Surf Talk Guru

Congratulations to Dan and Ollie for getting the props they deserve in charging the local big wave reef that produces the Monster Slab! A few Santa Cruz heavyweights went out with these local chargers who showed them how tow surfing is done at this little-known Oregon hot spot.

All their years of hard work, putting in the money and effort are finally paying off. Way to represent! Check out these links to TransWorld Surf for pics and YouTube for the video.

Wetsuit thickness is indicated by the numbers included with the name of the suit, for example, the Xcel 4/3mm Infiniti. The first and largest number tells you the thickness, in millimeters, of the neoprene in the chest and groin area of the wetsuit, where you need to retain most of your heat. The second number describes the thickness of the neoprene in the arms and legs of the suit, where it needs to be a little thinner and more flexible for paddling and maneuvering on your board. If the wetsuit is described with three numbers, like 5/4/3mm, it’s 5mm in the chest and groin, 4mm in the arms, and 3mm in the legs.

Wetsuit manufacturers offer suit styles and thicknesses for every practicality. 1mm and 2/1mm springsuits offer a minimum amount of protection from weather and water conditions and are only good for tropical waters 78 degrees and up. 2mm and 3/2mm fullsuits are good for water temperatures 60 degrees and up. 4/3mm fullsuits are used for 52 degrees and up. 5/4mm can be used for 48 degree water, and 6/5mm for 40 degrees and up. The bulk of the thicker suits will add more warmth, but also weigh you down. Some people prefer thicker suits in warmer water to extend their sessions. Remember that a wetsuit, especially in wintery conditions, isn’t complete without a hood, booties, and gloves.

Christmas is just around the corner and when it comes to finding unique gifts for unique surfers, it can be a long search. If you are willing to spend a little more money, here are some items that would be much appreciated by every surfer I know.

1.) Electric Heat Vest $200–The latest product for cold weather surfers is the PS+ Cypher Heat Vest System by Quiksilver. It’s a battery-operated vest you wear under your wetsuit. This is something every surfer would love to have for the winter, but not something most people would splurge on for themselves, so it would make a great gift!

2.) New Wetsuit $250-$400–Another thing surfers sometimes put off buying for themselves is a new wetsuit. Be sure to ask about their preferred brand, size, and thickness so they won’t have to exchange it.

3.) Custom-Made Surfboard $550+–The object of every surfer’s desire is the customized surfboard. A local shaper makes a board according to specifications laid out by the customer. The board will be shaped for optimum performance and utility according to the surfer’s size, ability level, and surfing conditions.

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to which wetsuit is the best, warmest, most flexible, most durable, etc. Most people want to research their options before they buy such an expensive, but necessary, investment. Word of mouth is the best way to start your search, but you may have to try a few brands and styles before you find one that’s perfect for you.

What do you think of Quiksilver, O’Neill, and Xcel wetsuits, and all the rest? Comment to share your opinion!

A few weeks ago, we looked at the crucial process of finding balance atop one’s surfboard. Beginners should take baby steps to get better, and it’s perfectly normal to make a few mistakes. After all, the ocean currents and wave patterns are impossible to predict with any accuracy. All you can do is a surfer is to become confident on a board no matter what mother nature might throw your way.

When a surfer applies too much weight to the rear of the board, corking will result. To visualize this phenomenon, think of a motorboat with a bulky, extra-heavy outboard motor. Obviously the front of the boat would be tilted up into the air and the stern would begin to take on water. In surfing terms, corking creates too much drag because of the water that’s being displaced by the surfer’s weight. The problem has nothing to do with one’s surfing gear; it can be corrected by sliding forward gradually and restoring the balance to equilibrium.

Tow surfing season is here! The fall swells have been monstrous and the weather’s been sweet. Since tow surfing is an up-and-coming sport, not a lot of people have experience with it. Before you go out, take a lesson from your local shop. It will be worth the price because this is your life we’re talking about. Before you go out on your own, make sure you have all the equipment necessary to ensure the safe return and good time of you and your partner. Here is a checklist of equipment and other items needed for tow-in surfing:

jet ski/personal water craft

hatch and seat straps

rescue sled

quick release tow rope with handle

bow tow rope

tow board

tow fins

foot straps

tool kit for PWC with spare parts in case of breakdown

marine radio or cell phone

wetsuit

booties

life jackets (PFDs)

gloves

helmet or hood, depending on conditions

Halloween is only a week away! Got a costume yet? Don’t spend money on a piece of crap from Wal-Mart. Use things around the house and customize them according to your needs. Here’s one costume you can make from an old wetsuit or hood.

This costume will keep you warm at your Halloween event, especially if you use an Xcel wetsuit. They’re exceptionally warm!

Photo by Dexter Phoenix, Salem-News.com

From all accounts the 2009 Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic went well, with good weather and 30 foot waves. Adam Replogle and Alistair Craft, the Santa Cruz tow surfing team sponsored by Billabong, won 1st place for the third straight year. Ross Clarke-Jones of Australia and Ian Walsh of Hawaii took second. Ikaika Kalama and Kainoa Havanid of Hawaii were third. Jeff Kafka and Travis Payne of California were fourth.

Anthony Tashnick, a Maverick’s regular and another Santa Cruz resident, won the paddle-in competion. Ross Clarke -Jones of Australia came away with the Kingfish title, with high scores in the towing and paddling in competitions. He wore his PS+ Cypher Heat Vest to stay warm on the long ski rides.

Oregon is home to lots of sea life and jellyfish are one of the many creatures you may encounter while spending time in the ocean. Luckily, the jellyfish around here do not sting. In fact, here is a friendly jelly Jedi Jonny encountered today.

Just in case you want to play with a jellyfish, better have a good pair of surfing gloves. Even if they don’t sting, they are pretty slimy and creepy, but Jonny doesn’t seem to mind!