October 2011 – surfpal.com

Learn Surfing

You can learn surfing easily as long as you set your mind to it. Keep in mind that surfboards are meant to float on the water and they have a natural gravity center. When you learn surfing, you will learn that if you lay in any surfboard, it will come to rest in the same way each time.

When learning how to surf, a great tip is to search for the balance point by laying on the board and making a mark right at your chin. Mark the spot with a magic marker of a bit of wax. This allows you to put your chin on the same spot each time to that the surfboard would react to your weight the same way. Pearling is when the board’s nose digs to the water and you have to move the location of your chin back. Adjust by sliding back an inch from the chin mark and make a mental note of it.

Never paddle with both arms simultaneously since this may cause the surfboard to speed up and slow down in water, and then you won’t be able to maintain constant speed through the water. Paddle with a crawl stroke always, alternating one arm and the other. The first time you try to sit on the board might be wobbly. The key is to stay calm or keep still. The less movement, the easier you can do this. Learn to stand up by putting your hands on the board beside your shoulders with palms down as if you are going to do a push up. Push the upper part of your body while sweeping your feet under you at the same time. Make certain your feet lay on the stringer.

Surf Magazines

For all avid surfers and for those people who are fascinated by surfing, there are hundreds of surf magazines they can check out to find the latest news when it comes to surfing. Moreover, these surf magazines also provide more information about surfing, teaches one how to surf and find the best places to surf.

Some of the great selection of surfing magazines is listed here. There are hundreds more of surf magazines you can find in your area or your country of origin.

1. Surfing Life – a surging magazine in the USA

2. Surfer Girl – A surfing magazine for girls in the USA

3. Surfing World – includes surfing and windsurfing that is based in Germany

4. Surfing Girl – another surfing magazine for girls in the USA

5. Seventh Sky – is a surfing magazine in Holland

6. Transworld Surf – is another US surfing magazine

7. Surf Latino – surfing and bodyboarding magazine in Italy

8. Radical Surf – a surfing magazine in Canarias and Spanish as the language

9. Surfing World – is a magazine in Australia

10. ProSurfing – another magazine from Australia distributed to the world

11. Waves – based in the United Kingdom

12. Surfer – again another surf magazine in the USA

Surfing Films

Surfing films are inspired by the love of surf by most people. If you are fascinated about surfing and you love all things about surfing, then you might want to consider checking out several classic surfing films. Here are five of the best surfing films of all time.

1. The Endless Summer in 1966 was the first movie that really captures that surfing was more than a sport but a lifestyle. The highlight of the movie includes discovering Cape Saint Francis, known also as ‘Bruce’s Beauties’ in South Africa.

2. Morning of the Earth in 1971 is all about discovering a perfect wave without the help of satellite imaging, swell forecasts and jet skis. Alby Falzon, an Australian stumbled upon Uluwatu on the Balik peninsula. This was way back when Kuta beach only had a couple of huts for the few tourists. Highlight of the movie is the opening sequence of a golden backlit wave that breaks in slow motion with the title track playing.

3. Momentum in 1992 shows perfect waves and wonderful locations. The highlight of the movie is Kelly Slater’s skateboard-inspired back air on the Puerto Escondido left hander.

4. The Green Iguana also in 1992 is all about contests fought between professional surfers who perform four turns in the beach in bad waves. The highlight is the all-star Billabong cast surfing great waves in Australia.

5. Stranger than Fiction in 2008 is a recent movie that is as good as it gets. The film has the best surfers these days and pulling off splendid maneuvers.

New Surf Movies

A lot of movies have been inspired by surfing. For the past years, many movies were produced with a surfing theme. Here are some of the new surf movies you may want to check out.

A Pleasant Surprise is pretty impressive. The story is that of every surfer could relate to. With an incredible soundtrack that appears to make the tale flow much more, it is a great surf movie you should see. The Cove documents the mission of a dedicated group of activists that capture the brutal killings of dolphins on video and exposing this to the world.

Gum for my Boat focuses on the Bangladesh Surf Club and is a true story of hope amidst the harsh and brutal living conditions. When you watch this film, you will be glad to have surfing in your life. This is another must-see movie. A Deeper Shade of Blue is a film about the deepest roots of surfing, in the subconscious, in the craft of surfboard building and man’s constant quest for a happy relationship with the natural world. This film is considered to be in the top ten Film Festivals in the United States. The Arlington Theatre is the venue for the premier of this new film.

New Surf Movies

A lot of movies have been inspired by surfing. For the past years, many movies were produced with a surfing theme. Here are some of the new surf movies you may want to check out.

Various Surfing Schools

If you are new to surfing and want to take surfing lessons, then you should check out different surfing schools. Moreover, you can also improve your surfing skills through a surfing school of your choice.

You can begin to learn how to surf at the beginning level right on your computer with several surf instructions on the net. Nevertheless, there are really great places where you can learn how to surf. Costa Rica has some of the finest surf schools you can find. It is the ultimate surfing destination with great swells and warm waters that surfers love. Another place to find a surf school is in the United Kingdom. Come to life with wonderful surfing and enjoy city life every summer.

The Hans Hedemann Surf School could help you with all things you need. The school offers surf camps, lessons, equipment rental, water activity packages and more. Now, you can make the most out of your Hawaii surf experience. The surf school in Lanzarote is a leading surf school and camp in Europe located in the beautiful Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. It is also considered as one of the best worldwide. It provides quality surfing holidays, coaching for all levels.

Bali Surf

Bali is probably the best known Indonesian island that is a favorite surfing destination for surfers around the world. Bali surf is what most avid surfers dream about. Bali is a terrific place to surf due to its perfect weather conditions, suitable waves and its warm water temperature. Start to save money and enjoy Bali surf this year! Surfing was introduced in the place in the 1960’s by surfers from Australia. Soon, it became a surfing paradise.

Bali is even great for beginner surfers. It provides surf breaks to help a beginner have maximum fun. You may also learn surfing at some surfing schools for lessons as low as $10 per hour. Among the Bali surfing places, Kuta Beach is the most popular. You can see long line of surfers on this beach. Other famous areas for surfing include Uluwatu, dreamland and Padang Padang. Dreamland was associated with elite people for many years but today even common people could enjoy surfing in the area. It is only a twenty-minute ride from the airport.

What is so great about Bali surfing is its huge consistency. The water is warm and the waves are world-class. This makes Bali the most popular surfer’s destination.

Surfing Gear

Surfing is a great sport that may seem mysterious to those who do not surf. However, new surfers could get started with several pieces of equipment and a bit of practical advice. As a beginner, you should also know what kind of surfing gear you should use. The first gear to consider is the board. When it comes to the surfboard, size matters and the best aspect of it is its ability to help you stay afloat. You could spend from $300 to $400 for a new board and less for a used one.

Another surfing gear you need is the Leash. It is attached to the board to your ankle. The leash must be as long as your board. You have to apply surfboard wax on your board anywhere your feet are going to touch. The wax provides traction as the water glides across the board and around your bare feet. When you start, apply wax to the whole top of the board. As you improve, you only need to wax the board sections where your feet are.

Surf clothing is usually composed of surf shorts or swimsuit. If you are going to surf in cold water, you might need a wetsuit that comes in different weights and styles. Sunscreen is another important item that you will need. The sun above and the glare off the water could give you a double-dose of harmful rays. Apply a waterproof, heavy-duty sunscreen before you enter the water and keep in mind to reapply it throughout the day.

How to Perfect Surf Moves

Most people have problems with perfecting surf moves. The moves that you do not seem to pull off regardless of how hard you try could be really frustrating and could take the fun out of surfing. A great idea to help perfect your surf moves is to begin thinking of the maneuvers as having several parts.

If you are having problems with a certain move, in most cases it is usually only a single phase of the incorrect move or maneuver compared to the entire action. When a surfer is trying a particularly hard move or maneuver, such as floating a pitching section or instance, the recovery phase should also be emphasized.

The art of surfing begins with a surfer watching the wave that he or she could ride, estimate its speed, getting on the roller and do several surfing moves. Most beginners could not catch a wave to start with and should know the basic differences between a newbie and an accomplished surfer. When the wave starts to push you forward, you should jump to your feet in what is called as the pop-up. As soon as you are upright, you can begin to ride down the face of the wave. Perfecting surf moves take time, thus you have to spend time with it.

Surf Songs

Surf songs are genre of pop music that is associated with surfing and surf culture. It became particularly popular from 1961 and 1965 and has subsequently revived and highly influential on rock music. Surf songs have to main forms, one largely instrumental rock with saxophone and electric guitar and vocal surf pop that includes dance music and surf ballads and often with strong harmonies associated with The Beach Boys.

Regardless if you are crossing California in a Cadillac or tracking the waves of the South of France in your volks, surf music is a good company. The summer tunes will remind you of the wonderful moments you lived chasing waves. The Bel Airs are one of the most important icons when it comes to surf music. Mr. Moto is a perfect tune for summer surfing. Wipe Out by The Surfaris is a great experience for those who are looking for constant adrenaline rush. The phrases of the music are catchy and force you to hit the waves.

California Dreamin was a great surf hit in the year 1965. The Mamas and Papas related the story of a man in a cold winter who dreams about the warm climate of California. The overall impact of the song is a source of inspiration to all surfers and was even re-recorded and played by The Beach Boys.