Surf Talk Guru

The ever-popular and ever-improving line of Xcel wetsuits and surf accessories will be coming out with a new Spring 2010 line soon. That means that the current stock of Fall 2009 will be going on sale to make room for new inventory.

The latest versions of Infinitis, Drylocks, and X-Zips will be interesting to check out. Keep an eye out for price drops at your local surf shop and take advantage of a good price on a great wetsuit.

Part of the reason for Xcel wetsuits’ popularity is their 100% stretch status. When your suit is stretchier, your surfing performance and ease of use of the suit is better.

Many other wetsuits only have stretch panels in the shoulders, back, underarms, arms, crotch, and knee areas. Wetsuit manufacturers focus on these panels as the stretchy parts, and use standard not-as-stretchy neoprene for the rest of the suit. But Xcel puts the stretch in all areas of the suit, making easier to put on, take off, and surf in.

There are a lot of different brand names when it comes to surfboard fins. Are they really that different? Is buying new fin set ups something you really want to do?

Most boards come with the FCS brand of fins. These are the most popular and come in a great variety, but some say they break out easily. Future Fins are FCS compatible and don’t disconnect as easily. These both are installed via a metal screw which can get corroded and hard to remove. Other higher end brands are O’Fish’I, Lok Box, Pro Box, and Red X.

There is currently a program for “Finatics” where you can try out different fins for awhile, send them back and try another set. That way you can try all the brands without having to buy them. Check it out at http://www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com/finatic/

You think it’s cold here . . .? Surfline had a humbling story on surfing the Jersey Shore. Walking through a foot of snow on the beach to surf 38 degree water for a short hour-long session. The surf looked pretty damn good. It better be for all that chillin’.

You have to wear gloves over there. We’re lucky to be able to choose to wear gloves or not. They can be heavy and kill your shoulders. We can wear a relatively lightweight 5/4 or a hooded 4/3. Over there right now, they’re having to wear a 6/5 to stay comfortable and maybe even a 1 mil rash guard. Hopefully they got their electric heat vests.

When the winter swarth is upon us, and the surf sessions are few and far between, it’s good to stay in surfing shape at the gym with swimming, cardio, and lifting, and at home with a balance board.

That way you’ll be ready for some big winter swell when it comes along. Balance boards are also a good, inexpensive ($70-$90) gift for the surfer on your Christmas list.

This Christmas’ hot product for surfers has been Quiksilver’s PS+ CYPHER Heat Vest System. The promise of never having another shortened session due to cold for an affordable $200 has proven too attractive for consumers and every last one of the original 900 manufactured has been sold!

Well, I know of one XXL left on a shelf in Newport.

But other than that, if you want one of the next 600 to be made and sold in March, or possibly January, you have to get on a back order list and reserve your size! The price should remain thte same. The only extra charge to ensure your purchase is the cost to sign up on the list.

Check out previous blog entries for gift ideas in all price ranges for your favorite surfer. Here are some ideas for stocking stuffers that will be sure to please any surfer this Christmas.

1.) Surf Shop Gift Card–Any Amount–Pick one up from your surfer’s favorite shop or have it sent direct. This will save you from having to choose something if you’re not sure of what to get.

2.) Surf Wax–$2–Available in different scents and colors, wax is a must for surfboards in all water temperatures. A variety of bars will allow your surfer to test out different brands. You could also include a wax comb and wax remover.

3.) Surfboard Leash–$18–Small enough to fit in a stocking, a leash is a life-saver out in the water, literally. Leashes need to be replaced, too, so this will be appreciated.

4.) Ding Repair Kit–$7–All surfers need to be able to repair their boards if they get nicked up. This kit is a must to carry in your car, board bag, or garage.

The PS+ Cypher Heat Vest System from Quiksilver is THE hot item this Christmas. There are none to be had in the world! The reason is that Quiksilver only made 900 when they came out in September. They sold slowly and steadily until the mad Christmas rush. Now they’re all sold out except for a few XXL’s at a few places around the country.

Quiksilver will manufacture another round of vests, but only 600 of them! They should be shipped to dealers in March or MAYBE January. The only way to guarantee you’ll get ahold of one this next time is to get on the back order list at your local dealer. It might cost a few dollars to get on the list, but it’s the only way to reserve a vest in your size.

Most of us have a surfer on our Christmas list and don’t want to spend too much this holiday season. Here are some ideas for easy-to-find, less expensive gifts any surfer would enjoy.

1.) Surf Video $20-$30–When surfers can’t surf, they want to watch other people do it. That’s why it’s also known as surf porn. DVD’s feature a variety of pro surfers in different locales, surfing to music.

2.) Surf Magazine Subscription $15-$25–A year-long subscription to Surf, Surfing, or TransWorld Surf magazines will provide knowledge, insight, and keep them up with current events in their favorite sport.

3.) Beanie $10-$20–Always appreciated year-round on the coast, stocking caps, or beanies, feature their favorite surf shop or brand, helping your surfer stay warm and stylin’.

Holiday shopping season is already here. Wondering what to get for your favorite surfer? Here are some ideas for some gifts in the mid-level price range that any surfer is sure to love.

1.) Tide Watch $75-$150–A water-resistant watch that displays the tides and has lots of other bells and whistles. Quiksilver, Nixon, and Rip Curl are a few brands.

2.) Surf Racks $50-$150–For traveling with boards atop your vehicle, cheaper soft racks or more spendy hard racks are available. A little more money will get you the locking hard racks (more like $200).

3.) Sherpa Sweatshirt $40-$50–Warm fleecy hooded sweatshirts embroidered with their favorite surf brand or shop logo will be a welcome winter warm-up.