SPORTS SITE

Archive for the ‘Surfing’ Category

It’s perfectly acceptable and, actually, highly recommended to take a surfing lesson when you’re just picking up the sport. You might think surfing is logical and that you will have the natural ability to pick it up right away, but the reality is that surfing is a very awkward sport when you first start out and there are tons of little tips that you can acquire only from a surf instructing professional.

Surf lessons can be private or in groups and last for about an hour. You will likely ride on a completely foam board that is nearly 10 feet long and very lightweight, which catches waves easily and gives you a lot of float. Most surf schools guarantee that you will stand up on a wave. If you don’t, you can usually come back for another lesson for free until you do. It might appear unnecessary and dorky, but a beginning surf lesson will likely accelerate your surfing ability more than the trial and error of learning on your own. If you go it alone, your learning curve will likely be slower, more painful, and in some cases more dangerous.

Another thing you must keep in mind is that friends who surf are not the same as surf instructors. Some of your friends may have been surfing for years, but if you ask them to go surfing with you to help you learn, they could well be worse than your least favorite middle school teacher. You and your experienced surfing friends might paddle out together, but your friends might leave you treading water at the lineup while they’re catching all the waves.

That’s why you are much better off shelling out the $50 or so for a first lesson. Surf instructors get paid to answer questions and push you into a wave. Their main goal is for you to have a good time while riding your first wave. To take full advantage of the time you have with your instructor, it is advisable to prepare a list of questions you can ask. There’s no limit to the silly or stupid questions you can ask a surf instructor, so fire away.

Surf instructors take their students to beginner surf breaks that are usually a bit crowded. This will be a most humbling experience, but you will be among others who are in the same boat as you. One thing is for certain: Wherever it is you go with your instructor, he or she won’t paddle you out to a break that you can’t handle, so you know you will be safe and taken care of. For this reason, surf lessons ensure that you will paddle back out another day wanting more. Goodness knows you don’t want to be in over your head or get injured and be too scared to try the sport again. So start off on the right foot by taking one surf lesson. Once you get that initial lesson out of the way, you’ll feel far more confident going it alone thereafter.

There are a lot of money-generating schemes that thrives in the Internet today. There are a number of ways in which one can generate income through the web. However, with so many schemes to choose from, people are perennially confused as to which schemes are legitimate and which are bogus.

Paid-to-surf programs are one of the hottest schemes that are sought by so many people nowadays. However, paid-to-surf programs are also very controversial, there are many issues with regards to the legality of paid-to-surf programs in general and how they operate. True enough, there are paid-to-surf programs out there that really pay their members and are not scams, yet.

What are paid-to-surf programs?

Paid-to-surf programs are businesses which employs the idea of advertising in television. They get funding from advertisers and develop a pool of members who would want to be paid by viewing the ads of the advertisers. An advertiser pays the paid-to-surf program and the paid-to-surf program invites people to view a pool of ads which are rotated every 20 seconds or so, and the viewers are paid a certain percentage everyday they surf the advertisements. The number of advertisements usually very for each program and the rotation time varies as well.

The sweet business model of the paid-to-surf programs entices many people to join their pools. All one has to do is to click on the “view” button in their account pages in the website of the paid-to-surf program and the money flows into their accounts.

The problem with the business models of paid-to-surf programs is basically very simple yet very important. Unlike television advertisements, where people actually watch advertisements which they find visually appealing, there is no incentive for staying in from of the computer to view all (say 100) web pages per day just to get paid, when he can just leave the computer on until the rotation runs out. This is a basic flaw in the business model of paid-to-surf programs.

Okay, so what’s the problem with paid-to-surf programs? What makes some of these programs scams? The problem is that some programs would let members join for free, at first and then, they would require the members to put in money to be able to withdraw their earnings from the past. People are enticed to put in money because they are constantly brainwashed that the money that they put in will be doubled or tripled. Then, all of a sudden, the program disappears like a burst bubble.

Although there are legitimate paid-to-surf programs out there, the number of scams is far more enormous. Here are some few tips on how to avoid these so-called paid-to-surf scams:

1. Join only those programs that are around for a while

The best choice that one has in terms of choosing an paid-to-surf program is to choose the one that has been established and still is in existence.

2. Trust true testimonials

Trust those testimonials which are from trusted friends. The testimonials in the sites of these “paid-to-surf” programs are usually tools for brainwashing people.

3. Check the company’s eligibility

One should check with the secretary of the state where the program was incorporated before putting any money into it.

These are only some few tips on how to avoid paid-to-surf scams. Take these precautionary steps and you could be on your way to promote your websites and make money online with paid-to-surf programs.

Jack O’Neill, a one-time fisherman and surfing aficionado living in San Francisco, wanted to expand the range of equipment on offer to the surfing fraternity, and make some money on the side of his other business enterprises.

Eventually, he across a material called neoprene, which legend has it he discovered on an airliner (although aviation experts contest this since neoprene is flammable and so wouldn’t be used inside a plane). This synthetic rubber based on polychloroprene offered superior insulation, flexibility and tensile strength to any of the previous options. His early designs using neoprene were heavily reliant on the shape given by the swimming costumes and underwear of that era, which were skin-tight and full-length. As well as the full-length wetsuit, his designs included the spring suit and the short jack, and O’Neill developed expertise in gluing and stitching techniques in a variety of designs. Today, the names of O’Neill surf suits emphasise the ungainliness of the surfing wetsuit or surf suit wearer, with names such as Psycho I and Psycho II, Epic and Mutant.

O’Neill was the first to have the name Surf Shop as a trade name, which he used when he opened a shop in Santa Cruz in 1959, a move aimed at benefitting from the warmer surfing weather and bigger waves. While in the beginning O’Neill’s markets were limited to surfing community friends and tourists, during the late 50s and 60s surfing took off like a rocket, when Hollywood discovered the ancient Hawaiian sport in the 1959 film Gidget, and magazine publishers, marketers and musicians followed suit; demand for Jack’s t-shirts snowballed. In the beginning the O’Neill operation was a pretty straightforward family business; by the seventies Jack was able to sponsor his own surf team: Team O’Neill still exists today, and women’s team member Kyla Langen recently won the Pro-Am surf contest at Huntington Beach. During the sixties, rival brands such as Australian Rip Curl and Quicksilver joined the surf clothing business, with their own teams and events, as well as many smaller, local companies.

Surf clothing brands have diversified to offer snow and diving gear as well traditional surf ranges, aiming to stay aligned with the latest adventure sport fashions. Quicksilver also has a skateboarding range, and a world champion skate team. Meanwhile, each company vies to stay ahead with surf-clothing innovation and design, meeting the challenges of different conditions and climates. Many also offer extended clothing ranges for the high street market, making the most of powerful brands, striking graphic art, and endorsed by the team champions. The appeal of surf clothing in general can be traced back to its origins: one man’s passion for an inspiring sport. More generally, surf clothing signifies alternative lifestyles, a spirit of adventure, and respect for the challenges of nature.

If you are anything like us here then I’m sure you will agree with me when I say, bring on the sun let the temperatures rise and let’s head to the beach! If this summer is anything like last summer then I am also pretty sure record numbers of you are planning to try new activities like wake boarding, scuba diving and surfing while you are on your vacations. For those of you that are thinking about taking a surfing class here is a list of ten things to consider before you sign up:

1. What is your personal comfort level with the ocean?

This is arguably the most important factor to consider before taking any surfing class. Keep in mind that until you progress out of the beginner stage you will spend a lot of time rolling around in the waves. During class you will be standing in water that is chest deep, waves will be crashing all around you and occasionally a wandering piece of seaweed will rub up against you. If you are not comfortable while in this environment you will never be able to focus on the task of surfing. This is not to say that those of you who are uncomfortable should go find something else to do. If you are uncomfortable then you should take a few days to become familiar with the environment you will be spending a lot of time in once your class starts.

2. How physically fit are you?

Make no mistake about it surfing is a sport. It is physically demanding and under certain conditions can be very strenuous. As a beginner you will not be subjected to extremely strenuous conditions but you can count on going home every day with “noodle arms” and by the end of the class you will be sore in places that you didn’t even know you had muscles.

3. How dedicated are you to learning the sport?

If you come to class expecting to go out in the water and immediately pop up to your feet on your first wave and hang ten then you are setting yourself up for a let down. Surfing is an activity that requires dedication. At some point during the class you will get frustrated. Those who succeed in class are the ones who battle through their frustrations.

4. How much time do you have to dedicate to the sport?

You will get out of the sport exactly what you put into it. For most people a 1 week surf class is just barely enough time for them to begin to get the hang of the sport. However, it does give you enough time to develop the tools you will need to master the sport on your own after your class is over. For the average person you can expect to be a solid beginner after 30 water days.

5. What is your swimming ability?

Simply put, if you can’t swim you shouldn’t be taking a surfing class. Swimming is an integral part of surfing and you put yourself in a high risk situation if you attempt to take a surfing class and do not know how to swim. If, however, you are an intermediate to strong swimmer you definitely can learn how to surf. If you have reservations about whether or not you are a good enough swimmer to attempt the sport make sure you discuss this with your instructor and he or she will be able to determine if the sport is right for you.

6. Where will your class be located?

Most surfing spots have waves that break in a predictable fashion. This can vary from gently rolling peelers to pitching surging freight trains. Make sure you research where your class will be taught and you are comfortable with the conditions that exist there.

7. What time of year are you taking your class?

Most surfing spots will vary in the type of waves they produce as the seasons change so it is important to research how the waves break at the beach where you will be surfing at during the time you plan on taking your class. As a general rule of thumb most areas experience smaller waves in the summer than they do in the winter, however, there are always exceptions. Check local weather conditions on the internet to determine the forecast for your beach.

8. What type of equipment will you be using?

In the past five years there have been a number of innovations that have taken place in the surf board manufacturing industry. Surfers now have many options available to them with regards to the materials their boards are made from and the shapes of boards available. As a general rule of thumb it is easier to learn on a bigger board. Make sure the school you go to has boards that are 7-9 feet in length. Any smaller and you will just frustrate yourself, any longer and you will have trouble managing the board in the water. Preferable you want the board to be made from soft foam rather than fiberglass or epoxy but this is not as critical as size.

9. Who is your instructor?

When researching schools take the time to talk to somebody that is involved with the instructing. Make sure all instructors are CPR and first aid certified. Also, make an attempt to interact with your instructor before you sign up to see if the two of you will get along. After all, the class is supposed to be fun and you won’t be having much fun if you do not like your instructor.

10. Did you pack your essentials?

Always wear sunscreen, pack a hat, an umbrella. Have your board shorts and talk to your instructor about the right wetsuit or rash guard for you. You might also want to think about a hood, gloves, and other accessories. Keep a good attitude and have a good time.

It is a well known fact that staying active helps keep you looking and feeling young. Not many activities come close to the effect surfing has on the mind, body and spirit. According to experienced surfers, the special bond the surfer has with their surf board and the open ocean is almost impossible to explain.

Fresh Air

Fresh air does a body good! Surfers all over the world enjoy lots of cool, refreshing fresh air and sunshine. No matter if you’re surfing a remote location or something closer to the city, the ocean air smells fresh and clean. Out on the surf, there’s virtually no smog. When you are on the waves, it’s just you, the water and the fresh air.

Stress Free

Out in the swells, you can let your stress and every-day worries float away with the tide. Out there, it’s just you, the breeze, your board and the water. No one yelling for help or that report you should have handed in already. When you’re out there, you’re surrounded by total peace and relaxation. The only sounds are the sounds of the wind lightly kissing your skin and water slapping against your surfboard.

According to the majority of surfers, this type of relaxation is hard to come by anywhere else in the world. Just a few hours of surfing a week can help release the tension that builds up at home or in the workplace.

Muscle Tone

Surfing and swimming go hand in hand and are great exercise. Swimming works muscle groups you don’t always think to work at the gym. Sometimes even seasoned athletes will complain of muscle fatigue after swimming simply because of the different muscles being used.

People who surf are generally slender and well muscled toned into their 60’s and even 70’s. Surfing is a non-impact sport, meaning it’s very easy on your knees and other joints. After all, you don’t jog or jump on your surf board!

Cardiovascular Health

Surfing provides an amazing aerobic workout that not only helps burn fat but also keeps your heart, lungs and entire cardiovascular system in tip-top shape. A healthy cardiovascular system keeps your immune system healthy as well as maintaining a high level of stamina, to keep you feeling young.

Fun in the Sun

Surfers love the sunshine for a wide variety of reasons. Besides giving surfers great tans to keep that youthful glow, the sun provides vitamins that maintain healthy skin and nails. Healthy bones, skin, hair and nails assist in a more youthful appearance.

Other Advantages

Aside from the previously mentioned advantages of surfing, avid surfers understand they have to eat well and exercise. Many surfers enjoy going to the gym and practicing some type of Yoga. Yoga helps keep the surfer’s muscles toned and flexible and their mind alert. Many people who practice yoga taut it as a vehicle to peace and serenity in their mental well being.

If you’re looking to stay young and feel young, but don’t currently know how to surf and would like to learn, there is a wide variety of surf camps available. Women’s surf camps cater to the needs of women. Since they are only available to women, ladies of all shapes, sizes and ages can enjoy being themselves and learning to surf. You will also develop friendships and enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people from all over the world.

While some surf camps offer only women’s surf camps, there are camps that offer co-ed surf camps as well. They are a great way to learn to surf or learn a new skill or hobby while relaxing in the sun. Imagine returning to normal life, not only totally relaxed with a great tan, but also with pictures of you hanging ten, surfing like a pro and most importantly feeling and looking young.

Some say surfing keeps you young at heart. Seasoned surfers know surfing also helps keep them physically fit, looking and feeling much younger than their birth date declares.

Surfing is an amazing adventure sport. This is not the sport for everybody, but for the people who can handle the thick waves of the beach. The surfboard can be of any size – from less than three feet surfboards to 11 ft surfboards are available today. However, the size of the surfboard is no match to the skill and technique of the surfers. To stay afloat over the tides is the one important thing of surfing. Being able to catch the right tide (or wave), engaging at the right moment, staying at the right position and staying cleared of barriers like reefs or floating materials, etc are all desirable surfing skills.

It is not just about riding a wave, but also executing various manoeuvres. A good surfer is made only when he or she is able to catch the difficult waves, staying clear of dangers and performing tricks before finishing the ride. Not being hit by the wave. Tube riding is the dream of all surfers. It is about riding inside the wave, without the wave touching you down. It is quite amusing to see the wave curling over you and you are moving ahead of the wave, without letting the wave strike you down. It is the most difficult thing to achieve in surfing.

Turning and carving, cutback, off the lip, floater, etc are some skills surfers will be achieving pretty quickly. These skills are not learned from the land. You can learn these only after you get in the water, riding the waves. You can also get surfing lessons from experienced surfers, who will give you one-on-one lessons.

Not all the beaches and surf breaks are ideal for beginners. Only experienced surfers can attempt the risky surfs. The training is given only at areas of consistent wave activity and winds. Otherwise, it will become difficult. After getting the lessons at breaks that have more or less stable surfing conditions, you can go to more challenging areas.

Once you get into the groove, it is one great passion. You will enjoy the surfing so much and you will be willing to experiment with various types of surfboards, techniques and locations. Some surfers are so passionate about the local surf breaks, that they don’t let tourists in and even threaten physical assault, when their territory is violated. Not all locations are like that and you can see surf breaks around the world, where you get warm welcome.

The safety guidelines to all kinds of water sports apply to surfing too. You need to be able to manage the tides without the board and you should be careful not to go near rocks, reefs or dangerous creatures like jelly fish, sharks, etc.

You get into surfing for once and you can experience the all consuming passion associated with the sport. Beach holidays or vacations can also include surfing as an option – although not all beaches for suited for surfing. OK, if you have this passion to surfing, it is good time you have, with your riding at great speeds over the waves.

Surfing is one of the most thrilling sports there can be on sea. But unlike most sea sports, it does not require machinery of some sort. All you need in surfing are: a board, surfing gear, rippling waves and a sense of adventure. But just like any other sport, surfing can also drain your energy and patience. It can be grueling especially to the neophytes, as it requires perfect mind and body coordination. To have a body in total harmony with your inner self to get your body in the best surfing condition, surfers will recommend one thing and that is to practice yoga!

You might think that surfing and yoga are far out from each other but you are wrong. Both have similar concepts that really blend well to give you a better life. Here are five reasons why surfing and yoga is a great combination.

1. Yoga and surfing have a common denominator. They are ways of life.

Yoga is more than an exercise as surfing is more than a sport. Both are ways of living that help make people attain a fuller and more complete life. They also help you know more not only about yourself but also about your surroundings: yoga seeks enlightenment of your spirituality while surfing makes you one with nature. The yoga world is also similar with a surfing moment; a place of freedom, a place of peace, a place without time… Either way, you become your better person as you completely immerse yourself in the activity and in the process, rest your mind and spirit to release your fullest.

2. Surfing without exercise such as yoga can have health repercussions.

Although surfing is a good exercise, it is not perfect because it is not completely symmetrical. Surfing does not work all body parts as it concentrates only on some especially the shoulders and arms. In the process, the rest of the body does not get its proper exercise. That is why it is always recommended that surfing be paired with a form of exercise that gives emphasis on stretching such as yoga. Yoga can work the body parts that are not frequently worked out in surfing. With that, you are ensured that you have a complete activity for your entire body.

3. Yoga will teach you patience in surfing.

Starting to surf may be difficult to some people who do not have the skill of balance pros have. However, with a little more practice, you can gain more knowledge about reaching your body’s equilibrium but this may take time. Some may learn to surf in only a few days but some may take several weeks or months with a very long learning curve. With the help of yoga, meditation and breathing can make you become a more patient student surfer. The extended patience that you gain from practicing yoga can also be helpful while waiting for those surf quality waves to practice on.

4. Yoga will increase your strength and flexibility on the board.

Yoga can enhance your self-awareness and make your body and mind exist in perfect harmony. Yoga will sharpen your concentration, enabling you to attain perfect equilibrium. Because yoga includes stretching and different forms to be followed, it will improve the flexibility of every part of your body. Flexibility is the key to constancy on top of the board while surfing a wave. Flexibility gained by practicing yoga also helps you move with more freedom, balance and comfort. And in this area, it is obvious how yoga can really be helpful.

5. Yoga will help you improve posture and breathing.

Just like in yoga, proper posture and breathing is also important in surfing. You reach maximum performance when your body has proper amounts of oxygen taken in and is in the proper position. With yoga, you will learn to breathe and pose better. Yoga benefits such as minimized tension on the body especially on the back and the shoulders can maximize surfing performance. Proper breathing and posture will give you strength and balance that can increase stability while you glide on the waves.

Surfing and yoga is a perfect complement that assists in excelling each other to higher levels and that is why most surf schools have yoga activities as well. The pair not only enhances your spirituality and physicality but also harmonizes your mind and body in perfect balance. So the next time, before you surf, practice a few minutes of yoga and breathing. Then you’ll realize that surfing is not only a purely physical activity but can have spiritual liberation effects as well.

Can you picture yourself waking up every morning on a paradise island, doing yoga, surfing throughout the day, and being fed delicious and healthy meals prepared by a chef? Sounds terrible doesn’t it? How could this get any worse? How about if the women’s surf camp was a co-ed surf camp? Why would you want to go on a co-ed surf and yoga retreat with your loved one? Shopping at the local mall with your girlfriends or golfing with the fellas are much better options, aren’t they?

If you are not already convinced that you should absolutely not attend a co-ed surf camp with your partner or spouse, here are some other great reasons why you should stay just home:

Reason #1 You and your partner can get fit together. Going to a co-ed surf camp would mean that you and your partner could increase your fitness together. Participating in a surf camp together would give you an opportunity to maximize your well-being as a couple. Wouldn’t it be preferable to stay at home and work on increasing your love handles?

Reason #2 You may end up fighting over the surfing magazines. You don’t want to end up bickering over who is going to read the latest surfing magazine first, do you? What a horrible thought, you both wanting to read the same material. Girls should stick to the vapid celebrity scandals and the newest fashion trends while the guys can read about cars and guns.

Reason #3 You and your partner can enjoy an interest together. Going to a co-ed surf camp as a couple could give you a combined interest. Isn’t it better to have no interests in common? Shouldn’t the male be playing golf while the female shops or performs home duties? Continue on at this rate and you might even want to vacation with each other next year! How horrible! Do you really need a topic of conversation at the dinner table that enthralls you both? Do you really need a common passion?

Reason #4 You could experience a family bonding vacation. A co-ed surf camp also means that families can experience all the joys of a surf and yoga retreat together. Would you really want to become closer to your grown children or parents? A surf camp providing meals, yoga, massages and surf lessons could introduce the family to a combined sporting hobby. Shouldn’t family vacations involve all members going to different locations? Do you really want your family to be close knit and communicating well?

Reason #5 You might have too much fun with your partner or spouse. You would be in serious danger of enjoying yourself at a co-ed surf camp. Guys, girls, yoga, surf lessons, massages, delicious meals prepared by a chef, all on a paradise island. This sounds like a recipe for far too much pleasure and relaxation. Improving your well-being while learning a new adventurous sport and working on your sun tan could be disastrous for your health and relationship. What kind of couple would want that?

Why risk wanting to return next year to another surf camp? Do you really want all of your future vacations to be in sunny beach side locations chasing waves? Why would you want to go to a yoga and surf retreat that allows for men, women and couples? That means you have the option of taking your loved one or enjoying a healthy vacation with family and friends.

In this day and age of soaring obesity, stress, divorce rates and violence, why would anyone want to take time out from the hustle and bustle with their significant other? Wouldn’t you prefer to become a statistic of the 21st Century? Why go to a co-ed surf camp and risk improving your physical and mental well-being? Imagine how much more pleasant the world would be if everyone decided to indulge themselves in a surf and yoga retreat getaway. Statistic or bliss? The choice is yours.