about surfing

Surf Articles

Find out more about the origins and history of surfing
Where did it all start? How did today's sport of surfing develop from the Pacific Islands and ancient Hawaii? Find out; we have three articles that look at just that. They talk about where things started, the Hawaiian influence, and early Californian surf culture.
Find out more about the history of surfing >>
Surfing in ancient Hawaii >>Early Californian surf culture >>

 

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Find out more about performance boardshorts
We've managed to get hold of this great guide to performance boardshorts. The guide looks at the latest offerings from the top surf brands including Hurley, Quiksilver, Volcom and Billabong. It's for the new 2010 ranges, but look out for an new version next year.
Find out more about performance boardshorts >>


 

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Find out more about the dangers of surfing
Ever thought about just how dangerous surfing can be? We have put together ten of the worst dangers that you face every time you go for a surf. Rips, sharks, and drowning all make an appearance in our (not very) scary little article.
Find out more about surfing dangers >>
 

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Find out more about surfing etiquette
Want to know how to behave while in the surf? This essential guide is a must for beginners and great for refreshing a more experienced surfer's knowledge. The article covers the right of way, respecting others, and being an all round decent surfer!
Find out more about how to behave in the surf >>
 

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Find out more about surfers food
What should we be eating before and after you have a surf? Let's have a look at what everyone else is eating. A topic over on the forum has revealed the most popular snacks for a surfer and what they eat before and after a surf.
Find out more about surfer snacks >>
 

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Find out more about shaping boards the Becker way
We have featured Becker Surfboards in our store since 2003 and have had nothing but good feedback about the quality of Becker boards. Here is a nice bit of background on the Becker Surf Factory and what goes on behind the scenes.
Find out more about Becker boards >>
 
 

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Find out more about Women in the Waves boardriders club
Women in the Waves is a club for female board riders based at Avoca on the New South Wales Central Coast in Australia. The club celebrated its 21st birthday in 2007. The club runs regular competitions on the first Sunday of each month at Avoca Beach. This year WITW are challenging other women only board riding clubs to see if they're the longest continuously-running club in Australia if not the world!
Find out more about WITW >>
 

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Find out more about Billabong team rider Nicola Atherton.
Billabong team rider Nicola Atherton is on the rise. After finishing second at the world junior championships at Narrabeen last year, the Sydney slayer has been embarking on her maiden WQS campaign. Nicola recently won the Billabong ASP World Junior Women's Crown. Follow the link for more details.
Find out more about Nicola >>

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Find out more about Billabong team rider Lea Brassy
Lea Brassy is French, a free surfer and a member of the Billabong team. She is also a model and studies nursing. She's a very busy lady.
Find out more about Lea >>
 

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Surfing Lifestyle

A colleague started a training course a few years back for a job that he had just got. As part of the introduction to the course everyone was encouraged to step forward, give their name, history, etc., and also their hobbies. It was an IT-related training course and when asked he gave surfing as his main interest. He didn't realise at the time that he should have qualified this with saying that he was actually a surfer of waves and not of the Internet. It seems strange how some people when hearing the word "surfing" automatically associate it with the Internet and not with surfing waves on a surfboard. (Perhaps this may only seem strange to a surfer.) Still, for the purpose of this site they could be both right. Here we're talking about surfing waves, the sport of surfing, and the lifestyle of surfing. For the favoured few in the world, surfing's elite such as Kelly Slater and Andy Irons (but to name two of many professional surfers out there), it is their job. For a greatly increasing amount of others it can be one of the most enjoyable pastimes there is.

Why Surf?

Ask anyone who surfs why they surf and they'll give you their own individual answer. "Because it's fun," "its cool," "it keeps me off the streets," "surfing is my life," or "I like to get wet." To some people it's their entire life, and to others it's something to do when they have a week in the sun every year. To many like me it's simply because there is nothing else like it. It's one of the few sports that directly utilises the power of nature; nothing mechanical — purely natural. If you're thinking of giving it a go, then YES, it's great fun and that's the bottom line.

The Best Way to Start Surfing

The best way to start surfing is to have great parents who, before giving birth to you, decided that they would settle down in Jeffrey's Bay, the north shore of Hawaii, Raglan (or somewhere equally near great quality waves) and who as a fourth birthday present buy you your first surfboard. Unfortunately if you're reading this and do not already surf, then it's probably a good few years too late.
Still, let's not let that little setback hold you back. You may never become world champion, but that doesn't matter one bit. As we always say, "the greatest fun can be had from the smallest of wipe-outs!" What you need to consider is how you can get yourself — complete with the equipment you need — to where there are waves.

Surfing Lessons, Your Friends, and Surf Holidays

I guess how people start surfing can be pretty different. Personally, we here think that the best way to start surfing is with your mates. It doesn't matter whether they can actually surf or not; the important thing is about having fun. Becoming a good surfer takes an awful long time and a hell of a lot of practice. You'll forget about how many times you've fallen off or how many mornings following a day of surfing that you've woken up hardly able to move your stiff arms. If you happen to be a coastal dweller of Hawaii, Australia, or someplace similar, you won't need to read these pages — surfing is a way of life. Your dad surfs, your mates surf — even your little sister surfs. That is just the way it is.
If you happen to live in Arizona, then it's a little different. If you're land locked, then the best start is to arrange a trip with a friend or two with the sole purpose of giving surfing a try. If you're lucky enough to have a mate who can lend you his surfboard for a try, then all the better. If not, you're looking at having to hire the surfing equipment you need or taking part in an arranged surfing lesson or two. Surf schools are springing up all over the place. (Although we're not quite sure about Arizona yet!)
It's not a good idea to get all the gear before you actually find out if you like it or not. There is a considerable cost in getting yourself kitted out for full time surfing. Check out the sections on the surfboard, the wetsuit (if it's gonna' be cold) and surfboard accessories. If you don't have anyone experienced to help you out, or if you are taking a lesson and want something to start you off, then check the beginners guide. The information here should help you get off to a good start, and it will mean that you don'tt have to stare blankly when someone mentions that you need to duck dive! (You may want to have a look at the "Surf Talk" section to learn some of the useful surfing lingo around.)

Next stop is the beginners guide to surfing. The information here should get you started. Have a look, try the suggestions here, and if you feel something has been left out, then let us know. Read the lessons; there should be something useful in each one of them. Well, what are you waiting for? Good luck, surfer-to-be!