They have sponsors, rankings, a rulebook and even a board of directors. Meet the Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA). Confused? Well, these days everything is possible. If your favourite surf spot is on flat days, why don’t you try virtual surfing?
Second Life has grown so much you can actually live another “life” in this virtual world. With surfing, it’s exactly the same. Even if you have never surfed a real wave, you can be a pro in the electronic environment.
The SLSA’s mission statement is so much fun. “The Second Life Surfing Association (herein known as “SLSA”) is the governing authority for surfing and surfing-related events throughout Second Life (herein known as “SL”). The SLSA governs competitions; promotes surfing and surf-related sports; and provides guidance and advice to its members on matters such as competition organization, judging, and sport instruction”.
Just like in real life. It is fair to say that the SLSA is the International Surfing Association (ISA) of the electronic world. The SLSA season events are professionally organized and deliver virtual prize-money for the best surfers: Linden Dollars (L$).
Actually, there are thousands of surfers in Second Life. They can be often seen in the best surf spots of that virtual planet. Playa Sol Manañero, Kapu Kai, Bundoran Reef, Monkey Cove and Tsunami Beach host “pro” SL surfing competitions.
So, if you’ enjoy becoming a 10-time Second Life world champion, check out the SLSA official website here and SurfWatch, a 100% Second Life surfing blog where you can discuss the pain you’ve felt after a digital wipe-out. Source: SurferToday
Night surfing just got a lot cooler with LED lights
The surfing world is changing at the speed of light. After having introduced GPS speed monitoring in the surfers’ jerseys, the wave sport is definitely pushing the limits of technology. When the lights go out all over Europe, the old continent surfer keeps riding waves until the past midnight.
Pukas, a European leading surfboard brand, has developed a commercial version of night surfing gear. Would you enjoy surfing your favourite spot under the moonlight? Are you interested in surfing big waves in the complete darkness, just like Mark Visser did?
Well, meet the surfboards with built-in LED lights, embedded under the glass and foam. Pukas is trying out surfboards with rechargeable batteries and remote control, just like the lights of the Christmas trees. There are a limited number of units available, but if commercially successful these LED surfboards will be part of the surf shops’ rack.
Pukas says you’re not going to find them in stores, in supermarkets or eBay, as for the first edition only four boards were produced. The first one was tested in a surfing night session at Zarautz, Spain. Tiago Pires, Joan Duru and Aritz Aranburu tested the other three.
The flashing LED light surfboards will surely be a huge success. Now, there are no reasons why a surfer can’t enjoy the pleasures of night surfing, from sunset till dawn. Watch the LED light surfing experience below.
Some surf brands have really stood the test of time
The surf industry is growing steadily for a long time. The oldest surf brands have evolved and are now operating in a global scale. Trademarks like Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong and O’Neill have survived the passing of time and dominate more than 75% of the market.
The remaining thousands of brands develop surf wear, surf gear, surf apparel, wetsuits, board shorts, accessories and even surf technology. Many are still opening new markets and niches, but others could not survive surf capitalism.
There’s also a third wave: surf brands that were iconic, fell, almost died and then were revamped and are trying to reconquer the notoriety of the successful times. Some of these brands are certainly recognized by the Generation X of surfers. Do you remember Sundek and Lightning Bolt?
The first surf brand was born in 1957, in sunny California, and gained reputation for its iconic rainbow board shorts. After a rising period in the 90’s, Sundek was less seen in the beaches. Now, the custom made boar shorts are a sign of resurrection.
Lightning Bolt was born in 1968, in Hawaii. After more than two decades of sponsoring top competitions, globalization almost killed the famous surf brand. Now, surf veteran Jonathan Paskowitz takes the Lightning Bolt ship to new locations and continents and the mythic brand is living again happy times.
Sex Wax. Everyone knows it and many surfers can guess it without looking at the logo. The unforgettable smell is the trigger to Mr. Zogs’ Sex Wax success, born in the 70’s. Today, the surfer’s wax has a complete line of products, for every taste and temperature waters.
OP and HB also resist. Ocean Pacific keeps authentic to the 1972 foundation year. It was classy surfer’s favourite brand in the 90’s. Hot Buttered, the Australian trade mark, has diversified the offer is stands strong in the Asian/Oceania region.
For windsurfers, two brands that start with a ‘M’. Mistral and Mike Davis produced the best windsurfing gear in the world for many years. They still exist but without windsurfing in its core business.
Last, but not least, remember Morey Boogie and Churchill? The first brand initiated modern bodyboarding; the second one produced the most iconic bodyboarding fins ever. These brands are alive and still delivering top quality gear for wave riders. Source: SurferToday
No beach, no surf, no ocean, no problem. Surf in this 3D game
YouRiding will debut the fourth generation of online extreme sports video games, at the ISP Trade Fair, in Munich, from the 6th to 9th February. Visitors will be able to test the new versions of YouRiding games, to be officialy released in Summer 2011.
The entertainment site promises completely new 3D images, new game mechanics and innovative scenarios. YouRiding is developed by the French company Intellysurf. The first version of Youriding came out in 2007.
Online water sports’ fans can choose four different disciplines: Surfing, Bodyboarding, Snowboarding and Freeskiing. In 2010, the multiplayer modes had over seven million visitors from 205 countries, who surfed 150 million waves and sped down 20 million ski trails. Source: SurferToday
New app for the iPhone gives you tons of great video and big wave info
Storm Surfers have launched an iPhone and iPad application for download. These apps give you access to exclusive online content, including Storm Surfers images and videos, as well as a hilarious Storm Surfers quiz.
Storm Surfers follows two-time world champion Tom Carroll and big wave tow-in pioneer Ross Clarke-Jones as they hunt down and ride the world’s biggest waves.
Ross and Tom have conquered monster waves off South Africa, ridden a typhoon in Japan and surfed big waves in the Southern Ocean that smash into the most inhospitable areas.
Hunting waves the size of a four-storey building involves strategy, timing, preparation and tracking the largest oceanic storms in the world. That’s where meteorologist and surf forecaster Ben Matson comes in.
Using the latest storm prediction technology, he helps Ross and Tom track swells and time their arrival to a matter of hours in a mad, high-stakes race against time and the elements to conquer and film massive waves.
Storm Surfers – New Zealand is their latest adventure.
The Storm Surfers app has:
• Exclusive High Definition videos from Storm Surfers – New Zealand
• Exclusive photos of Tom Carroll & Ross Clarke-Jones
• Behind the scenes footage and photos
• The story behind the adventure and chasing big waves
• The ultimate Storm Surfers quiz that unlocks a secret video.
• Links to Swellnet forecasting site for the latest on the swell at you local
