Cruise Control
Tugu's rolling left and right peaks are perfect for cruising down the line on a stand up. There's also a few shifty outside waves with long open faces in the area that none of the surfers bother with. Thanks to Endoman for the photos.
No Name
Surfed a few new spots this year, a friend put me onto this sweet peak which doesn't get much of a crowd on it.
Going Big In Bali
Pumping swell in Bali over the last couple of weeks with good head high waves and a few days seeing double to triple overhead conditions. Broken boards, snapped leashes and bruised egos were the order of the day. Got buried deep and severely flogged on the clean up sets. Pete Cox was again the stand out, paddling into the biggest meanest bomb sets of the day. Awesome waves and a great learning experience. Thank you to Atsushi Endo for the photos.
Starboard 'Astro' Inflatable SUP
Take your SUP anywhere, packs up into a wet bag complete with pump, it also surfs surprising good. Big thank you to Margareta Engstrom for the photos.
Gow Surf Racks
Mr. Gow's surf racks, fits onto any motorbike in two minutes, solidly constructed, holds shortboards, longboards and SUP's and will even make your sweet ride look cooler! If you need to rent a set whilst you're in Khao Lak or if you want a set of your own, get in contact.
Learn To Surf Khao Lak
Fun morning down on the beach with Patrick and Joe, two of the local surf grommets. They tested Starboard's new wide body surf school board and they both got to their feet riding the foam. Big thanks to our instructor Mark and well done boys!
Bali July
Pumping in the Island of the Gods with the Starboard team, got to surf with SUP ripper Pete Cox and pro surfer Sean Poynter. Pete was cherry picking the best and biggest bomb sets and carving massive turns and Sean was just tearing apart anything that came near him, outstanding.Thanks to Atsushi Eno for the photos.
The Beast
Heaps of swell forecast over the next couple of weeks :) A magnificent purple headed monster storm is developing in the Southern Ocean, forecast to arrive around Tuesday 21st.
Movie Review - Soul Surfer
The true story of Bethany Hamilton, a pro chick surfer who bounces back after losing an arm in a shark attack. I watched this one more out of curiosity to see how she actually paddles and gets up on a wave more than anything else. The movie itself is just terrible and plays out every cliche in the book, ie the family are all sitting around the dinner table and they go to hold hands for prayer, somebody has to hold Bethany's stump etc. The funniest moment has to be when she goes for her first surf months after the attack and runs down the beach dragging her longboard. You could watch this for the surfing scenes alone, you might say it's armless fun, otherwise its positively vomitous, 2/10 for pure comedy value ;)
The Kook's Guide To Surfing
Kookmeisters, the following is a simple code, with layman’s explanation, for your own and others safety.
1. Don’t Drop In - Don’t take off on a wave which someone is already riding, it endangers both persons and their equipment; always check along the wave towards the peak before taking off.
2. The Surfer Nearest The Peak Has Priority - Make eye contact and communicate with other surfers as to who wants and will take the wave, when it's your wave paddle with commitment. If someone inside you is already on the wave or taking off then stop paddling for it, don’t keep on paddling and then pull off at the last moment as it distracts the rider and crumbles the face of the wave.
3. Paddle Around The Break - Paddling out directly through the line-up transforms you into a human speed bump. Paddle wide around the break and if you get caught inside with someone surfing towards you, stay in the white water.
4. Hang Onto Your Stick - Hold onto your board in every situation, it stops your board becoming a hazard to others and is your floatation device should you get into trouble.
5. Help Other Surfers - Aid your fellow surfer if they are in distress, waving one arm above your head is the recognised signal for assistance.
6. Don’t Surf Beyond Your Ability - Don’t surf a break if you’re not confident of your ability to do so, if you’re a beginner or a learner find a suitable wave where you won’t be in the way of better surfers.
7. Give Respect To Gain Respect - If you have no respect for other water users and their safety then you shouldn’t be in the water.
1. Don’t Drop In - Don’t take off on a wave which someone is already riding, it endangers both persons and their equipment; always check along the wave towards the peak before taking off.
2. The Surfer Nearest The Peak Has Priority - Make eye contact and communicate with other surfers as to who wants and will take the wave, when it's your wave paddle with commitment. If someone inside you is already on the wave or taking off then stop paddling for it, don’t keep on paddling and then pull off at the last moment as it distracts the rider and crumbles the face of the wave.
3. Paddle Around The Break - Paddling out directly through the line-up transforms you into a human speed bump. Paddle wide around the break and if you get caught inside with someone surfing towards you, stay in the white water.
4. Hang Onto Your Stick - Hold onto your board in every situation, it stops your board becoming a hazard to others and is your floatation device should you get into trouble.
5. Help Other Surfers - Aid your fellow surfer if they are in distress, waving one arm above your head is the recognised signal for assistance.
6. Don’t Surf Beyond Your Ability - Don’t surf a break if you’re not confident of your ability to do so, if you’re a beginner or a learner find a suitable wave where you won’t be in the way of better surfers.
7. Give Respect To Gain Respect - If you have no respect for other water users and their safety then you shouldn’t be in the water.
Superkook dropping-in on a kneeboarder this morning, being egged on by his mate who was also getting in the way of everyone...go back to the valley man.
Phuket Day Trip
We did the 90 min drive from Khao Lak to Phuket on this WSW windswell and scored nice waves at Kalim. Some pretty good Thai surfers out there.
