Home About
ClickBank1
ClickBank1

Etiquette to Follow When You Go Surfing Waves

By Ava on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 | No Comments

When you go surfing, no matter how an expert you are there are fundamental things you have to think of all the time. Here are five things that you should know when you go Surf Wave.

Be cordial with the local surfers – Most of us are passionate about our hobby and love to spread the knowledge. This goes for anything, but especially for hobbies with tight-knit communities. Many surfers are more than willing to teach you the ins-and-outs of surfing, the tides of your local beach, how to paddle out without being pounded to a sandbar and the courtesy involved with the sport. If you are new, ask for help.

Buy the right board for your area – if your area has extremely small surf wave, don’t buy short boards. Short boards tend to plow through the water and you will not be able to paddle fast enough to catch small waves. Small boards often feature a stomp pad on the back which is used in extremely tight maneuvers such as cutbacks. If you are unsure about the board to get, ask the surf-shop employees at your local shop.

Use the right wax for your conditions – This is important. One of the most frustrating things is to be out in the water and start slipping off the board because you used the wrong wax. There are typically two types of wax. Cold-water wax is softer and stickier than warm-water wax. If your water is cold enough that this type of wax will not melt in the sun, use it. Warmer weather, however, is problematic for cold-water wax since it has a low melting point and will run off the board leaving your fiberglass board slippery and you will fall off every time you try to stand up.

Surf the outside break – there are too many new surfers trying to surf wave the shore break. This is the most common mistake. These are not the waves that people surf. If you surf these you will never get any significant ride. You will also put your board at risk of damage if you surf the shore break – the “skeg” (the stabilizing fin on the bottom of the surfboard) will get caught in the sand and snap off, probably also sending you flying into the sand. Look for sandbars where the waves break away from the shore. This allows you to surf wave over the sufficiently deep water over the sandbar and not break your board. It also gives you room to maneuver.

If you live in a cold climate, do not go surfing in winter – It may be tempting, and the waves are often best in winter. Many surfers do go surfing in winter, but this is not really a good idea. Surfing in cold water in winter can develop a condition called “surfer’s ear.” This is basically a growth in the ear, letting you lose a significant hearing ability in that ear. It is caused by cold water entering the ear canal. Surfing waves during the winter season is definitely not worth it, trust me.

Principles to Note When Learning to Surf

By Ava on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 | 1 Comment

Interested in learning to surf?  Surfing seemed to have taken the world like a big wave.  And just like the big swells in surfing, each adventure you take in when you put those feet on those boards and test the water, it always is new and exciting.  Perhaps you have taken interest in the sport that has become a lifestyle, yet you don’t really know surfing 101.  It is important that you know some of its guiding principles.

• Remember that you are like a sand particle and the ocean in its vastness would feel like it could swallow you whole.  It is never just about you but more importantly, you should be aware of the big world around you.  Be keen to every twist and turn of your natural environment.

• Trust your instinct.  In being aware to the great big expanse around you, you are able to react or respond accordingly and with alertness to it.  Nothing could be leading to fatality than a “panic” caused by unawareness.  Preparedness also comes with the understanding that not everything around you may be controlled.

• Learning to surf is equals to getting wet so be ever ready.  This is where most fun begins.  Take on those giant waves and tell the ocean that you are ready to go into that great big water world.  Of course, before you do so, be sure you are equipped with the basic knowledge in surfing.  Be determined but be safe.  Your surfing instructor should be present when you paddle out into the water and there with you throughout your first few experiences of getting wet.

• With surfing, you have to know the basics and learn how to cultivate it.  Be open to learning new and better things.  Don’t be embarrassed to ask other people especially those who are experts on this field.  Being susceptible to learning new things is welcoming the possibility of “an amateur you” turn into “the expert surfer”.

With these things at hand, you are sure to explore the surfing world with better ease.  All surfers have their own individual humble beginning.  They don’t make learning to surf an overnight thing.  Time and practice is of the essence in the surfing world.  Those feet on those boards don’t work without living out the principles of safe surfing.  As much as it is an extreme sport, much care must be given to ensure the surfer’s safety.

Now that you have gone through the basic principles, perhaps, it is time to look for that perfect wave and the perfect people to escort you into the world of surfing.  Be willing to note these principles and see that learning to surf is your ultimate chance at a great adventure!

Why Some People Just Can’t Surf

By Ava on Monday, June 7th, 2010 | No Comments

Surfing has become a popular recreational activity and sport these days, and because of that more and more people suddenly wanna surf. However, not all interested surfers are able to hit the waves successfully. The reasons behind why some people who wanna surf just can’t are endless. But the greatest contributing factor among all the possible reasons is the failure of some surfing schools to provide the best education newbie surfers need.

Surfing schools are a very controversial topic.

Although marketing forces would have us believe otherwise, the majority of surfers are not overjoyed with the introduction of the modern surf schools. Even though there are some very fine surf schools operating today, surfers often blame surf schools for filling the lineup with people, who can’t surf. This is an over simplification of the problem, and pointing the finger at the entire surf school industry is misguided.

But the main issue is that everyone wants to surf, and they wanna surf now. People don’t understand just how difficult surfing really is, and they try to take short cuts. They want the ability of a surfer with ten years experience, and they want it in two weeks. Unfortunately there are surf schools out there that take advantage of this situation. These schools know that if they explained the reality of learning to surf, they would get fewer students.

This omission of the truth is a grave injustice to the learner surfer. The newcomer to surfing needs to be able to trust the information given to them by the surf school operator whom they have paid, to teach them to surf. But sadly in many cases they cannot.

Also, because learners quite naturally assume that they should be able to trust all so called surf instructors to guide them correctly. These learners no longer ask the more experienced surfers in the water for guidance. And conversely most experienced surfers no longer offer it. And so we have a self perpetuating dysfunctional cycle.

The root of the problem is this – you simply cannot teach anyone to surf in a couple of hours let alone a couple of weeks, it’s just not possible. Anyone saying they can is putting profits before principles. The absolute best a surf school can do is to give you a glimpse of what it could feel like to ride waves, while standing on a surfboard.

Yes a personal surf coach, who is an experienced surfer themselves, can be of great benefit to the person who wanna surf over a period of time. But that requires serious money. No matter what the newcomer to surfing may do, they must get in the habit of seeking guidance from the more experienced surfers in the water.

What Makes Up a Professional Surf Experience?

By Ava on Friday, June 4th, 2010 | No Comments

Surfing looks easy right? All you do is paddle out, duck under the waves and then ride down the face of the wave doing a few cut backs and bottom turns. If you have ever hired a board and had a go you will know the real surf experience is a little different!

Surfing was revived in 1920 when a Hawaiian swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku, formed the first surfing club in Waikiki. Professional surfing competition was extremely popular in the 1960s, thus giving birth to the best surf experience there is. The main organizing body for professional surfing today is the Association of Surf Professionals (ASP), which also has five regional organizations. A few pro surfers can earn about $200,000 or more per year from competing but most top professional surfers earn about $20,000 per year. Top pros can earn in excess of $750,000 over their lifetimes from competition. More money can be made from product endorsements and offering lessons.

So how do you become a professional surfer and have the best surf experience of your life while earning lots of money? Here are a few instructions.

1. Buy surfing clothes and at least one surfboard to get you started. Although you probably will not have much success without the major ingredient in the mix: good ocean waves. So obviously, it is a great help to be living near the ocean. You will also need to stay in good physical shape.

2. Offering lessons is one of the side incomes for surfing teaching professionals, who often offer lessons to new surfers. It can be a major expense but it is definitely worth the investment if you plan on competing professionally. It takes a lot of practice to develop skills as a surfer and there are no shortcuts in this. You can locate experienced surfers who offer lessons by visiting surf shops like 2 Mile Surf Shop in Bolinas, California. Nick Kreiger is the program director at that shop.

3. Competing in surfing events at the semi-professional level is your next step. Be prepared to travel to other destinations to find events. You will gain valuable surf experience even if you only compete in a few events while still practicing on your own.

4. Joining the ASP is relatively simple for qualified surfers. You’ll need to apply and pay membership fees. The ASP World Tour, however, is for the small group of surfing professionals that dominate the sport. Female surfers are able to compete as well.

5. Travel the world to compete in ASP events and the ASP World Tour.

6. Endorsing surfing products and offering surfing lessons can supplement your income once you’ve “made it.”

Pointers for Newbies Going on Surf Holidays

By Ava on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 | 9 Comments

Surfing is an enjoyable, vigorous sport in which is perfect for each and every one of us.  Over the last few years, surfing has become one of the most favorite sports of people everywhere.  A lot of people would be heading out to different places in search for the best surfing spot that they could find.  These people love the excitement of getting on their surfboards and just let the waves do their thing.  You know, it has been said that once you get a hold of the surfing bug, it would be extremely impossible to stop going after the waves. 

Nowadays, surfing has become more “user friendly” by means of the enhancement of the surfboards and also by generating suits for surfing.  These enhanced materials would make surfing better and safer in which would be great for the whole family to go out on surf holidays.  A lot of families would love to go on an adventure trips and what better to do than go on surf holidays. 

Surfing may perhaps be the most famous adventure sports in the planet however there might be a bit of a complication since circumstances that are essential to have a proper surfing environment are not  accessible just about anywhere.  There are certain places or areas across the country where the conditions are just about right to be able to go and take pleasure in riding the waves.  These places would be perfect for surf holidays.  But even in the best surfing areas, may not be available for constant surfing since there are seasons in which the waters would be extremely dangerous to swim in.  Therefore it would be really vital to do research on the background of that certain surfing spot that you would want to visit.  You get important facts and information and you would also have to know the best time to go on surf holidays.  You should make certain that the area that you want to visit would also have the right qualifications for safe surfing.  Surfing may be very enjoyable but it can also be tremendously dangerous if you do not take proper precautions. So if you feel that the surf spot that you would be visiting would not be safe for you and your family then try looking for another one, its better safe than sorry. 

If you want to go on a surfing trip, the most excellent way to really enjoy your time with your family and to make most of your surfing adventure get away would be to stay for at least a week or two.  You will find that three days or even just the weekend would not be enough for the fun to really sink in.  So get out, enjoy and surf’s up!

Top 5 Great Places to Go on a Surf Vacation

By Ava on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 | 2 Comments

The real definition of surfing is the desire to be out in the water and to have the freedom to conquer a powerful force of nature that can take you to places where you have not been before. Surfing is a whole new different world. Like taking a new drug, it can be very addictive. But surfing minus the great waves is like drinking hot beer. So to ease your surf vacation pains away, we have provided a list of the best places for surfers.

1. Gold Coast, Australia

It is undeniable that Australia is home to the best beaches and the best waves both make perfect ingredients for a perfect surf vacation. It is the sixth most populated city in the country and is located in the southeast corner of Queensland. It is known for its sunny subtropical climate, famous surfing beaches and canal systems. Although a bit expensive, it is a great surfing destination for newbie and pros alike.

2. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

Located off the western coast of Sumatra, the Mentawai Islands is one of the best surfing destinations in Asia. All of its seventy islands and islets are rich in monstrous waves. Its four major islands that block most swells from reaching the mainland became an ideal spot for wave-hungry surfers looking for the surf vacation and adventure of their lives. For your surf vacation, the islands can be reached by sea only through ferries and charter boats.

3. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Jeffreys Bay is found in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Just about an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, it is considered as one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world. In the winter months of June, July and August, surfers from all over the world gather and enjoy great rides from beaches like Super Tubes, Boneyards, Kitchen Windows and more.

4. Fuerteventura, Spain

Fuerteventura is referred to as the Mecca of Surfers. It is a part of the Canary Islands and is the second largest of them all, located in the Atlantic Ocean. Most surfers consider Fuerteventura a personal favorite because it can be visited in any time of the year. Its temperatures rarely fall below 18 degrees Celsius or rise above 24 degrees Celsius. But usually, seasoned surfers frequent the place from October to March.

5. El Salvador

Now known as the Republic of El Salvador, it borders the Pacific Ocean and the Honduras. The country has been gaining more and more popularity because famous surfers like El Zonte, Sunzal, and La Libertad frequent the area. The reason – El Salvador is not a crowded place making it a perfect destination for a spontaneous and intimate surf vacation. The main swells appear from March to October coinciding with the rainy season where the waves rise as much as 10 feet.

4 Tips to Consider Taking Award-Winning Surf Pictures

By Ava on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 | 2 Comments

Photography, the art of taking pictures, has always been something very enjoyable, both for the ones taking the pictures and the ones looking at the pictures. Photographers find enjoyment in looking for good angles and good lighting in taking breathtaking shots, while the ones that are just looking will find enjoyment in observing and carefully looking at the uniqueness and maybe some hidden meaning or maybe finding an interpretation in the shots.

Photography can be anyone’s hobby and anyone can learn it. Normally beginners would start at taking still pictures like sceneries or flowers because it’s easier to find a good angle, but have you ever wondered how pictures in sports events are taken? Since their subjects are always on the move, how about taking pictures in surfing competitions? If you are the type who likes taking surf pictures then here are four easy tips which you can use to take award winning shots not just in surfing but in photography in general.

First, 99% of the quality depends on good lighting; when you take shots make sure you take them on the right time of the day, which is early sunlight, most great surf pictures are taken during this time. Sunsets can also be good because it gives a silhouette of the surfer making it more artistic. During cloudy days when the sun is overcast, you can set your camera to black and white. Color is pretty dull during overcast so it’s better to take away the color. Remember that the sun is a photographer’s best friend.

Second is equipment, good cameras mean good pictures but it doesn’t they have to be expensive. There are good cameras out there out with just the reasonable prize. When you decide to go into the water to take surf pictures with great detail or maybe to have a piece of the action, you should provide a good housing for your cam to prevent it being soaked in water.

Third, you can still take good pictures in the shore. You can walk around to find a good spot and a good angle. Try wide shots don’t just keep on zooming in. Use something in the foreground, like a tree, person or etc. to set focus on the surfer on the background.

Lastly, nothing beats practice; in taking surf pictures timing is everything. You need to be in the right place at the right moment in getting a great shot at the surfer. In order to achieve this you need to have a lot of practice. Then, continue taking shots and constantly look at your own work and see how you like them. Think of ways of how you could have made the shot even better. With the boom of digital photography it’s now easier to take pictures, so why don’t you try it out.

4 Things to Look For in a Surf Lesson for Pros

By Ava on Monday, May 31st, 2010 | No Comments

Surfing may just seem to be an affair that is valued only in terms of how much enjoyment it can give.  However, ever since the late 50’s, it has become a serious sport for many.  In fact, you can no longer relate it to beach bums the way it used to be.  Now, you hear of professional surfers who can make millions just by riding skillfully on waves.  Because of this, you can also see men and women taking a surf lesson with the seriousness of a college senior.  You can enroll in one easily by just going to any popular surfing spot.  However, you have to be careful in choosing your surfing school.  Consider only that offer lessons for pros.

You should make sure, if the surf school you are in is duly recognized by professional surfing organizations.  If it is not accredited, you run the risk of being provided a substandard surf lesson.  This is will just be a waste of time and money.  Worse, you end up only a little better than you were.  The pros will just consider your surfing as nothing much but that of a first-timer on a surfboard.  One guarantee you can have is when you have renowned pro for an instructor.

Location and season count matter a lot for quality surf schools.  Therefore, you should not entertain enrolling at one that is located at beaches that do not provide good surfs.  If you plan to achieve the professional’s skill in record time, then do not content yourself with unchallenging waves.  Go to a surf school that can truly bring out the pro in you by allowing you try the more difficult waves, such as dumpers.  Of course, you should try those smaller rolling waves first but as soon as you have enough skills, then you should try the more challenging ones.

You must give a degree of importance to your gear and equipment in taking a surf lesson.  If a school, grants you access to substandard surfboards and wetsuits, you will never get the feeling of learning the sport like a pro.  This can actually hamper your learning process.  You must find out if the surf school allows you use different types of surfboards.  A pro is someone who can use any type of surfboard and still manages to perform at his best. 

The fourth and final thing that you should look for in getting a surf lesson is the number of instructors.  If you they are too few compared to the number of learners, you can expect the quality of training to be affected badly.  Of course, the ideal is one on one.  However, if this is not possible, at least, it should be one instructor for seven students.

What You Need in a Surf Vacation

By Ava on Thursday, May 27th, 2010 | 4 Comments

Being a surfer means having the natural tendency to be drawn to huge waves. You have probably tried being in one, but while you are out there floating on your board and waiting for the next big one, you also have probably sulked in the fantasy of taking that incredible surf vacation getting a taste of some of the world’s most popular swells.

Why not finally make that dream surf vacation a reality?

Every surfer needs a great surf vacation at least once a month. Out of town trips can be sometimes frustrating – what with all the packing and the preparations and the long list of things that you need to have while you are away. Most surfers can be water-logged when it comes to planning the actual real-life surf vacation. Keep in mind these directions so you will not forget anything, and you can just swim off into the wild blue yonder. Also remember to double check all your packing list right before taking off.

1. First thing’s first. Decide where you are going. Your destination will tell you what kind of things you will need. If you are staying in a town, you might decide to book a room in a motel which means not brining a camping gear in tow. If you will be at an isolated part of the coast, you might need to camp or sleep in your vehicle.

2. Create a list of things to take a few days before you leave. Obviously you can live as comfortable as you like, but it is proven by a lot of campers and travelers that taking simply the essentials and a few extra things is a great way to keep the stress low.

3. Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, flip flops, and enough clothes to keep you warm, dry, and relatively clean feeling while you are away from home. Shoes are important if it is going to be cold or rainy, or if hikes will be involved, but even the cheapest pair of sandals is useless when you are constantly changing in and out of surf attire, leaving the car to check the waves, running into a restaurant to use the bathroom and generally living the sock-free life.

4. Bring with you some food essentials, including nuts, raisins, bananas, oranges, peanut butter and honey, bread, tuna, water.

5. If you plan on camping, bring a tent and a sleeping bag. Bring a travel sleeping pad if you have one. This could mean the difference between eight and three hours of sleep.

6. Most importantly, in every surf vacation no matter how quick, bring your board, a leash, wax, your wetsuit, booties if it will be cold, gloves if it will be freezing, sun screen, a towel and a pair of board shorts. It is also good to bring a spare leash.

Related Blogs

Why East Coast Surf Is Popular?

By Ava on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 | 3 Comments

Ever gotten an invitation to venture on the East Coast surf?  Surfers worldwide would travel and go the distance just to find that perfect wave that they can ride.  The feel of being on top or inside those gigantic barrel-like waves is incomparable.  As a keen surfer, one should know that surfing, being so much more than just a sport, has several factors to consider too if you intend to have the best surfing experience.  One of this is choosing just the right spot.  With so much outstretched coastlines worldwide, one can only wander and not wander enough.  Each surfer may have his own, shall we say, turf but some of these stand out from amongst the many.  Perhaps, because of the crowd or having that “local vibe”, or maybe because of the frequent weather, or because of the area’s capacity to provide gigantic waves to ride are the reasons why some coasts are considered more popular than the others.

So, what is there that makes East Coast surf so well-liked by many?  It may be claimed that there are plenty of prime spots that are all a short drives from Boston, along New England’s North Shore, so even if you won’t find giant plunging tube waves that are mostly prevalent in Hawaii, there sure are plenty of ankle to chest-high rolling waves that are perfectly ride-able. The North Jetty is the most popular as surfers have a short paddle to the best waves on the east coast. Monster Hole, south of the inlet and about 3/4 mile off the beach is the place where head high swells take longboarders for a long ride, but it’s a pretty good paddle out to the breaking waves so usually only locals attempt the paddle.  Heading to Massachusetts, surfers will find the longest surf-able coastline, plus, there are no “overcrowding”, so even for beginners, blending in would not be a problem.  With the growth of the surfing populace through the years, a wide array of beach breaks, reefs and even points are now discovered and developed to provide better venues.  Also known as the “Eastern Seaboard”, the East Coast offers much for discovery as its territory touches the Atlantic Ocean and stretches up to Canada.  The beaches here offer consistent East Coast surf all-year round, giving surfers more time and chances to try their feet on their respective boards.

Surfing being a lifestyle because of its patronage from among surfers and mere surfing enthusiasts, alike, is one perfect venture that you only love more and more.  So, be amongst the many that has had the natural high through surfing.  Try the East Coast surf and find out for yourself why it is so popular!

Related Blogs

« Older Entries

    Optional Widget Left

    Setup via Dashboard Widgets

    Optional Widget Center

    Setup via Dashboard Widgets

    Optional Widget Right

    Setup via Dashboard Widgets
Copyright 2010 - Surfing Secrets Revealed