May 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Zoul-Kifl Pio

Have you been asked to 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 them is to select the right spot. With so much coastlines to choose from around the world, you may be able to wander but not wander enough. Each surfer can have a turf of his own but some of them stand out completely from the rest. Perhaps it is because of the crowd or the local vibe or it can be because of the fast changing of the weather or simply the capacity of the place to produce huge waves that make it more popular than 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 drive 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 considered the most popular since surfers only have to paddle shortly for them to find the best waves in 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.

Going to Massachusetts, surfers will often find the longest surfable coast without the overcrowding which makes it perfect for beginners since blending won’t be a problem. As the surfing population grew over the years, a wide range of beach breaks, reefs and also points have been discovered and developed to provide more great venues for the sport. Also called as the “Eastern Seaboard,” the East Coast offers a lot of discoveries as it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean all the way towards Canada. The beaches here provide consistent East Coast surf the whole year round, giving surfers more time and chances to test their feet on the boards.

Surfing as a lifestyle and out of the patronage from surfers and surfing aficionados alike presents itself as a great venture that you will love more and more each day. So be among a lot of people who get the natural high through surfing. Try East Coast surf and find out why it has become so popular.

Find the best resources that can let you in on the latest about East Coast Surf and other highlights about surfing. You can find them at Surfing Secrets Revealed.

Article Source: Zoul-Kifl Pio

How East Coast Surf Became Popular

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May 21, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Glenn Kolb

In surfing, the rules of the road or shall we say the rules of the waves have always been handled out in the water or on the beach. Now that has changed in a Canadian courtroom.

There are well know rules amongst surfers. Someone who consistently breaks those rules can expect to be yelled at, given the stink-eye and occasionally physical abuse. If someone drops in on you they may offer a short apology. A simple “sorry about that” goes a long way towards reducing tensions out in the water when a foul occurs. To just ignore the other surfer isn’t cool and will irritate the other surfers.

Now in the Canadian case, the offending surfer, Jeffery Adams, paddled for the shoulder of a 7 foot wave when he should have yielded way and gone through the whitewater to avoid an oncoming surfer, Donald Crowe. The result was a nasty collision that caused significant damage to Crowe’s brand new shortboard.

Perhaps if Adams had responded appropriately, things would have ended there, but his profane reply apparently did not help his situation. It also didn’t aide him in the courtroom. In the end, a small claims court judge ruled in favor of Crowe. Now Adams is out $839 and let’s hope he considers it tuition in the school of life.

Let’s hope surfing doesn’t continue to see squabbles end up in the courtroom. Keep it out in the water where it belongs. Too many things end up in the courtrooms in North America. Solve things by being decent and apologize when you make a mistake and accept the apology when it comes your way.

Whether you are young or old YOU CAN SURF! Head over to http://www.surfhow.com to learn more about surfing. You’ll find an online surf guide and instructional surf videos.

Article Source: Glenn Kolb

Surfing-Etiquette—Now-Coming-to-a-Courtroom-Near-You&id=4316873

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May 20, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Joseph Stutzman

The incidence of attention-deficient/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children has been on the rise in the past few years. A new study sheds light on one possible cause of ADHD: pesticide exposure.

Researchers have found that the risk of developing ADHD increases for children who are exposed to organophosphates, a type of pesticide. Based on data from the U.S. general population, the study examines levels of pesticides in children’s urine and found that the likelihood of developing ADHD nearly doubled among those with high levels. More specifically, researchers found that children with above-average levels of dimethyl triphosphate, a common breakdown product of organophosphates, were twice as likely to develop ADHD than those with lower levels.

The study included more than 1000 participants who ranged in age from 8 to 15. About one in ten of the participants met the criteria for ADHD, which is similar to the rate among the general population. Researchers accounted for other risk factors, such as gender, age, and race, when making their conclusions regarding the link between pesticides and ADHD risk.

Originally developed for chemical warfare, organophosphates are known to be toxic to the nervous system. These compounds have been linked to behavioral symptoms that are common to ADHD, such as attention problems and impulsivity. Organophosphate exposure likely results from pesticides and insecticides that are used on produces and indoors. About 40 types of organophosphate pesticides are currently registered in the U.S.

More studies are certainly needed to determine the exact link between pesticide use and ADHD. For now, parents are advised to take caution in the types of chemicals used around the house. It is also a good idea to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating in order to eliminate as much pesticide residue as possible. Buying organic, pesticide-free produce can also reduce exposure.

Along with writing online articles, Joseph enjoys working in his gardens. Garden Harvest Supply is one of his favorite garden sites which offer diatomaceous earth and vegetable plants for sale.

Article Source: Joseph Stutzman

ADHD and Pesticides

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May 19, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Rob Wang

What type of surfboard do I need? If you’re fresh to surfing, your best bet is to pick up a longboard or a foamie (soft top). Cruise over to your local surf shop and have them pick out a board that will suit your frame and build.

While it’s tempting to pick up a shortboard-who wouldn’t want to be shredding up waves-starting off on one is generally frustrating enough to stop most newbies from ever trying again. So unless you’ve got the learning curve of a surfing GOD, a longboard’s consistency and stability is what you’ll need to improve quickly.

A quality longboard will last you a lifetime. Even after you become a better surfer, longboards are ideal for small wave days and teaching visiting friends, family, and groms how to cut their first wave.

What’s a leash? Its a rubber cord that ties your board to your leg. Leashes keep your surfboard from floating away from you or shooting out from under you and into someone’s face.

Do I need one? Having to chase down your surfboard gets old pretty quick. Get a leash.

Why do people use surf wax? Normally your board will be extremely slick and next to impossible to grip when wet. Wax fixes that. If you aren’t a big fan of wax, you can always look into a traction pad for your board.

Traction Pad? These is a grippy foam plate that attaches to the surface and towards the rear of the board. They function just like wax.

Water temperature: The water temperature will determine everything from the kind of protective gear you wear to the wax you use For convenience, the guide below is grouped by the type of surf wax you want to use. Make sure you’ve got the right wax for the water conditions you want to surf; otherwise it’ll fleck right off.

• Tropical 75F+: The water is as warm as its gonna get. You’re probably gonna want to keep it to a boardshorts and a rash guard-this’ll keep you from looking like you’re allergic to sea water once you finish catching waves. If you find yourself shivering in the water, you may want to invest in a “shortie”, a 2mm thick wetsuit with short sleeves and legs.
• Warm 65 to 75F: You can get away with just wearing board shorts and a rash guard on good days, but you’re gonna want a Springsuit for the chillier days. Springsuits look like wetsuits with short sleeves or legs, depending on personal preference. They’re typically 3/2, (i.e. the base layer of the suit will be 2mm thick with an additional protective 1mm wrap around specific areas like the knees and the chest).
• Cool 60 to 65: - Your best bet is to check out a full wetsuit so you don’t have to suffer.:) The most common varieties of fullsuits are the 4/3, 5/3, and 5/4. If the water only gets colder throughout the year, you’ll want to grab a 5/3 or thicker-just remember, the thicker you go, the harder it is to paddle. For the rest of you, a 4/3 is enough to keep ya warm.
• Cold 60-: Armor up. Hooded wetsuit, booties, gloves. Maybe even a dry suit, depending on how cold you want to go. Note that at the upper 50s, you can still get away with wearing a full wetsuit, so don’t shell out the extra cash if you don’t have to.

Rob Wang is a San Diego based writer with a predilection for surf, greasy food, and sleep deprivation.

Content graciously provided by: http://www.Degree33Surfboards.com

Article Source: Rob Wang

I Want to Start Surfing! A Quick and Dirty Beginner’s Guide to Surfboards

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May 18, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Glenn Kolb

The 5 Best Places in the World to Learn to Surf

If you are considering learning to surf, make sure you choose a great place to start. The names you hear often in the media aren’t necessarily the best places to learn to surf. Although most people have heard of Pipeline in Hawaii, it is only for extremely advanced surfers. In coming up with this list, I am considering more than just wave quality and safety for beginners. If you are going to try surfing for the first time let’s make it an incredible experience with a beautiful beach and warm water.

So even though there are good places to learn to surf in California like San Onofre or up on the west coast of Canada in Tofino, for this list they don’t make the cut. Do you want to be getting out of the water in December on the west coast of Canada? Let’s pick a spot that is going to be as much of a great time on the land as it is out in the water.

Santa Teresa - Costa Rica: Located on the Pacific Coast on the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa and Mal Pais have been attracting international surfers for years. Originally drawn by the waves, surfers fell in love with this place and now you’ll find a wide array of hotels and restaurants. Happily the town is still small enough to have kept its charm.

Byron Bay - Australia: The water isn’t as warm as Santa Teresa, but the waves are gonna warm your heart. The town has plenty of accommodations, great cafes and music venues.

Lahaina, Maui - Hawaii: This has to be one of the easiest places to learn to surf in the world, not to mention you’ll be on the beautiful island of Maui.

Kuta Beach, Bali - Indonesia: Beautiful golden sand with perfect rolling waves and bustling tourism. Too crowded for some and just right for others.

Florianopolis - Brazil: Barra da Lagoa in Florianopolis is a perfect beach to learn to surf. If you get tired of surfing the waves, give sand surfing a try at nearby Ingleses Beach where you can surf down sand dunes on a board.

Ready to take that surf vacation? Check out SURFhow’s free online guide for tips and videos on learning to surf.

Whether you are young or old YOU CAN SURF! Head over to http://www.surfhow.com to learn more about surfing. You’ll find an online surf guide and instructional surf videos.

Article Source: Glenn Kolb

Surf Travel Hotspots for Beginners

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May 12, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Ant Cocco

Surfing is a great alternative to gym style workouts. It can also be a great escape from the cares and worries of the world. The ocean for many can have a very soothing and stress relieving effect. Couple these effects with surfing and you end up with a total mind and body workout.

Surfing promotes aerobic and anaerobic fitness benefits. Or in other words, surfing increases endurance and strengthens muscles throughout the entire body. The art of catching a wave involves several key factors all working together. First and foremost is the understanding of your own limits. Are you a good swimmer? It is oftentimes recommended that you not paddle out farther than you think you would be able to swim without a surfboard or other flotation device. If you have any doubts about your swimming ability you may want to reconsider surfing in the ocean and maybe start with your local wave pool. Next would be knowledge and understanding of swells, tides, currents, channels, reefs, sand bars and wave anatomy. Most of Mother Nature’s tendencies become common sense once you have been ocean educated. Not to be overlooked, and probably one of the most important factors is surfing etiquette. Respect the ocean and be respectful of others.

Start with a large board if surfing for the first time. A larger board will help with balance. Check your equipment. Make sure you have a leash and that you have fastened it to the ankle of the leg that will be placed on the rear of the board. Wax up your board to keep yourself from slipping or sliding off. Make sure to stretch and do not surf right after a meal. You can always practice on the beach before hand with the board on the sand or grass or better yet, just take it out into the white water. Get a feel for the board in shallow water before attempting to paddle out. In shallow water, lie down on the board and find the spot on the board that brings the nose up out of the water by just a few inches. Try your paddling. You should be able to glide without too much effort. If your board feels like it is really dragging then you may be too far back. White water can also be a good place to practice your pop up. If your board is buoyant enough you could probably just turn it towards the shore and wait. Once you feel the white water taking the board, place both hands down flat on the board in a push up movement, bring one of your legs under your torso and slowly stand up. After a few tries you should be able to speed up your pop up.

When you are ready to try your hand at a wave, head out past the white water and into the lineup. Point your board back to shore and wait for the swell. Start your paddling before the wave reaches you. When you feel the wave start to lift yourself and the board lean back slightly with your chest raised and place your hands flat on the board. Wait until you reach the flat of the water before attempting your pop up. Another option is to ride prone the first few times to get used to the feel of catching a wave.

As is the case with any new sport or activity, progress and improvement is going to require consistent effort and hard work. The thrill of riding waves and the fostered connection with nature is well worth the physical and mental challenges that surfing demands.

Ant Cocco enjoys outdoor activity and fitness related articles. Visit her Stand Up Paddle blog and forum at http://supsista.com.

Article Source: Ant Cocco

Start Surfing and Enjoy the Fun and Fitness

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May 10, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Rob Wang

You feel your gut drop as your board plunges down a solid 10 foot wall of water. Your breath is coming out in short jolts as your heart slams against your ribcage. Your every instinct is telling you this could be the end of you.

You kick out your heels and lean into the wave as your board shakily catches and then blissfully holds onto the base. You sweep the nose of your board away from the shore and off towards the horizon, where the wave continues to build before you.

All you can hear is the breathy roar of the ocean behind you and the rapid adrenaline fueled bass of your heart pounding in your ears as you fight to keep your board from getting sucked into the blue green sheet in your periphery.

Salt water is streaming into your eyes, but you don’t have time to fix it; gotta focus. You brush your hand against the curtain of water to your right and a brilliant spray of white salt water lets you know you’re slowing down to keep pace with the wave.

Bad move. Something is off. You can hear the crash of the wave behind you getting close. You need to speed up, NOW.

You crouch down: every ounce of your concentration is going into keeping yourself from slipping and losing this moment forever as your board trembles uncertainly beneath you…and then all of a sudden…bliss.

You are surrounded by liquid art, a gorgeous, swirling blue green portal of glass encircling a broad, roughly painted yellow window into the outside world, your world of sun, sand, and palm trees. A thousands suns shine in through the brilliant cascading roof of tumbling ocean. You take in a deep breath and soak in this moment. You wish you could stay here forever.

A blast of fresh air and sea mist from the collapsing wave behind you snaps you back into reality; you snap your board off the lip of the wave and you shoot neatly out of the tube and into the air: shaky, triumphant, and already craving more. This is surfing at its finest.

Experience

Tube surfing is one of the 3 BIG pinnacles of surfing achievement, ranking right up there with hanging ten and surfing MONSTER waves the size of your apartment. The sheer level of skill necessary to successfully ride the tube, especially exiting cleanly, is off the charts and serves as one of the hardest things you can do as a surfer. It is also one of the most gratifying; and recognizing that, many surfers spend their careers paddling after that perfect wave.

Surfing is just one of those sports that you don’t get tired of. Every session out in the water is an open opportunity to experience something incredibly memorable: whether you ‘re standing up for the first time, riding tandem with your girl, or just staring off into the sunset from your front row seat in the water, you leave every session with a memory you’ll never forget.

Community

The nicest part about the surf community, barring a few select individuals, is that it is immediately accepting. Doesn’t matter if you’re barely potty trained, or well into your silver years.

As long as you show your passion for the sport, there isn’t a single surfer out there who wouldn’t be happy to sit down, chill, and chat with you about the finer points of surf, sun, and sand. Surfing doesn’t inspire lukewarm dedication. All real surfers are FANATICS-and after some quality time in the ocean with your board, you will be too.

Cost

As a lifetime investment, surfing is unmistakably one of the best decisions you can make. Wanna be cut and deliriously happy at 50? Ride your board every day.

Unlike sports like snowboarding, surfing comes with a one-time price tag. You buy your board, your bag, and a wetsuit and you’ve got a lifetime pass to surf paradise. Unless you do something catastrophic to your board, you’ll only need to purchase a $1 bar of wax every now and again to keep your board grippy.

With the summer just over the horizon, now is the BEST time to pick up a new board and get started on your grand surfing adventure.

Looking for a new epoxy surfboard? Just looking to buy a surfboard? Let Degree33 take care of you.

Based out of the heart of surf culture in San Diego, Degree33 has been walking surfers old and new through the ordeal of selecting their dream boards for years. Need to figure out what board works best for you? Looking for a brand spanking new, custom board emblazoned with the graphic you designed, your ideal dimensions, and a shape of your own design? Degree33 has you covered on all bases. Save up to 43% over other surf shops and get what you’ve been missing out on.

Contact:
www.Degree33Surfboards.com
Phone: (858) 693 3692
Email: Surf@Degree33.com
7965 Silverton Ave STE 1310
San Diego, CA 92126

Rob Wang is a San Diego based writer with a predilection for surf, greasy food, and sleep deprivation.

Article Source: Rob Wang

Why Buy a Surfboard?

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May 7, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Forrest Ladkin

The Fish Surfboard; what are they and where did it all start? Unless you have lived and breathed surfing for a period of time, this term fish surfboard may be completely alien to you. So here is a brief but detailed summary on everything you need to know about fish.

The very first Fish Surfboard would have been shaped into a PU foam blank some where in the 1960’s, and are still tearing up waves to this day. Some of the basic elements of the Fish has branched off over time, but the Fish is still used for the same waves, famous for its ability to make fun out of even the most sloppy conditions.

The Basic Anatomy of the Fish hasn’t changed a great deal since its birth, I’ll explain its key features and the pros and cons of its design. So really what makes a fish surfboard a fish surfboard? To simplify it really only needs two things. A swallow tail which looks like a W in the tail of the board and an exceptionally wide plan shape generally with the widest point around 3/4 of the way up the board.

So what do these features do and why are they there? In a nutshell the Fish is really a regular short board they has had its nose cut off and rounded (to give the board a tighter turning arc), and then to compensate for this lack of foam they have added a lot of width and usually some extra thickness. So most fish surfboards tend to paddle as good if not better then a regular short board 6″ longer.

So what does an exceptionally wide and short board to for you on the wave? Well like I said before shorter boards are always going to produce tighter turns on the face, then having an exceptionally large wide point produces more curve in the out line of the board. These two things combined offer a highly manoeuvrable board that excels in small waves. The added width gives you stability and paddle power while the curve in the plan shape + shortness offer tight turns.

Coming onto the negatives, one of the only real draw backs is that it is perhaps to manoeuvrable in big waves. As you are surfing larger waves you are obviously moving a lot faster and need to draw big lines in the face of the wave. When riding fish surfboards in large waves they tend to be very ’skatie’ and don’t have a great deal of hold when moving very fast due to its thick rails which become hard to bury in the face to keep you from skating all over the place. When I say big I mean big though, depending on the exact board you can usually get away with riding well over head surf with out to much trouble.

In conclusion the fish surfboard can work for light beginners but tend to be a bit sensitive for most people starting out. Fish’s are perfect for intermediates that still need a forgiving board but have the basics down and want to start putting in some turns. Also experts that want a fun board for small waves can have an absolute ball! The Fish Surfboard is perfect from knee hight to over head.

In conclusion if you find the waves in reality tend to be fat, full and crowded why not get a head start on all the people riding tooth picks and get back to why you started surfing, for fun!

If you would like to know more or want to know good places to buy hit the following link - CLICK HERE!

Article Source: Forrest Ladkin

What is a Fish Surfboard? An Experienced Anatomy

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May 6, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Stephanie A Stover

1. Identify potential hazards such as currents, rocks, as well as entry and exit points.
2. Respect the ocean and learn the culture of surfing. “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.”
3. Know your personal limits of ability of your equipment, yourself and physical fitness and adapt them to your session.
4. Allow your body to rest adequately between surfing sessions, eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, protein and avoid fad diets, processed foods, drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
5. Warm up prior to surfing, and stretch before and after.
6. Use surfing as an outlet to increase self awareness and become a better individual. Do not harass others or become a victim to feeling surf rage, but rather take an opportunity to teach and learn in each session.
7. Stay hydrated with water, rather than soda, juice, beer or other beverages.
8. Obtain a full night’s sleep. A full night’s sleep is important for full recovery.
9. Understand the proper technique. First understand where your balance or center-of-gravity is, then add rotations, flexions and extensions from that position. You can move as hard and fast as your balance allows.
10. Understanding your equipment. Talk with your shaper to better understand your equipment and obtain maximum benefits.
11. Watch and critique yourself on video. Technique is essential when attempting to learn new manoeuvres.
12. Watch the pros. When you are trying to learn new things watch videos of top pros, try to watch everything from the approach to the exit of the manoeuvre you want to learn.
13. Have fun! Don’t get too uptight about crowds, wave counts etc. Remember what you are there for in the first place: to have FUN!

Stephanie Stover is an experienced writer who has been published in a plethora of hardcover books, magazines and online journals.

Article Source: Stephanie A. Stover

13 Surfing Tips

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May 3, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Jordy Mason

If you are a surfer or someone that wants to learn how to surf you need to know about all the great surf vacations that you can take to different parts of the world. This can be one of the best trips you have ever taken as you catch some of the best waves in the world. Even if you are a beginner many of these vacations have beginning surf classes that can help make you a better surfer while you are on vacation.

Some of these vacations are specifically guided and for advanced surfers that can handle the largest waves that can be found. This can be very dangerous, but can also be a lot of fun. This is not they type of trip for a regular surfer, but more for one that is considered to be a top surfer or very advanced. This could be the most incredible surfing experience of your life.

Another one of the types of surf vacations is those that are for teaching. Usually you will have one or two instructors that can work with your entire group regardless of their skill level. They can help beginners learn how to be better surfers and even the more advanced surfers can learn something from these trips. Plus you will see things you may have only dreamed about seeing.

If you are a surfer, then taking one of the many surf vacations that exist is a great way to enjoy your hobby and get away from your regular life. This is the best thing you can do in order to make sure you are able to have fun on your vacation and relax as well. Surfing is a lot of fun and even if you are a beginner you can have a great vacation with surfing.

Discover the best surf equipment, trips, and schools is only one click away. Click Here Now to get the best equipment and book your trip to Learn to Surf!

Article Source: Jordy Mason

Surf Vacations: The Biggest Waves and the Best Surfing in the World!

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