Earn a Million $ as a surfer?

I don't think that there's much argument when I say that being a successful pro-surfer has to be one of the best careers available to mankind....surfing the worlds greatest locations, travelling the world and getting paid for it! However for anyone thinking that the ability to rip will automatically lead to millionaire status, think again.

So far there have only been 4 pro-surfers to have cracked the $million barrier in contest earnings. It's no surprise that Kelly Slater with total contest earnings of $1.7m leads the way, followed closely by Andy Irons, Sunny Garcia and Occy. In line for the number 5 spot is Oz surfer Taj Burrow who is a mere $5,000 away from breaking the million mark. It's not a bad wage by most peoples standards but compared to other sports like football, who's stars earn in a single season, the equivalent of surfers lifetime's contest winnings, it doesn't look so impressive.

So if your goal is to earn enough cash to buy mansion and own 10 sports cars, the advice is pick up a ball. If you want to live a life of health, fun and stoke pick up a board (but you know that part already :)

Red Bull Big wave Africa scores epic waves

Red Bulls Big wave Africa 10th Anniversary, kicked off at Dungeons, Hout Bay, near Cape Town South Africa over the weekend. The waiting period for 24 of the worlds premier big wave surfers is 5 weeks but only a few days in and a perfect 18-20 ft swell rolled in allowing the contest organisers to wrap things up by Saturday with Twiggy Baker from SA winning the event

The handiest bit of surf kit ever....

Surfers don't need much to chase waves but the accessories that we do use have a habit of disappearing, but not anymore with the introduction of the Northcore Surfers Travel pack. Most of the gear you'll ever use for surfing like, wax, fins, sunblock, board locks, binoculars, sunglasses, fin screws and bolts etc can all be conveniently stored away in this specially designed surf travel pack:

Featuring:

- A large tarp lined pocket which can store numerous bars of wax and greasy tubes of sun block

- A fleece lined pocket for holding more delicate items like sunglasses, binoculars etc

- There's an elastic holder for lipbalm

- There's a small clear pocket for storing fins screws and fin keys

- A large netted storage pocket which can hold fins, including some longboard fins and surfboard locks, keysafes etc.

All this is packaged into a super tough material carrying case that can be loaded up and thrown in the car or backpack with no more worries about where all the kit has disappeared to!

Coming to a beach near you: Stand up paddle boarding

It's the latest buzz word in surfing-SUP or stand up paddle boarding. It's a style of surfing recently resurrected and propelled into the spot light by Laird Hamilton (who else!) and if its good enough for Laird.....

SUP has hit the UK in a big way, everyone is talking about it. It's great for flat days, it's great for fitness and cross training and it's great for waves. The only down side is the cost of the boards, which ain't cheap. Check out this video clip...it takes a lot of hours dedicated practice to become this competant in waves this size but it adds a whole new dimension to the surfing experience.

Free Beach party

The Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre are holding a free open day and beach party on Aug 04th 08 (10.00-17.00). The day will include free entry to the museum, which is hosting the British surfing museum's, surf exhibition. The day will also include an outdoor, beach party themed event, with stalls, punch and judy show, surf simulator, a BBQ, a stand up paddle board demo etc. Extremehorizon and the Lincs surf club will also be there. For more info call: 01472 323345

Surfing Fitness tips

Here's some more exercise for surfing techniques from Clayton at Total surfing fitness.com

The worlds most dangerous surfing locations?

In this blog piece we aren't talking about surf spots with the usual dangers like shallow reefs, big nasty sharks or monster waves. We're looking at places where the likelihood of getting shot, kidnapped, imprisoned or blown up is a possibility (nice)

As with all travel, a little bit of common sense and caution will see most trips end without incident, but there are some surf locations that require a lot more caution than others.

This list isn't claiming to be exhaustive or be accurate forever as situations change, but it will give you an idea on where the hot spots are:

1. Sri Lanka: The LTTE, “Tamil Tiger” Liberation movement are still fighting the established Sri Lankan authorities and the troubles have increased this year with 167 civilians being killed in 2008 so far. The main trouble areas are in Colombo and the north and east of the country, which is away from the main surf zones, but travel with care is advised.

2. Colombia: A no brainer this one. Although Colombia isn't at the top of most surfers must surf locations, it does have waves on its Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, many of which lay undiscovered. The reason: kidnapping of tourists, murder, drug cartels, robberies etc, etc. Other than that, a nice place to visit!

3. South Africa: Some areas of SA are badly affected by crime although the authorities are keen to protect tourist destinations, so the worst of the problems go unseen by visitors. J'burg is mugging and car jacking central so if arriving into the city, transit quickly to the coast!

4. Indonesia: Of course Bali suffered the horrific bombing in Kuta, perpetrated by local Muslim terrorists. This was an atrocious act targeting innocents holidaying on a super chilled out island, which is home to some of the planets friendliest people. Bali is no less dangerous than it was before the attack but vigilence is advised. Outside of Bali many areas of Indo have suffered security problems which are still in effect in the Aceh region which is caught up in an internal struggle. Travel the islands with respect and care

5. Fiji- Oct 07 saw the State of Emergency lifted after a military coup and widespread civil unrest. The main area of trouble was in the capital Suva. The biggest danger here however is that possession of any amount of weed equals a mandatory 3 month prison sentence. If in doubt stick with the Fiji rum!

6. Nicaragua: Street crime is a problem here with armed muggings and “Express kidnappings” (victims taken on short taxi rides where money is extorted before release) being the main problems especially in larger towns.

7. Spain: OK, so not an obvious one but the Basque terrorist movement ETA, ended a 14 month ceasefire last year and occasional, indiscriminate bomb attacks do occur. However its a big old country so the risk factor is v.low. However if you are visiting the Basque region of NW spain, you may fancy trying your luck running with the bulls in July in Pamplona.... and if the chance of being gored by a nasty bull isn't dangerous I don't know what is!

8. Brazil: Big cities can be crime hot spots, especially Rio. Gun and drug culture play a major part in city life and tourists can fall foul to car jackings and mugging. Leave the bling at home!

9. Philippines: Surf here can be fickle but class when it's on, however poverty levels in the Philippines result in high levels of crime and fatal terrorist bombings are all too frequent. Foreign tourists have been targets for kidnappings with two separate cases recorded last year involving visitors

Sources for the above info are varied but for greater detail on each region visit the British Foreign and Commonwealth or US Dept of State websites.

Surfing fitness tips

Here's some more exercise for surfing techniques from Clayton at Total surfing fitness.com

Newquay's Cribbar sparks into life

On wednesday this week, Newquay's infamous big wave, the Cribbar, fired up. Some elements of the media were trying to sensationalise the day by saying it was 25ft, but our v.reliable eyeball source who knows the wave well, pegged it at more like 8ft-10ft.

Still it was big enough for some of the local crew to tow into it along with a young lad Josh Hughes who at only 17 yrs, claims to be the youngest to have ever ridden the wave. A similar feat by a 17yr Jay Moriaty at Mavericks in the 90's propelled Jay into the global surf spotlight after a cover shot on Surfer Mag. I don't think Josh is going to be thrust into the limelight in quite the same way but it was a ballsy go-out for someone of his age nonetheless.

For more info on the Cribbar and other big wave locations visit: http://www.extremehorizon.com/bigwaves.asp

Pic: Jason Feast/Apexnews

Banning of Facebook Beach party in Torbay Devon?

The article below is from the BBC, who are reporting the possibility that authorities will step in to ban a beach party being organised via Facebook. Apparently 7,200 people have signed up to attend the party in Torbay, Devon this weekend, which is being compared to the Fatboy Slim beach Gig held in Brighton in 2002.

As far as comparisons go this is ridiculous, as there were an estimated 1/4million turn up on Brighton beach. I was at the event in Brighton and although it was an awesome sight seeing so many people on one beach, it was an environmental disaster. There were also 2 deaths and serious injuries on the night, although it could have been a lot worse. If fighting had broken out it would have been a scary place to be....people were having to be hauled off the beach from boats to avoid being crushed as it was.

The Environmental impact was much worse as the beach and surrounding streets were trashed, with smashed glass and debris working its way under the beach pebbles making it unsafe for months. Also I guess that so many people taking a p*ss directly into the sea didn't help local marine life too much either!

So 7,000+ people doesn't sound too bad and I'm all for freedom of individuals to get together to party or protest or whatever-unlike the British government who introduced legislation to enable the police powers to disband groups of 3 or more people getting together which was introduced to prevent outdoor Raves in the late 80 & early 90's.

So talk of banning this party in Torbay has overtones of a police state...we are supposed to be a free democratic nation after all. However it's almost guaranteed that thousands of drunk party goers will leave tonnes of trash in their wake and many will have little or no respect for the environment they are stomping all over, so perhaps a beach isn't the best place for a party of this size? Perhaps a field away from town, although not such a cool location, would be a better place to party?.....

What do you think? Your comments are welcomed...

"Police say they may bring in an alcohol ban to help thwart a giant beach party at a south Devon resort this weekend.

The event planned for 4 July in Torbay is being advertised on networking site Facebook as a "night of mayhem".

Officers have not applied for the drink ban yet but said it was a possibility as they pledged to halt the gathering. More than 7,200 people have said they may be attending what organisers describe as the "biggest open party Torbay has ever seen".

The town's police commander, Supt Chris Singer, said safety was always the main consideration after lack of planning at a beach party in Brighton in 2002 ended in the death of a woman who fell on to railings and a man who died of a heart attack.

He said: "Public safety is paramount and this is why the eventcannot go ahead.
"The so-called planners have taken no steps in respect of sanitation, first aid and access.

He said: "This is a public safety issue, there are high spring tides and, mixed with alcohol, this is particularly dangerous."

Seizure powers

The police had a "large number of resources in place" to prevent the event happening, he said.
"We are seeking to make sure we are in a position to disrupt it," he added. He said it was irresponsible for people to advertise such events on social networking sites.

He said: "Police have - and will use - powers to seize sound equipment and will arrest offenders."

We shouldn't laugh....

Ok perhaps we should.....if only the kid had chosen to learn real surfing his embarrassment may have been spared.


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