of localism to replicate themselves throughout countless lineups the world over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Ask any surfer their opinion of localism and you will undoubtedly get mixed reviews. Proponents of localism will say it provides order in the lineup and encourages respect to those surfers who have paid their dues in earning their place in the lineup. Opponents will harp on the injustices of localism and its often Gestapo like enforcement of a few surfers’ rights to the best waves to the detriment of all the other surfers left scrambling for the scraps. And then there is the endless debate over what truly constitutes being a local in the first place? Is it contingent on having lived in the area all of your life (a.k.a. – born n’ bred) or is it more a combination of moving parts like how well a surfer surfs, how they are perceived or acknowledged by the community, or how assertive they are in the lineup? The issue of localism and what constitutes being a local is subject to a million different interpretations and is a source of constant debate and friction amongst the surfing community. At the end of the day, what surfers must really ask themselves is: “is localism for me?” and if so “how far am I willing to take it?” Life perspective is key on this issue and many surfers will fall to the dark side like Darth Vader. When in doubt, remember – “an asshole on land is an asshole in the water!” Keep that in mind as you internalize your stance on the issue of localism. Yeap, pretty much sums it up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">To further commemorate Localism, StuffSurfersLike would like to take this opportunity to poke some fun at the typical locals you might find floating around a lineup near you. After all, what would localism be without the colorful cast of characters that go along with it? Read on, you just might know one of these guys or be one of them yourself………</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Surly “Stink Eyed” Old Man Longboarder:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG38y9N0Xqa8PhCWCi1u1rLdF46gNHbymSZxJdVXQsKLdhr_tQ9_xquD6syVxLe8ccpA6oDGdm42L5yn8WPBd7G6h1oVQJeaSVoFYMApTdvHSKGwjgw-cor2wNCdeSqntTGF_BUM0YNzGb/s1600/Stinkeye+Longboarder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG38y9N0Xqa8PhCWCi1u1rLdF46gNHbymSZxJdVXQsKLdhr_tQ9_xquD6syVxLe8ccpA6oDGdm42L5yn8WPBd7G6h1oVQJeaSVoFYMApTdvHSKGwjgw-cor2wNCdeSqntTGF_BUM0YNzGb/s320/Stinkeye+Longboarder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Every surf town has a ripe over abundance of these old timers. They typically sit way on the outside of a surf break in a “pow-wow” congregation with other members of their crew reminiscing about the good ol’ days and popping off dirty old man dialogue that they couldn’t get away with saying at home around the wifey or ex. They often drop in on anything and everything thus giving them their 2nd designation as “Local Wave Hog” due to their usually heavyset proportions and their propensity to snag every wave like a pig at the trough. When riding a wave, they usually exude a look of sheer determination conveying to other surfers, “by hell, you better get outta my way, I’m comin’ through!!!” In addition, these surfers generally discourage the use of leashes as a tribute to the good ol’ days when leashes didn’t exist and surfers had to swim for their boards after losing them. Be prepared to be run over or hit by one of their runaway boards only to receive a bountiful dose of stink eye as your apology when they see that you are wearing a leash (sissy stuff!!) Speaking of which, these old timers bring Stink Eye – “the look of utter disdain and disgust towards other surfers” to the ultimate level. Having swallowed the bitter pill years ago, it’s a wonder they still show up to the lineup on a regular basis and haven’t gone the ExPat route like so many of their former compadres that have since gone feral to stake their claim at surf breaks south of the border. (Of note, The Surly “Stink Eyed” Old Man Longboarder is a master manipulator within the local’s social hierarchy. They are like the Godfather. There isn’t anything they haven’t seen or done over their ancient history in the lineup. In fact, they probably wrote the playbook on Localism that is currently being used to wage power struggles in the surfer strata’s a few levels below.)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Arrogant Washed Up Ex-Pro Surfer / Local Town Hero:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaePdGty9DFzWz14pKIIXAiuDdMFa3ct7Dai4fkSEv1YIlxZobj3F1EpQIoALyik0IcAnaszmS0SuHShuSkN8e961jlLxapkzQNmGyaoCxv3X15it_ljz0dd31dwb54j4lfc4q8iABoOi8/s1600/washed-up-pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaePdGty9DFzWz14pKIIXAiuDdMFa3ct7Dai4fkSEv1YIlxZobj3F1EpQIoALyik0IcAnaszmS0SuHShuSkN8e961jlLxapkzQNmGyaoCxv3X15it_ljz0dd31dwb54j4lfc4q8iABoOi8/s1600/washed-up-pro.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">This surfer more than any other local probably deserves the rights and privileges that go along with scoring the best waves under the bylaws of Localism. They grew up in the area, put in their time, they rip, made a decent stab at making it as a pro surfer, and are well known by their local surfing community. Unfortunately for the other “local” surfers in the lineup who have to put up with this surfer, they won’t be scoring many set waves when this guy is around. The Arrogant Washed Up Ex-Pro Surfer / Local Town Hero surfer often has a big chip on their shoulder from not having made it in the big boy world of pro surfing. They are effectively a big fish in a small pond and they’re going to let everyone in their vicinity know it! With the implied backing of all the local bros, this surfer is pretty much free and clear to say or do whatever they want in the lineup creating an arrogant monster of epic proportions. This surfer will typically snub you, ignore you, or give you one word answers if you try and spark up a conversation with them or congratulate them on a sick wave they just caught. In rare circumstances, these surfers may converse with you if you happen to be accompanied by an industry “bro in the know” who could hook them up with a cush job in the surf industry (they’ll need it now). Watch out if you accidently get in the way of this surfer or effectively mess up their wave by inadvertently cutting them off. This is grounds for a splash battle, witnessing of a grown man doing his best impression of a 5 year old’s temper tantrum, or worse yet, an involuntary invitation to meet his buddy <a href="http://surferspath.com/images/uploads/news/black-tee-big.jpg">Chuey</a> on the beach for a “talk”.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Weekend Warrior:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHidHL7BUeoVAf2eoIEpM-lUoq4vkjeLNonS8u-4hblt4fxl4XZ3tBWvXu8LwM0AQT49el7yphRxJI-14zhmbPdgK2befNFqIA7WisPqG-0yQ1iDmR2m6Wq05rFAf7UWQQEO2IM_8gBu6j/s1600/weekend_warrior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHidHL7BUeoVAf2eoIEpM-lUoq4vkjeLNonS8u-4hblt4fxl4XZ3tBWvXu8LwM0AQT49el7yphRxJI-14zhmbPdgK2befNFqIA7WisPqG-0yQ1iDmR2m6Wq05rFAf7UWQQEO2IM_8gBu6j/s1600/weekend_warrior.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The weekend warrior is a busy guy in and out of the water. He/she is pretty much the meat and potatoes of a local surfing community just trying to fit in a surf whenever they can find the time. Faced with more worldly obligations such as a steady 9-5 job, supporting their family, and bringing home the bacon, they typically have no concern or inclination to climb the social strata of a given surf break. Surfing is viewed as an opportunity to let loose and have fun rather than incur more stress over trivial matters such as localism. Their no nonsense, “let’s try and fit as many waves into this sesh as possible” mentality is the bane of the seasoned locals existence. In these instances, the “local” surfer will often paddle circles around The Weekend Warrior to let them know who’s boss and to try and validate some sense of control over the uncontrollable environment that is a weekend lineup. If it becomes too crowded or aggressive in the lineup for their tastes, The Weekend Warrior will often move up or down the beach in search of a less crowded wave to get their surfing fix before they have to head home for some yard work and a couple coldies in the lounge chair.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Impressionable “Buy My Poster/ Sponsor Me” Surf Grom:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y8rPcouxwT1QuCMUc3mM1fy1esXNB_QqSOrj_B9tPFoiKFZjLvCgmbPnW5e4hidprSSHKc1Va65HrVyETjSToK-zTUQtQMByegkHErcxQ_uHL1xyiTMqfYBv2phst-assvrU6eDHdlAs/s1600/surfgrom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y8rPcouxwT1QuCMUc3mM1fy1esXNB_QqSOrj_B9tPFoiKFZjLvCgmbPnW5e4hidprSSHKc1Va65HrVyETjSToK-zTUQtQMByegkHErcxQ_uHL1xyiTMqfYBv2phst-assvrU6eDHdlAs/s1600/surfgrom.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Impressionable “Buy My Poster/ Sponsor Me” Surf Grom eats, sleeps, and breathes surfing. In their childhood innocence, their only concern is how quickly they can half-assedly complete their homework, score a ride to the beach from mom, and snag multiple seshs before its time to head home for dinner and do it all over again the next day. In direct opposition to The Surly “Stink Eye” Old Man Longboarder, these young surfers favor surfing with as many of their surfing friends as possible in a desperate attempt to show off their skills and gain recognition from their local brat pack peer group. Emulating the flashy moves of their favorite pro surfers gleaned from hours of careful study from the latest surf videos is top of the list for The Impressionable “Buy My Poster/ Sponsor Me” Surf Grom. Surfers in this group love the status symbol that stickers and labels from niche surf companies can provide them. They enjoy plastering these stickers all over their surfboard and fantasizing about travelling the world as a pro surfer. These surfers often join competitive organizations such as NSSA for regular entry into surf competitions, which breed surfers for bigger and better competitions down the road. The Impressionable “Buy My Poster/ Sponsor Me” Grom typically idolizes The Washed Up Ex Pro / Local Town Hero and he in kind often takes the young groms under his wing as he sees a bit of his former self in their conquest to become pro and dominate the lineup. The Groms, for better or worse, often learn the dynamics of Localism and its intricate power plays from the older generations as the baton gets passed from one generation to the next. Sometimes with all the heckling and trash-talking going on in the water within this peer group, you’d think you were witnessing a re-enactment of Piggy’s demise in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_the_Flies">Lord of the Flies</a>. Who’s got the conch??</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Insta-Local:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i-ovPZKIpdpAMcJiU6DRZznSDrygBXwvRhC_ETk8BTUD0VicuGXXraXd0wcufojlY_vVlZzlnhUvEFfMQOUPyD0KEO-Dbj7GRsxWB3tZUKnOgmVG4oXrdSIPVlrkZTy9pi-aZ3hFtNO3/s1600/insta-local-final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i-ovPZKIpdpAMcJiU6DRZznSDrygBXwvRhC_ETk8BTUD0VicuGXXraXd0wcufojlY_vVlZzlnhUvEFfMQOUPyD0KEO-Dbj7GRsxWB3tZUKnOgmVG4oXrdSIPVlrkZTy9pi-aZ3hFtNO3/s1600/insta-local-final.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">This particularly rare and pompous surfer shows up to a break F.O.J. (“Fresh Off Jet”) and instantly acts as if they own the place. With little regard for anyone else, let alone the locals, this surfer will paddle battle, drop in wherever they please, and go around surfers to get priority of the peak. Depending on the locale and the intensity of its localism, this type of surfer may or not be able to get away with this kind of behavior for a short duration of time. Sooner or later, The Insta-Local gets put in their place and sent to the back of the line by someone bigger and gnarlier than them who demands respect (i.e.- Chuey). Examples of typical Insta-Locals are college students claiming their university town as their new home break, tourists who are competent enough to catch a wave & get in the way (i.e.- Zonies), and big budget surfers who fly halfway around the world for surf and mistakenly think this entitles them to an “All-You-Can-Eat” wave buffet (i.e.- travelling to wave rich, local heavy destinations like Bali, Hawaii, & Australia).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The Parking Lot Degenerate:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6Jrge5Z6dVmhAdqUJ6MPZLLs1vKdrw7xS7Ou3B_7jEESmkhGSY_JupG3btkJuGVVVSjwn7zGdGe2cm9zSqty7Bb7YCyA2EVghEOvk_xrECz1pMtiSvMVv0E-FFeWPXW44DGiz7ZrP4c8/s1600/degenerate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6Jrge5Z6dVmhAdqUJ6MPZLLs1vKdrw7xS7Ou3B_7jEESmkhGSY_JupG3btkJuGVVVSjwn7zGdGe2cm9zSqty7Bb7YCyA2EVghEOvk_xrECz1pMtiSvMVv0E-FFeWPXW44DGiz7ZrP4c8/s1600/degenerate.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJ_bb0Nw68">Parking Lot Degenerate</a> is a common fixture of any decaying surf scene. When you see too many of these guys loitering around you know things have gotten bad!! Often no more than a common street thug, these guys take it upon themselves to pick fights, let air out of/ slash tires, wax windshields, break into cars, and generally cause a ruckus all under the noble guise of protecting their local surf break. The Parking Lot Degenerate is at its core a jealous, angry, antagonizing bundle of loser denial. They feed off their ability to intimidate and strike fear into their surfing victims. As is often the case with losers of this echelon, The Parking Lot Degenerate 9 times out of 10 possess a rabid case of “crazy eye syndrome” unleashed by years of experimental drug use turned meth addiction. It is debatable whether The Parking Lot Degenerate spends more time in the lineup heckling and threatening other surfers versus swilling beers in the back of a pickup truck with his other parking lot degenerate loser friends. Similar to The Surly “Stink Eyed” Old Man Longboarder, The Parking Lot Degenerate is a big fan of holding onto the past and not accepting the reality of the present. They will often rehash past brawls and talk about fallen comrades of the Localism Elite who are now in jail or AA with a nostalgic sparkle in their crazy eyes as a tribute to what their life has become as the token Parking Lot Degenerate.</span><br />
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</div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-23033999555392310632010-10-06T17:05:00.000-07:002010-10-06T17:16:31.794-07:00#17 Sunblock<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers spend an inordinate amount of time on the water fully exposed to the abrasive elements of the sun, salt, and sea. Hours, days, weeks, and years of exposure accumulate on the body like the inner rings of a tree denoting age. With the supercharged, harsh rays of the sun constantly bombarding the Earth’s surface, it’s only a matter of time before the elements get the better of the body in the form of a nice, skin searing sunburn. Like the regret of having sampled a hot sauce too caliente for ones taste buds, the burn lingers on in agonizing perpetuity. It seems as though there’s not enough Banana Boat Aloe Vera in the world to ease the incessant, sizzling pain. Determined never to endure yet another painful <a href="http://injuredsurfer.com/pictures/sunburn.bmp">sunburn</a>, turn their skin into a wrinkly “<a href="http://thebeautybrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/wrinkles-beach.jpg">alligator suitcase</a>”, or worse yet develop life sapping <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_cancer">skin cancer</a>; surfers turn to the only special sauce they know of worth marinating in – “sunblock”! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen">Sunblock</a> provides surfers a sliding scale of SPF protection from the sun’s harsh UVA & UVB rays which means more time in the water scoring waves and less time having your face burned off. It also comes in a variety of colors (see <a href="http://www.ebodyboarding.com/site/enlarge/Zinka_enlarge.jpg">Zinka</a>) and aromas such as <a href="http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/6/7/5/1/2/webimg/125853674_o.jpg">Coppertone’s</a> infamous cocoa butter, whose nostalgic smell might just lull a surfer back to a time of childhood innocence and wanderlust summers spent surfing all day without a care in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers these days are pretty savvy when it comes to ensuring their overall sun protection. You might even say that they have become a bit of lotion elitists on par with the discerning smugness of a wine connoisseur. Just as every seasoned surfer seems to have a strong opinion of their favorite shaper, clothing brand, <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/3-surf-wax.html">surf wax</a>, or <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/6-surf-videos.html">surf video</a>; so now, they too have their favorite brand of sunblock. Armed with a growing list of high end, boutiquey sunblock brands that make <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/badbadbadbaddawg/SDGBkno-DfI/AAAAAAAAA4E/M_IhCnEssRg/s800/coppertone.jpg">Coppertone’s baby </a>want to cry and soil her drawers in shame, surfers now have a legitimate selection of core surf industry produced sunblocks to choose from like <a href="http://www.headhuntersurf.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HS&Product_Code=NLS3&Category_Code=P">Headhunter</a>, <a href="http://www.bullfrogsunblock.com/">Bullfrog</a>, <a href="http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Oct/03/hf/hf01a.html">Shiseido</a>, <a href="http://www.ridershack.com/watermanszincoxidesurferssunblockspf183355-p-1570.html">Watermans</a>, & <a href="http://www.vertra.com/">Vertra</a>. With so many options popping up in surf shops and online, it is not uncommon to hear surfers debating and constrapulating the effectiveness of the active ingredients in each product as if they themselves were qualified chemists tossing around words like “oxybenzone” this and 5-parts “titanium dioxide” that. It’s all a bit too much nonsense to bear really. On the other hand, if we could somehow parlay some of this knowledge of sunblock to our visiting tourists, then perhaps we could manage to avoid the unsightly “2 for 1” <a href="http://mjgpictures.tripod.com/panama_city/hetrick_sunburn.jpg">Red Lobster Special</a>, coming to a beach near you next summer!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_ieIgBaWREEC-gEUZ68c3haFMcPPoe4aubWtj_uoeW-09bal7mKg7objKww__X8njCGdTgaTJjDtTCtc20BC9mOlCTzc_7wLWeE73aKjX5jFPc_anC5mbwqc37Kdr5wxidTg_4lHZauv/s1600/%2317+Sunblock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_ieIgBaWREEC-gEUZ68c3haFMcPPoe4aubWtj_uoeW-09bal7mKg7objKww__X8njCGdTgaTJjDtTCtc20BC9mOlCTzc_7wLWeE73aKjX5jFPc_anC5mbwqc37Kdr5wxidTg_4lHZauv/s320/%2317+Sunblock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">When it comes to sunblock, the only requirement to make it work is to apply it and allow it time to soak in. Seems simple enough in theory, but alas, even the most mundane tasks are often botched like a saggy boob job. Seeking to hit the surf like a thoroughbred racehorse out of the gates in 2 seconds flat, surfers tend to get preoccupied with other more pressing issues like <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/8-mindsurfing.html">mindsurfing</a> the incoming set waves as they frantically fumble to <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/9-changing-in-public.html">change in public</a>. More often than not, surfers forget to apply sunblock altogether or pull a half-assed “Messy Marvin” slathering sunblock on their face and body with no rhyme or reason let alone giving it time to soak in. This leads to an oil slick of sunblock upon their first duckdive and relieves their skin of necessary protection like an early season rain cleanses the streets. Sometimes the more audacious surfers will take alternative approaches such as swabbing gobs of zinc oxide sunblock under their eyes much like a NFL wide receiver would or in eccentric patterns all over their face like a Zulu tribesman on the hunt. If a surfer is really scared of the sun (i.e. – pasty white) or just happens to be on week 2 of an Indo Boat Trip, one might find them sporting the “Casper the Ghost” look whereby their face is fully caked in zinc oxide, oft resembling a mixture of Bram Stoker’s Dracula meets Binky the Clown’s- “Intro, to Face Painting 101”. These various variations are laughable for sure, but in the end it’s up to every individual surfer to fend for their skin. What method may work for one skin type may not work for the next. Lube it, lather it, “borrow it” if you have to. Your skin will thank you in 30 years!</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0019PMGSO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0017I6LRU&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002MVCW8I&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0042JML52&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000A2GU8Y&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003Z0NHA2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-31164253623419499512010-10-06T16:33:00.000-07:002010-10-06T17:00:09.444-07:00#16 "North Shore" - The Movie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZyWtyBmYndNUS9hk4eemjGnw1XsVPwUuuDem9nnA2uEFpLUC1S9r8HzQEAJSJqfBasWm3KWrn_ZXBMmfivgH5-S8nEDZzqDFdsXcglj4L_zIyFlf6xQjFV8EnsKffpXN1KsbgCGO14Jz/s1600/%2316+North+Shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZyWtyBmYndNUS9hk4eemjGnw1XsVPwUuuDem9nnA2uEFpLUC1S9r8HzQEAJSJqfBasWm3KWrn_ZXBMmfivgH5-S8nEDZzqDFdsXcglj4L_zIyFlf6xQjFV8EnsKffpXN1KsbgCGO14Jz/s320/%2316+North+Shore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Back in the bitchin’ 80’s, a movie of epic proportions emerged that forever captivated the hearts and minds of campy, unrealistic adoring movie lovers and one-liner quoting surfers everywhere. The movie popularly known as “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Shore_%28film%29">North Shore</a>” quickly became an overnight cult classic amongst the surfing masses. Featuring some of the most preeminent chargers of its time (surf legends today), the film’s notorious bad acting and hokey premise (i.e.- guy from Arizona almost wins Pipe Masters, c’mon!) were quickly overlooked by many an admiring surfer fan base. For what it lacked in quality and storyline, it more than made up for in laughs and memorable one-liners. It also served no doubt to inspire many a seasoned surfer and mainland kook alike to make the annual Wintertime pilgrimage to the North Shore of Oahu, something <a href="http://imcdb.org/images/178/540.jpg">DaHui</a> (spotlighted in this movie) has been wrestling with (literally) ever since. “Kooks tryin’ to drop in!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">The film (for those who haven’t seen it, do you even exist?) follows the epic journey of <a href="http://www.theradreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/1214938260_l.jpg">Rick Kane</a>, a young naive surfer from Arizona and WaveTank shreddah extraordinaire, who wins a surf competition in the local wavepool (yes…that’s right – wavepool!) and pronounces to all, “I’m going to Hawaii to surf the big waves of the North Shore!” Upon arriving in Oahu, things don’t go according to plan for young Rick. A series of highly unrealistic events (let’s be honest, the entire movie) ensue bordering on the absurd. Cue Rick getting kicked out of a bar and cruising with the infamous Occy, arrives at his surf idol Lance Burkhart’s beach house (played by no other than big wave hellman Laird Hamilton), ruins local Da Hui leader <a href="http://a2.vox.com/6a00d09e67aa0dbe2b01101675c6ca860d-500pi">Vince’s</a> wave (played by a young Gerry Lopez) and gets his stuff stolen, bumps into the infamous <a href="http://www.earclops.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/john.jpg">Turtle</a> (purveyor of some of the movie’s best one-liners), who introduces him to Chandler (surf guru, mentor to be, & soul surfer messiah). Segway to Rick scoring an oceanfront pad and the tutelage of the great Chandler all for the sweat equity of a newly designed surf logo and some shaper room sweeping (must be nice!). Realizing that Rick can’t surf because he’s a quote unquote “Barney to the Max” according to Turtle, Chandler enlists Rick in his patented 12-Step Surfboard Program, whereby Rick must master the nuances of each board before moving onto the next. Cheesy montages of Rick sharing party waves with Chandler ensue and he also gets noticed by a smarmy pro-ho surf photographer all to the tune of a cheesy 80’s soundtrack. Amazingly enough, Rick goes from kook-a-mania to Pipeline Master’s shreddah all in the course of a few poorly edited surf action frames. To boot, Rick scores the taboo island hottie <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/niacredits/North6.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/niacredits/northshorepage.html&usg=__WKUo4GGY6_NInBl7Yxoy6vcHnrY=&h=344&w=438&sz=82&hl=en&start=13&um=1&tbnid=mpDROi4qiU7tzM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3DNorth%2BShore%2Bmovie,%2BKiani%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1">Kiani</a> after “he shred so hard, he broke his stick”. She comes sauntering up to him on horseback after a bad wipeout and proceeds to rub his <a href="http://www.geocities.com/niacredits/North6.jpg">haole back</a> with aloe. “Scrub it kook! Reef Rash – scarred for life bra!” Really, does it get any better than this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Since its release in 1987, the buzz surrounding the movie North Shore has only grown stronger. It has etched itself into the minds and vocabulary of surfers far and wide like an epidemic of “hang loose” proportions. Compiling and reciting movie lines at will from the movie became an overnight phenomenon, a veritable cottage industry of who could fully incorporate the movie’s lingo into their daily conversations. It gave a surfer insta-bro status amongst his/her surfing peers and pre-qualified them as someone who was “in the know bro”. Surfers were infatuated with watching the movie over and over again, taking special note to memorize (rewind if necessary) and later recite key lines from the movie to whoever might listen. Similar to the notoriety of surf stoner legend <a href="http://stuffsurferslike.com/2008/07/17/jeff-spicoli/">Jeff Spicoli</a>, the movie North Shore provided timeless, enduring material for the one-liner regurgitating surf connoisseur. To commemorate the movie “North Shore” and its infamous one-liners, here is an abridged list of some of our favorites:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Chandler</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “Go Ahead, Shred!”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Turtle</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “Shakakaddafaddabraddah!”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Vince</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “Why don’t you go back to da mainland haole?!”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Da Hui Member</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – ” He so haole, he don’t even know he’s haole”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Local Hawaiian Grom</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “Scrub it kook!”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Alex</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> (Occy’s mate) – “Where’d ya learn to surf, in a bathtub?”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Turtle</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “So when the wave breaks here, don’t be there . . . or you’re gonna get drilled!!”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Alex</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> (Occy’s mate) – “That’s not a wave, that’s a ripple!!”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Lance </span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">- “You’ve got a single fin mentality Chandler”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Turtle</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “More like design me out of the picture, haole. Here on the North Shore we treat friends mo betta.”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Champagne Room Girl</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “Buy me drink surfer boy!?”</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Pipe Master’s Commentator</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – ” Next up we have Rick Kane from Arizona…..ARIZONA!!???”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">So if you haven’t seen the movie North Shore yet or are just in need of a refresher course on classic surf movie lines to lace into your conversation at the next BBQ, try look, check it out!! In the meantime, “stop being a Barney, Barney….you know Barno, Barnyard, Haole to the max! A kook, in and out of the water, yeah!?!”</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0000714BX&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0019PL2RA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003GM634G&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-76182761853586836182010-10-06T16:17:00.000-07:002010-10-06T16:26:10.637-07:00#15 REEF Brazil AdsOnce upon a time in a town oft referred to as “The Whale’s Vagina”, a little sandal company named <a href="http://www.reef.com/">Reef</a> was formed by two brothers from Argentina with a dream. That dream (or shall we say “wet dream”) exposed to the world a top selling sandal brand and more importantly for us surfers, a marketing campaign of bootylicious proportions. What the two brothers already knew and surfers would soon find out is that nothing sells sandals better (or rules more!) than full page ads of scantily clad, thong embracing bikini models from South America flaunting some seriously jaw dropping “ass”ets. Strategically placed on page # 3 of every major U.S. surf magazine, the “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhKtzHXfIoA">Reef Girls</a>”, as they came to be known, quickly became the iconic ambassadors of the burgeoning “bubble-butt” movement. Never exposing the facial features or identity of the models, each ad focused solely on the perfectly tanned, bulbous behinds of a different exotic beauty each month, leaving the rest to the reader’s imagination. Now that is something we as surfers can get “behind”!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmLPGz5YUbhULj-eECK1q4_Gh3MGPLb9l5PhhPHiyi8cVexMcvuOv3THM3dByqlfL_XAlMH6O7rdBKuUq0HXkt1JMLFOP6s3WLsGjrYj5zZwPPqRAUGTCuPfqJdwxCIE2tp5ch1rbO6mW/s1600/%2315+Reef+Brazil+Ads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmLPGz5YUbhULj-eECK1q4_Gh3MGPLb9l5PhhPHiyi8cVexMcvuOv3THM3dByqlfL_XAlMH6O7rdBKuUq0HXkt1JMLFOP6s3WLsGjrYj5zZwPPqRAUGTCuPfqJdwxCIE2tp5ch1rbO6mW/s1600/%2315+Reef+Brazil+Ads.jpg" /></a></div>Back in the bitchin’ 80’s and ragin’ 90’s, every red blooded surfer with a pair of eyes and a set of Y chromosomes came to know the now infamous Reef Girls. Unlike most short lived fads, the Reef Girl’s bubble butt brand equity had some serious staying power! Word spread of these bum blessed beauties like a black market coconut express on steroids. Surfers could not help but stare in unabashed wonderment at the glossy, full page images of thong clad vivaciousness unveiling before their eyes. Images of sexy long legs meeting oblique, curvy backsides infused themselves in surfers’ memory banks like the Everlasting Gobstopper of eye candy. So prolific did the popularity of the ads become, that nary could you enter a prepubescent young surfers’ bedroom without seeing the tell-tale signs of these booty backed babes plastered all over their walls. Intermixed with posters of their favorite surfers and wanderlust wavescapes, the Reef Girls were a constant source of daydreaming fodder, prompting many a grom to hypothesize that if only they learned to rip hard enough, that one day, they too could win over one of these bikini clad babes. The bar was indeed set high!<br />
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Like most things of a controversial nature, it’s amazing that the Reef Ads ever made it into print. After all, in the beginning, many of the mainstay surfing publications didn’t want any part of something so risqué. Luckily for us surfers, the ads eventually got the green light and ran unobscured in all their bootyful glory. That is not to say that a little dust didn’t get stirred up in the process. Every month like clockwork, a new batch of irate letters would pour into the mags from surfer moms afar threatening cancellations of their child’s subscription should they decide to run another ad. It was as if overnight, the Moms of America had conspired to become the Prohibition Era Czars of the Anti-Booty Campaign. In response to these “ass”aults, the editors would typically fire back with some witty banter such as the following; “<i>Dear Angry Mom- we’re sorry you feel the need to keep your son/daughter holed up in the basement with Sloth from the Goonies. In the meantime, we’ll be at the beach hanging out with half naked people in swimsuits if you feel like joining us, thanks. P.S. – Don’t hate, appreciate!</i>” <b>Score</b>: Surfers- 1; Overbearing Moms- Nil.<br />
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In celebration of Reef’s 25<sup>th</sup> “Ass”iversary, they are holding a contest where you can win a spot as a guest Miss Reef Judge at their next bikini contest being held in Panama. Sounds bootyrific!! Click <a href="http://www.surfline.com/photos/poll_bamp.cfm?id=27263">here</a> to sign up for the contest and to vote on your “all-time” favorite Reef Girl. In the off chance that you don’t win the contest (i.e. – don’t hold your breath) you will at least be granted that warm, fuzzy feeling (okkk, that’s creepy!) that comes from some much needed visual stimulation. As they say at Reef- “Bottoms Up!”<br />
To claim your own little piece of the bubble butt pie, check out the just released <a href="http://store.surfline.com/store/myProducts.cfm?productID=1239&showDetail=1">2010 Miss Reef Calendar</a>. If your walls could talk, they’d thank you!<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0010TBM3E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003D5NPEC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0038JOSYE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-28501822895739767322010-10-06T16:06:00.000-07:002010-10-06T16:12:47.625-07:00#14 Getting Barreled<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">As mountains of water stack upon the horizon, the crowd scratches for the outside like a pack of rabid water bugs. One lucky surfer spins around, strokes into the wave of the day and freefalls into the depths of oblivion. Time seemingly stands still as a curtain of water ricochets down the line in perfect pitching pentameter. Moments later, a dark object screams free of the cascading lip with the pent up inertia of a corked champagne bottle coming undone. A sharp, reverberating hoot of exaltation can be heard over the roaring waves, slowly trailing off like a passing siren in the developing sea breeze. The moment is gone but not soon forgotten. It’s a precursor to what is possible and what might be yet to come. As the lone surfer does their victory lap back to the lineup, the only thought permeated on their mind is one of fleeting satisfaction as they ponder to themselves- “next time, I’ll get deeper!!!”</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">‘Getting Barreled’ could technically be defined as “the act of riding inside the hollow pitching lip of a wave”. Speaking of it in excited, elevated tones and pitches, surfers unanimously regard it as the most coveted, sought after place on a wave to be. Transfixed with wanderlust eyes, gregarious grins, and infectious levels of stoke; surfers hoot in celebratory euphoria as they emerge unscathed from the remains of the wave’s last heaving breath. Paddling back out to the lineup, the surreal experience replays itself over and over again in the surfers mind like a recurring wet dream. The surfer feels a bit like they just had an “out of body” experience, internally speculating to themselves; “did that really just happen!!??” As the extra sensory perception and adrenaline rush of the experience fades away like the final waning pulses of a dying swell, the perma-grin planted on the surfers face only grows stronger. With salt water still dripping out of sunburnt noses, surfers cannot help but blurt the rhetorical question to all their bros – “did you see that sick barrel I just got!!??” Describing in vivid detail each play-by-play take of their shackadelic experience (gesticulating hands and water swooshing sound effects included), the re-creation, for all its well intended imagery, often falls on deaf ears. It’s not surprising really. Surfers by nature have a mental quota of waves they feel they need to catch to satisfy their ravenous wave riding addictions. Case in point, what surfer cares to be ear raped by their bro’s incessant blabbering about something that was “like… so 5 minutes ago” when the oceanic menu du jour is featuring a rare 2 for 1 special on the barrel buffet! When conditions align and the opportunity to get shacked silly exists, it’s all about some good ol’ carpe diem; translation- “every man for himself, seize the day!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers are forever infatuated with the barrel. It’s illusive, round, and inviting. They gawk at it in giddy, prepubescent wonder like a young buck’s first visit to a topless Euro beach. No doubt, if Sigmund Freud was a surfer, he would have linked some sexually repressed Oedipus complex to the surfer and their incessant obsession with the barrel. Really, it’s no wonder that surfers react in such animated swagger; after all, getting barreled just isn’t an everyday event for most. Unless a surfer is lucky enough to travel consistently or call their home break a heaving, barrel producing anomaly like Pipeline or Puerto, the odds of getting shacked decrease precipitously. So great is the desire to get barreled, that surf minded entrepreneurs and engineers have crafted ever evolving wave pools and standing waves like <a href="http://www.wavehouseathleticclub.com/wave_bruticus_maximus.html">Bruticus Maximus </a>to pick up the slack when Mother Nature calls in sick. While definitely not a replacement for the real thing, these carefully and not so carefully crafted (ouch, there goes my skin again on the sandpapery bottom) wave machines do a pretty decent job of mimicking the insatiable rush that comes from being deep in the barrel. “Order of 3 barrels to go!!!!!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">“Getting Barreled” has held many illustrative connotations and references over the decades. Many different dialects of surfer lingo lay claim to the timeless mystical art. The most commonly heard references to “getting barreled” are; “getting tubed”, “getting shacked”, “getting pitted”, “getting slotted”, “getting stuffed”, “green room”, and “catching some shade” to name a few. <i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">(Disclaimer: please note, caution is advised when using these terms. Mixing and/or overdosing of terminology can be harmful to one’s ego and reputation as a surfer. When it comes to discussing or reacting to getting barreled, humbleness is the key- Endnote.)</span></i> Commonly referred to as “claiming it”, any semblance of chest thumping, fist pumping machismo upon exiting the barrel is generally looked down upon by the surfing clan. Surfers are notoriously overcritical of those whom claim mountains out of molehills (unless of course it is themselves they are talking about, “did you see me? Buy my poster!”). This is generally due to years and years of rising barrel claiming abuse instigated by an influx of novice surfers (a.k.a- kooks, barneys, buoys, etc..) trying to pass off wussy head dips, cover ups, and waist high closeout barrels as legitimate barrels. As a result, an entire generation of skeptical surfers has emerged, and for good reason. A good example of this can be seen in the movie “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Break">Point Break</a>”, when after being subjected to some of the worst surfing re-creations ever made in modern film, Keanu Reeves strolls into the office and says in his best bro braddah accent; “I caught my first barrel this morning!”. Sure ya did Keanu, and I just caught it firing at Malibu all to myself, rightttttttt………….</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">In an ever evolving world of media surf hype and progressive surf maneuvers, many surfers still consider getting barreled to be the heart and soul of surfing in its purest form. It transcends all styles, fads, and genres (..yes, thankfully even tight black jeans). The act of side slipping down the face of a wave and into a living, breathing liquid medium is something few in the general population will ever get to experience. It is definitely one of those quintessential prerequisite “bucket list” items of the 10 things every surfer should experience before they die. Riding deep within a pulse of energy that travelled hundreds if not thousands of miles only to rise up and curl over in perfect bowling symmetry is truly a miracle unto itself. Now if only we could get some of these illusive barrels to show up when we need them; “does 2 o’clock this afternoon work for ya?, how bout’ Saturday?…P.S.- don’t be a flake! I’ll be waiting…..”</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000Y1WMQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000FVE63Q&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0026AFGBK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-61494252033892988232010-10-06T15:44:00.000-07:002010-10-06T15:55:00.965-07:00#13 Checking the Waves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI0xAVh2GnNneAVO9E-nNlSj9Sl1FaMa9sfy-2ikiMrliQwVO-cS9YYDEeAuA3plN8BxQCIKjne82psV_ODScYD7E4zW09nU5QM7xXnh5w88_xxhm3MusYg2Guz8UeOjhzt9qGazt8TK3/s1600/%2313+Checking+The+Waves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI0xAVh2GnNneAVO9E-nNlSj9Sl1FaMa9sfy-2ikiMrliQwVO-cS9YYDEeAuA3plN8BxQCIKjne82psV_ODScYD7E4zW09nU5QM7xXnh5w88_xxhm3MusYg2Guz8UeOjhzt9qGazt8TK3/s320/%2313+Checking+The+Waves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Over the course of a surfers’ lifetime, countless hours are logged in the pursuit of riding waves. Checking the waves is an essential part of that process, providing a mental litmus test of conditions that should ideally be met prior to paddling out and getting wet. Never satisfied with the status-quo Wilbur breaks, surfers often scour the coast in search of the best conditions possible in a feeble attempt to appease their ravenous, never-ending wave riding addictions. Like masquerading Magnum PI’s (glasses included, overflowing chest hair optional), surfers are always on the prowl to score the best waves they can. If they should happen to stumble upon the holy grail of surfing perfection a la Endless Summer, definitely be prepared for an earful of surfing embellishments. After all, they went to the ends of the earth (…most just went down the street) to find quote unquote “pumping” surf; it had to pay off, right??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers can be quite the temperamental bunch when they haven’t scored any surf for a while. Perhaps it’s the fact that the human body is predominantly 70% water that gives surfers that fish out of water feeling. Or maybe it’s that nagging uncertainty that other more fortunate surfers are scoring epic waves in some far off part of the world while they sit idly by waiting for scraps. Whatever the case may be, the cranky, erratic behavior exhibited by a surfer during a flat spell is a sight for sore eyes indeed. Often found congregating in parking lots and seaside vistas up and down the coast, surfers scan the horizon like a pack of hungry wolves ready to attack the slightest mushy morsel. As conditions of lake-like proportions drag on, it is not uncommon to see surfers stare out into the flat abyss with a cult like fanaticism beaming in their eyes. It’s almost as if they watched the movie “The Secret” one too many times and are now convinced they can manifest a wave or two to roll in in order to harness their <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/8-mindsurfing.html">mindsurfing</a> destiny. Lo and behold, right about the same time when insanity starts to creep in, a surfer within earshot will exit the water and proudly ramble; “Awww mannn, it was just nice to get in the water, ya know!” ……Can you say “One way ticket to Indo, please!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers spend a good amount of time in their surf roving mobiles checking the waves, chasing one swell to the next. Driving along some of the most beautiful coastal corridors that nature has to offer, surfers often zone off in a quiet, hypnotic like trance to the sight of waves marching in. Like man’s best friend eagerly wagging his tail and pressing his nose to the car window in slobbering elation, surfers are transfixed to the scintillating surf porn unveiling before their eyes. Often tuned out to the idle chatter of their friends or spouse sitting shotgun and the red brake lights of cars quickly encroaching ahead, surfers’s minds are like malleable putty molded by the whims of the sea. The surf imagery consumes the mind and body, taking precedence over all else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Checking the waves in person these days is sooooo last season, haven’t you heard!!? With just a click of the mouse, anyone with a pulse has an instant roadmap to all the best spots, tides, and optimal times to hit them up. Live streaming webcams of once coveted breaks blanket the web for all to see. For better or worse, the advent of technology and its conveyor belt of surf reports is here to stay. The niche websites that cater to surf reporting provide an invaluable service to the masses that exclusively rely on them for up-to-date surf conditions. In fact, surfers now have the luxury of planning their entire week around projected swells produced by storms that may not have even formed yet. Outfitted with detailed long range forecasts that predict the arrival of swell down to the hour and handheld crackberry p.d.a’s that deliver reports with a few simple scrolls, surfers today have become quite the complacent lot. Unable or unwilling to check the waves the old fashioned way, many sessions go by largely unridden by the majority, left only to those surfers in the know. The window of opportunity to score quality, uncrowded surf is vast for those surfers willing to open their eyes and put forth the time and effort to travel off the beaten path. And as for those live streaming webcams- they’re not all bad really. Seeing your favorite pro get spit out of a gaping barrel at Teuhupoo half a world away while chillin’ in your easy chair is pretty freaking cool!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003YLISRE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00004SABB&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=stuffcom02-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0041E5G32&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
</span>StuffSurfersLike.Comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16472691740503280810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891465689133591200.post-57045814206546880272010-10-06T15:25:00.000-07:002010-10-06T15:38:23.307-07:00#12 Peeing in Wetsuits<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers love nothing more than the feeling of a well stored up, heat emanating piss in their wetsuits. Not to be confused with some sick self-urination fetish, peeing in wetsuits is an essential element of the cold water surfing experience. It’s a win-win scenario that translates into more time in the water while warming the vital areas to boot. It also tends to validate and encourage the most guttural and immature behavior in even the most refined surfing circles. Surfers can’t help but crack a few bathroom humor jokes and innuendos all while peeing mere feet away from their floating bro-gatta. Whatever the case may be, it sure beats high tailing it out of the water to find a suitable bathroom or inconspicuous bush to do the deed. That’s a load of sissy piss!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers bear witness to some pretty harsh conditions bobbing around in the oceanic abyss. Despite advances in wetsuit technology, it doesn’t hurt to pull out the urea reserves on a cold winter’s <a href="http://stuffsurferslike-ssl.blogspot.com/2010/10/4-dawn-patrol.html">dawn patrol</a> to warm the ol’ boys and girls. In fact, instead of adhering to the mantra of “hitting the ground running”, surfers often subscribe to “hitting the water pissing” as their golden compass. It starts the surf sesh off right and tends to smooth out the kinks like a therapeutic hot tub in your crotch. Some surfers (names excluded, you know who you are!) bear no shame and will urinate high and dry before they even reach the water’s edge. This may be viewed by some as disgusting and grotesque but it just goes to show that there really is no rhyme or reason to the ‘peeing in your wetsuit’ manifesto. The entire process is quite laissez faire; translation – anything goes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers are not typically a finicky bunch, but when faced with the prospect of borrowing or buying another surfers’ used wetsuit the inherent knowledge of what goes on down yonder in the nether regions of ones’ wetsuit becomes a bit too much burden to bear. In fact, for most surfers the act of using another surfers’ wetsuit is outright taboo, off limits. As a result, this whack market trade of borrowing and buying used wetsuits is generally relegated to those who haven’t a clue about whose messy stew they’re now conjoined at the hip with. “Better wash that thing first, eh bra?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers are faced with numerous split-second decisions to make during any given surf sesh: (i.e. do I air drop this wave and risk eating it?; should I stall for the barrel or race the section for an air?; do I pee now or pee later?). The choices abound for the ever calculating, multi-tasking, bladder toting surfer. Alas, the only real drawback to peeing in a wetsuit besides its “Eu De <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pep%C3%A9_Le_Pew">Pepe Le Pew</a>” like après surf sesh fragrance lies in deciding when to pee. As if Poseidon himself were vexing surfers for peeing on his fishies, surfers are routinely caught blindsided by a set wave that rears its frothy, pee interrupting head right smack dab in the middle of doing ones business. Nothing is more Zen destroying and bladderly abrasive than stopping the flow midstream as any surfer can attest to. Because of this anomaly, it is not uncommon to see surfers seemingly pass up perfect waves as they scurry to head off their internal flood gates. When called out on missing the wave of the day they’ll unanimously chant; “hey man, I was peeing!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">Surfers will continue to pee circles around each other in lineups the world over and wonder in vain if that warm pocket of water they’re sitting in is really warm water or just another pool of someone else’s piss. Much to the relief of surfers, there is actually very little to worry about. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine">Pee</a> is one of the most sterile liquids out there comprised of roughly 95% water and assorted salts and proteins. So when considering peeing in a wetsuit, surfers must realize that pee is not your enemy, it is your friend. Just make sure to wash the soiled thing from time to time! Without basic care, a wetsuit can quickly become a roving porta potty- a real purveyor of stank if not rinsed regularly with water and soap. Moral of the story, don’t ever let it get to that point – scrub it kook! Peeing in wetsuits is meant to be an enjoyable, convenient experience for every surfer in need of a good tinkle or two. Next time nature calls in the lineup, feel free to take a load off – let it flow, embrace your inner pee!</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";">* Warning *</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Microsoft Sans Serif";"> – “Booty Juice”; a common by-product of peeing in one’s wetsuit comprised of urine and toe-jam found in a surfers’ booty should not be taken lightly! “Booty Juice” is not to be ingested nor taste tested and should only be used against others when insulted by exceptionally demeaning “Yo Mama” jokes or in ritualistic Grom hazing scenarios.</span></i><br />
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