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SANS is seeking assistance in organizing and running its summer and fall contests, and has posted two $2,000 contracts to complete the work. If you think you have the skills to pay the bills, check-out the project descriptions and apply! Read More…
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Trying to explain the Zen-like aspects of surfing to a non-surfer is usually a pointless, if not embarrassing, exercise. All too often you end up walking right into the “far-out, hippie-surfer-dude” stereotype.
Rather than explaining “the stoke”, it’s really something you have to experience. And once you do, you come to realize that surfing is, in essence, a spiritual activity. In some inexplicable way it brings you closer to the earth (non-surfers, feel free to chuckle at this point).
Once “the stoke” has been experienced a few times, most surfers get hooked, and their perspective on life changes. They become less materially conscious, and more environmentally conscious. Suddenly, the earth becomes something to be respected and protected.
Granted, surfers have a long way to go before they’re karmically balanced. Most of us still use gas-powered cars to get to surf spots; and some of us drive a little too fast getting there.
We also use equipment that isn’t exactly environmentally friendly, particularly surfboards. There are, however, people trying to change this. One such person is Stuart Thomson, founder of Ocean Green Surfboards.
According to his company website, “Ocean Green is the only manufacturer in the world developing boards made entirely from natural materials that provide a real alternative to existing products in terms of both price and performance.”
ScotiaSurfer.com recently interviewed Thomson about his surfboard company, which is based in Nicaragua and the U.K. (Cornwall). Read More…
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Surf: 3.5/5 = Above Average
Price: 2/5 = Quite expensive!
Party: 4/5 = Great pubs and better people.
Localism: 4/5 = It’s anyone’s wave!
Thieves: 1/5 = Pick pockets & car break-ins are common.
Time frame: January-March 2008
We started off by flying into Shannon Airport, a small airport outside Limerick (stab city), Ireland. My stay would be for four months, but my mates were only here for three weeks, so we headed straight for a place to sleep and check the surf forecast.
The first thing we noticed was how expensive everything was compared to back home in Canada. A pint of beer is about $7, however, at least it is a real beer not some semi-American stuff sold and “brewed” in Canada.
A place to stay is about the same as in Canada but the quality is nowhere near comparable. Most motels/rooms are much smaller; old pipes and finicky electricity is common, especially near the surf, which is almost always in rural areas.
If you are looking to save some major $$, fly into one of Europe’s major airports (i.e., London, Frankfurt, Dublin, etc.) then buy a separate flight with one of Europe’s low cost carries. Check www.ryanair.com for $25 flights between airports you may save a boatload when flying from Canada. Read More…
June 19, 2009 - Cape Town, South Africa
The past two days might have seen clean solid eight-foot swell, light winds and clear blue skies and sunshine, but don’t be deceived. The wildest event in professional surfing looks set to live up to its name.
Locally predicting conditions for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa is Spike, a local surf forecaster.
“There’s a big storm coming from Monday but we’re in the thick of a very volatile winter episode,” he said. “We’re in for seriously Coldwater Classic conditions.
“Heavy storm weather and strong winds are set to build on Monday but the charts have been fickle and the meat of the storm now seems to arrive on Tuesday.
“We will see wild peaks all over the show, heavy squalls, near gale-force winds, very messy wild and woolly seas, and shocking weather at times.”
It sounds like it could be a contest director’s nightmare, but Matt Wilson is looking forward to the conditions.
“I read the report from Spike and thought this is the wildest event in surfing and it is for sure going to live up to its name,” he said. Read More…
CAC member Sean Kelly taunts a pile of trash collected during the Cow Bay Clean-up.
Busted lobster traps, mattresses, chunks of metal and about 15 bags full of trash were collected during the Coastal Access Committee’s annual Cow Bay Beach Clean-up last Sunday.
About 24 volunteers, both surfers and local residents, participated in the event, according to Iaian Archibald, chair of the Coastal Access Committee.
The area covered in the clean-up stretched from Silver Sands Beach (a.k.a. the Moose) to Rainbow Haven Beach.
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Sitka clothing, accessories and surfboards are now available online.
In order to keep up with the demand for gear, Sitka has decided to open an online store. They partnered with Shopatron, an eCommerce service provider, to open a store that will offer retailers the opportunity to get in on the action.
The Shopatron system offers retailers the chance to fulfill orders placed by online shoppers. Shoppers can choose to have their order shipped directly to their door or opt to go down to the retailers’ location and pick their order up there.
The full Spring ‘09 collection is available for purchase and soon all of their past lines will also be available.
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The following is an invitation from Cow Bay resident and surfer Kyle Knight regarding a social event he and his girlfriend are hosting at their house on Saturday, June 13.
Just sending an invite out to you all. Many of you we already know, but many we do not.
We’re having a little shindig here in Cow Bay (1689 Cow Bay Road) on Saturday, June 13. Christina Martin, a local Halifax musician, is going to be putting on a live set in our basement followed by Ryan Shaw (dj etymology) spinning some records.
So if you’re interested, we’re going to have a few kegs o’ beer to refresh our souls and some grub on the BBQ. And if you’re keen, bring your tents (and surf gear), and stay the night oceanside. If the swell gods are favourable, we’ll have a massive session in the morning.
We’re looking for $10 dollars at the door for refreshments, music and grub with any remaining proceeds being put back into the surf community (to be determined).
Some local surf reps have generously donated some gear, so we’ll be having a giveaway of sorts - might land yourself a sweet beer cozy. Read More…
Below is an unedited email sent to ScotiaSurfer.com from a person named Ben Larry, who lives in the West African country of Ghana.
Bordering on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean), Ghana apparently has some excellent surf spots. For example, click here.
However, based on Mr. Larry’s letter, it appears Ghana is suffering from the same lack of good swell currently afflicting Nova Scotia surfers:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m Mr Ben Larry and I would like to Order some Surf. I want to know the types that you carry in stock as well as the price ranges for me to advice the quantity I desire. however I want this units to be shipped to Ghana West Africa and I want to know the types of credit card you admit for payment. Thank You and waiting for your prompt reply.
Best Regard
Mr. Ben Larry
The following is the response ScotiaSurfer.com sent to Mr. Larry: Read More…
If you happened to bet on Kelly Slater to win the 2009 ASP World Tour, chances are you’ve ripped down your bedroom poster of the defending World Champion.
Prior to the start of the 2009 schedule, Slater was a listed as a heavy -200 favorite at BetUS.com to be crowned World Surfing Champion for an unprecedented 10th time. For those of you not familiar with betting odds, -200 means you would have to bet $200 in order to win $100.
After three stops on this year’s 10-event Tour, the 37-year-old Floridian is ranked No. 25 out of 46 surfers in the ASP World Tour ratings.
Slater has finished a disappointing 17th in each of the first three events - the Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia), the Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia) and the Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti). He has a mere 1,230 points to date.
Meanwhile, those who bet on Joel Parkinson to win his first ASP title are no doubt liking their investment so far. Parkinson is leading the Tour with 3,000 points. The 28-year-old Aussie won the first two events, and finished ninth in the third.
Next to Slater, Parko had the best odds (+550) to win this year’s title. At those odds, the payoff would be substantial if he were to win (a $100 wager would pay $550). Read More…
Biarritz, France
Surf: 3.5/5 = Above Average
Price: 1/5 = Expensive!
Party: 4/5 = Great bars and crazy people.
Localism: 3/5 = They’re pretty friendly, especially if you speak French. (Go Quebec!)
Thieves: 2/5 = Pick pockets and car break-ins are common.
Time Frame: August 2008
I flew into Paris from Munich, Germany to meet up with my brother and girlfriend, who flew in from Calgary and Hamburg, respectively.
We got our hands on a diesel rental car - first bit of advice: always rent a diesel, more bang for your buck, especially in Europe where everything is expensive (e.g. gasoline was $2.10 CDN per liter). Diesel is about 0.25 cents per liter cheaper and you get more mileage from it. Read More…
