Surf Talk Guru

If you haven’t had to break out your winter wetsuit yet, the time is upon us. I’ve long been in the habit of buying a new wetsuit every year to year and a half, usually just in time for the colder weather. I know buying so many wetsuits might be considered a little consumerist, but there’s nothing like actually feeling hot and sweaty amidst the northern Pacific Ocean waves and a 38 degree breeze. The warmest wetsuits I’ve ever tried were hooded Xcel wetsuits, so that’s what I buy. I justify my spending by keeping the suits in good shape, then selling them used. That way I’m recycling and helping out a fellow surfer, too.

If you’re in the market for a new wetsuit and aren’t sure what you want, here are some thoughts to consider when trying and buying:

1) The most important thing in a wetsuit is the fit. I suggest trying on as many different suits as needed to get a good fit. Don’t just eyeball it. Everyone’s bodies are different, so try on various sizes of different brands to compare how different companies’ products fit.

2) Good winter wetsuits cost from $300-$500 and there is a huge variety of styles and types in those price ranges. You want a thick suit that has good flexibility. It shouldn’t fit too tight since the suit will shrink and stiffen a bit over time. Practice bending your knees and hips, even jumping up from prone position, just to make sure the flexibility is there.

3) Zipper-free hooded suits are the best in terms of keeping out water, but they are very hard to get into and out of, plus they tend to be the most expensive on the market.

4) If you can’t get out and try them out yourself, all wetsuit companies have size charts available online. Have a knowledgeable friend or tailor take your measurements to determine what size is best for you.

If you’ve had the same plain white board for awhile and you’ve got an artistic streak, why not spice it up with some kind of design? Several options are available: paint, markers, or vinyl. You can use spray paint after taping off the design you create. Just make sure to cover it with a coat or two of clear gloss. If it chips off, it will look bad. Some people use Sharpies, but those can fade quickly in the sun and salt water. A better bet is paint markers (Posca is a good brand) with oil-based enamel paint resistant to UV and fading. There are always vinyl graphics, too–stickers that can hold up in the water. If you wanted to pay a little more, you can get decals glassed on by a local shaper, or try it yourself if you have the tools.

The picture here is from Drew Brophy, a surfboard artist out of San Clemente. If you’re not as artistic as all that, you could simply go for the colored surf wax from Sticky Bumps. Rub it on like crayons to create some pretty cool designs that you can scrape off if they don’t turn out. Then again, if you have any extra time on your hands, you might want to work on improving your surfing rather than your surfboard!

As is extremely evident by the presence of more and more Stand-Up Paddlers out in the lineup these days, SUP surfing has become mainstream. Not only is SUP surfing a regular category in many surf contests, but the number of contests exclusively for SUP surfers is increasing nationwide. There are also SUP races on flat water, down rivers, etc.

I’ve heard a lot of traditional surfers ask: What’s the point of SUP surfing? Or express annoyance at SUPpers’ tendency to be “Wave Hogs.” So I did some research to find out exactly what draws people up on the SUP boards.

For one thing, some people like the fact that SUP surfing is easier and less physically demanding than traditional paddle surfing. You have to work a lot harder using little hands to get you into a wave than you do a long paddle. Also, Stand-Up Paddlers are able to have fun surfing in knee-high surf (1-2 feet), usually more so than a traditional surfer with a 10′0″ longboard in such tiny waves. SUP boards are versatile. Used like a one-man canoe or kayak, you can explore lakes and rivers as well as coastline on a SUP board. There are even products out there specifically designed for making your SUP board more of a touring boat: waterproof on-board packs and bags, camelback water dispensers, sun hats, you name it.

If you do decide to give Stand Up Paddle surfing or touring a shot, it’s a good idea to take a lesson first. See if you like it and learn the basics. A first-timer is going to need a number of skills to stay on the board. You have to know how to turn around, which stances to use, different footwork for different situations, and how to use the paddle for balance. These skills are different, too, depending on whether you’re on flat water or in the surf. Good skills to learn considering that right now, it seems like SUPping is more than just the latest fad, it’s probably here to stay.

Typhoon Choi-Wan’s gift of long interval groundswell and huge waves this weekend on our coast is a real treat for those of us who’ve been biding our time on longboards all summer. The waves are going to get big. Local tow surfers are stoked up about this coming El Nino winter and there are plenty more of these big wave weekends coming up, all the way from this fall to next spring.

There are only a handful of tow-in surfers in Oregon. If you’ve always wanted to try towing in and riding the big ones, but don’t know anyone who does it, you should take a lesson in tow-in surfing. A tow-in surfing lesson would give you the basics and let you practice all the skills: driving the jet ski in the surf, dropping off, picking up, and of course, riding huge waves. You’d be able to find out if you love it, or if it’s not for you. But either way, it would be the experience of a lifetime.

Surfing is practically a way of life on the West coast; it has inspired clothing trends, slang language and even musical genres. If it weren’t for that most leisurely of sports, what would the Beach Boys have sung about in the ’60s? It’s really no surprise then that surfing has also spawned a number of similar boardsports. Skimboarding, a pastime that takes place close to shore, is just one of these offshoots.

Skimboards are smaller in scale than surfboards, and their wood or fiberglass material is carved in an oval or teardrop shape. What began as just a secondary activity for beach-bound surfers has since evolved into a serious sport in its own right. Skimboarders can be seen plying their craft up and down the coastlines of Oregon and California, waiting for the perfect wave to hit shore and hopping onboard to ride it out.

Quiksilver has just come out with a battery-powered heat vest to wear under any wetsuit. Actually, it isn’t available in stores quite yet, but can be pre-ordered if you’re interested. Quiksilver is not the first to think of such technology, but since it’s been tried before, it’s probably safe to say that this latest product will be an improvement over earlier attempts at the heated wetsuit market.

Last winter, Rip Curl came out with the H-Bomb electric full wetsuit. After the initial fear of electrocution subsided, reviewers tried it and reported that while it did keep them warm in frigid conditions, it didn’t outperform a 6/5/4 fullsuit. Collectively, it was decided it wasn’t worth the $1100 price tag. At the same time, Billabong came out with the SG5 steamer, which used solar energy to heat itself. The price was a lot lower, but the problem was that it warmed up in the sunshine, and not under cloud cover. This wouldn’t work too well for Oregon surfers, who know the sun can’t be counted on.

So now it’s a year later. Neither of these two breakthrough wetsuits have posed physical dangers, nor have they become mainstream. I’m willing to bet that Quiksilver has learned from others’ mistakes and has come up with a superior product. For starters, the Cypher Electric Heat Vest is just that–a vest. It’s not a fullsuit, it just gives extra warmth to your core, which is all that’s important, anyway. Also, the price is affordable at $200. I’m not usually the first person I know to try a new technology, but in this case, I am going to buy early and make the most of my winter sessions.

Check out this new electric heat vest! Looks like a great way to keep warm! I guess it’s not out yet, but I’d be interested to hear how people like it.

NEW HOT PRODUCT NOT EVEN ON THE MARKET!
PRE-ORDER TODAY!
Heat your core with a push of a button!
Quiksilver introduces the first ever battery powered heat vest that can be worn and operated under any wetsuit. Utilizing FAR infra-red heating technology, the CYPHER PS+ Heat Vest System delivers hours of heat to vital organs maintaining your core temperature and extending your session.
High and low heat settings. Rechargeable battery provides hours of heat. Car and wall battery chargers included. Impact resistant. Optional extra battery available.

If this is your first board, get a used one. It will definitely get banged up as you’re learning to surf. You might as well spend less money on a board you’re just going to be learning on. Also, the beginning surfer will not notice the difference in how a used surfboard performs as compared to a new one. When buying a used surfboard, thoroughly check it out for any dings or soft spots. Dings are okay as long as they have been repaired well, but soft spots indicate water in the foam. Yellow discoloration is normal and doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.

The biggest difference between new and used surfboards is the price. You can buy three or four used boards for the price of one new board. Establishing a large quiver is a good idea for the intermediate surfer. You are able to try different boards out in different conditions and determine what works best for you.

If you have been surfing awhile, and have tried out a lot of boards, there are some advantages to getting a new one. Used boards don’t flex as well as new ones, which will affect performance. Also, although some ding and even crack repairs turn out fine, some boards never ride the same again. The lifespan of a new board will be much longer to you than a used board. So if you know what you like, you’ll want it in good condition for longer. Surf shops usually have a much better variety of new boards than used. It’s hard to find a used surfboard that is exactly what you’re looking for.

We’ve all experienced the realilzation that your wetsuit just doesn’t keep you as warm as it once did. Neoprene degrades over time, especially when exposed to UV light and heat. Small cracks and stiffness will develop in those areas of your suit that are most exposed to the sun, like the back and shoulders. A few quick maintenance steps will help you get the most out of your wetsuit.

Rinse your wetsuit with fresh water every time you surf. Hang the suit up to dry on a hanger at full length instead of folding it over something or crumpling it up. Store your wetsuit in a cool, dry place when not in use. Every fifth or sixth time you surf, rinse it with wetsuit wash and conditioner to clean out impurities and odors. You can also use laundry detergent, but make sure to rinse it really well afterwards.

If the glue or stitching comes loose or wears out, remember to take advantage of the warranty offered by the suit’s manufacturer. Don’t try to repair it yourself. Xcel wetsuits come with a really good year-long warranty of repair and replacement and returns have a quick turn-around time.

When it comes to surfboard repair, you can’t be too vigilant. Fix any dings or holes that compromise the water-tightness of your board as soon as possible so the foam won’t keep taking on water. Water saturates and eats away at the foam, making your board heavier, turning it yellow, and creating soft spots. This takes years off the longevity of your board and decreases the resale value, not mention making it harder to surf.

Be prepared for the inevitable ding by keeping Solarez (a resin with a UV catalyst that hardens in the sun) in your car or with you when you surf. Also keep on hand a full ding repair kit, such as Ding All, with resin, sandpaper, Q-Cell, and fiberglass fabric. When sanding on hardened resin and fiberglass, make sure to wear the proper breathing protection.