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.

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Duck diving a surfboard means turning a surfboard upside down and grabbing hold of it as the wave breaks over the top. Learn how to duck dive on a surfboard with tips from a surfing instructor in this free video on surfing.

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Winter is a fact of life for many people who enjoy the sport of surfing. However, cold air and water temperatures don't have to stop your sessions! Enter the wetsuit, probably the single biggest invention in surfing since the surfboard itself.

Wetsuits are tight fitting bodysuits made of flexible neoprene rubber. They work by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the skin. The body heats up this water, thus keeping the surfer warm.

When picking out a suit, you're going to want to get one that is specifically designed for surfing. That means seeking out your local surf shop. Don't go to a dive shop or swimming store. Surfing wetsuits are specially made to endure the specific repetitive motions that surfers make when they're out in the ocean. For example, non-surfing suits can have seams in bad places that will cause major rashes when you've been paddling for a few hours.

Wetsuits come in different cuts, from short-sleeve spring suits (or shorties) to fullsuits with hoods. When it gets very cold, booties and gloves are also available. Caps and hoods are also available for suits that don't have them already attached.

Surfers often have a quiver of wetsuits to accompany their quiver of different boards, especially in areas where the seasons change dramatically.

There are a variety of thicknesses from which to choose. From thin 2 mm spring suits, to 2/3 mm fullsuits, 4/3's, 5/4/3's, and 6/5/4's. These numbers reference how thick the neoprene is in millimeters for different areas of the suit. Often the thickest neoprene will be in the torso and thighs, while the thinner areas will be on the arms and calves.

When getting a wetsuit, it's important to set aside a block of time in order to try them on. Each company uses different models and they all have a slightly different fit.

The fit should be snug. Don't buy them too loose or water will be able to freely enter the suit and the insulating effect will be lost. This means you shouldn't buy a kid's suit a few sizes too big so they can grow into it. They might as well not wear a suit at all. The neck is an important area to pay attention to. The collar should be snug so that water doesn't freely enter and exit.

When looking at the pricetag, you do tend to get what you pay for. There are several different makes and models from each company, from budget to luxury. Often the higher priced wetsuits will have all sorts of cool things like sealed seams and improved zippers and entry/exit schemes.

To learn more about surfing wetsuits, visit The Surfing Handbook's Wetsuit Page

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There are eleven break points along the best surf spots in Santa Cruz County and is known as "Surf City." Steamer Lane is host to the O'Neill Cold Water Classic on annual basis during the fall months. In May the Longboard Invitational takes place adjacent to Lighthouse Point. The Capitola Women's Longboard Surf Fest in held in October. Women of all ages participate and surfing skill participate.

Waddell Beach is very popular with boogie board, kiteboarding, and kayaking enthusiasts. Kiteboarding is a hybrid of wakeboarding and windsurfing. People are able to get forty feet of air from the waves.

Cowell's Beach positioned along Westcliff Drive, is said to have calmer waves. This is a popular surf spot for people just learning the sport. There are stairs from Westcliff Drive that lead out to the surf area. Capitola Beach is another popular surf area for beginners. Many people use longboards with the waves when conditions are permissible. Parking is ample and readily available. When parking in metered parking areas always have ample amounts of change and keep the meter updated. It is not uncommon to get ticketed right away when the meter expires since it is monitored closely.

The Hook is located along what is known locally as Pleasure Point. It is positioned at the end of the stairway located at 41st Avenue. Longboards are most popular for this surf area. Shortboards are only able to be used on days when the waves are higher. This surf is said to be best for skilled surfers. 30th and East Cliff is popular with Pleasure Point surfers. However, due to the degree of difficulty very few people are permitted to surf in the area.

Manresa State Beach is positioned along Highway 1. It is less crowded than some of the other beaches. The waves can become very high and rips are very common in the surf area. 30th. This surf area is said to be best for experienced surfers.

Steamer Lane is said to be the most popular surf area in the region. The waves get extremely high at times said to reach triple overhead in height. Much caution needs to be exercised when surfing in this area. Deaths do occur on annual basis at this surf point. Surfing goes on year round at Steamer Lane.

Moss Landing is positioned twenty miles south of the city. It is rarely crowded and has its beach break near the harbor entrance. Waves can get very high here, so it is recommended for advanced surfers only. Rips are common along this area.

Natural Bridges surfing is located south of the rock arches. Conditions fluctuate in the area so surfing isn't always possible. There is a lot of kelp and sealife in the area.

There are many places to surf along Highway 1 in the middle of Half Moon Bay and the city. North of the city is where some of the more advanced surfers like to go. It is advised that you avoid surfing in this area alone do to its secluded nature.

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Short clip to describe the ancient finless surfboard, the Alaia. Mikey DeTemple uses his Alaia surfboard @ PAFB, Florida. The board shown in the video was custom shaped by George Robinson. Additionally, a few clips of Mikey DeTemple riding a "modern longboard".

George Robinson Surf Designs

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Suspecting that a major drug traffic operation is being run out of South African embassy, Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) and Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) pursue a suspect, which ends up in decapation by surboard!

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Paid to surf sites are all over the internet, there are many different kinds of these sites. These websites are called HYIPs or High Yield Investment Programs. They are all frauds and need money from new members to stay in business. One of the main reasons why these scams stay around is because back in 2000 there where many real paid to surf sites. You could remember these paid to surf sites as many people made lots of money from them. AllAdvantage was the first paid to surf site that lead to many others such as; Cashsurfers, Clickdough, Desktopdollars, and many others.

How could these sites stay online and why aren't they all scams?

These early paid to surf sites where legitimate in the way they conducted their business. Many companies, especially start up companies on the internet back in 2000 had to advertise their new websites. They would pay large amounts of money to get ads in front of their members.

AllAdvantage had over 3.5 million members, so even if 1% of those members responded to their ad, they would get over 35,000 new visitors to their website. These paid to surf programs would then send some of the profits to their members for allowing them to advertise to them. Remember that the member never had to pay anything and still got paid. This isn't true for the new paid to surf (HYIPs) of today.

To be involved in a HYIP you would be forced to deposit an amount of money into your account using an unverifiable money exchanger such as egold, which then you would have to surf a particular number of sites each day in order to get paid. If you remember 12dailypro, they lasted almost a year before they went out of business and scammed its members.

Today these HYIPs are losing business because most people realize they are scams. I believe the old paid to surf sites are making a comeback! The original owners of AllAdvantage have created a new site and are currently building its members base so that they can start building their advertisers base. The new site is called AGLOCO.

If you know anything about MySpace or Youtube you would know that these companies where sold for millions of dollars, why? Because they bring in millions of dollars worth of advertising profits to their owners. Advertisers are willing to pay large sums of money to show their ads to their members base. Now AGLOCO is in this same process and the great thing is, is its free to join, free to get more information, so how could it ever be a scam? If you want more information about this incredible opportunity, then visit my site at http://www.treasurewars.com

I trust that in the coming months these sites might make a come back because of their earlier days. MySpace and YouTube have been making millions of dollars off of their advertisers, but they never pay their members, isn't it about time that a company to come around that will pay its members for just being a part of their business? AGLOCO is changing things up and wants to share part of their earned profits with their membership. Now you can join and take part of that profit. Just think how much you could have made if you joined AllAdvantage in its early days, how much of the $100 million dollars could you have gotten? I am a believe in this because I have seen it happen and this is what I was involved in back in 2000. It is up to you what you decide to do.

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Surf boards and surfing have come a long way since they first gained popularity in the mid 1800's.

Originally the sport of royalty, surfing has actually been around since the 6th Century but in its modern day form it gained status as a lifestyle symbol around the 1860's. It is thought to have originally made its way to Hawaii from the Polynesian Islands around the middle of the 18th Century.

Two Hawaiian princes studying in the US showed their surfing skills to the locals in North America and the sport took off from there. Their surf boards would have been primitively moulded from solid wood, sanded with granulated coral and stained with bark or charcoal before being finished with glossy nut oil. Problems with original surf boards like this were that they weighed close to 150lbs and acted like sponges once in the water.

Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer from Hawaii, demonstrated his skills on a surf board while on a visit to Australia in 1865. This went down a storm with Australian's who have always been famed for their love of the outdoor life, and the style of surf boarding now known to the Western world was born.

The surf board has evolved over the years from the original solid redwood plank, through composite wood, lightweight balsa wood and fibreglass to today's virtually perfect design constructed from polyurethane foam and fibreglass.

Very few changes have been made to the make-up of the board since mass production began in the late 1950's. In the beginning, long boards of up to 16' were popular but not so manoeuvrable. Shorter boards enjoyed a surge, being built around 6' and 8lbs lighter. These were much faster and easier to navigate than the more cumbersome 16 footer.

Minor changes have been made to surf boards over the years but mostly ones that are optional. Some lift has been added to the nose and fins were also added for stability. Although you can now buy surf boards with fixed fins, it is more common place to buy attachable fins. This gives the surfer the option to experiment with where fins are placed depending on the type of wave they are riding.

Surfing has now advanced to a point where different waves and different riding styles call for a different type of board to gain the maximum speed and agility, thus the maximum adrenaline rush. Choices consist of double concave bottom, vee bottom, rounded square tail and swallow tail as well as different lengths.

One of the best inventions that all surfers rave about is the surf board leash. A simple device where the board can be strapped to the surfers ankle but it is one that makes the life of a surfer so much simpler. Before this, he/she would have had to wade into shore to retrieve the board after every wave.

Custom paint jobs on surf boards are big business with some very extreme designs that you can either pay a surf shop to apply for you or, if you are feeling artistic, purchase some spray paints or water based paint pens and get creative yourself. Covered with a protective clear top coat these designs will last a long time but can always be sanded back and re-done if you get bored.

Sex wax is a surfers product, not anything like it sounds! It is a wax that can be applied to the board where you would normally put your feet and hands to prevent slipping. However, some surfers prefer to use deck grip as an alternative. This is a stick on pad that removes the need for constant waxing.

Initially a sport for men, surfing has taken off worldwide and has a large female following. Not just as groupies for the surfer dude's but now as serious competitors themselves. It has also spawned a whole fashion scene for men and women, from wetsuits and beachwear to hats, hoodies and shoes. It has also brought about a sound financial business in hair care, particularly for the women who don't like to constantly have surfers hair.

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Ron Artis paintis a surfboard while listen to music recorded by his family. Ron paints on broken or dinged surfboards once surfed by pro surfers. One of Ron close friends Gordon Quigg made this board. Gordon Quigg's father ( Joe Quigg ) made the first foam board to be used by surfers.
for more info visit:
ronartis.com

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Surfing is the only type of sport where the person relies on the wave to pick them up and for them to do tricks. Unlike body boarding and kite surfing you have to stand up fast before the wave breaks on you so you can get down the line and do your tricks on the wave.

Surfing first had started way back in Hawaii when Captain James cook was on the island. The boards they used back then were made from heavy thick wood so it made them hard to even paddle out. They were later made from other materials but not till way later when the modern short board came into play. After the short board came into the picture it changed surfing forever. Surfers could then use smaller boards but they would still float the same way as the others. Except now they could catch waves fast and do tricks that they had never done before. The boards allowed them to get down the line faster then ever so they could do new aerial tricks. The airs first started in California and places like that then other surfers started to do the same tricks so they changed surfing like never before. If you were to look at surf videos today and look at surfing videos from back in the day like the 60s and 70s you will see the difference.

Swells and waves are created from wind blowing over a long distance. That's what makes the swells travel until they hit the beaches in which we surf today. Like when you were to have a hurricane the wind would be blowing hard and fast out at sea but 50 to 100 miles inshore the waves would be pounding the shores. Hurricane surf is good because you are like guaranteed good clean offshore surf sometime or another when the hurricane gets close. Other types of swells are ground swells which just pop up over night from a low pressure or something like that. Other than that waves are made from wind.

You will see the difference between a surfer who can ride the wave and one who just can't catch the wave before it breaks. The one who can catch the wave before it breaks on them and gets in front of the barrel of the wave will be the one to show you how to surf. Like me I would drop into the face at an angle so I would gain better speed so then when I stood up I would already have a good amount of speed then I would do a few little pumps down the line then do a huge lip slide or off the lip. You are not limited to what you can do on a wave when its chest to head high surf and walling up down the beach. All you do is catch it then speed down the line and perform some sick trick that gets everyone hooting and then paddle back out.

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