I usually buy my surfboards without any graphic mainly for two reasons: cheaper and easier to fix.
Channle Island has been working with HP to print directly on fiberglass which will reduce weight and cost.
For now, you can only get the graphics from Pros such as Kelly or Dane. But like Burton with snwoboarding, I think that in the near future you will be able to go on a website and download your own graphic and get it printed on your board.
Meanwhile you can still get one of Kelly's choice, not sure if your surf will get better though.

SAVE TRESTLES

Last weekend I have been in one of the most beautiful beaches here in San Diego, Trestles.

Trestles is a collection of surf spots at San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County, a real paradise for surfers and people who likes nature. Trestles is exposed to a whole range of swell directions, it has rights, lefts, reefs and sandbars, that is one of the reasons that make this place so special.

My surprise arrives the moment I realize that the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) is seeking to build an extension to the existing 241 Toll Road. The proposed Foothill Transportation Corridor South (FTC-South) is a sixteen-mile long toll road highway that would connect the current terminus of the 241 Toll Road to Interstate 5. The TCA is proposing an alignment which runs directly through and along San Mateo Creek. Is not crazy!?

Lets do something before this desaster happen, SAVE TRESTLES!!

Hold On To Your Butt Day

Hold On To Your Butt Day is Saturday August 9th at Five Locations including Imperial Beach, Mission Beach, Carlsbad and Oceanside from 10am until Noon

"Hold On To Your Butt Day" will involve activists, volunteers, and friends of the environment gathering on San Diego's busiest traffic intersections as people arrive at the beach. There, Surfrider activists will hold signs, pass out literature and graphically demonstrate to motorists the problem we're so concerned about.

I will encourage motorists and beachgoers to dispose of cigarettes safely, and explain that cigarette butts thrown on the ground can eventually end up in the ocean and affect marine life, including surfers and swimmers.

For more information click here: Surfrider Foundation

The longest wave in the Earth

I wanted just to share a webpage from Nissan about an incredible phenomenon that occurs in the Amazon river. Actually, a good japanese friend here in San Diego sent me the link from this amazing experience!!

Three months a year, a wall of water generated by the tyde and some specific conditions, has attrated surfers from all around the world looking for an unique experience. The wave itself is extremely dangerous, smashing everything in its path. Year after year, the local inhabitants fear the arrival of the dreaded Pororoca (The name "Pororoca" comes from the indigenous Tupi language, where it translates into "great destructive noise". The wave can be heard about 30 minutes before its arrival, and it's so powerful that it can destroy anything, including trees, local houses and all kind of animals), and for good reason: if the wave doesn’t get you, you could be killed by an anaconda or a crocodile; or you could become an unwilling host for the tiny Canduru fish which lodges within your urinary tract, requiring major surgery; or you could be crushed or tumbled mercilessly by the debris collected by the Amazon on its thousand mile trip to the ocean or the debris hurled upriver by the bore itself...

For just that never have heard about the longest wave in the Earth, here is the link: http://www2.nissan.co.jp/X-TRAIL/T31/0708/index.html?page=w11&item=dvd02

Wave Energy

A snake-like a tube floating in the ocean could prove that wave energy conversion is an economically viable solution to meet our power needs.

At least that’s what the creators of the "Anaconda" device are hoping. Designed in the UK by Francis Farley and Rod Rainey, the "Anaconda" is a very simple giant (200 meter long and 7 meter diameter) rubber tube that generates energy by simply bobbing up and down in the water.

(Click http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=VamSAbwgJKk to see the video)

OUT THERE

Teton Gravity Research (TGR) presents OUT THERE, a 16mm and HiDef film taking a progressive, fresh look at what faces the surf world today. Humankind threatens many pristine and favorite surf breaks and surfers need to take action.

In partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, TGR’s OUT THERE takes viewers to a variety of breaks around the world, showcasing the cutting edge surfing of today. Through the eyes and experiences of surfers and locals, the film takes a thought-provoking look into the environmental destruction threatening key surf spots such as Trestles in Southern California, surf in Southern Chile threatened by pulp mills, Teahupoo and its growing popularity, mainland Mexico, North Shore Hawaii near the Turtle Bay development and beyond.
OUT THERE incorporates state of the art cinematography utilizing board-cams, water-cams, land perspectives, jet-ski follow cams, and aerial cinematography. Through personalities, travel and explosive action the film will convey a seamless portrayal of the lifestyle that is surfing amid destitute of some of the world’s favorite surf spots.

Click on this link http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=BYV3lHQ7sE8 to see the trailer.

Surfing Addiction

When I stared to surf a few years ago, I never thinked that it could turned an addiction. I am certain that some of you have the same sickness. If you are not sure, I give you just some easy symptoms who may help you to detect it...

- Sleeps´disfunctions: problems for a deep sleep and dreams during the night like catching a perfect wave, making impossibles movements or just dreaming about the perfect surfing day that could be tomorrow.
- Loss of sexual motivation: you are tired and you do not want to spend your energy in other "sports". Even, you change your Play Boy´s annual suscription for a sufer magazine suscription. What is your problem men?
- Nourishing changes: you normally eat a banana and a yoghut before surfing? and when you finish, do you run to the fridge to consume like 2000 calories of anything that you find?
- Driving distractions: the number of accidents near the coast increase during the best days of surf. Coincidence?
- Forecast addiction: the first thing and the last thing in the day is just to check a thousand of different forecasts from your "favourite" list.
- Concentration problems: you just pay attention when someone talk about surf. If not, you stay looking anywhere, visualizing your moment.

If you have recognise yourself, just one advice. Do not loose your time and call inmediately to ASP (Association of Surfing Psychologists) and, GOOD LUCK!!

See you in the sea...