Who needs surf when you can surf indoors!

Who need surf when you can surf indoors with a surf simulator. Paul Goo is the inventor of a indoor surf set-up. He began in 1986 with a surf board and a wok. But his current set-up now uses a surfboard mounted to a pressure sensing platform which controls the character on the big screen. Mr. Goo rents his set-up out to large parties and events for about $1500 but he also offers a complete package for $13000. He also has held indoor surf tournaments with real bikini girls as trophy girls. So for your next party you should look into renting his set-up! Read more here...

Most Expensive Surfboard Ever

At a auction held by Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction two of the world's most expensive boards were sold. One was a 1960's 11-foot Buzzy Trent Model "Surfboards Hawaii" elephant gun from the 1960s that was shaped by Dick Brewer. This board went for $33,000. It was one of three that were made.

The other board was a Redwood Alaia board 5'0" circa 1895 which went for $27,000. 5'0" is short so riding it must have taken some skill. Overall the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction brought in over $650,000 total. Not bad for a bunch of old surf gear. So safe those old boards regardless of the condition they are in and put them on the side. Because one day they could be worth something.

Lost Surfboards

Here is a ironic twist. Back in November 2006, a 21-year old broke into the Lost surfboard factory and helped themselves to a brand new board in broad daylight. So basically ...Lost lost a surfboard. Pretty funny. I actually feel sorry for the ...Lost brand as when searching for info on their boards all I get is Lost the tv show websites. So again I guess you can say the Lost surfboard is lost on the web.

Surfboard Integrity

There was a new web site that has recently been launched. The site is called surfboard-tracker and it allows you to check if your board is authentic, help protect against lost, and allows shapers to communicate with you. It also allows retailers and shapers to track their surfboard shapes from being copied or stolen.

Shaping boards are still done by hand but these are just for prototypes usually. Once the prototype board is tested and works, the shaper is able to duplicate the board as much as they want. All they will need is a PC and a shaper machine. So if the original shaper can do it anyone with the same machinery can do it too. To be true to the art of surfboard shaping please do not buy dupe boards but instead buy authentic boards.

The surfboard-tracker system is International Surfing Association approved and provides all three main parties surfers, shapers, and retailers to communicate and track surfboards. So go out and get your boards surfboard-tracker stamped.

Surfboards - Part 1

There are many different surfboards out there on the new/used market. They mainly differ by size, materials utilized, number of fins, and shape. All of these differences add up to a surfboard that can be customized for a certain surf spot, size of wave, or set-up to a surfer's preferences. Finding what works best for you can be a learning experience and it depends how sensitive you are differences. Most beginners will not be able to tell minute differences in a surfboard design if they are roughly the same size and shape. The fin count on the bottom will affect the board's performance enough for a beginner to most likely notice. Another differentor is the material in which the board is made out of.

Each of the following posts will address how the dimensions, shape, fin count, and materials affect the performance of the board. Check back soon.

Surfing - General Overview

Surfing is a wonderful sport that allows an individual to connect with the ocean and the natural environment. By surfing in variable conditions and using different surfboards no two surf sessions would ever be alike. This is the beauty in the rarity of having the perfect surf session. The perfect surf session is an elusive as finding a needle in a haystack.

So why do people surf? As stated above; connecting with nature is one reason. Another reason is the health benefit it provides. A typical surf session can allow you to burn up to 500 calories. Those are the days where you are mainly paddling and not riding. The muscles used while surfing are mainly focused in the upper body area and your cardio system will be pushed. The last reason people surf is that surfing provides some type of psychological benefit. It could be the peace and quiet, time alone to think, or meditate.

Surfing is not always a single person sport. There are tandem surfboards that allow for two people to share a large board that is usually over 9 feet long. Or in some areas of the world two individuals will share one board and just take turns catching waves.

You could also be surrounded by other surfers who are waiting for the next set. Or you could be out with a bunch of friends. It has been stated that surfing is the new executive meeting place. Before it was the golf course but it now happens at 5am out in the ocean. So don't be surprised to see a CEO of a company discussing company strategy to a bunch of fellow surfers.

As you can see surfing overall provides a means to exercise both mentally and physically, as well as be a bonding experience for friends and co-workers. But one last reason anyone surfs is because they just enjoy the sport.