Author: Robert
Billabong set its roots in Queensland. It was founded in 1973, by Rena and Gordon Merchant. The company started out as a manufacturer of board shorts and slowly expanded its operations.
In 1981, the company decided to become an aggressive player in the surf apparel market by branching out to an international crowd. At first, it expanded its business to include New Zealand and the United States, then to South Africa, Japan and finally to Europe. Once the ball was set in motion it was only a matter of time before it became a global effort.
As the brand gained exposure and popularity the company decided to branch into other sports related apparel markets. They started experimenting with different lines of sports packages such as snowboarding and skateboarding.
In 1991, once they were satisfied with the quality of their new products, the company began to manufacture and distribute to the snowboarding and skateboarding crowd on a much larger scale. As they expanded into these other areas, they were able to discover much success.
In 2000, Billabong international...was listed as a publicly traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange. Once enough capital was generated, the company quickly decided to bolster its position in other key sports related industries by purchasing such name brands as Von Zipper, Kustom Palmers Surf, Element and Nixon. Each of these brands helped them gain position in other related sporting good categories.
In 2005, the company decided to give itself a bigger retail foothold by opening a number of Beachworks locations around the globe. These effective retail locations began successfully selling a number of the company’s top products.
In 2007, Billabong in a long overdue move, decided to acquire Xcel, a premium wet-suit brand based in the United States. With this acquisition, it positioned the company to be one of the strongest surf related brands in the world,
Popular Culture
Many of today’s top surfing stars endorse the Billabong brand name. These endorsements have led to an increase of brand awareness and popularity of their popular surf related apparel line. Many teenage skaters, snowboarders and surfers today sport the billabong brand apparel because of this. It has become a mainstay in teenage popular culture.
Ranges
http://www.kjbeckett.com/acatalog/billabong.html\">Billabong has had a successful expansion into many of the sporting goods extreme categories. They can now boast apparel for skaters, surfers and snowboarders. Their products range in size and age from t-shirts to surf shorts to sandals, sunglasses to watches and other snowboarding related items.
Company
The company is a publicly traded company, yet its founders still maintain a 20% share in it.With its aggressive marketing style and attractive celebrity endorsements Billabong has placed itself in a solid position to hold the market share for years to come.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/surfing-with-the-billabong-brand-335476.html
Thursday 13 March 2008
Surfers Paradise - The Heart of Tourism in Southeast
Author: Wolfgang Jaegel
Surfers Paradise is a fantastic beach town as well as an expansive commercial center, situated in the heart of the Gold Coast, on the eastern coast of Queensland, in Australia. Located about 80 kilometers south of Brisbane, Surfers Paradise is more popularly known as Surfers.
The destination provides superb options to cater to all types of visitors touring the place, with its picturesque beach, fabulous shopping as well as dining options, exuberant nightlife, a range of fun attractions, and high rise apartment towers. Hence, it is not a wonder why Surfers Paradise has been acknowledged as 'the playground of the Golf Coast.'
Surfers Paradise boasts of an excellent beachfront, packed with an array of restaurants, cafes, and upscale accommodations. Stretching along the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise is well patrolled by the Gold Coast City Council lifeguards, and is one of the safest as well as cleanest beaches in the Gold Coast area.
You can indulge in a spectrum of activities here, from surfing, parasailing and jet skiing to fishing and whale watching cruises. A number of flags of different colors can be found in certain areas of the beach, which in turn allows you for an enjoyable as well as safe swimming and surfing.
For instance, flag with a combination of red and yellow colors indicates the safest swimming area. But, yellow flag cautions dangerous conditions. If you see red flag, don't ever take an attempt for swimming or fishing in this area. In the case of red and white chequered flag, it denotes that there is shark in this area. In addition, if you see a blue flag, it denotes board riding area perfect for surfers.
Other than water sport activities, there are also superb options available for playing beach volleyball, bungee jumping, and golf, with a variety...of professional as well as stylish golf courses. If you do not want to indulge in any of these activities, then just take a stroll along the beach and experience the incredibility of the area.
Likewise, if you are here for a fun-filled vacation, then you can head to any of a variety of theme parks found in and around Surfers Paradise, such as, Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, and Wet N Wild Waterpark. When comes to sightseeing, Surfers Paradise features a plethora of attractions in the form of museums, art galleries, and fun and amusement centers.
A trip to Surfers Paradise would not be complete without taking a tour to Cavill Mall. Situated at the heart of the bustling area of Surfers, Cavill Mall is a pedestrained area that runs between the Gold Coast Highway and the Esplanade on the beachfront. This area is packed with a range of outdoor cafes, fast food centers, and restaurants and bars. Additionally, Cavill Mall is much famed for its themed museums, street entertainers, amusement arcades, shopping malls, and surf clothing outlets.
Equally fabulous is dining options available in Surfers Paradise, with a plethora of street side eateries, open air cafes, fast food establishments, and superb restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe. From Australian, French, and Italian to Indian, Thai, and Japanese, a sumptuous variety of cuisines can be savored here. Above all, Surfers Paradise is much famed for its exciting nightlife, boasting of a myriad of adult bars, themed venues, and adult bars, of which many of them are concentrated around such hot spots of the city as Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue.
With these scores of attractions and superb options to enjoy a plethora of activities, it is not a wonder why a large number of tourists from every nook and corner of the world visit here. Hence, it has a continuum of accommodations options for every type of travelers. One of the most popular choices among tourists is upscale hotels with rooms replete with most sophisticated facilities and amenities such as air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, and superb bath areas.
There are also some high end hotels that provide accommodation in the form of apartment style. This choice usually contains one or two bedrooms, apart from fully equipped kitchens, ensuite bathrooms, beautiful dining areas, and balconies offering panoramic views of beach and the Gold Coast. Further, these choices, in most cases, would be complete with facilities such as outdoor heated pools, gymnasium, spa, poolside BBQ, sauna and steam room, and entertainment areas.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/surfers-paradise-the-heart-of-tourism-in-southeast-queensland-347746.html
Surfers Paradise is a fantastic beach town as well as an expansive commercial center, situated in the heart of the Gold Coast, on the eastern coast of Queensland, in Australia. Located about 80 kilometers south of Brisbane, Surfers Paradise is more popularly known as Surfers.
The destination provides superb options to cater to all types of visitors touring the place, with its picturesque beach, fabulous shopping as well as dining options, exuberant nightlife, a range of fun attractions, and high rise apartment towers. Hence, it is not a wonder why Surfers Paradise has been acknowledged as 'the playground of the Golf Coast.'
Surfers Paradise boasts of an excellent beachfront, packed with an array of restaurants, cafes, and upscale accommodations. Stretching along the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise is well patrolled by the Gold Coast City Council lifeguards, and is one of the safest as well as cleanest beaches in the Gold Coast area.
You can indulge in a spectrum of activities here, from surfing, parasailing and jet skiing to fishing and whale watching cruises. A number of flags of different colors can be found in certain areas of the beach, which in turn allows you for an enjoyable as well as safe swimming and surfing.
For instance, flag with a combination of red and yellow colors indicates the safest swimming area. But, yellow flag cautions dangerous conditions. If you see red flag, don't ever take an attempt for swimming or fishing in this area. In the case of red and white chequered flag, it denotes that there is shark in this area. In addition, if you see a blue flag, it denotes board riding area perfect for surfers.
Other than water sport activities, there are also superb options available for playing beach volleyball, bungee jumping, and golf, with a variety...of professional as well as stylish golf courses. If you do not want to indulge in any of these activities, then just take a stroll along the beach and experience the incredibility of the area.
Likewise, if you are here for a fun-filled vacation, then you can head to any of a variety of theme parks found in and around Surfers Paradise, such as, Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, and Wet N Wild Waterpark. When comes to sightseeing, Surfers Paradise features a plethora of attractions in the form of museums, art galleries, and fun and amusement centers.
A trip to Surfers Paradise would not be complete without taking a tour to Cavill Mall. Situated at the heart of the bustling area of Surfers, Cavill Mall is a pedestrained area that runs between the Gold Coast Highway and the Esplanade on the beachfront. This area is packed with a range of outdoor cafes, fast food centers, and restaurants and bars. Additionally, Cavill Mall is much famed for its themed museums, street entertainers, amusement arcades, shopping malls, and surf clothing outlets.
Equally fabulous is dining options available in Surfers Paradise, with a plethora of street side eateries, open air cafes, fast food establishments, and superb restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe. From Australian, French, and Italian to Indian, Thai, and Japanese, a sumptuous variety of cuisines can be savored here. Above all, Surfers Paradise is much famed for its exciting nightlife, boasting of a myriad of adult bars, themed venues, and adult bars, of which many of them are concentrated around such hot spots of the city as Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue.
With these scores of attractions and superb options to enjoy a plethora of activities, it is not a wonder why a large number of tourists from every nook and corner of the world visit here. Hence, it has a continuum of accommodations options for every type of travelers. One of the most popular choices among tourists is upscale hotels with rooms replete with most sophisticated facilities and amenities such as air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, and superb bath areas.
There are also some high end hotels that provide accommodation in the form of apartment style. This choice usually contains one or two bedrooms, apart from fully equipped kitchens, ensuite bathrooms, beautiful dining areas, and balconies offering panoramic views of beach and the Gold Coast. Further, these choices, in most cases, would be complete with facilities such as outdoor heated pools, gymnasium, spa, poolside BBQ, sauna and steam room, and entertainment areas.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/surfers-paradise-the-heart-of-tourism-in-southeast-queensland-347746.html
Best Surf Spots in Santa Cruz County
Author: Seb Frey |
There are eleven break points along the best surf spots in Santa Cruz County and is known as "Surf City." Steamer Lane is host to the O'Neill Cold Water Classic on annual basis during the fall months. In May the Longboard Invitational takes place adjacent to Lighthouse Point. The Capitola Women's Longboard Surf Fest in held in October. Women of all ages participate and surfing skill participate.
Waddell Beach is very popular with boogie board, kiteboarding, and kayaking enthusiasts. Kiteboarding is a hybrid of wakeboarding and windsurfing. People are able to get forty feet of air from the waves.
Cowell's Beach positioned along Westcliff Drive, is said to have calmer waves. This is a popular surf spot for people...just learning the sport. There are stairs from Westcliff Drive that lead out to the surf area. Capitola Beach is another popular surf area for beginners. Many people use longboards with the waves when conditions are permissible. Parking is ample and readily available. When parking in metered parking areas always have ample amounts of change and keep the meter updated. It is not uncommon to get ticketed right away when the meter expires since it is monitored closely.
The Hook is located along what is known locally as Pleasure Point. It is positioned at the end of the stairway located at 41st Avenue. Longboards are most popular for this surf area. Shortboards are only able to be used on days when the waves are higher. This surf is said to be best for skilled surfers. 30th and East Cliff is popular with Pleasure Point surfers. However, due to the degree of difficulty very few people are permitted to surf in the area.
Manresa State Beach is positioned along Highway 1. It is less crowded than some of the other beaches. The waves can become very high and rips are very common in the surf area. 30th. This surf area is said to be best for experienced surfers.
Steamer Lane is said to be the most popular surf area in the region. The waves get extremely high at times said to reach triple overhead in height. Much caution needs to be exercised when surfing in this area. Deaths do occur on annual basis at this surf point. Surfing goes on year round at Steamer Lane.
Moss Landing is positioned twenty miles south of the city. It is rarely crowded and has its beach break near the harbor entrance. Waves can get very high here, so it is recommended for advanced surfers only. Rips are common along this area.
Natural Bridges surfing is located south of the rock arches. Conditions fluctuate in the area so surfing isn't always possible. There is a lot of kelp and sealife in the area.
There are many places to surf along Highway 1 in the middle of Half Moon Bay and the city. North of the city is where some of the more advanced surfers like to go. It is advised that you avoid surfing in this area alone do to its secluded nature.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/best-surf-spots-in-santa-cruz-county-356958.html
There are eleven break points along the best surf spots in Santa Cruz County and is known as "Surf City." Steamer Lane is host to the O'Neill Cold Water Classic on annual basis during the fall months. In May the Longboard Invitational takes place adjacent to Lighthouse Point. The Capitola Women's Longboard Surf Fest in held in October. Women of all ages participate and surfing skill participate.
Waddell Beach is very popular with boogie board, kiteboarding, and kayaking enthusiasts. Kiteboarding is a hybrid of wakeboarding and windsurfing. People are able to get forty feet of air from the waves.
Cowell's Beach positioned along Westcliff Drive, is said to have calmer waves. This is a popular surf spot for people...just learning the sport. There are stairs from Westcliff Drive that lead out to the surf area. Capitola Beach is another popular surf area for beginners. Many people use longboards with the waves when conditions are permissible. Parking is ample and readily available. When parking in metered parking areas always have ample amounts of change and keep the meter updated. It is not uncommon to get ticketed right away when the meter expires since it is monitored closely.
The Hook is located along what is known locally as Pleasure Point. It is positioned at the end of the stairway located at 41st Avenue. Longboards are most popular for this surf area. Shortboards are only able to be used on days when the waves are higher. This surf is said to be best for skilled surfers. 30th and East Cliff is popular with Pleasure Point surfers. However, due to the degree of difficulty very few people are permitted to surf in the area.
Manresa State Beach is positioned along Highway 1. It is less crowded than some of the other beaches. The waves can become very high and rips are very common in the surf area. 30th. This surf area is said to be best for experienced surfers.
Steamer Lane is said to be the most popular surf area in the region. The waves get extremely high at times said to reach triple overhead in height. Much caution needs to be exercised when surfing in this area. Deaths do occur on annual basis at this surf point. Surfing goes on year round at Steamer Lane.
Moss Landing is positioned twenty miles south of the city. It is rarely crowded and has its beach break near the harbor entrance. Waves can get very high here, so it is recommended for advanced surfers only. Rips are common along this area.
Natural Bridges surfing is located south of the rock arches. Conditions fluctuate in the area so surfing isn't always possible. There is a lot of kelp and sealife in the area.
There are many places to surf along Highway 1 in the middle of Half Moon Bay and the city. North of the city is where some of the more advanced surfers like to go. It is advised that you avoid surfing in this area alone do to its secluded nature.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/best-surf-spots-in-santa-cruz-county-356958.html
Tuesday 19 February 2008
The Thrill Of Surfing
Author: Jim Brown
Most surfers feel the thrill of surfing long before they buy their first surfboard. Some aspiring surfers might have innocently dabbled with surfing on the shoreline using boogie boards or spare pieces of plastic. An aspiring surfer is one that has spent many vacations at the beach and in the surf and at some point, they might have developed a yearning to learn how to ride a board on top of a wave.
After they have committed their heart to surfing, by buying a surfboard that will meet their needs, they find that they have many things to learn along the way to ride the board the way they envision it is possible in their head. All of the things that they learn along the way are certain to be thrilling, but what they learn about themselves will stay with them for the rest of... their lives. To perfect their surfing style, they might have performed tricks that they were not aware of and the surfer probably never knew that they were actually surfing if someone had not told them.
The inspiration to learn how to surf might have come from surfers who were on the beach and in the water during those vacations. Some vacationers are positively thrilled to learn that there are surfers on the beach who are under the age of seven. Many eyes might be focused on a surfer in the distance that has an uncanny ability to ride the waves with what seems to be a short surfboard underneath them.
Many people will be thrilled when they get to see the surfer paddling out toward the waves with a surfboard and many will wonder if the surfer is aware of the number of people who are in the water with them. Some people might mistake the thrilling feeling that they have because fear and thrill sensations run so close together. Every trick that a spectator views is likely to make them sit up and take notice, and more for worry than the thrill of watching them attempt daring feats on a board that is not as tall as the surfer is.
Some people will enjoy the thrills of surfing without ever trying to surf. These people are content to spend the day with family and friends at the beach and find true enjoyment out of watching surfers perform various tricks. Some of those tricks will seem quite daring and make that person glad that they have their feet firmly planted on the shore. Some friends in the group might want to give surfing a try but will wait until they have a better day to do it.
Other people find surfing thrills between the covers of sports magazines. Some will sit poolside at home and dream of the day that they take their turn on a surfboard. That day might not ever come, but at least the person is enjoying a day in the sun, just like the surfers are on a beach far away. The person that is sitting in the middle of suburbia can at least pursue some surfing dreams by latching onto the imagination of a surfer who stopped surfing long enough to put the action in writing.
Article Tags: Football Fanatics Coupon Codes, Footlocker On-line Coupons, NBAStore Coupons
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/the-thrill-of-surfing-329014.html
Most surfers feel the thrill of surfing long before they buy their first surfboard. Some aspiring surfers might have innocently dabbled with surfing on the shoreline using boogie boards or spare pieces of plastic. An aspiring surfer is one that has spent many vacations at the beach and in the surf and at some point, they might have developed a yearning to learn how to ride a board on top of a wave.
After they have committed their heart to surfing, by buying a surfboard that will meet their needs, they find that they have many things to learn along the way to ride the board the way they envision it is possible in their head. All of the things that they learn along the way are certain to be thrilling, but what they learn about themselves will stay with them for the rest of... their lives. To perfect their surfing style, they might have performed tricks that they were not aware of and the surfer probably never knew that they were actually surfing if someone had not told them.
The inspiration to learn how to surf might have come from surfers who were on the beach and in the water during those vacations. Some vacationers are positively thrilled to learn that there are surfers on the beach who are under the age of seven. Many eyes might be focused on a surfer in the distance that has an uncanny ability to ride the waves with what seems to be a short surfboard underneath them.
Many people will be thrilled when they get to see the surfer paddling out toward the waves with a surfboard and many will wonder if the surfer is aware of the number of people who are in the water with them. Some people might mistake the thrilling feeling that they have because fear and thrill sensations run so close together. Every trick that a spectator views is likely to make them sit up and take notice, and more for worry than the thrill of watching them attempt daring feats on a board that is not as tall as the surfer is.
Some people will enjoy the thrills of surfing without ever trying to surf. These people are content to spend the day with family and friends at the beach and find true enjoyment out of watching surfers perform various tricks. Some of those tricks will seem quite daring and make that person glad that they have their feet firmly planted on the shore. Some friends in the group might want to give surfing a try but will wait until they have a better day to do it.
Other people find surfing thrills between the covers of sports magazines. Some will sit poolside at home and dream of the day that they take their turn on a surfboard. That day might not ever come, but at least the person is enjoying a day in the sun, just like the surfers are on a beach far away. The person that is sitting in the middle of suburbia can at least pursue some surfing dreams by latching onto the imagination of a surfer who stopped surfing long enough to put the action in writing.
Article Tags: Football Fanatics Coupon Codes, Footlocker On-line Coupons, NBAStore Coupons
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/the-thrill-of-surfing-329014.html
Surfing With the Billabong Brand
Author: Robert |
Billabong set its roots in Queensland. It was founded in 1973, by Rena and Gordon Merchant. The company started out as a manufacturer of board shorts and slowly expanded its operations.
In 1981, the company decided to become an aggressive player in the surf apparel market by branching out to an international crowd. At first, it expanded its business to include New Zealand and the United States, then to South Africa, Japan and finally to Europe. Once the ball was set in motion it was only a matter of time before it became a global effort.
As the brand gained exposure and popularity the company decided to branch into other sports related apparel markets. They started experimenting with different lines of sports packages such as snowboarding and skateboarding.
In 1991, once they were satisfied with the quality of their new products, the...company began to manufacture and distribute to the snowboarding and skateboarding crowd on a much larger scale. As they expanded into these other areas, they were able to discover much success.
In 2000, Billabong international was listed as a publicly traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange. Once enough capital was generated, the company quickly decided to bolster its position in other key sports related industries by purchasing such name brands as Von Zipper, Kustom Palmers Surf, Element and Nixon. Each of these brands helped them gain position in other related sporting good categories.
In 2005, the company decided to give itself a bigger retail foothold by opening a number of Beachworks locations around the globe. These effective retail locations began successfully selling a number of the company’s top products.
In 2007, Billabong in a long overdue move, decided to acquire Xcel, a premium wet-suit brand based in the United States. With this acquisition, it positioned the company to be one of the strongest surf related brands in the world,
Popular Culture
Many of today’s top surfing stars endorse the Billabong brand name. These endorsements have led to an increase of brand awareness and popularity of their popular surf related apparel line. Many teenage skaters, snowboarders and surfers today sport the billabong brand apparel because of this. It has become a mainstay in teenage popular culture.
Ranges
http://www.kjbeckett.com/acatalog/billabong.html\">Billabong has had a successful expansion into many of the sporting goods extreme categories. They can now boast apparel for skaters, surfers and snowboarders. Their products range in size and age from t-shirts to surf shorts to sandals, sunglasses to watches and other snowboarding related items.
Company
The company is a publicly traded company, yet its founders still maintain a 20% share in it.With its aggressive marketing style and attractive celebrity endorsements Billabong has placed itself in a solid position to hold the market share for years to come.
Article Tags: Business, Accessories, Wallets
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/surfing-with-the-billabong-brand-335476.html
Friday 8 February 2008
Water Sports and Surfing in California
With its fabulous, year-round warm climate, California has been synonymous with surfing and the sporty, tanned, blonde-haired types who have participated in the sport since the 1960s. As such, you'd be hard pressed to find somewhere better to go if you want to ride the best waves! The undisputed hotbed of surfing in California is San Diego - the state’s second largest city. Here, you’ll find fantastic Pacific beaches with facilities specifically designed for surfers and other water sports users, as well as some of the biggest waves that the Pacific has to offer.
Home to several of the surfing industry’s biggest manufacturers and famous..pro surfer Rob Machado, the city’s hottest surfing beaches can be found at Black’s Beach, Swamis, Windansea and, of course, at San Diego’s biggest beach: Mission Bay. Attracting millions of visitors each year, San Diego’s beaches are packed with surfers eager to ride the waves; and on the days when the surf isn’t up to par, you'll be able to participate in other exciting water sports - such as water-skiing, jet skiing and paragliding.
Instruction in all water sports disciplines is available at Mission Bay Beach, with some of the biggest and best water sports schools to be found there. Just beyond the beach there is a massive park that offers other recreational activities, such as volleyball and basketball; but with plenty of picnic areas and outdoor barbeques, this park quickly fills up during the summer months, so sun-lovers must get there early to secure their spot!
Many of the best hotels in San Diego are also found in the Mission Bay Beach area, which - at only six miles from the international airport - is convenient to reach and also serves as a great base from which to explore the city and its surroundings.
As California’s second largest city you’ll find there is much to do in San Diego when you’re not surfing, swimming or generally splashing around in the sea; you'll be able to visit everything from some of California's best art museums to local zoos! The San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Man and the Natural History Museum are all popular attractions and are all found in the picturesque Balboa Park, along with the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Other cultural highlights include local theatres, opera and the San Diego Symphony. The city is also home to two major US sporting franchises: the NFL's Chargers and the Padres, a popular Major League Baseball team. If none of those alternative attractions or activities tickle your fancy, how about trying the impressive San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, the Wild Animal Park, or even the theme park at Legoland?
Whatever attracts you to San Diego, whether it's sun, sand, surf or the sights, you'll be warmly welcomed by friendly locals, who will do all they can to help you enjoy your holiday.
Home to several of the surfing industry’s biggest manufacturers and famous..pro surfer Rob Machado, the city’s hottest surfing beaches can be found at Black’s Beach, Swamis, Windansea and, of course, at San Diego’s biggest beach: Mission Bay. Attracting millions of visitors each year, San Diego’s beaches are packed with surfers eager to ride the waves; and on the days when the surf isn’t up to par, you'll be able to participate in other exciting water sports - such as water-skiing, jet skiing and paragliding.
Instruction in all water sports disciplines is available at Mission Bay Beach, with some of the biggest and best water sports schools to be found there. Just beyond the beach there is a massive park that offers other recreational activities, such as volleyball and basketball; but with plenty of picnic areas and outdoor barbeques, this park quickly fills up during the summer months, so sun-lovers must get there early to secure their spot!
Many of the best hotels in San Diego are also found in the Mission Bay Beach area, which - at only six miles from the international airport - is convenient to reach and also serves as a great base from which to explore the city and its surroundings.
As California’s second largest city you’ll find there is much to do in San Diego when you’re not surfing, swimming or generally splashing around in the sea; you'll be able to visit everything from some of California's best art museums to local zoos! The San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Man and the Natural History Museum are all popular attractions and are all found in the picturesque Balboa Park, along with the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Other cultural highlights include local theatres, opera and the San Diego Symphony. The city is also home to two major US sporting franchises: the NFL's Chargers and the Padres, a popular Major League Baseball team. If none of those alternative attractions or activities tickle your fancy, how about trying the impressive San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, the Wild Animal Park, or even the theme park at Legoland?
Whatever attracts you to San Diego, whether it's sun, sand, surf or the sights, you'll be warmly welcomed by friendly locals, who will do all they can to help you enjoy your holiday.
Surfing Costa Rica's Pacific coast
The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is fast becoming one of the hippest spots on the backpack merry-go-round. It's a surfer's paradise in Central America's most laid-back holiday spot. Areas such as the Nicoya peninsula and Dominical further to the south are the real hotspots where the beaches are sublime and trees and rocks tumble down to meet the fine, white sand - Costa Rica has a reputation for its magnificent flora and fauna and there's nothing to be disappointed about on that score here. Pelicans and frigate birds wheel overhead as the booming calls of howler monkeys resound from the nearby rainforests. For those...not satisfied by the ocean alone there are also numerous hikes in the region and due to Costa Rica's relatively small size you are never far away from the eco-tourism centres further inland.
Sticking out like a spare limb into the temperate waters of the Pacific, Nicoya has a myriad of unspoiled beaches where the breakers roll in consistently offering great surfing for all levels of ability whether you're a pale rookie paddling out for the first time or a sun-gnarled veteran. It is this variety that makes the area perfect for one of the world's fastest growing sports and the region has had a fantastic reputation in the worldwide surfing community. A few years ago villages such as Santa Teresa were no more than a few fishing huts clustered together but with the boom of tourism in the area numerous services are now provided by locals offering the dusty streets a ramshackle charm - a perfect setting for the laid-back surfers and the ever-growing community of young visitors. For those just wishing to hang out then there a numerous beach restaurants and beer shacks where laid back tunes and chilled cerveza set the tone for the after hours entertainment.
Further to the South lies Dominical, probably Costa Rica's most famous surfing grounds. It's slightly less isolated than the Nicoya region offering easy access to the surrounding national parks and also the nation's capital, San José. The area is famed for its "surf camps" where surfing, accommodation food and activities are all included in the package and is a great way for beginners to get into the sport and even for experienced surfers who get the chance for tips from local instructors. The region has begun to develop but by no means to the extent that we are used to in big European resorts, eco-lodges are the typical accommodation here and the focus is on preserving an area of immense natural beauty. Whether surfing Dominical's famous breaks or just chilling on the beach you'll find the area is as close to paradise as you're likely to get in Costa Rica. It's also worth noting that it's not just surfing that's on the activities list on Costa Rica's pacific coast, the whole area is a huge aquatic playground; waters teeming with fish and other life mean great scuba diving and yes, you guessed it, great fishing with many local boats taking tourists out on the hunt for tuna, wahoo, marlin and other big game.
There are even language schools opening to cater for the influx of young travellers (an excellent example of this is http://www.babylon-idiomas.com/ with a great presence in mainland Spain and Latin America) - no longer solely the domain of evening classes in your home country, learning a second language these days is all about cultural immersion. The message is "why not learn Spanish whilst you're learning to surf or dive?" and with much of Central and South America now more open to tourism there's no better time to learn the skills to make yourself understood whilst enjoying the more obvious pursuits open to travellers.
Sticking out like a spare limb into the temperate waters of the Pacific, Nicoya has a myriad of unspoiled beaches where the breakers roll in consistently offering great surfing for all levels of ability whether you're a pale rookie paddling out for the first time or a sun-gnarled veteran. It is this variety that makes the area perfect for one of the world's fastest growing sports and the region has had a fantastic reputation in the worldwide surfing community. A few years ago villages such as Santa Teresa were no more than a few fishing huts clustered together but with the boom of tourism in the area numerous services are now provided by locals offering the dusty streets a ramshackle charm - a perfect setting for the laid-back surfers and the ever-growing community of young visitors. For those just wishing to hang out then there a numerous beach restaurants and beer shacks where laid back tunes and chilled cerveza set the tone for the after hours entertainment.
Further to the South lies Dominical, probably Costa Rica's most famous surfing grounds. It's slightly less isolated than the Nicoya region offering easy access to the surrounding national parks and also the nation's capital, San José. The area is famed for its "surf camps" where surfing, accommodation food and activities are all included in the package and is a great way for beginners to get into the sport and even for experienced surfers who get the chance for tips from local instructors. The region has begun to develop but by no means to the extent that we are used to in big European resorts, eco-lodges are the typical accommodation here and the focus is on preserving an area of immense natural beauty. Whether surfing Dominical's famous breaks or just chilling on the beach you'll find the area is as close to paradise as you're likely to get in Costa Rica. It's also worth noting that it's not just surfing that's on the activities list on Costa Rica's pacific coast, the whole area is a huge aquatic playground; waters teeming with fish and other life mean great scuba diving and yes, you guessed it, great fishing with many local boats taking tourists out on the hunt for tuna, wahoo, marlin and other big game.
There are even language schools opening to cater for the influx of young travellers (an excellent example of this is http://www.babylon-idiomas.com/ with a great presence in mainland Spain and Latin America) - no longer solely the domain of evening classes in your home country, learning a second language these days is all about cultural immersion. The message is "why not learn Spanish whilst you're learning to surf or dive?" and with much of Central and South America now more open to tourism there's no better time to learn the skills to make yourself understood whilst enjoying the more obvious pursuits open to travellers.
Hawaii Beach Activities Enjoyed By Many
Hawaii is a popular vacation destination. Perhaps, the greatest allure of Hawaii is its beautiful beaches and the many activities that they hold. In fact, each Hawaiian Island has an unlimited number of beaches for vacationers to choose from! If you are in the process of planning a trip to Hawaii, there are a number of benefits to examining popular beach activities before you leave for your trip.
Before focusing on a few of the many Hawaii beach activities that you can enjoy on your next trip, it is first important to focus... on travel arrangements. The greatest component of having the "perfect," Hawaii vacation, is ensuring that all travel arrangements are made and well in advance. Of course, airline reservations and car rental reservations are important, but a good percentage of your focus should be placed on booking a stay at a Hawaii vacation rental. Overnight accommodations have the ability to make or break a vacation.
The reason why your Hawaii vacation rental should be important is because of the options that you have. Hawaii vacation rentals come in a number of different formats, including Hawaii vacation condos, cottages, villas, apartment rentals, and homes. You will also find a number of features, price ranges, as well as locations. The first step is deciding which Hawaiian Island you would like to visit, like Maui. Next, affordability should examined; create a budget for yourself. Finally, quickly examine your intended vacation activities. If you would like to spend your time enjoying many of the fun and popular Hawaii beach activities, a few of which are highlighted below, a beachfront Hawaii vacation rental may be in your best interest.
In terms of Hawaii beach activities that many tourists enjoy, it is important to start with the basics. Two popular Hawaii activities that are enjoyed by individuals of all ages, including those both old and young, are swimming and boating. Many Hawaii beaches have clear, calm waters, which are ideal for young children and inexperienced swimmers. In terms of boating, many are pleased with the options they are presented with. Hawaii boat rentals are available for experienced boaters, private and group charter boats are available for inexperienced boaters, as well as dinner and one day Hawaii cruises.
If adventure is more your style, there are still a number of Hawaii beach activities that may be perfect for you. These activities include surfing, wind surfing, and body boarding. Surfing and windsurfing are Hawaii beach activities mostly reserved for those who have some surfing experience. With that being said, there is never a better time to learn to surf than on a Hawaii vacation. To find affordable surfing lessons, perform a search online. If Hawaii vacation rental reservations, such as those for a Hawaii condo, have already been made, keep location in mind. Doing so can significantly reduce your travel time, giving you more time to learn how to surf!
Snorkeling and scuba diving are two more popular Hawaii beach activities that come highly rated and recommend. These activities are not only adventurous, but educational as well. Many are amazed at all of the sea life they are able to see and learn about while scuba diving or snorkeling. As with surfing and windsurfing, lessons are available for those who are inexperienced divers. For experienced divers, beach rental stations are conveniently located all across Hawaii and near popular Hawaii beach destinations.
As a recap, proper planning and preparation is the key to having a memorable trip to Hawaii. Once the proper travel arrangements have been made, in terms of Hawaii vacation rental reservations, airline reservations, and car rental reservations, Hawaii activities should be examined. With an unlimited number of beach rental companies throughout Hawaii, rental equipment may not require special arrangements; however, lessons may. For that reason, if learning how to surf, windsurf, scuba dive, or snorkel is a must do for you, be sure to do the proper research before you leave for your Hawaii vacation.
Before focusing on a few of the many Hawaii beach activities that you can enjoy on your next trip, it is first important to focus... on travel arrangements. The greatest component of having the "perfect," Hawaii vacation, is ensuring that all travel arrangements are made and well in advance. Of course, airline reservations and car rental reservations are important, but a good percentage of your focus should be placed on booking a stay at a Hawaii vacation rental. Overnight accommodations have the ability to make or break a vacation.
The reason why your Hawaii vacation rental should be important is because of the options that you have. Hawaii vacation rentals come in a number of different formats, including Hawaii vacation condos, cottages, villas, apartment rentals, and homes. You will also find a number of features, price ranges, as well as locations. The first step is deciding which Hawaiian Island you would like to visit, like Maui. Next, affordability should examined; create a budget for yourself. Finally, quickly examine your intended vacation activities. If you would like to spend your time enjoying many of the fun and popular Hawaii beach activities, a few of which are highlighted below, a beachfront Hawaii vacation rental may be in your best interest.
In terms of Hawaii beach activities that many tourists enjoy, it is important to start with the basics. Two popular Hawaii activities that are enjoyed by individuals of all ages, including those both old and young, are swimming and boating. Many Hawaii beaches have clear, calm waters, which are ideal for young children and inexperienced swimmers. In terms of boating, many are pleased with the options they are presented with. Hawaii boat rentals are available for experienced boaters, private and group charter boats are available for inexperienced boaters, as well as dinner and one day Hawaii cruises.
If adventure is more your style, there are still a number of Hawaii beach activities that may be perfect for you. These activities include surfing, wind surfing, and body boarding. Surfing and windsurfing are Hawaii beach activities mostly reserved for those who have some surfing experience. With that being said, there is never a better time to learn to surf than on a Hawaii vacation. To find affordable surfing lessons, perform a search online. If Hawaii vacation rental reservations, such as those for a Hawaii condo, have already been made, keep location in mind. Doing so can significantly reduce your travel time, giving you more time to learn how to surf!
Snorkeling and scuba diving are two more popular Hawaii beach activities that come highly rated and recommend. These activities are not only adventurous, but educational as well. Many are amazed at all of the sea life they are able to see and learn about while scuba diving or snorkeling. As with surfing and windsurfing, lessons are available for those who are inexperienced divers. For experienced divers, beach rental stations are conveniently located all across Hawaii and near popular Hawaii beach destinations.
As a recap, proper planning and preparation is the key to having a memorable trip to Hawaii. Once the proper travel arrangements have been made, in terms of Hawaii vacation rental reservations, airline reservations, and car rental reservations, Hawaii activities should be examined. With an unlimited number of beach rental companies throughout Hawaii, rental equipment may not require special arrangements; however, lessons may. For that reason, if learning how to surf, windsurf, scuba dive, or snorkel is a must do for you, be sure to do the proper research before you leave for your Hawaii vacation.
Friday 1 February 2008
A Cornish Surfer’s Perspective
by Mike Hayes
Surfing to me is about a number of things - most importantly the enjoyment I get from it.
It is the pure love for surfing that drives me to get up on a cold and wet winter’s day at the crack of dawn & has made me the person I am. Surfing gives me the freedom from everyday life. It clears my mind of all worries, fears and problems, a place where I feel close to my childhood - remember having no worries, no issues?
I love the power of the ocean and the rush of pushing my boundaries, taking the largest wave, taking off little bit deeper, and the feeling of complete and utter helplessness as the waves roll and wash me along. It reminds...me of my Dad throwing me in the air, completely weightless and helpless, going back to my childhood.
Nowadays it’s the buzz from making turns which I’ve always wanted to do and becoming as good as the people I’ve looked up to for years. I enjoy the pleasure others get from watching me and I love encouraging others to share my passion. I love surfing as much today as I did 10 years ago. Yes things have changed; nothing will ever stay the same. Like the way others perceive me, I am still the same surfer, I’ll always surf for fun, and it clears my mind, washes the world away and reminds me of my youth.
For me, it’s about having fun and enjoying the moment. The person that’s had the best surf is not necessarily the one who’s had the largest waves, done the best turns. Rather, it’s the surfer with the largest smile on his / her face; it’s the one that’s reliving their childhood, carefree in the moment.
People forget the reasons why they surf, forget what it means.
Surfing is relaxing, challenging spiritual and fun. Many of us are not fortunate to surf for a living and often I see people get frustrated with themselves and with others.
Getting to the standard I have reached is simply from surfing daily, it’s come from surfing and having fun. Catching the wave, waking up at godforsaken hours, surfing when its rubbish, waiting for the all-important wave.
All I have to say is “ Ask yourself why do you surf”, “why did you start”, Are you surfing for those reasons, for the right reasons or have you got lost in trying to be the next world champ.
Have fun, that’s what I say!
Surfing to me is about a number of things - most importantly the enjoyment I get from it.
It is the pure love for surfing that drives me to get up on a cold and wet winter’s day at the crack of dawn & has made me the person I am. Surfing gives me the freedom from everyday life. It clears my mind of all worries, fears and problems, a place where I feel close to my childhood - remember having no worries, no issues?
I love the power of the ocean and the rush of pushing my boundaries, taking the largest wave, taking off little bit deeper, and the feeling of complete and utter helplessness as the waves roll and wash me along. It reminds...me of my Dad throwing me in the air, completely weightless and helpless, going back to my childhood.
Nowadays it’s the buzz from making turns which I’ve always wanted to do and becoming as good as the people I’ve looked up to for years. I enjoy the pleasure others get from watching me and I love encouraging others to share my passion. I love surfing as much today as I did 10 years ago. Yes things have changed; nothing will ever stay the same. Like the way others perceive me, I am still the same surfer, I’ll always surf for fun, and it clears my mind, washes the world away and reminds me of my youth.
For me, it’s about having fun and enjoying the moment. The person that’s had the best surf is not necessarily the one who’s had the largest waves, done the best turns. Rather, it’s the surfer with the largest smile on his / her face; it’s the one that’s reliving their childhood, carefree in the moment.
People forget the reasons why they surf, forget what it means.
Surfing is relaxing, challenging spiritual and fun. Many of us are not fortunate to surf for a living and often I see people get frustrated with themselves and with others.
Getting to the standard I have reached is simply from surfing daily, it’s come from surfing and having fun. Catching the wave, waking up at godforsaken hours, surfing when its rubbish, waiting for the all-important wave.
All I have to say is “ Ask yourself why do you surf”, “why did you start”, Are you surfing for those reasons, for the right reasons or have you got lost in trying to be the next world champ.
Have fun, that’s what I say!
Surfing As A Sport Of Kings
Author: Catherine Harvey | Posted: 29-01-2008
Surf boards and surfing have come a long way since they first gained popularity in the mid 1800's.
Originally the sport of royalty, surfing has actually been around since the 6th Century but in its modern day form it gained status as a lifestyle symbol around the 1860's. It is thought to have originally made its way to Hawaii from the Polynesian Islands around the middle of the 18th Century.
Two Hawaiian princes studying in the US showed their surfing skills to the locals in North America and the sport took off from there. Their surf boards would...have been primitively moulded from solid wood, sanded with granulated coral and stained with bark or charcoal before being finished with glossy nut oil. Problems with original surf boards like this were that they weighed close to 150lbs and acted like sponges once in the water.
Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer from Hawaii, demonstrated his skills on a surf board while on a visit to Australia in 1865. This went down a storm with Australian's who have always been famed for their love of the outdoor life, and the style of surf boarding now known to the Western world was born.
The surf board has evolved over the years from the original solid redwood plank, through composite wood, lightweight balsa wood and fibreglass to today's virtually perfect design constructed from polyurethane foam and fibreglass.
Very few changes have been made to the make-up of the board since mass production began in the late 1950's. In the beginning, long boards of up to 16' were popular but not so manoeuvrable. Shorter boards enjoyed a surge, being built around 6' and 8lbs lighter. These were much faster and easier to navigate than the more cumbersome 16 footer.
Minor changes have been made to surf boards over the years but mostly ones that are optional. Some lift has been added to the nose and fins were also added for stability. Although you can now buy surf boards with fixed fins, it is more common place to buy attachable fins. This gives the surfer the option to experiment with where fins are placed depending on the type of wave they are riding.
Surfing has now advanced to a point where different waves and different riding styles call for a different type of board to gain the maximum speed and agility, thus the maximum adrenaline rush. Choices consist of double concave bottom, vee bottom, rounded square tail and swallow tail as well as different lengths.
One of the best inventions that all surfers rave about is the surf board leash. A simple device where the board can be strapped to the surfers ankle but it is one that makes the life of a surfer so much simpler. Before this, he/she would have had to wade into shore to retrieve the board after every wave.
Custom paint jobs on surf boards are big business with some very extreme designs that you can either pay a surf shop to apply for you or, if you are feeling artistic, purchase some spray paints or water based paint pens and get creative yourself. Covered with a protective clear top coat these designs will last a long time but can always be sanded back and re-done if you get bored.
Sex wax is a surfers product, not anything like it sounds! It is a wax that can be applied to the board where you would normally put your feet and hands to prevent slipping. However, some surfers prefer to use deck grip as an alternative. This is a stick on pad that removes the need for constant waxing.
Initially a sport for men, surfing has taken off worldwide and has a large female following. Not just as groupies for the surfer dude's but now as serious competitors themselves. It has also spawned a whole fashion scene for men and women, from wetsuits and beachwear to hats, hoodies and shoes. It has also brought about a sound financial business in hair care, particularly for the women who don't like to constantly have surfers hair.
Surf boards and surfing have come a long way since they first gained popularity in the mid 1800's.
Originally the sport of royalty, surfing has actually been around since the 6th Century but in its modern day form it gained status as a lifestyle symbol around the 1860's. It is thought to have originally made its way to Hawaii from the Polynesian Islands around the middle of the 18th Century.
Two Hawaiian princes studying in the US showed their surfing skills to the locals in North America and the sport took off from there. Their surf boards would...have been primitively moulded from solid wood, sanded with granulated coral and stained with bark or charcoal before being finished with glossy nut oil. Problems with original surf boards like this were that they weighed close to 150lbs and acted like sponges once in the water.
Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer from Hawaii, demonstrated his skills on a surf board while on a visit to Australia in 1865. This went down a storm with Australian's who have always been famed for their love of the outdoor life, and the style of surf boarding now known to the Western world was born.
The surf board has evolved over the years from the original solid redwood plank, through composite wood, lightweight balsa wood and fibreglass to today's virtually perfect design constructed from polyurethane foam and fibreglass.
Very few changes have been made to the make-up of the board since mass production began in the late 1950's. In the beginning, long boards of up to 16' were popular but not so manoeuvrable. Shorter boards enjoyed a surge, being built around 6' and 8lbs lighter. These were much faster and easier to navigate than the more cumbersome 16 footer.
Minor changes have been made to surf boards over the years but mostly ones that are optional. Some lift has been added to the nose and fins were also added for stability. Although you can now buy surf boards with fixed fins, it is more common place to buy attachable fins. This gives the surfer the option to experiment with where fins are placed depending on the type of wave they are riding.
Surfing has now advanced to a point where different waves and different riding styles call for a different type of board to gain the maximum speed and agility, thus the maximum adrenaline rush. Choices consist of double concave bottom, vee bottom, rounded square tail and swallow tail as well as different lengths.
One of the best inventions that all surfers rave about is the surf board leash. A simple device where the board can be strapped to the surfers ankle but it is one that makes the life of a surfer so much simpler. Before this, he/she would have had to wade into shore to retrieve the board after every wave.
Custom paint jobs on surf boards are big business with some very extreme designs that you can either pay a surf shop to apply for you or, if you are feeling artistic, purchase some spray paints or water based paint pens and get creative yourself. Covered with a protective clear top coat these designs will last a long time but can always be sanded back and re-done if you get bored.
Sex wax is a surfers product, not anything like it sounds! It is a wax that can be applied to the board where you would normally put your feet and hands to prevent slipping. However, some surfers prefer to use deck grip as an alternative. This is a stick on pad that removes the need for constant waxing.
Initially a sport for men, surfing has taken off worldwide and has a large female following. Not just as groupies for the surfer dude's but now as serious competitors themselves. It has also spawned a whole fashion scene for men and women, from wetsuits and beachwear to hats, hoodies and shoes. It has also brought about a sound financial business in hair care, particularly for the women who don't like to constantly have surfers hair.
Friday 25 January 2008
Spiritual Tube Riding
A few years ago on the day we buried my Grandmother; I had an experience that at the time seemed mystical. Losing her was difficult for me. I adored her. She was wonderfully stereotypical. She had been raised on a farm in rural Oklahoma and tempered by the depression. She was strong, capable and full of love. I remember her in faded cotton dresses – always clean and well pressed. And her aprons. She had one long one for around the house and a couple of “nice” ones to wear in town when she went shopping or ran errands. About the only time she didn’t wear an apron was went she went to church. If you have ever seen the movie, “Grapes of Wrath” and you remember the grandmother then you have an idea of what my Grandmother was like.
On summer afternoons she used to set a long table outside under the trees. It would be piled high with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and homemade apple pie sitting on a red and...
white checked tablecloth, and flanked by big pitchers of ice cold Lipton tea. She could sew anything, she could grow anything and she could heal any wound. She was perfect and we all loved her.
After the funeral I headed to the beach. It had been a rough day. All I wanted to do was paddle out and forget for awhile. Surfing helps me do that sometimes. That day the surf was big – well overhead all up and down the coast. When it’s big you have to focus on what you are doing. Because it demands total concentration to avoid wiping out at any moment, other less immediate problems tend to fade away temporarily. It is sort of like leaving your troubles on the sand for a little while. They don’t go away. They are still there when you paddle in, but for a short time a brief respite can be found out in the water.
On this particular day the conditions were more than a little unusual. Visibility was poor. It was late afternoon and the light was otherworldly. The sun was low in a very overcast sky blanketing everything in a dense, warm fog. There was no wind. It was hot and the water was like glass. The moisture in the atmosphere cast everything in a hazy yellow light. I couldn’t even see the waves from the shore, but I could hear them crashing and I knew it was big.
When I paddled out into the lineup I found myself in a strange ethereal world. I couldn’t see the shore through the fog nor could I see very far out to sea. The waves would emerge suddenly out of the mist - huge, silent, amber walls rushing towards the shore and crashing out of sight.
There were only a handful of surfers out and we all clustered together straining to peer out to sea to catch the first glimpse of the next set. Because you couldn’t see them until they were already upon you - you had to be ready to instantly spin your board around, paddle hard and take a late drop into the wave. And the waves were awesome – set after set of perfect tubes. They were hard to see coming and hard to catch, but a last second takeoff, a very scary drop and a bottom turn would project you right up into a glassy cylinder big enough to stand up in. There was no almost - you either made the drop and the first turn - or you didn’t. If you made it and were a little lucky you could speed down the tunnel created by the collapsing wave and get spit out and over at the other end. If you didn’t make it you would get a good pounding followed by a long swim, but making it was well worth the risk. Getting tubed is the ultimate rush for surfers and these tubes were unreal.
There wasn’t much talk in the water. Maybe it was the strange conditions, but conversation was limited and conducted in hushed, almost reverent tones. We were paddling around on a sheet of warm glass, enveloped in a hazy yellow fog that damped down sound and limited visibility to thirty or forty feet in either direction. We couldn’t see the shore and we couldn’t see waves coming in. Even after pulling out of a wave we couldn’t see the beach through the fog. For a couple of hours our world consisted exclusively in the wave riding zone and everything else ceased to exist. There was no shore and no far horizon - only the corridor of perfect waves.
While in this weird world between worlds, I dropped in on one, hit the bottom hard and pulled up under the lip. As it threw out over me and came crashing down something strange happened. I was in the tube, hurtling across the wave just trying to stay on and come out and suddenly everything slowed down until it was if I were in a slow motion film. The wave overhead, the spray, me – everything slowed - I could actually see the spray separating into droplets. Weirder still, it was quiet. Almost totally silent. The only sound I was aware of was the sound of my board slicing the face of the wave. Even though I was deep inside the barrel I could not hear the sound of the wave breaking all around me. I felt calm and serene, or even a little detached for however many moments or fractions of a second it lasted, then suddenly I was blasted back into realtime as I came careening out of the tube.
It didn’t really hit me until I had paddled back out past the impact zone. Oddly, I wasn’t surprised; I was still in kind of a tranquil state. I am normally pretty loud and enthusiastic when surfing, but not this day. I was uncharacteristically subdued. I rode with a peaceful intensity. I surfed better than I know how. I caught wave after wave - including a second silent-slow-motion tube ride. It was almost as if I were in tune with the Ocean. At least on that day, in that misty space between fog banks, I experienced some kind of altered consciousness that put me in sync with those waves. After nearly four decades of surfing, I have never had a stranger, or a more rewarding session.
When I finally paddled in my day was where I had left it a few hours earlier, but I was different. Maybe the break had just charged my emotional batteries, or the physical exertion displaced stress. Perhaps the thrill of riding great waves simply lifted my spirits.
All I know is, I came out of the water stronger than when I went in. I felt better and I felt grateful – to God or Mother Ocean, or whatever it was that touched me that day. I would have to call it an almost spiritual experience. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t come out of the water quoting scripture or pledging my life to Mother Theresa, but for a little while, the ocean took me to a place where the was no death, no war, no famine, no anger – no anything - just surf - and it let me stay until I felt better.
I have heard of other people experiencing the silent-slow-motion phenomenon. Professional football players, race car drivers and even a jazz pianist. So, I don't think that was what was responsible for the sense of well-being I felt walking up the beach.
You want to know what I really think? There is magic in the water!
On summer afternoons she used to set a long table outside under the trees. It would be piled high with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and homemade apple pie sitting on a red and...
white checked tablecloth, and flanked by big pitchers of ice cold Lipton tea. She could sew anything, she could grow anything and she could heal any wound. She was perfect and we all loved her.
After the funeral I headed to the beach. It had been a rough day. All I wanted to do was paddle out and forget for awhile. Surfing helps me do that sometimes. That day the surf was big – well overhead all up and down the coast. When it’s big you have to focus on what you are doing. Because it demands total concentration to avoid wiping out at any moment, other less immediate problems tend to fade away temporarily. It is sort of like leaving your troubles on the sand for a little while. They don’t go away. They are still there when you paddle in, but for a short time a brief respite can be found out in the water.
On this particular day the conditions were more than a little unusual. Visibility was poor. It was late afternoon and the light was otherworldly. The sun was low in a very overcast sky blanketing everything in a dense, warm fog. There was no wind. It was hot and the water was like glass. The moisture in the atmosphere cast everything in a hazy yellow light. I couldn’t even see the waves from the shore, but I could hear them crashing and I knew it was big.
When I paddled out into the lineup I found myself in a strange ethereal world. I couldn’t see the shore through the fog nor could I see very far out to sea. The waves would emerge suddenly out of the mist - huge, silent, amber walls rushing towards the shore and crashing out of sight.
There were only a handful of surfers out and we all clustered together straining to peer out to sea to catch the first glimpse of the next set. Because you couldn’t see them until they were already upon you - you had to be ready to instantly spin your board around, paddle hard and take a late drop into the wave. And the waves were awesome – set after set of perfect tubes. They were hard to see coming and hard to catch, but a last second takeoff, a very scary drop and a bottom turn would project you right up into a glassy cylinder big enough to stand up in. There was no almost - you either made the drop and the first turn - or you didn’t. If you made it and were a little lucky you could speed down the tunnel created by the collapsing wave and get spit out and over at the other end. If you didn’t make it you would get a good pounding followed by a long swim, but making it was well worth the risk. Getting tubed is the ultimate rush for surfers and these tubes were unreal.
There wasn’t much talk in the water. Maybe it was the strange conditions, but conversation was limited and conducted in hushed, almost reverent tones. We were paddling around on a sheet of warm glass, enveloped in a hazy yellow fog that damped down sound and limited visibility to thirty or forty feet in either direction. We couldn’t see the shore and we couldn’t see waves coming in. Even after pulling out of a wave we couldn’t see the beach through the fog. For a couple of hours our world consisted exclusively in the wave riding zone and everything else ceased to exist. There was no shore and no far horizon - only the corridor of perfect waves.
While in this weird world between worlds, I dropped in on one, hit the bottom hard and pulled up under the lip. As it threw out over me and came crashing down something strange happened. I was in the tube, hurtling across the wave just trying to stay on and come out and suddenly everything slowed down until it was if I were in a slow motion film. The wave overhead, the spray, me – everything slowed - I could actually see the spray separating into droplets. Weirder still, it was quiet. Almost totally silent. The only sound I was aware of was the sound of my board slicing the face of the wave. Even though I was deep inside the barrel I could not hear the sound of the wave breaking all around me. I felt calm and serene, or even a little detached for however many moments or fractions of a second it lasted, then suddenly I was blasted back into realtime as I came careening out of the tube.
It didn’t really hit me until I had paddled back out past the impact zone. Oddly, I wasn’t surprised; I was still in kind of a tranquil state. I am normally pretty loud and enthusiastic when surfing, but not this day. I was uncharacteristically subdued. I rode with a peaceful intensity. I surfed better than I know how. I caught wave after wave - including a second silent-slow-motion tube ride. It was almost as if I were in tune with the Ocean. At least on that day, in that misty space between fog banks, I experienced some kind of altered consciousness that put me in sync with those waves. After nearly four decades of surfing, I have never had a stranger, or a more rewarding session.
When I finally paddled in my day was where I had left it a few hours earlier, but I was different. Maybe the break had just charged my emotional batteries, or the physical exertion displaced stress. Perhaps the thrill of riding great waves simply lifted my spirits.
All I know is, I came out of the water stronger than when I went in. I felt better and I felt grateful – to God or Mother Ocean, or whatever it was that touched me that day. I would have to call it an almost spiritual experience. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t come out of the water quoting scripture or pledging my life to Mother Theresa, but for a little while, the ocean took me to a place where the was no death, no war, no famine, no anger – no anything - just surf - and it let me stay until I felt better.
I have heard of other people experiencing the silent-slow-motion phenomenon. Professional football players, race car drivers and even a jazz pianist. So, I don't think that was what was responsible for the sense of well-being I felt walking up the beach.
You want to know what I really think? There is magic in the water!
The Many Style of the Wave Board
The wave board was designed to give you the ability to change the look of your board any day of the week. Do you want a new deck? Then switch them. Do you want different colored wheels? Change them, it only takes a minute. Do you want to swap deck designs with your buddy? With the wave board you have the ability to do all these things. The wave board has interchangeable wheel colors and interchangeable deck designs. The wheel colors I have seen most are black, green, red, and occasionally pink. I have seen kids riding with one black wheel and one red wheel, one green wheel with one red wheel, and swapping deck designs to mix and match with the wheels. Deck designs include the standard silver deck, a red deck, the ever popular checkered design with a skull integrated in, the flashy green deck, a pink flowery deck for the ladies called the Hibiscus Wave Board, and an orange...and green deck called the California Wave Board. The great thing is that all these decks come with front and back plates so you can mix and match the decks just like the wheels.
My brother likes to ride with one silver deck, one red deck, one black wheel and one red wheel. His board looks pretty sweet, and if he ever feels like switching over to an all red board it will only take him a few minutes to switch the wheels and decks, and he is only ten years old. After he learned how to change wheels and decks, he can change them whenever he wants in minutes. To change either the wheels or the decks you simply need a screwdriver or alan wrench. Undo the screws then replace and put the screws back in. There is not too much else to the process. It is so easy kids do not need their parents to help them change wheels or decks. You can never get bored with your wave board design. If you do not like your board designs, just change it. You can get really creative and take your replacement deck off of the wave board and paint your own design on the deck. You can personalize it and put your name on it. You could paint on your deck a cool symbol, or you can use a template to make it look cleaner and better. Let the deck dry and put them back on the wave board. One of the coolest decks I have seen was a completely black board. The rider had painted his decks totally black. I have to say it looked sweet. Do not paint the deck on the board because the paint could affect the wave boards smooth ride and do not paint the wheels for the same reason. This creative design from the wave board is just another feature that makes it so popular. Mix, match, wheels, decks, and be creative with your wave board design. Personalize your wave board and show it off.
My brother likes to ride with one silver deck, one red deck, one black wheel and one red wheel. His board looks pretty sweet, and if he ever feels like switching over to an all red board it will only take him a few minutes to switch the wheels and decks, and he is only ten years old. After he learned how to change wheels and decks, he can change them whenever he wants in minutes. To change either the wheels or the decks you simply need a screwdriver or alan wrench. Undo the screws then replace and put the screws back in. There is not too much else to the process. It is so easy kids do not need their parents to help them change wheels or decks. You can never get bored with your wave board design. If you do not like your board designs, just change it. You can get really creative and take your replacement deck off of the wave board and paint your own design on the deck. You can personalize it and put your name on it. You could paint on your deck a cool symbol, or you can use a template to make it look cleaner and better. Let the deck dry and put them back on the wave board. One of the coolest decks I have seen was a completely black board. The rider had painted his decks totally black. I have to say it looked sweet. Do not paint the deck on the board because the paint could affect the wave boards smooth ride and do not paint the wheels for the same reason. This creative design from the wave board is just another feature that makes it so popular. Mix, match, wheels, decks, and be creative with your wave board design. Personalize your wave board and show it off.
5 Reasons Why You Should Never Go To A Co-ed Surf Camp With Your Partner Or Spouse
Can you picture yourself waking up every morning on a paradise island, doing yoga, surfing throughout the day, and being fed delicious and healthy meals prepared by a chef? Sounds terrible doesn't it? How could this get any worse? How about if the women's surf camp was a co-ed surf camp? Why would you want to go on a co-ed surf and yoga retreat with your loved one? Shopping at the local mall with your girlfriends or golfing with the fellas are much better options, aren't they?
If you are not already convinced that you should absolutely not attend a co-ed surf camp with your partner or spouse, here are..some other great reasons why you should stay just home:
Reason #1 You and your partner can get fit together. Going to a co-ed surf camp would mean that you and your partner could increase your fitness together. Participating in a surf camp together would give you an opportunity to maximize your well-being as a couple. Wouldn't it be preferable to stay at home and work on increasing your love handles?
Reason #2 You may end up fighting over the surfing magazines. You don't want to end up bickering over who is going to read the latest surfing magazine first, do you? What a horrible thought, you both wanting to read the same material. Girls should stick to the vapid celebrity scandals and the newest fashion trends while the guys can read about cars and guns.
Reason #3 You and your partner can enjoy an interest together. Going to a co-ed surf camp as a couple could give you a combined interest. Isn't it better to have no interests in common? Shouldn't the male be playing golf while the female shops or performs home duties? Continue on at this rate and you might even want to vacation with each other next year! How horrible! Do you really need a topic of conversation at the dinner table that enthralls you both? Do you really need a common passion?
Reason #4 You could experience a family bonding vacation. A co-ed surf camp also means that families can experience all the joys of a surf and yoga retreat together. Would you really want to become closer to your grown children or parents? A surf camp providing meals, yoga, massages and surf lessons could introduce the family to a combined sporting hobby. Shouldn't family vacations involve all members going to different locations? Do you really want your family to be close knit and communicating well?
Reason #5 You might have too much fun with your partner or spouse. You would be in serious danger of enjoying yourself at a co-ed surf camp. Guys, girls, yoga, surf lessons, massages, delicious meals prepared by a chef, all on a paradise island. This sounds like a recipe for far too much pleasure and relaxation. Improving your well-being while learning a new adventurous sport and working on your sun tan could be disastrous for your health and relationship. What kind of couple would want that?
Why risk wanting to return next year to another surf camp? Do you really want all of your future vacations to be in sunny beach side locations chasing waves? Why would you want to go to a yoga and surf retreat that allows for men, women and couples? That means you have the option of taking your loved one or enjoying a healthy vacation with family and friends.
In this day and age of soaring obesity, stress, divorce rates and violence, why would anyone want to take time out from the hustle and bustle with their significant other? Wouldn't you prefer to become a statistic of the 21st Century? Why go to a co-ed surf camp and risk improving your physical and mental well-being? Imagine how much more pleasant the world would be if everyone decided to indulge themselves in a surf and yoga retreat getaway. Statistic or bliss? The choice is yours.
If you are not already convinced that you should absolutely not attend a co-ed surf camp with your partner or spouse, here are..some other great reasons why you should stay just home:
Reason #1 You and your partner can get fit together. Going to a co-ed surf camp would mean that you and your partner could increase your fitness together. Participating in a surf camp together would give you an opportunity to maximize your well-being as a couple. Wouldn't it be preferable to stay at home and work on increasing your love handles?
Reason #2 You may end up fighting over the surfing magazines. You don't want to end up bickering over who is going to read the latest surfing magazine first, do you? What a horrible thought, you both wanting to read the same material. Girls should stick to the vapid celebrity scandals and the newest fashion trends while the guys can read about cars and guns.
Reason #3 You and your partner can enjoy an interest together. Going to a co-ed surf camp as a couple could give you a combined interest. Isn't it better to have no interests in common? Shouldn't the male be playing golf while the female shops or performs home duties? Continue on at this rate and you might even want to vacation with each other next year! How horrible! Do you really need a topic of conversation at the dinner table that enthralls you both? Do you really need a common passion?
Reason #4 You could experience a family bonding vacation. A co-ed surf camp also means that families can experience all the joys of a surf and yoga retreat together. Would you really want to become closer to your grown children or parents? A surf camp providing meals, yoga, massages and surf lessons could introduce the family to a combined sporting hobby. Shouldn't family vacations involve all members going to different locations? Do you really want your family to be close knit and communicating well?
Reason #5 You might have too much fun with your partner or spouse. You would be in serious danger of enjoying yourself at a co-ed surf camp. Guys, girls, yoga, surf lessons, massages, delicious meals prepared by a chef, all on a paradise island. This sounds like a recipe for far too much pleasure and relaxation. Improving your well-being while learning a new adventurous sport and working on your sun tan could be disastrous for your health and relationship. What kind of couple would want that?
Why risk wanting to return next year to another surf camp? Do you really want all of your future vacations to be in sunny beach side locations chasing waves? Why would you want to go to a yoga and surf retreat that allows for men, women and couples? That means you have the option of taking your loved one or enjoying a healthy vacation with family and friends.
In this day and age of soaring obesity, stress, divorce rates and violence, why would anyone want to take time out from the hustle and bustle with their significant other? Wouldn't you prefer to become a statistic of the 21st Century? Why go to a co-ed surf camp and risk improving your physical and mental well-being? Imagine how much more pleasant the world would be if everyone decided to indulge themselves in a surf and yoga retreat getaway. Statistic or bliss? The choice is yours.
Monday 14 January 2008
Simple Surfing Tips for Beginners and Proffesionals
The two main components of surfing are paddling out and dropping in. While there is definitely a lot more to surfing, these are two things to master. The best way to learn how to surf is first hand, so after reading this article, go out there and surf, surf, surf!
When paddling out to surf, you have a few different choices to make. You can ditch your board, paddle over the top, dive early or try to paddle under the lip. Deciding what to do is all just a matter of experience. When paddling out, always charge straight at the wave as hard as you can. Even if you think you're going to get beat by...the wave, just keep paddling straight toward the wave. The wave is moving toward you, so if you keep moving toward it, you will be surprised at how quickly you can get there, and possible even slip right under the lip.
The trick to piercing an already broken wave is depth. You need to get below the broken water of the wave into the calm water below and keep swimming forward. The deeper you can get under the wave, the safer you will be from the force of the breaking wave. Duck dive deep, or ditch your surfboard and dive down. As the wave passes over you, push off with your feet and streamline your body. As soon as you break the surface, get back on your surfboard and paddle like crazy.
When dropping in on a wave while surfing, always remember that where your head goes, your body follows. Lead with your head. If you want to go down the face of the wave, you have to keep your head down. Stretch your neck, put your chin near the deck of your surfboard, and hurl your every thought and inspiration down the face of the wave as you paddle. Only when you are sure you are sliding down the face of the wave should you slide lithely to your feet and start dealing with your bottom turn.
So, if you want to find out more about Young Contemporary Apparel or even about Surf Apparel or Sunglasses, you can click these links.
Thursday 10 January 2008
Top Extreme Sport: Kite Surfing
Among the sixteen hundred athletes participating in the study, 71% listed kite surfing as the most exciting and dynamic extreme sport. Only a third had actually attempted the sport yet nearly all indicated that intended to "give it a try" before the end the year. Participants were between the ages of 18 - 35 and all were self-identified sports enthusiast. In a national survey commissioned by the American Kite Surfing Association (AKSA), kite surfing, a relatively new sport in North America is ranked as the top Extreme Sport. The margin of error in this research is +/- 2%. Other extreme activities were far distance...in ranking including skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, inline skating, BMX, MotoX.
This dramatic interest in the athletically demanding sport has given AKSA founders encouragement about the value of their newly founded organization. Logan Long, co-founder of the association was not surprised by the results; "It's just simply the biggest adrenaline rush available. The combination of air, water, land, wind power, physical strength and balance the force of nature are the qualities that attract Kite Surfers."
American Kite Surfing Association is the leading organization for kite surfers in North America. Founded in 2006 by two extreme sport enthusiasts, membership is anticipated to exceed 30,000 before the end of the year. The purpose of the enterprise is to bring heightened awareness to this fast-growing, dynamic, and fun sport. A vast array of information, products, and techniques are available to the visitors of the AKSA website, www.kite-surfingusa.com. After more than a decade of popularity through Europe and Australia, active North American extreme sport athletes are recognizing the maximum adrenaline rush through kite surfing. According to Cathi Long, co-founder of AKSA, "The exhilaration of hang time in kite surfing is unbeatable...kite surfers are simply the sexiest athletes." AKSA will select 50 leading industry product manufacturers to highlight and profile throughout an extensive national media outreach campaign.
This dramatic interest in the athletically demanding sport has given AKSA founders encouragement about the value of their newly founded organization. Logan Long, co-founder of the association was not surprised by the results; "It's just simply the biggest adrenaline rush available. The combination of air, water, land, wind power, physical strength and balance the force of nature are the qualities that attract Kite Surfers."
American Kite Surfing Association is the leading organization for kite surfers in North America. Founded in 2006 by two extreme sport enthusiasts, membership is anticipated to exceed 30,000 before the end of the year. The purpose of the enterprise is to bring heightened awareness to this fast-growing, dynamic, and fun sport. A vast array of information, products, and techniques are available to the visitors of the AKSA website, www.kite-surfingusa.com. After more than a decade of popularity through Europe and Australia, active North American extreme sport athletes are recognizing the maximum adrenaline rush through kite surfing. According to Cathi Long, co-founder of AKSA, "The exhilaration of hang time in kite surfing is unbeatable...kite surfers are simply the sexiest athletes." AKSA will select 50 leading industry product manufacturers to highlight and profile throughout an extensive national media outreach campaign.
Wednesday 9 January 2008
How to take up surfing?
Every year now surfing is becoming more populuar with more and more people particpating in surfing, More competitions are being held and more sponsors are being put out. I believe that many people that are not to far away from a beach or are interested in surfing should go out and see for themselves what surfing is all about and thier are many ways of doing this by...
1. Tourist information- they can provide locations of where to look for surf lessons or the best beaches to start of with.
2. Internet research- Looking for articles and websites that help you to understand a beginner's guide into surfing.
3. Surf shops- surf shops normally employ people that know a bit about surfing, so if you know a surf shop near by you can go and enquire about surfing and what kind of boards to use.
If you have any queries at all about surfing please feel free to contact me at my email adress that is vaughny_09@hotmail.co.uk
1. Tourist information- they can provide locations of where to look for surf lessons or the best beaches to start of with.
2. Internet research- Looking for articles and websites that help you to understand a beginner's guide into surfing.
3. Surf shops- surf shops normally employ people that know a bit about surfing, so if you know a surf shop near by you can go and enquire about surfing and what kind of boards to use.
If you have any queries at all about surfing please feel free to contact me at my email adress that is vaughny_09@hotmail.co.uk
Tuesday 8 January 2008
The Beaches of Newquay Cornwall
You could spend 11 days in Newquay and never be on the same beach twice. Its seven miles of soft, golden sands are a playground for all ages and a base for watersports of all kinds, a safe nursery for apprentice sailors and surfers and a natural stadium for championships.
On some, like Tolcarne, the town is close, and restaurants, bathing huts and equipment shops cater for every need and activity. On others, like Watergate, nothing has been added - or subtracted - to spoil a masterpiece of Nature. There are smugglers ' coves here, rocks with historic names and strange formations, broad and empty spaces and narrow estuaries rich in plant and animal life. They call it the finest coastline and beaches in Europe . They are right.
When all the family is together, Crantock is a favourite. Children love the...peaceful estuary that runs deep inland and exposes pools and sandflats at low tide. Parents know they are safe, and teenagers love the lake that forms at high tide, purpose-made for boating or windsurfing.
For the active, wanting to learn - or hone- surfing skills, Fistral Beach offers the perfect stage. A natural amphitheatre carved from the coast by wind and weather, and overlooked by Newquay's famous golf links, Fistral has hosted numerous world events including the World Lifesaving Championships.
Parents with young families, in search of a milder recipe for fun, are spoiled for choice. The beaches at Towan, Great Western and Tolcarne are safe and sheltered; the sea retreats at low tide to maroon the famous island to create a mile-long sea of sand, backed by low cliffs and punctuated by caves and rock-pools.
Something for everyone is Newquay's promise. There's the whole gamut of entertainment from sequence dancing for Gran to sand-castle competitions for the youngsters - plus the famous, original BBC Radio One Roadshow:
Stay close to town or go further afield, to the beaches of Porth or Mawgan Porth, quaintly-named Whipsiderry or Lusty Glaze. Such is the variety that you can choose your environment to suit your mood.
You can view a stunning journey and guide shots of of Newquay's beaches at:
http://www.newquayguide.co.uk/MovieClips.html
On some, like Tolcarne, the town is close, and restaurants, bathing huts and equipment shops cater for every need and activity. On others, like Watergate, nothing has been added - or subtracted - to spoil a masterpiece of Nature. There are smugglers ' coves here, rocks with historic names and strange formations, broad and empty spaces and narrow estuaries rich in plant and animal life. They call it the finest coastline and beaches in Europe . They are right.
When all the family is together, Crantock is a favourite. Children love the...peaceful estuary that runs deep inland and exposes pools and sandflats at low tide. Parents know they are safe, and teenagers love the lake that forms at high tide, purpose-made for boating or windsurfing.
For the active, wanting to learn - or hone- surfing skills, Fistral Beach offers the perfect stage. A natural amphitheatre carved from the coast by wind and weather, and overlooked by Newquay's famous golf links, Fistral has hosted numerous world events including the World Lifesaving Championships.
Parents with young families, in search of a milder recipe for fun, are spoiled for choice. The beaches at Towan, Great Western and Tolcarne are safe and sheltered; the sea retreats at low tide to maroon the famous island to create a mile-long sea of sand, backed by low cliffs and punctuated by caves and rock-pools.
Something for everyone is Newquay's promise. There's the whole gamut of entertainment from sequence dancing for Gran to sand-castle competitions for the youngsters - plus the famous, original BBC Radio One Roadshow:
Stay close to town or go further afield, to the beaches of Porth or Mawgan Porth, quaintly-named Whipsiderry or Lusty Glaze. Such is the variety that you can choose your environment to suit your mood.
You can view a stunning journey and guide shots of of Newquay's beaches at:
http://www.newquayguide.co.uk/MovieClips.html
Would The Ancient Hawaiians Even Recognize The Sport Of Surfing Today?
Surfing is the only type of sport where the person relies on the wave to pick them up and for them to do tricks. Unlike body boarding and kite surfing you have to stand up fast before the wave breaks on you so you can get down the line and do your tricks on the wave.
Surfing first had started way back in Hawaii when Captain James cook was on the island. The boards they used back then were made from heavy thick wood so it...made them hard to even paddle out. They were later made from other materials but not till way later when the modern short board came into play. After the short board came into the picture it changed surfing forever. Surfers could then use smaller boards but they would still float the same way as the others. Except now they could catch waves fast and do tricks that they had never done before. The boards allowed them to get down the line faster then ever so they could do new aerial tricks. The airs first started in California and places like that then other surfers started to do the same tricks so they changed surfing like never before. If you were to look at surf videos today and look at surfing videos from back in the day like the 60s and 70s you will see the difference.
Swells and waves are created from wind blowing over a long distance. That's what makes the swells travel until they hit the beaches in which we surf today. Like when you were to have a hurricane the wind would be blowing hard and fast out at sea but 50 to 100 miles inshore the waves would be pounding the shores. Hurricane surf is good because you are like guaranteed good clean offshore surf sometime or another when the hurricane gets close. Other types of swells are ground swells which just pop up over night from a low pressure or something like that. Other than that waves are made from wind.
You will see the difference between a surfer who can ride the wave and one who just can't catch the wave before it breaks. The one who can catch the wave before it breaks on them and gets in front of the barrel of the wave will be the one to show you how to surf. Like me I would drop into the face at an angle so I would gain better speed so then when I stood up I would already have a good amount of speed then I would do a few little pumps down the line then do a huge lip slide or off the lip. You are not limited to what you can do on a wave when its chest to head high surf and walling up down the beach. All you do is catch it then speed down the line and perform some sick trick that gets everyone hooting and then paddle back out.
Surfing first had started way back in Hawaii when Captain James cook was on the island. The boards they used back then were made from heavy thick wood so it...made them hard to even paddle out. They were later made from other materials but not till way later when the modern short board came into play. After the short board came into the picture it changed surfing forever. Surfers could then use smaller boards but they would still float the same way as the others. Except now they could catch waves fast and do tricks that they had never done before. The boards allowed them to get down the line faster then ever so they could do new aerial tricks. The airs first started in California and places like that then other surfers started to do the same tricks so they changed surfing like never before. If you were to look at surf videos today and look at surfing videos from back in the day like the 60s and 70s you will see the difference.
Swells and waves are created from wind blowing over a long distance. That's what makes the swells travel until they hit the beaches in which we surf today. Like when you were to have a hurricane the wind would be blowing hard and fast out at sea but 50 to 100 miles inshore the waves would be pounding the shores. Hurricane surf is good because you are like guaranteed good clean offshore surf sometime or another when the hurricane gets close. Other types of swells are ground swells which just pop up over night from a low pressure or something like that. Other than that waves are made from wind.
You will see the difference between a surfer who can ride the wave and one who just can't catch the wave before it breaks. The one who can catch the wave before it breaks on them and gets in front of the barrel of the wave will be the one to show you how to surf. Like me I would drop into the face at an angle so I would gain better speed so then when I stood up I would already have a good amount of speed then I would do a few little pumps down the line then do a huge lip slide or off the lip. You are not limited to what you can do on a wave when its chest to head high surf and walling up down the beach. All you do is catch it then speed down the line and perform some sick trick that gets everyone hooting and then paddle back out.
Monday 7 January 2008
Hang High On Surfing
Surfing is a water sport where you attempt to carry yourself while riding a surfboard on a breaking wave. Apart from surfboards, surfers also use other carrying equipment such as kayaks, water skis, long boards and even kneeboards.
Surfing started off as a recreational, fun activity and is now a billion-dollar industry, what with companies getting into...the sponsorship act because they want their sports merchandise to be hyped around and sold.
The Surf Culture
There are three kinds of surfers - those who want to surf because of the money, those who want to surf for the fun and recreation it offers, and those who are professional surfers, but don't want to sell their souls for money - the last category of guys are known as soul surfers.
Common surfing terminology
Regular foot: When you place your right foot on the back of surfboard
Goofy foot: When the left foot is placed on the back of the surfboard
Take off: When you begin the ride
Drop in: Dropping into the wave
Duck dive: Diving underwater along with your board, like a duck, and then emerging as the wave breaks
Snaking: Going around some other surfer
Shoulder: The part of the wave that doesn't break into surf
Over the falls: When you go out of control
Pump: a movement that generates speed
Stall: Slowing down the speed of your board
Floater: Riding on top of the breaking part of the wave
Hang-five/hang-ten: Placing five or ten toes over the nose of a longboard.
Re-entry: Hitting the brim of the wave and re-rentering the wave in quick succession.
Tube riding: Riding inside the curl of a wave
Carve: Turns
Air/Aerial: Riding the board briefly into the air above the wave and then landing back on the wave.
Surfing dangers
Every sport has some danger associated with it and surfing is no exception. The main danger of surfing is of drowning, and if a surfer is not confident of swimming back to the shore in case he loses his board, then he must not venture out alone or in dangerous waters.
Then there is the chance of a surfer colliding with another surfer, or on rocks or reefs, and rendering himself unconciousness in the sea. The precaution to take would be to surf in a group or have someone watch you from the shore.
Then there are sharks too - but that is a negligible danger.
Training to surf
To surf, you need to have solid upper body strength, which can give you the wherewithal to fight for at least 5-10 minutes against a strong wave, after which you need to have the strength to swim back to the shore. So, for the upper body you need medium-intensive weight training. Push ups too are a great exercise to develop upper body strength.
Then you need low-medium weight training for your lower body muscles because while swimming you move your hips and legs quite a bit.
Along with strength you need to build up endurance and stamina too and for these, you can take up jogging, running or any aerobic exercise that will improve your cardiavascular system.You also need to stretch your limbs and get your flexibility going because surfing needs you to be flexible as you navigate around the rough waves.
A good, healthy diet and nutrition will make you feel light and enjoy surfing a lot more than you ever expected.
Go ahead, hang ten and gimme five!
Surfing started off as a recreational, fun activity and is now a billion-dollar industry, what with companies getting into...the sponsorship act because they want their sports merchandise to be hyped around and sold.
The Surf Culture
There are three kinds of surfers - those who want to surf because of the money, those who want to surf for the fun and recreation it offers, and those who are professional surfers, but don't want to sell their souls for money - the last category of guys are known as soul surfers.
Common surfing terminology
Regular foot: When you place your right foot on the back of surfboard
Goofy foot: When the left foot is placed on the back of the surfboard
Take off: When you begin the ride
Drop in: Dropping into the wave
Duck dive: Diving underwater along with your board, like a duck, and then emerging as the wave breaks
Snaking: Going around some other surfer
Shoulder: The part of the wave that doesn't break into surf
Over the falls: When you go out of control
Pump: a movement that generates speed
Stall: Slowing down the speed of your board
Floater: Riding on top of the breaking part of the wave
Hang-five/hang-ten: Placing five or ten toes over the nose of a longboard.
Re-entry: Hitting the brim of the wave and re-rentering the wave in quick succession.
Tube riding: Riding inside the curl of a wave
Carve: Turns
Air/Aerial: Riding the board briefly into the air above the wave and then landing back on the wave.
Surfing dangers
Every sport has some danger associated with it and surfing is no exception. The main danger of surfing is of drowning, and if a surfer is not confident of swimming back to the shore in case he loses his board, then he must not venture out alone or in dangerous waters.
Then there is the chance of a surfer colliding with another surfer, or on rocks or reefs, and rendering himself unconciousness in the sea. The precaution to take would be to surf in a group or have someone watch you from the shore.
Then there are sharks too - but that is a negligible danger.
Training to surf
To surf, you need to have solid upper body strength, which can give you the wherewithal to fight for at least 5-10 minutes against a strong wave, after which you need to have the strength to swim back to the shore. So, for the upper body you need medium-intensive weight training. Push ups too are a great exercise to develop upper body strength.
Then you need low-medium weight training for your lower body muscles because while swimming you move your hips and legs quite a bit.
Along with strength you need to build up endurance and stamina too and for these, you can take up jogging, running or any aerobic exercise that will improve your cardiavascular system.You also need to stretch your limbs and get your flexibility going because surfing needs you to be flexible as you navigate around the rough waves.
A good, healthy diet and nutrition will make you feel light and enjoy surfing a lot more than you ever expected.
Go ahead, hang ten and gimme five!
Jeep Presents Surfbout Surfing Event at Low Trestles
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) four-star surfing event will take place at the famous Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California from April 24 to 28. In addition, now on its 15th year, Lower Trestles will also host the prestigious Jeep-Body Glove Surfbout event, which will be the start of the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series sponsored by Chrysler Group's Jeep brand. Moreover, the ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior surfing event will also take place at Lower Trestles.
In connection with this, ASP and WQS will be conducting daily beach cleaning...to the event this year. The beach clean ups will be held every day for about 2 hours from 2:00 pm up to 4:00 pm. People can get gloves and trash bags at the Ocean Minded tent. According to Gary Ward, President of Ocean Minded: “Events such as the Jeep Body Glove Surfbout bring out some of the best in surfing. We at Ocean Minded are excited to lead beach clean-up efforts at the event."
About 192 of the world’s best professional surfers and 32 of the world’s best junior surfers are expected to participate at the five-day world-class surfing event in Lower Trestles. Some of the past winners of this prestigious surfing event are confirmed to compete. They include CJ Hobgood ((Melbourne Beach, FL), the 2001 ASP World Champion along with his twin brother Damien Hobgood. Both surfers currently ranked 17th on the Foster’s ASP World Tour. Other famous surfers expected to arrive in Low Trestles include Ryan Helm (Jupiter, FL), Dayyan Neve (Manly Beach, AUS), and Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL). Local surfing stars like Chris Ward (San Clemente, CA), Mike Losness (San Clemente, CA), Shaun Ward (Huntington Beach, CA), Austin Ware (Solano Beach, CA), Anthony Petruso (Malibu, CA), and the 2006 Macy’s California Trifecta Series Champion Nathan Yeomans from San Clemente, CA are also expected to join this year's surfing event.
These Competitors will be battling out for the $75,000 cash prize and of course, for the valuable points given by the Association of Surfing Professionals and World Qualifying Series. Moreover, the Macy’s California Trifecta will also award a $33,333 bonus prize to the surfer who takes first-place in all three events. The surfer will also bring an all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot equipped with quality Jeep shock on his garage, courtesy of Macy’s California Trifecta. Junior surfers will compete for the additional $5,000 bonus prize.
“Body Glove International is proud to bring the Jeep-Body Glove Surfbout back to Lower Trestles,” said Scott Daley, VP of marketing for Body Glove. “Trestles not only offers some of the best waves in America, but Surfbout gives American surfers an opportunity to earn valuable ASP WQS points. This will be the 15th Surfbout, so all of you young American pros, let’s see what you’ve got!” he added.
“We had a great points race going into the Cold Water Classic last year and we are excited to bring this opportunity back to American surfers. It all starts at the Surfbout, and with over $200,000 in cash and prizes on the line this year we’re looking forward to seeing another dramatic finish to the ’07 season,” said Sean Nielsen, Director of Event Operations, Action Sports Group (ASG), publisher of SURFER, SURFING and WaveWatch magazines.
In connection with this, ASP and WQS will be conducting daily beach cleaning...to the event this year. The beach clean ups will be held every day for about 2 hours from 2:00 pm up to 4:00 pm. People can get gloves and trash bags at the Ocean Minded tent. According to Gary Ward, President of Ocean Minded: “Events such as the Jeep Body Glove Surfbout bring out some of the best in surfing. We at Ocean Minded are excited to lead beach clean-up efforts at the event."
About 192 of the world’s best professional surfers and 32 of the world’s best junior surfers are expected to participate at the five-day world-class surfing event in Lower Trestles. Some of the past winners of this prestigious surfing event are confirmed to compete. They include CJ Hobgood ((Melbourne Beach, FL), the 2001 ASP World Champion along with his twin brother Damien Hobgood. Both surfers currently ranked 17th on the Foster’s ASP World Tour. Other famous surfers expected to arrive in Low Trestles include Ryan Helm (Jupiter, FL), Dayyan Neve (Manly Beach, AUS), and Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL). Local surfing stars like Chris Ward (San Clemente, CA), Mike Losness (San Clemente, CA), Shaun Ward (Huntington Beach, CA), Austin Ware (Solano Beach, CA), Anthony Petruso (Malibu, CA), and the 2006 Macy’s California Trifecta Series Champion Nathan Yeomans from San Clemente, CA are also expected to join this year's surfing event.
These Competitors will be battling out for the $75,000 cash prize and of course, for the valuable points given by the Association of Surfing Professionals and World Qualifying Series. Moreover, the Macy’s California Trifecta will also award a $33,333 bonus prize to the surfer who takes first-place in all three events. The surfer will also bring an all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot equipped with quality Jeep shock on his garage, courtesy of Macy’s California Trifecta. Junior surfers will compete for the additional $5,000 bonus prize.
“Body Glove International is proud to bring the Jeep-Body Glove Surfbout back to Lower Trestles,” said Scott Daley, VP of marketing for Body Glove. “Trestles not only offers some of the best waves in America, but Surfbout gives American surfers an opportunity to earn valuable ASP WQS points. This will be the 15th Surfbout, so all of you young American pros, let’s see what you’ve got!” he added.
“We had a great points race going into the Cold Water Classic last year and we are excited to bring this opportunity back to American surfers. It all starts at the Surfbout, and with over $200,000 in cash and prizes on the line this year we’re looking forward to seeing another dramatic finish to the ’07 season,” said Sean Nielsen, Director of Event Operations, Action Sports Group (ASG), publisher of SURFER, SURFING and WaveWatch magazines.
5 Reasons Why Surfing Keeps You Young
It is a well known fact that staying active helps keep you looking and feeling young. Not many activities come close to the effect surfing has on the mind, body and spirit. According to experienced surfers, the special bond the surfer has with their surf board and the open ocean is almost impossible to explain.
Fresh Air
Fresh air does a body good! Surfers all over the world enjoy lots of cool, refreshing fresh air and sunshine. No matter... if you're surfing a remote location or something closer to the city, the ocean air smells fresh and clean. Out on the surf, there's virtually no smog. When you are on the waves, it's just you, the water and the fresh air.
Stress Free
Out in the swells, you can let your stress and every-day worries float away with the tide. Out there, it's just you, the breeze, your board and the water. No one yelling for help or that report you should have handed in already. When you're out there, you're surrounded by total peace and relaxation. The only sounds are the sounds of the wind lightly kissing your skin and water slapping against your surfboard.
According to the majority of surfers, this type of relaxation is hard to come by anywhere else in the world. Just a few hours of surfing a week can help release the tension that builds up at home or in the workplace.
Muscle Tone
Surfing and swimming go hand in hand and are great exercise. Swimming works muscle groups you don't always think to work at the gym. Sometimes even seasoned athletes will complain of muscle fatigue after swimming simply because of the different muscles being used.
People who surf are generally slender and well muscled toned into their 60's and even 70's. Surfing is a non-impact sport, meaning it's very easy on your knees and other joints. After all, you don't jog or jump on your surf board!
Cardiovascular Health
Surfing provides an amazing aerobic workout that not only helps burn fat but also keeps your heart, lungs and entire cardiovascular system in tip-top shape. A healthy cardiovascular system keeps your immune system healthy as well as maintaining a high level of stamina, to keep you feeling young.
Fun in the Sun
Surfers love the sunshine for a wide variety of reasons. Besides giving surfers great tans to keep that youthful glow, the sun provides vitamins that maintain healthy skin and nails. Healthy bones, skin, hair and nails assist in a more youthful appearance.
Other Advantages
Aside from the previously mentioned advantages of surfing, avid surfers understand they have to eat well and exercise. Many surfers enjoy going to the gym and practicing some type of Yoga. Yoga helps keep the surfer's muscles toned and flexible and their mind alert. Many people who practice yoga taut it as a vehicle to peace and serenity in their mental well being.
If you're looking to stay young and feel young, but don't currently know how to surf and would like to learn, there is a wide variety of surf camps available. Women's surf camps cater to the needs of women. Since they are only available to women, ladies of all shapes, sizes and ages can enjoy being themselves and learning to surf. You will also develop friendships and enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people from all over the world.
While some surf camps offer only women's surf camps, there are camps that offer co-ed surf camps as well. They are a great way to learn to surf or learn a new skill or hobby while relaxing in the sun. Imagine returning to normal life, not only totally relaxed with a great tan, but also with pictures of you hanging ten, surfing like a pro and most importantly feeling and looking young.
Some say surfing keeps you young at heart. Seasoned surfers know surfing also helps keep them physically fit, looking and feeling much younger than their birth date declares.
Fresh Air
Fresh air does a body good! Surfers all over the world enjoy lots of cool, refreshing fresh air and sunshine. No matter... if you're surfing a remote location or something closer to the city, the ocean air smells fresh and clean. Out on the surf, there's virtually no smog. When you are on the waves, it's just you, the water and the fresh air.
Stress Free
Out in the swells, you can let your stress and every-day worries float away with the tide. Out there, it's just you, the breeze, your board and the water. No one yelling for help or that report you should have handed in already. When you're out there, you're surrounded by total peace and relaxation. The only sounds are the sounds of the wind lightly kissing your skin and water slapping against your surfboard.
According to the majority of surfers, this type of relaxation is hard to come by anywhere else in the world. Just a few hours of surfing a week can help release the tension that builds up at home or in the workplace.
Muscle Tone
Surfing and swimming go hand in hand and are great exercise. Swimming works muscle groups you don't always think to work at the gym. Sometimes even seasoned athletes will complain of muscle fatigue after swimming simply because of the different muscles being used.
People who surf are generally slender and well muscled toned into their 60's and even 70's. Surfing is a non-impact sport, meaning it's very easy on your knees and other joints. After all, you don't jog or jump on your surf board!
Cardiovascular Health
Surfing provides an amazing aerobic workout that not only helps burn fat but also keeps your heart, lungs and entire cardiovascular system in tip-top shape. A healthy cardiovascular system keeps your immune system healthy as well as maintaining a high level of stamina, to keep you feeling young.
Fun in the Sun
Surfers love the sunshine for a wide variety of reasons. Besides giving surfers great tans to keep that youthful glow, the sun provides vitamins that maintain healthy skin and nails. Healthy bones, skin, hair and nails assist in a more youthful appearance.
Other Advantages
Aside from the previously mentioned advantages of surfing, avid surfers understand they have to eat well and exercise. Many surfers enjoy going to the gym and practicing some type of Yoga. Yoga helps keep the surfer's muscles toned and flexible and their mind alert. Many people who practice yoga taut it as a vehicle to peace and serenity in their mental well being.
If you're looking to stay young and feel young, but don't currently know how to surf and would like to learn, there is a wide variety of surf camps available. Women's surf camps cater to the needs of women. Since they are only available to women, ladies of all shapes, sizes and ages can enjoy being themselves and learning to surf. You will also develop friendships and enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people from all over the world.
While some surf camps offer only women's surf camps, there are camps that offer co-ed surf camps as well. They are a great way to learn to surf or learn a new skill or hobby while relaxing in the sun. Imagine returning to normal life, not only totally relaxed with a great tan, but also with pictures of you hanging ten, surfing like a pro and most importantly feeling and looking young.
Some say surfing keeps you young at heart. Seasoned surfers know surfing also helps keep them physically fit, looking and feeling much younger than their birth date declares.
Sunday 6 January 2008
The Lost Art of Levitation
An old joke goes, “How do angels fly?”
The answer is, “They take themselves lightly.”
One evening I uncovered the core of truth in this joke. Little did I imagine that the joke was being totally literal.
I was attending a lecture of Michio Kushi, one of my spiritual mentors, when he became very frustrated with his Los Angeles audience of several hundred metaphysical seekers. He was attempting to convey to us an understanding of the physics of life, the fundamental mechanism of... creation and transformation in life processes. Sensing he wasn’t getting his message across, Michio decided to get more simple and basic. He emphasized the fact that the core nature of all life is energy, declaring, "The world is all energy. Everything is energy. And if you understand that, you can understand the real dynamics behind how things happen the way they do in the ‘so-called’ physical universe."
The audience was comprised of bright, curious people of all ages and backgrounds. However, few of us were understanding Michio on the fundamental level he was trying to communicate. Exasperated, he switched to an experiential tack, announcing abruptly and emphatically, "All right. I'll demonstrate what I’m talking about."
Michio knelt down in the traditional Japanese manner on his knees, put his hands together in a prayer-like position, closed his eyes and sat very still. After several minutes, his body began to slowly lift off the ground to a height of about three feet. There he remained for ten minutes, suspended in the air several feet above the floor. Now he had my attention!
I was astonished, of course. Then I impulsively did something that, in retrospect, seems very irrational and even humorous. But at the time, the maneuver made sense to me.
My mind’s orderly framework of reality was being severely challenged by Michio’s airborne body. I needed to do something to psychologically feel more in control. If I was being forced to expand my belief in what is humanly possible on this earth, I was going to make sure the phenomenon was authentic. I had to do something that would give the apparent impossibility I was witnessing some sense of validity.
In a childlike way, I felt the levitation would be more real for me if I knew firsthand that nothing was underneath his body. I was sitting in the front row of the audience. I reached underneath Michio’s hovering body, pretending my only intention was to grab a notebook behind him. I discovered Michio was, indeed, floating in midair! There was only empty space underneath him. Inserting myself physically into the incomprehensible picture before me made the whole scene more authentic for me.
After about ten minutes, Michio’s body gently descended to the floor. He opened his eyes and shared offhandedly, “Levitation is very easy. It is a natural, simple process. You all can do it.”
Then he proceeded to tell us how to levitate. He spoke casually, as if he were describing how to ride a bicycle, “You simply empty your mind and clear your consciousness. Eliminate yourself of ego and self-absorption. When you are completely purged of awareness of the small self, of identifying with the personality, you are free to move with the natural rhythm of the universe. You are no longer weighted down with self-concern and limiting beliefs. You are then able to utilize the electro-magnetic wave energy that moves between the earth and the sun, moon, planets and all the heavenly bodies in the universe.”
Sensing that he was losing his audience again, he paused and then elaborated, “On a hot day, you can actually see the wave motion of this universal energy as it undulates the air over hot pavement. You can measure the powerful effect of this energy on the ocean: this invisible force causes the sea to rise and fall, creating the ocean tides. You can see this pattern of universal pulsation in the rolling of the ocean waves, the rhythm of rock strata in canyons and the formation of sand dunes in the desert. This universal, undulating motion creates all the spiral patterns you find in nature—from whirls in sea shells, twirling plant growth, twisted tree trunks and swirling ocean currents to water funnels going down the drain. The natural flow of life is an energy wave motion, up and down, in and out. All the wavelike patterns and spiral formations you find in nature exist because natural elements are fluid and flexible enough to flow with the natural wave energy current of life. When you become light enough, clear enough of ego-concern, you can let this wave energy move you as well. That's all levitation is.”
Sensing his audience was close to grasping his meaning, Michio tossed out examples for them to identify with. “Observe children, dogs and wild animals tap into this universally available energy source. To them, it’s natural. Haven’t you seen children and dogs in a park or on a beach as they run and jump all day without getting tired? If a child or dog feels especially happy and carefree, you’ll see them jumping two or three times higher than they normally can. We all know wild animals have extraordinary abilities to jump and leap, as well as run long distances very fast and long. Indigenous, tribal natives who retain their childlike innocence and openness in adulthood can run 100 miles in a single day without being tired. This is because they are light and empty enough to flow with universal energy. They allow the natural energy pulsation between the earth and other bodies to propel them. That is what the Star Wars screenwriter meant when he said, “May the Force be with you.” His characters had learned how to surf the Force. When you become fluid and malleable, you also can ride this energy and float."
Immediately after the lecture, I ran up to Michio, voicing my excitement over what I witnessed. He turned to me and smiled one of those accepting smiles I came to love.
“Most will not remember the levitation, Keith.”
I protested, exclaiming that, of course, they’d remember such a fantastic display of levitation, not to mention actual instructions on how anyone could do it. He simply shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe some. But very few.”
Determined to prove him wrong, I joined the attendees milling about the lecture hall and questioned small pockets of people about what they witnessed. To my astonishment, the majority of the audience didn’t see Michio levitate; they perceived him simply kneeling in meditation!
A minority of the audience did witness the levitation. Yet, of the people who stated that evening that they saw his body float, only a handful stuck by their statement the following day. The rest of the witnesses could no longer remember having seen the body levitate!
I reminded these witnesses that they had admitted seeing the feat just the evening before. But they took back their words—and their experience. As one observer replied incredulously, "Oh, no. I never said that. I never saw that. All I saw was Michio kneeling on the floor." They changed their story and their memory by the next morning!
What an awakening for me! I was forced to recognize how strenuously we humans hold onto our current, familiar, thus comfortable, views of reality.
On three other occasions, I observed Michio suspend his body in midair for ten minutes in front of several hundred people. After each demonstration, I questioned people in the same way I did after the first levitation. The same pattern played out: admission on the day of the event followed by a retraction the next day! Seeing, then denying. When I followed up the next day with professed witnesses of the event, most of them changed their story. Overnight, the fact of a fascinating levitation was demoted to a memory of mere grounded meditation. Only a few of the witnesses retained the experience of the levitation from the evening it happened until the next morning!
Furthermore, with the passage of time, even the few people who remembered the levitation the morning after, began to reinterpret, invalidate or completely forget they ever witnessed Michio float in the air. In other words, the further in time we got from the actual miracle, the fewer people remembered seeing it.
The only witnesses who remembered over time that they witnessed Michio levitate were people who saw him—or another gifted being—levitate on more than one occasion.
What’s going on here? I asked myself. What a lesson in the filtering power of our programmed preconceptions. We only see what we’re conditioned to see. We only perceive what we expect to perceive!
Over the years, I’ve found this perceptual filtering often goes along with the witnessing of supernormal abilities. I call it “spiritual amnesia.” The mind works fast to cover up any evidence that contradicts its own rigid perimeters regarding what is possible in its world. This malady is like a 24-hour flu virus. It’s easy to catch in our culture. The effects of the syndrome last just long enough to wipe out any memory of an unusual event that doesn’t fit into our expected range of possibilities! By the next day, the extraordinary event is either made ordinary by the mind and memory, or forgotten altogether.
In my career as a journalist covering natural disasters and crisis situations, I’ve encountered the invalidating effect of spiritual amnesia after every major superhuman feat that was out of the box—beyond the envelop or scope of what most people believe is possible. A prime example is the seemingly extraordinary ability of people to lift and keep aloft heavy vehicles until a loved one or stranger is rescued from danger. In the making of a documentary on the subject, I found out this act of extra-normal strength has occurred at least once in practically every community in the country! And, as with levitation, it’s usually only those people who have witnessed this extraordinary human ability more than once who are able and willing to remember that it occurred at all.
Later that same year, I fell victim to the insidious power of spiritual amnesia in my own psyche. Until a friend at work mentioned levitation one day, I never considered attempting this skill myself. Recounting Michio’s floating feat to my co-worker, I got so re-invigorated about the subject that I decided to try to levitate when I got home from work that very evening. I planned to use Michio’s technique of tapping into universal wave energy. Yet, by the time I got home that evening, I totally forgot about my intentions to levitate!
It was months later that some reference in my environment again triggered my memory of wanting to levitate. Again, I forgot my plans by the time I was in a suitable situation to act on them. The same lapse of memory and carry-through concerning my notions to levitate occurred many times over the following years. I usually remembered my objective to levitate when I was at work during the day, only to forget again by the time I got home in the evening. It ultimately took writing down the levitation plans on paper during the day for me to remember it in the evening!
When the auspicious event finally occurred, it took me several hours to empty myself of self-absorption and quiet my mind enough to successfully tap into the electro-magnetic energy force field Michio mentioned in his lectures. Finally, I felt very clear and calm. My kneeling body started to lift off the floor! I felt my body rising. I opened my eyes, looked down and saw I was about a foot off the ground. As soon as I saw that startling reality, my whole body was immediately filled with the thunderous sound of "NNNOOOOO!!!!” This heavy, loud “NO!” filled every cell of my body, and I came crashing to the floor.
It took me years to recover psychologically from that “NO!” I felt very guilty, as if I had done something wrong and prohibited—like I’d committed some crime against nature. Several years passed before I tried levitation again. The same thing happened. I started lifting off the floor. I noticed that I had the thought, I'm levitating. I'm rising. And as soon as the reality of the floating hit my awareness, again, immediately, this loud, forceful, heavy “NO!” pervaded my body. It came from every cell in my body, and from deep within myself. I crashed to the floor.
Not one to give up on something I really want, I tried levitation again years later. This time I attempted my experiment with two friends, Giana and Steve. During an evening of intimate, honest conversation, I told them the story of Michio’s levitation. "Let's try it," they exclaimed in unison. Giana and Steve were the first people with whom I shared his story who were motivated to try to levitate themselves.
With all our excitement and expectation, it took hours of meditation for us to get quiet and clear our minds. When we finally did empty our minds, we all began to rise at the same time. I saw their bodies lifting off the floor. However, as soon as Giana and Steve noticed they were a foot above the floor, they came crashing down together. Watching their descent triggered me into “thinking.” I came right down after them.
Like me, Giana and Steve felt a strong sensation of shame and guilt—like they had done something wrong or prohibited. That night, we talked about our levitation experiment at length. But the next morning the “spiritual amnesia” had already set in and we all went off to work without mentioning the miraculous occurrence of the previous evening. And none of the three of us ever referred to that evening’s adventure again in the following years of acquaintance. I have since lost touch with both friends.
I often wonder if I could entice Giana and Steve to remember the evening we explored the wonder of surfing the waves of the universe. I often wonder if I could entice myself to fly again. With considerable embarrassment, I must admit I haven’t made another attempt to levitate since my exploits with Giana and Steve. I’m waiting for the right moment and situation. It hasn’t felt intuitively right for me to re-attempt flight. I haven’t gotten the impetus or clearance from my inner coach to undertake another experiment in expanding my known universe in this way.
My reluctance can be further explained through the inherent meaning of the word experiment. When we take a look at the Latin components, we discover the source of the word’s meaning: Ex-to go out of, beyond. Periment-perimeter, boundary, border, periphery. Experiment-to go beyond the boundary. According to Webster’s, another Latin root of the word contributes to a deeper understanding: pericul-danger, trial, test. Thus, experiment-danger in going beyond the boundaries—which is what a lot of us feel when we test the borders of our known world.
Through much exploration, I’ve learned the wisdom of waiting for intuitive guidance as to when, how far and under what circumstances I venture into new, uncharted territory. The perils are considerable in barging ahead heedless of one’s inner compass. Someday soon, I hope to get the go-ahead again from my inner coach that I am strong and clear enough to go beyond my old, known borders to enjoy “the incredible lightness of being.”
The answer is, “They take themselves lightly.”
One evening I uncovered the core of truth in this joke. Little did I imagine that the joke was being totally literal.
I was attending a lecture of Michio Kushi, one of my spiritual mentors, when he became very frustrated with his Los Angeles audience of several hundred metaphysical seekers. He was attempting to convey to us an understanding of the physics of life, the fundamental mechanism of... creation and transformation in life processes. Sensing he wasn’t getting his message across, Michio decided to get more simple and basic. He emphasized the fact that the core nature of all life is energy, declaring, "The world is all energy. Everything is energy. And if you understand that, you can understand the real dynamics behind how things happen the way they do in the ‘so-called’ physical universe."
The audience was comprised of bright, curious people of all ages and backgrounds. However, few of us were understanding Michio on the fundamental level he was trying to communicate. Exasperated, he switched to an experiential tack, announcing abruptly and emphatically, "All right. I'll demonstrate what I’m talking about."
Michio knelt down in the traditional Japanese manner on his knees, put his hands together in a prayer-like position, closed his eyes and sat very still. After several minutes, his body began to slowly lift off the ground to a height of about three feet. There he remained for ten minutes, suspended in the air several feet above the floor. Now he had my attention!
I was astonished, of course. Then I impulsively did something that, in retrospect, seems very irrational and even humorous. But at the time, the maneuver made sense to me.
My mind’s orderly framework of reality was being severely challenged by Michio’s airborne body. I needed to do something to psychologically feel more in control. If I was being forced to expand my belief in what is humanly possible on this earth, I was going to make sure the phenomenon was authentic. I had to do something that would give the apparent impossibility I was witnessing some sense of validity.
In a childlike way, I felt the levitation would be more real for me if I knew firsthand that nothing was underneath his body. I was sitting in the front row of the audience. I reached underneath Michio’s hovering body, pretending my only intention was to grab a notebook behind him. I discovered Michio was, indeed, floating in midair! There was only empty space underneath him. Inserting myself physically into the incomprehensible picture before me made the whole scene more authentic for me.
After about ten minutes, Michio’s body gently descended to the floor. He opened his eyes and shared offhandedly, “Levitation is very easy. It is a natural, simple process. You all can do it.”
Then he proceeded to tell us how to levitate. He spoke casually, as if he were describing how to ride a bicycle, “You simply empty your mind and clear your consciousness. Eliminate yourself of ego and self-absorption. When you are completely purged of awareness of the small self, of identifying with the personality, you are free to move with the natural rhythm of the universe. You are no longer weighted down with self-concern and limiting beliefs. You are then able to utilize the electro-magnetic wave energy that moves between the earth and the sun, moon, planets and all the heavenly bodies in the universe.”
Sensing that he was losing his audience again, he paused and then elaborated, “On a hot day, you can actually see the wave motion of this universal energy as it undulates the air over hot pavement. You can measure the powerful effect of this energy on the ocean: this invisible force causes the sea to rise and fall, creating the ocean tides. You can see this pattern of universal pulsation in the rolling of the ocean waves, the rhythm of rock strata in canyons and the formation of sand dunes in the desert. This universal, undulating motion creates all the spiral patterns you find in nature—from whirls in sea shells, twirling plant growth, twisted tree trunks and swirling ocean currents to water funnels going down the drain. The natural flow of life is an energy wave motion, up and down, in and out. All the wavelike patterns and spiral formations you find in nature exist because natural elements are fluid and flexible enough to flow with the natural wave energy current of life. When you become light enough, clear enough of ego-concern, you can let this wave energy move you as well. That's all levitation is.”
Sensing his audience was close to grasping his meaning, Michio tossed out examples for them to identify with. “Observe children, dogs and wild animals tap into this universally available energy source. To them, it’s natural. Haven’t you seen children and dogs in a park or on a beach as they run and jump all day without getting tired? If a child or dog feels especially happy and carefree, you’ll see them jumping two or three times higher than they normally can. We all know wild animals have extraordinary abilities to jump and leap, as well as run long distances very fast and long. Indigenous, tribal natives who retain their childlike innocence and openness in adulthood can run 100 miles in a single day without being tired. This is because they are light and empty enough to flow with universal energy. They allow the natural energy pulsation between the earth and other bodies to propel them. That is what the Star Wars screenwriter meant when he said, “May the Force be with you.” His characters had learned how to surf the Force. When you become fluid and malleable, you also can ride this energy and float."
Immediately after the lecture, I ran up to Michio, voicing my excitement over what I witnessed. He turned to me and smiled one of those accepting smiles I came to love.
“Most will not remember the levitation, Keith.”
I protested, exclaiming that, of course, they’d remember such a fantastic display of levitation, not to mention actual instructions on how anyone could do it. He simply shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe some. But very few.”
Determined to prove him wrong, I joined the attendees milling about the lecture hall and questioned small pockets of people about what they witnessed. To my astonishment, the majority of the audience didn’t see Michio levitate; they perceived him simply kneeling in meditation!
A minority of the audience did witness the levitation. Yet, of the people who stated that evening that they saw his body float, only a handful stuck by their statement the following day. The rest of the witnesses could no longer remember having seen the body levitate!
I reminded these witnesses that they had admitted seeing the feat just the evening before. But they took back their words—and their experience. As one observer replied incredulously, "Oh, no. I never said that. I never saw that. All I saw was Michio kneeling on the floor." They changed their story and their memory by the next morning!
What an awakening for me! I was forced to recognize how strenuously we humans hold onto our current, familiar, thus comfortable, views of reality.
On three other occasions, I observed Michio suspend his body in midair for ten minutes in front of several hundred people. After each demonstration, I questioned people in the same way I did after the first levitation. The same pattern played out: admission on the day of the event followed by a retraction the next day! Seeing, then denying. When I followed up the next day with professed witnesses of the event, most of them changed their story. Overnight, the fact of a fascinating levitation was demoted to a memory of mere grounded meditation. Only a few of the witnesses retained the experience of the levitation from the evening it happened until the next morning!
Furthermore, with the passage of time, even the few people who remembered the levitation the morning after, began to reinterpret, invalidate or completely forget they ever witnessed Michio float in the air. In other words, the further in time we got from the actual miracle, the fewer people remembered seeing it.
The only witnesses who remembered over time that they witnessed Michio levitate were people who saw him—or another gifted being—levitate on more than one occasion.
What’s going on here? I asked myself. What a lesson in the filtering power of our programmed preconceptions. We only see what we’re conditioned to see. We only perceive what we expect to perceive!
Over the years, I’ve found this perceptual filtering often goes along with the witnessing of supernormal abilities. I call it “spiritual amnesia.” The mind works fast to cover up any evidence that contradicts its own rigid perimeters regarding what is possible in its world. This malady is like a 24-hour flu virus. It’s easy to catch in our culture. The effects of the syndrome last just long enough to wipe out any memory of an unusual event that doesn’t fit into our expected range of possibilities! By the next day, the extraordinary event is either made ordinary by the mind and memory, or forgotten altogether.
In my career as a journalist covering natural disasters and crisis situations, I’ve encountered the invalidating effect of spiritual amnesia after every major superhuman feat that was out of the box—beyond the envelop or scope of what most people believe is possible. A prime example is the seemingly extraordinary ability of people to lift and keep aloft heavy vehicles until a loved one or stranger is rescued from danger. In the making of a documentary on the subject, I found out this act of extra-normal strength has occurred at least once in practically every community in the country! And, as with levitation, it’s usually only those people who have witnessed this extraordinary human ability more than once who are able and willing to remember that it occurred at all.
Later that same year, I fell victim to the insidious power of spiritual amnesia in my own psyche. Until a friend at work mentioned levitation one day, I never considered attempting this skill myself. Recounting Michio’s floating feat to my co-worker, I got so re-invigorated about the subject that I decided to try to levitate when I got home from work that very evening. I planned to use Michio’s technique of tapping into universal wave energy. Yet, by the time I got home that evening, I totally forgot about my intentions to levitate!
It was months later that some reference in my environment again triggered my memory of wanting to levitate. Again, I forgot my plans by the time I was in a suitable situation to act on them. The same lapse of memory and carry-through concerning my notions to levitate occurred many times over the following years. I usually remembered my objective to levitate when I was at work during the day, only to forget again by the time I got home in the evening. It ultimately took writing down the levitation plans on paper during the day for me to remember it in the evening!
When the auspicious event finally occurred, it took me several hours to empty myself of self-absorption and quiet my mind enough to successfully tap into the electro-magnetic energy force field Michio mentioned in his lectures. Finally, I felt very clear and calm. My kneeling body started to lift off the floor! I felt my body rising. I opened my eyes, looked down and saw I was about a foot off the ground. As soon as I saw that startling reality, my whole body was immediately filled with the thunderous sound of "NNNOOOOO!!!!” This heavy, loud “NO!” filled every cell of my body, and I came crashing to the floor.
It took me years to recover psychologically from that “NO!” I felt very guilty, as if I had done something wrong and prohibited—like I’d committed some crime against nature. Several years passed before I tried levitation again. The same thing happened. I started lifting off the floor. I noticed that I had the thought, I'm levitating. I'm rising. And as soon as the reality of the floating hit my awareness, again, immediately, this loud, forceful, heavy “NO!” pervaded my body. It came from every cell in my body, and from deep within myself. I crashed to the floor.
Not one to give up on something I really want, I tried levitation again years later. This time I attempted my experiment with two friends, Giana and Steve. During an evening of intimate, honest conversation, I told them the story of Michio’s levitation. "Let's try it," they exclaimed in unison. Giana and Steve were the first people with whom I shared his story who were motivated to try to levitate themselves.
With all our excitement and expectation, it took hours of meditation for us to get quiet and clear our minds. When we finally did empty our minds, we all began to rise at the same time. I saw their bodies lifting off the floor. However, as soon as Giana and Steve noticed they were a foot above the floor, they came crashing down together. Watching their descent triggered me into “thinking.” I came right down after them.
Like me, Giana and Steve felt a strong sensation of shame and guilt—like they had done something wrong or prohibited. That night, we talked about our levitation experiment at length. But the next morning the “spiritual amnesia” had already set in and we all went off to work without mentioning the miraculous occurrence of the previous evening. And none of the three of us ever referred to that evening’s adventure again in the following years of acquaintance. I have since lost touch with both friends.
I often wonder if I could entice Giana and Steve to remember the evening we explored the wonder of surfing the waves of the universe. I often wonder if I could entice myself to fly again. With considerable embarrassment, I must admit I haven’t made another attempt to levitate since my exploits with Giana and Steve. I’m waiting for the right moment and situation. It hasn’t felt intuitively right for me to re-attempt flight. I haven’t gotten the impetus or clearance from my inner coach to undertake another experiment in expanding my known universe in this way.
My reluctance can be further explained through the inherent meaning of the word experiment. When we take a look at the Latin components, we discover the source of the word’s meaning: Ex-to go out of, beyond. Periment-perimeter, boundary, border, periphery. Experiment-to go beyond the boundary. According to Webster’s, another Latin root of the word contributes to a deeper understanding: pericul-danger, trial, test. Thus, experiment-danger in going beyond the boundaries—which is what a lot of us feel when we test the borders of our known world.
Through much exploration, I’ve learned the wisdom of waiting for intuitive guidance as to when, how far and under what circumstances I venture into new, uncharted territory. The perils are considerable in barging ahead heedless of one’s inner compass. Someday soon, I hope to get the go-ahead again from my inner coach that I am strong and clear enough to go beyond my old, known borders to enjoy “the incredible lightness of being.”
Body Glove Watches: Water Sports and Elagance
Body Glove, a company from in Redondo Beach, Clifornia, founded in 1953 and specialized in wetsuits, swimwear, clothing, footwear, accessories, and technology accessories, continues to expand its product lines with an exciting new range of wristwatches, a line of functional and performance inspired watches for men and women. Body Glove has joined forces with Time Concepts, LLC, a new company established by the founder and CEO of Luminox watches.
Time Concepts was established as a "watch platform" onto which new...watch brands will be placed, the first among them being the new Body Glove watch collection. With more than 25 years in the chronometric products business, Barry Cohen, founder of Luminox watches, established Time Concepts in 2006 to serve as a separate entity from Luminox for the development of branded watch programs and private label opportunities within the world of timepieces. Design development is under way on 24 more styles within the Body Glove brand, to be released later in 2007, as well as two other brands of watches to be released in the future, in addition to ongoing work on private label OEM watch programs for other companies.
The Body Glove watches are very popular among the aquatic sports fans. They are not only very appealing, but they are also a perfect choice for the active lifestyle of the Body Glove customers. They have all the functions of a regular dive watch and yet they are far more elegant. As a throw back to the era when the company was founded, the watch line includes a heritage retro collection with chronographs that have oversized crowns and pushers, braided leather straps and antique dials.
All of these timepieces possess the singular Body Glove fashion, while maintaining the brand's unmistakable pursuit for performance. In keeping with Body Glove's root product�- the wetsuit, all watches were made for humid environments, and just as functions for wetsuits are various, so too is the watch line. These beautiful watches come in a variety of colors and with an assortment of different materials including waterproof leather, nylon, polyurethane and stainless steel. The new Body Glove watches are a great choice whether you are on land or in the water, whether you are on a surfboard or in a luxury car.
Time Concepts was established as a "watch platform" onto which new...watch brands will be placed, the first among them being the new Body Glove watch collection. With more than 25 years in the chronometric products business, Barry Cohen, founder of Luminox watches, established Time Concepts in 2006 to serve as a separate entity from Luminox for the development of branded watch programs and private label opportunities within the world of timepieces. Design development is under way on 24 more styles within the Body Glove brand, to be released later in 2007, as well as two other brands of watches to be released in the future, in addition to ongoing work on private label OEM watch programs for other companies.
The Body Glove watches are very popular among the aquatic sports fans. They are not only very appealing, but they are also a perfect choice for the active lifestyle of the Body Glove customers. They have all the functions of a regular dive watch and yet they are far more elegant. As a throw back to the era when the company was founded, the watch line includes a heritage retro collection with chronographs that have oversized crowns and pushers, braided leather straps and antique dials.
All of these timepieces possess the singular Body Glove fashion, while maintaining the brand's unmistakable pursuit for performance. In keeping with Body Glove's root product�- the wetsuit, all watches were made for humid environments, and just as functions for wetsuits are various, so too is the watch line. These beautiful watches come in a variety of colors and with an assortment of different materials including waterproof leather, nylon, polyurethane and stainless steel. The new Body Glove watches are a great choice whether you are on land or in the water, whether you are on a surfboard or in a luxury car.
Surfing History
In the early 1900's the Hawaiians organized the Hui Nalu (surf club) and competed in neighborly surf competitions with the Outrigger Canoe Club. This drew a great deal of attention to the Waikiki surf shore, bringing a revitalized interest in the sport, which had fallen out of favor in the late 1800s. Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic star in swimming, popularized the sport further by traveling internationally and showing off his surfing style to thrilled audiences around the world. He was favored by...Hollywood elite; having acted in bit parts in films and was always recruiting new surfers wherever he went. He is credited with surfing the longest wave of all time in 1917, in the popular surfing area now called Outside Castles in Waikiki. His 1000 meters plus wave record has yet to be overtaken.
In the 1930s, the sport of surfing was experiencing a Renaissance. Tom Blake, founder of the Pacific Coast Surf Championships that ended with the onset of war in 1941, was the first man to photograph surfing from the water. Another photographer and surfer named Doc Ball published California Surfriders 1946, which depicts the pristine coastal beaches and good-time, relaxed atmosphere of surf living. Surfing, although curtailed in the aftermath of WWII, revived as always by the 1950s. Bud Browne, an accomplished surfer and waterman, created the first 'surf movie' with his 1953 "Hawaiian Surfing Movie". This inspired many photographers, filmmakers and surfers to continue documenting the sport, culminating with is arguably the best surf movie of all time, 1963's "Endless Summer" by Bruce Brown. The film opened up the genre of the surf movie and the art of surfing to non-surfing people, accumulating fans and inspiring neophytes.
Although surfing was a male-dominated sport, adventurous women surfers can be seen all the way back to the times of the Polynesian Queens. Two notable 'surfer girls' were Eve Fletcher and Anona Napolean. Eve Fletcher was a California-born animator for Walt Disney and Anona Napolean was the daughter of a respected Hawaiian surfing family. The two pioneered the sport for modern women, winning surfing competitions up and down the California coast at the end of the 50s and into the 60s. Hollywood was quick to be on the scene and with the 1959 film "Gidget", surfing was flung far out into the mainstream, never to return to its humble, ritualistic beginnings. "Gidget" inspired a slew of "Beach Blanket Bingo" movies that brought surfing to a new generation of teens and inspiring a new genre of 'surf music' that accompanied films and made The Beach Boys more famous than Elvis in the 60s.
Surfing spread throughout all media and Surfing Magazine was born in the early 1960s by famous surf photographer, LeRoy Grannis. After that, other publications cropped up bringing more information on the sport, equipment and stars of the surfing scene. John Severson, an accomplished filmmaker and photographer, created Surfer Magazine, originally called "The Surfer". These publications brought advertising, professional surfing, surf culture and publicity to the now very popularized sport.
In the 1930s, the sport of surfing was experiencing a Renaissance. Tom Blake, founder of the Pacific Coast Surf Championships that ended with the onset of war in 1941, was the first man to photograph surfing from the water. Another photographer and surfer named Doc Ball published California Surfriders 1946, which depicts the pristine coastal beaches and good-time, relaxed atmosphere of surf living. Surfing, although curtailed in the aftermath of WWII, revived as always by the 1950s. Bud Browne, an accomplished surfer and waterman, created the first 'surf movie' with his 1953 "Hawaiian Surfing Movie". This inspired many photographers, filmmakers and surfers to continue documenting the sport, culminating with is arguably the best surf movie of all time, 1963's "Endless Summer" by Bruce Brown. The film opened up the genre of the surf movie and the art of surfing to non-surfing people, accumulating fans and inspiring neophytes.
Although surfing was a male-dominated sport, adventurous women surfers can be seen all the way back to the times of the Polynesian Queens. Two notable 'surfer girls' were Eve Fletcher and Anona Napolean. Eve Fletcher was a California-born animator for Walt Disney and Anona Napolean was the daughter of a respected Hawaiian surfing family. The two pioneered the sport for modern women, winning surfing competitions up and down the California coast at the end of the 50s and into the 60s. Hollywood was quick to be on the scene and with the 1959 film "Gidget", surfing was flung far out into the mainstream, never to return to its humble, ritualistic beginnings. "Gidget" inspired a slew of "Beach Blanket Bingo" movies that brought surfing to a new generation of teens and inspiring a new genre of 'surf music' that accompanied films and made The Beach Boys more famous than Elvis in the 60s.
Surfing spread throughout all media and Surfing Magazine was born in the early 1960s by famous surf photographer, LeRoy Grannis. After that, other publications cropped up bringing more information on the sport, equipment and stars of the surfing scene. John Severson, an accomplished filmmaker and photographer, created Surfer Magazine, originally called "The Surfer". These publications brought advertising, professional surfing, surf culture and publicity to the now very popularized sport.
Saturday 5 January 2008
Lords of Dogtown: the Real Story of the Z-boys
The site of the former Pacific Ocean Park in the beach district on the Venice and Santa Monica border is something of a sacred legend within the skateboarding and surfing community. The area, which is nicknamed Dogtown, was immortalised in the 2001 skateboarding documentary, Dogtown and Z-Boys, and later in the 2005 feature film, Lords of Dogtown, which was based on the...the characters and events introduced in Dogtown and Z-Boys.
Dogtown and Z-Boys, directed by Stacy Peralta (himself a member of the original Z-Boys) and narrated by Hollywood star Sean Penn, tells the history of skateboarding. The documentary charts the story of a group of teenage surfer/skateboarders in Santa Monica, known as the Z-Boys, and their influence on the history of skateboarding (and to a lesser extent surfing) culture, using a mix of film of the Z-Boys shot in the 1970s and more recently conducted interviews.
The aerial and sliding skate moves that the Z-Boys invented were the basis for the aerial skateboarding and surfing still popular today. These were just twelve ordinary teenagers who hung out in the Santa Monica neighbourhood of Dogtown who just wanted to surf and skate. They could never have known that they would start a revolution by turning what was a recreational past-time into an extreme sport.
Considered the most influential skateboard team in history, the Z-Boy movement continues to this day as an expression of performance, innovation and style.
Known officially as the Zephyr Skateboard Team, the Z-Boys began when they transferred their surf skills to drain pipes and empty swimming pools with stunning results. Their acrobatic maneuvers inspired generations of teens to join the skateboarding frenzy and catapulted them to fame and fortune; the majority of the original Z-Boys went on to compete professionally. Bob “Bullet” Biniak retired from skating in 1980, but went on to play golf professionally, while the only female member of the Z-Boys, Peggy Oki, rejected skating in favour of surfing, and has competed in surf contests all over the world. Jim Muir and Tony Alva both rejected deals from major skate companies to set up on their own, and were the first skateboarders to ever do so.
In 2005, Stacy Peralta wrote the screenplay for Lords of Dogtown, which dramatically retold the Dogtown days. Starring Heath Ledger and Rebecca De Mornay, and featuring a cameo from perhaps the world’s most famous modern day skateboarder Tony Hawk, Lords of Dogtown focused more on the relationships between the Z-Boys, looking at their friendships, how they coped with fame, and how they grew more and more competitive towards one another. It also focused heavily on the tragic loss of Z-Boy associate Sid, who lost a battle against brain cancer.
Skateboarders or surfers keen to make a pilgrimage to the legendary and iconic Dogtown for themsleves can find a hotel in Santa Monica for their accomodation needs, and thankfully, the area has improved a lot since the Dogtown days.
The story of the Dogtown and Z-Boys is an inspiring tale of determination, rebellion, and friendship, and even those who have no interest in skateboarding or surfing, and been won over by this fascinating little piece of American sub-culture.
Dogtown and Z-Boys, directed by Stacy Peralta (himself a member of the original Z-Boys) and narrated by Hollywood star Sean Penn, tells the history of skateboarding. The documentary charts the story of a group of teenage surfer/skateboarders in Santa Monica, known as the Z-Boys, and their influence on the history of skateboarding (and to a lesser extent surfing) culture, using a mix of film of the Z-Boys shot in the 1970s and more recently conducted interviews.
The aerial and sliding skate moves that the Z-Boys invented were the basis for the aerial skateboarding and surfing still popular today. These were just twelve ordinary teenagers who hung out in the Santa Monica neighbourhood of Dogtown who just wanted to surf and skate. They could never have known that they would start a revolution by turning what was a recreational past-time into an extreme sport.
Considered the most influential skateboard team in history, the Z-Boy movement continues to this day as an expression of performance, innovation and style.
Known officially as the Zephyr Skateboard Team, the Z-Boys began when they transferred their surf skills to drain pipes and empty swimming pools with stunning results. Their acrobatic maneuvers inspired generations of teens to join the skateboarding frenzy and catapulted them to fame and fortune; the majority of the original Z-Boys went on to compete professionally. Bob “Bullet” Biniak retired from skating in 1980, but went on to play golf professionally, while the only female member of the Z-Boys, Peggy Oki, rejected skating in favour of surfing, and has competed in surf contests all over the world. Jim Muir and Tony Alva both rejected deals from major skate companies to set up on their own, and were the first skateboarders to ever do so.
In 2005, Stacy Peralta wrote the screenplay for Lords of Dogtown, which dramatically retold the Dogtown days. Starring Heath Ledger and Rebecca De Mornay, and featuring a cameo from perhaps the world’s most famous modern day skateboarder Tony Hawk, Lords of Dogtown focused more on the relationships between the Z-Boys, looking at their friendships, how they coped with fame, and how they grew more and more competitive towards one another. It also focused heavily on the tragic loss of Z-Boy associate Sid, who lost a battle against brain cancer.
Skateboarders or surfers keen to make a pilgrimage to the legendary and iconic Dogtown for themsleves can find a hotel in Santa Monica for their accomodation needs, and thankfully, the area has improved a lot since the Dogtown days.
The story of the Dogtown and Z-Boys is an inspiring tale of determination, rebellion, and friendship, and even those who have no interest in skateboarding or surfing, and been won over by this fascinating little piece of American sub-culture.
Water Sports and Surfing in California
With its fabulous, year-round warm climate, California has been synonymous with surfing and the sporty, tanned, blonde-haired types who have participated in the sport since the 1960s. As such, you'd be hard pressed to find somewhere better to go if you want to ride the best waves! The undisputed hotbed of surfing in California is San Diego - the state’s second largest city. Here, you’ll find fantastic Pacific beaches with facilities specifically designed for surfers and...other water sports users, as well as some of the biggest waves that the Pacific has to offer.
Home to several of the surfing industry’s biggest manufacturers and famous pro surfer Rob Machado, the city’s hottest surfing beaches can be found at Black’s Beach, Swamis, Windansea and, of course, at San Diego’s biggest beach: Mission Bay. Attracting millions of visitors each year, San Diego’s beaches are packed with surfers eager to ride the waves; and on the days when the surf isn’t up to par, you'll be able to participate in other exciting water sports - such as water-skiing, jet skiing and paragliding.
Instruction in all water sports disciplines is available at Mission Bay Beach, with some of the biggest and best water sports schools to be found there. Just beyond the beach there is a massive park that offers other recreational activities, such as volleyball and basketball; but with plenty of picnic areas and outdoor barbeques, this park quickly fills up during the summer months, so sun-lovers must get there early to secure their spot!
Many of the best hotels in San Diego are also found in the Mission Bay Beach area, which - at only six miles from the international airport - is convenient to reach and also serves as a great base from which to explore the city and its surroundings.
As California’s second largest city you’ll find there is much to do in San Diego when you’re not surfing, swimming or generally splashing around in the sea; you'll be able to visit everything from some of California's best art museums to local zoos! The San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Man and the Natural History Museum are all popular attractions and are all found in the picturesque Balboa Park, along with the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Other cultural highlights include local theatres, opera and the San Diego Symphony. The city is also home to two major US sporting franchises: the NFL's Chargers and the Padres, a popular Major League Baseball team. If none of those alternative attractions or activities tickle your fancy, how about trying the impressive San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, the Wild Animal Park, or even the theme park at Legoland?
Whatever attracts you to San Diego, whether it's sun, sand, surf or the sights, you'll be warmly welcomed by friendly locals, who will do all they can to help you enjoy your holiday.
Home to several of the surfing industry’s biggest manufacturers and famous pro surfer Rob Machado, the city’s hottest surfing beaches can be found at Black’s Beach, Swamis, Windansea and, of course, at San Diego’s biggest beach: Mission Bay. Attracting millions of visitors each year, San Diego’s beaches are packed with surfers eager to ride the waves; and on the days when the surf isn’t up to par, you'll be able to participate in other exciting water sports - such as water-skiing, jet skiing and paragliding.
Instruction in all water sports disciplines is available at Mission Bay Beach, with some of the biggest and best water sports schools to be found there. Just beyond the beach there is a massive park that offers other recreational activities, such as volleyball and basketball; but with plenty of picnic areas and outdoor barbeques, this park quickly fills up during the summer months, so sun-lovers must get there early to secure their spot!
Many of the best hotels in San Diego are also found in the Mission Bay Beach area, which - at only six miles from the international airport - is convenient to reach and also serves as a great base from which to explore the city and its surroundings.
As California’s second largest city you’ll find there is much to do in San Diego when you’re not surfing, swimming or generally splashing around in the sea; you'll be able to visit everything from some of California's best art museums to local zoos! The San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Man and the Natural History Museum are all popular attractions and are all found in the picturesque Balboa Park, along with the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Other cultural highlights include local theatres, opera and the San Diego Symphony. The city is also home to two major US sporting franchises: the NFL's Chargers and the Padres, a popular Major League Baseball team. If none of those alternative attractions or activities tickle your fancy, how about trying the impressive San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, the Wild Animal Park, or even the theme park at Legoland?
Whatever attracts you to San Diego, whether it's sun, sand, surf or the sights, you'll be warmly welcomed by friendly locals, who will do all they can to help you enjoy your holiday.
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