Archive for the ‘Everything Else’ Category
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
 Surf at Night: light is never a problem for surfing
The Portuguese surfers are getting ready for another “Surf at Night”, to be held in Cortegaça Beach, Ovar, in Portugal. The music and surfing event will be enjoyed from 12th to 15th August, in the north of the country.
The “Surf at Night” attracts thousands of pro and amateur surfers from all corners of Portugal. There will be a night especially reserved to all surfers (friday) and another one for invited riders (saturday).
João Guedes, one of the Portuguese rising stars, has been confirmed in the surfing event where you can only count with floodlights and the moon to enlighten the wave ride.
“Surf at Night” will also put up a large human chain in order to raise awareness for the coastal erosion and its effects in the quality of the waves and in local communities. Up to 1000 people are expected to join the cause.
Cortegaça is a beach break known for its quality right-hand waves. The wave spot is located near Porto, the country’s second largest city. Tickets for the “Surf at Night” event are available at www.last2ticket.com. Source: SurferToday
Tags: "Surf at Night", coastal erosion, Cortegaça Beach, event, João Guedes, night surfing, Portugal, surf
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Friday, July 29th, 2011
 Start windsurfing; It's easy
Windsurfing is easy. The best way to learn how to sail properly is in a windsurfing school. If you’re far away, try it by yourself, but never alone and in stormy waters. Here are a few steps to start windsurfing in a couple of hours. First of all, prepare your gear: windsurf board, rig, mast, sail and boom should be carefully assembled, rigged, tuned and mounted.
Beginners should start windsurfing with a +190 litres board. Find a flat water lake of calm sea. Start off by finding your equilibrium in the windsurf board. Keep it steady for 10 minutes. Now, it’s time to set sail. In order to progress through the flat waters, you must quickly learn the points of sail or, in other words, the board’s course in relation to the wind direction.
 Learn these points of a sail and have fun
The main points of sail are:
Close Hauled: sailing as close to the wind as possible (an angle of around 45 degrees). You “zig zag” to make progress upwind. The turn between this “zig zags” is called “tacking”.
Beam Reach: sailing across the wind. Point at where you want to sail fast. The sail works providing huge amounts of lift, driving you faster.
Broad Reach: almost like going downwind, except for the fact that the sail is still working as an aerofoil. In stronger winds, it is the fastest point of sail.
Running: sailing with the wind from behind.
If you’re “In Irons”, you won’t probably move forward. So try to push or pull the sail and get the first feel of windsurfing. Now that you’re sailing your first nautical miles, you’ll need to learn to turn around on the water. There are two ways of changing your course: tacking (the rig passes over the back of the board) and jibing (the rig passes over the front of the board).
Tacking is a basic 180º turn. It’s vital to learn how to do it in order to get back to your original starting point. To do this, sail the board into the wind, place the front hand on the mast and start to lean the sail back towards the tail. Step around the mast into the opposite side of the board.
The board will pass through the eye of the wind and you will resume your sailing speed. Try to turn 180º several times to better your skills and never get far away from safe land. Enjoy windsurfing. In the intermediate level, you’ll learn to jibe and to sail with a harness. Source: SurferToday
Tags: Beam Reach, Broad Reach, Close Hauled, learn, safety, sail, wind, windsurf
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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
Surf vans are the ultimate surfer’s dream. The best way to travel and complete the surf trips of our lives is by gathering a few friends and hit the road with surfboards, shorts, a couple of shirts and some pocket money.
In the early days, boards were transported in any car. California, in the west coast of USA, showed us it was cool and easy to check the surf spots with a bunch of boys and girls, music and beer with a few dollars for gas.
Some of the vans and cars of the 60’s are now vintage surf classics. Everyone wants to ride the coolest oldie mobile vehicle through the alternative coastal routes. Today, surf vans can be bought and rented. Fortunately, they are quite affordable and can be tuned to your preferences.
 Surf vans: you don't need anything else
The Volkswagen Westfalia Camper is one of the most famous transportation vehicles for surfers. Owners of this true summer classic often meet in several countries to share their experiences and knowledge. There are several versions of the old model available.
The Ford Transit is one of the most popular vans in the UK. Many units have been converted by surfers and windsurfer. There are special guides online that help you customize the different versions of the Transit.
Many Fiat Scudo owners have also converted their units to surf vans, with a small space for a good night sleep and room for boards, food and accessories.
The famous Mercedes Vito has plenty of space for everything. You can easily build a surf palace in there with a bit of creativity and help from professionals. A fridge full of cool beers is possible.
Finally, the Renault Trafic is ready to become a surf classic. The first generation was built in 1980 and was a total success. The 9-seater version can be changed to fit your desired taste. It’s another great surf van for a couple of surfers en route to incredible surfing experiences. Source: SurferToday
Tags: Fiat Scudo, Ford Transit, Mercedes Vito, Renault Trafic, summer, surf, van, Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
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Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
The US surf and skate industry is managing to keep the sales up, despite the challenging economic times. 54% of core surf/skate retailers believe their gross retail sales are up anaverage of 16% in 2010 from 2009 levels. The research conducted by the Leisure Trends Group and commissioned by SIMA also reveal a a shift in the industry’s core retail landscape. “We have seen considerable contraction in the independent wholesale channel and rapid expansion into mall chains and all forms of owned retail, and this shift is reflected in the sales data”, says Doug Palladini, SIMA President and Vice President of Marketing for Vans.
 Surf shop: Still a good business
Total sales dipped 13.6% from $7.22 Billion in 2008 to $6.24 Billion in 2010, but things are getting better as the world economy rises from recession. Passion and youth continue to largely drive the surf industry. Surfers and skaters view the industry as a lifestyle, not a passing trend. Thus the core of the industry remains strong despite the tough economic times.
The loyalty of surfers andskaters to the lifestyle and sport is shown in the increasing demand for surf/skate footwear, wetsuits and hard goods as evidenced by the growth of these key categories.
“The good news among remaining core board sports retailers is that their opportunity is perhaps greater than ever,” says Sean Smith, SIMA Executive Director. “Surfing is a culture and sport defined by passion – it’s not a hobby or pastime for core participants. Even in a down economy, core surfers will keep surfing and youth will still desire to be apart of the surf lifestyle and culture.”
Footwear generates the greatest sales with $1.5 billion (up 8.2% over 2008). Wetsuits sales also increased to $110.4 million in 2010 (up 24.3% over 2008) and returning to a level not seen since 2006.
With 47% of total retail sales in 2010 being attributed to the West region, the increase in sales of wetsuits could be credited to the record low temperatures in Southern California during the year, as well as the evolutionary innovation and technology used in wetsuits the past two years.
The surfboard and skateboard hard goods category showed large sales growth in 2010 increasing to $1.46 billion (up 35% from $1.07 billion in 2008). As a strong emerging trend, SUP sales generated $14.5 million among core surf shops and accounted for 9% of total surfboard sales.
Boasting an average retail price of $1,105, SUPs are the most expensive product in the hard good category, followed by surf longboards, which average $691 per board.
Many independent core retail stores that have closed their doors in the past two years have been replaced by specialty chain stores or brand-owned stores causing only a slight dip in total surf/skate doors to 4,826 in 2010 (down 1.7% from 4,910 stores in 2008). Source: SurferToday
Tags: growth, industry, recession, shop, skate, surf
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Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Have you ever thought of surfing in the Mentawai Islands? The place is one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world. The power of southern Indian Ocean storms is turned by the prevailing SE trades towards these amazing islands and amplified. The result is surf that is remarkably consistent and of unsurpassed quality. During the southern hemisphere winter, (late April to early November) the Indian Ocean is an over-active, groundswell machine. The best wave spots in the Mentawais are:
 Mentawai Islands: loads of surfing spots 4 Bobs
One of the best warm up waves in the islands. It’s a right hander, fantastic fun and also very protected from most wind directions. Normally clean with a potential cover up on takeoff and a nice wall for limbering up and getting ready for the next great one.
Kandui Left
Kandui Left ranks as one of the fastest left-hand barrels in the world. Most waves are just too fast to paddle into and some of the biggest bombs can only be ridden with a tow-in from well out the back. In a couple of sections the wave backs off just a little and that is where the brave sit. Epic rides reward those willing to take the drop. Punishment is mandatory and it is a long walk back to the keyhole once you get washed inside.
Kandui Right (Rifles)
Rifles or Kandui Right is all about straight line speed. When the wind goes west and eases off, Rifles starts firing. Dead straight barrels for several hundred meters with clear glassy walls that will leave your head spinning. The take off area is intense and forget about shoulder hopping. The danger here is that someone is already in the barrel and you cant see them when you stroke in so take your medicine and wait your turn out the back. On its day there is probably no wave than generates more speed in the Mentawais yet is still makable and escapable.
7 Palm Point
A fun left-hander with a decent wall to carve. Most boats pass it by but it can deliver fun sessions.
Arik
Also known as Arik’s Right. On a big west swell Arik’s produces a spectacular high-speed barrel that barely backs off before it throws out again. The wave starts breaking way out the back with 500m rides possible. Needs a north or north east wind and a bit of tide. The coral here is unlike any in the Mentawai with deeply divided living reef that lurks very close to the base of the wave. Get over that and hold your line and make sure the camera is ready – images unlike anything else in the Mentawais.
Bank Vaults
One of the bigger and dangerous right hander. Good for photographs and video. Bodyboarders enjoy this wave.
Beng Bengs
Beng Bengs Left is an extremely good left that cranks on a mid size or bigger west swell. A 10 minute boat ride from Eco Bay Lodge. When E-Bay is out of control, Beng Bengs can hold the size. When E-Bay is a bit small or the tide too low, Beng Bengs pumps out mellow speedwalls and the occasional cover-up. A walk along the perfect white sand beach is well worth the effort.
For complete list please visit SurferToday
Tags: 4 Bobs, Arik, Beng Bengs, best, Indian Ocean, Kandui Left, Mentawai Islands, surf, surf spot, travel
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