If you do go and Surf Pavones you wont be disappointed, IF the swell is running. Pavones is one of the premier locations in the world for left hand breaks. When its pumping and the swell is from the South, usually April to November, it’s ‘mucho gusto’.

Surf Pavones and you wont be disappointed by the quality nor length of the ride during this time, as long as there is swell but we’ll get to that later. And yes its very very hot.

Where do I go to Surf Pavones???

If there was an ass end of the world that was almost too impossible to get to, then this place would be further. Pavones is located way down in the ‘deep-south’ of Costa Rica on the southern side of Gulfo Dulce. The closest town is Golfito which is a six to eight hour drive from San Jose.

Pavoness is 2 hrs further south of Golfito. There is a bus service, car rental and 4WD taxis for approximately $70USD. If you want to get there fast then there is also air transport by Nature Air and Sansa flights from San Jose for about $100USD one way.

This is pristine Costa Rica, Golfito is blisteringly hot, the drive is amazingly beautiful. You will pass teak plantations, lowland rainforest’s and cross dozens of rivers. Its your choice whether you just want to get down there fast or experience more of what Costa Rico has to offer.

How Long is Pavones?

Well 3/4 of a mile and between 2 – 3 minutes makes it one of the longest left handers in the world. There are 2-3 sections usually when the swell is down but when it picks up the middle sections are exceptionally fast. This amazing ride will have your legs burning and head thumping from your heart pounding to keep up blood flow to your very very tired muscles.  Did I mention its hot down there.

Surf Pavones on any tide but it will close out less on mid to high tides. On a low tide you can see all the cobble stones which make it more “exciting” getting in and out of the water. The rocks are smooth and are more a trip hazard than a place to cut yourself. However, like all reef breaks i strongly recommend some form of surf bootie or footwear.

Aside: I tried barefoot surfing in Tenerife, which has a similar rocky walk out and found that wearing booties/surf shoes made an inmeasureable difference to the bruises on my feet and the speed in which i was able to paddle out.

Ok i’ll stop with the hot comments. How hot is it you say? Hot enough to feel like your breathing mexican chilli’s every time you inhale. You sweat like a contestant on America’s Biggest Loser practicing Ballet. Seriously, the only time your not sweating is when your in the water.

If the swell is up and the surf is rolling in then you’ll be trying to get as many waves as you can before word breaks out how good it is… and trust me news travels fast. So before you know it PAvones is flocking with more people than student night at your local Pizza Hut.

Surf Lesson in Pavones??

There is only one place to go if you want a Surf Lesson and if you find another PLEASE let me know because i think this is it. Its called  Pavones Surf School and Eco Tours,

The waves do cater for everyone from a beginner to extremely advanced surfers. Just depends on the size of the swell on the day. The place is remote and desolate. If the surf isnt up then you’ll be hanging out enjoying the rainforest views and south american culture.

So why isnt everyone going to Pavones??

Well because its about as reliable for surf as a teenager on crack. You can get weeks of pancake flat water without end in sight. The direction of the break isnt ideal for swells most year round and you really need perfect conditions to get any sort of rideable wave.

When the swell isnt huge or ideal you can still Surf Pavones but it’s broken down into several sections, so in theory its more like 3-4 smaller breaks rather than one monster left hander.

Accomodation at Pavones is not the Hilton

In Pavones dont expect a five star hotel to retreat back to. Actually, dont expect much at all. There are only a handful of places to stay that are all very modest. Most accomodation is like a B & B (Bed and Breakfast), family run and aimed at modest living.

• Esquina Del Mar: Closest to the break, has rooms upstairs with shared shower and toilet. Gets a bit noisy on the weekends with the party goers, if you cant beat ‘em join em. $10-$20 per person per night
• Cabinas Muchos Olas: Has a few rooms located above the Cantina albeit a bit loud. $15-25.
• Cabinas Las Ponderosa: As upmarket as you can get in this place. Right by the soccer field $20-$50

Places to Eat

Pavones is not a gastronome’s delight. Dont expect your Cordon Bleau or stuffed lobster out there. For a cheap and chearful meal you cant go past the Esquina del Mar cantina right at the point OR if you have to go really low budget there is a mini-mercado just east. (Mini-mart).

Technorati Tags: Surf Lesson, surf pavones, Surf Pictures, surf vacation

Chicama Surf

Reasons to Surf Chicama?

Why am I telling you this??

We are so used to seeing endless pictures and reports from the ASP world tour on places such as North Shore Hawaii, Biarritz France, Indonesia and Australia that we forget that there are countless other less well known places that have almost equally as good surf but are most likely off the beaten track and not as easily accessible.

The Advantages of Surfing Chicama:

• Empty Waves
• Excellent Weather
• Extremely Long Rides ( 2- 4minutes)

The Disadvantages of Surfing Chicama:

• Only Left Hand Waves
• Extremely Long Walk to Start point (up to 20 minutes)

Surfing Chicama offers a wide selection and range of waves for a wide range of skills. You can get your first surf lesson here or find a barreling haven over reef. Chicama has it all.

How Good is Surfing Chicama Really??

Google Earth Maps shows that the distance between the Cape to the Pier is approximately 2.61 km. There are 4-5 sections during this ride. If the surf is large enough, between 6 -8 ft, there will be enough volume of water to transition between the sections giving the ultimate 2-4 minute left hand ride. The downside is the 20 minute walk back to the cape but its a small price to pay for the longest ride of your life.

Chicama can cater for all sized and shaped surf boards ranging from short to long. In smaller conditions the thicker and more buoyant the board the greater the chance of transitioning between the sections.

Chicama Surf Break

Plenty of Chicama Waves for Everyone

The million dollar question your waiting for is, how many thousand people are all going to be running over each other to get onto the same wave?? We if I said 20 to 30 … people … along the whole stretch of coastline I would not be joking.

Chicama could cater for 100 plus but on your average day you will have 5 people surfing, on 5 separate waves. 5 people lining up and about 12-15 people walking back to the line up. No need to drop in or cut off anybody here and it is not taken lightly either.

“My motto is Courtesy is king whenever I surf in other countries or locations”.

Chicama Surf Break

Local Chicama Surfing Contacts

If your starting out or need a Surf Lesson then here’s a place I’ve found helpful and caters for all levels of experience:

• Peru Surf Guides

However, if you do want to go all out and splurge on a give star surfing extravaganza then this is the place for you:

• Chicama Surf Resort

If you have been to Chicama lately I’d love to hear your experiences below. Surf Chicama and tell us all about it. I do not edit or change comments so if you have something to say then lets hear it.

Images Courtesy of Global Surfers.

Technorati Tags: surf chicama, Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures, surf vacation

Well if I hadn’t had seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. I would have thought here’s another internet marketing scam or typo. But seriously its true. Free Surf Lesson, ask inside.

Like everything in life you get nothing for nothing and this still holds true for your free surf lesson. So yes in some regards there is a catch but only a small one. The place where you get your free lesson you’ll have to hire a board from them … is that all you say .. yep, so realistically if you came on holiday to Tenerife without your surfboard anyway you would have to hire from someone anyway.

A Small Price to Pay for a Free Surf Lesson

And don’t be scared about the price. As of November 2009 a board, booties and rash shirt package on average was 15 Euro per day or less if you hire for more days. I also hired a short wetsuit, not that I really needed it after I realized how warm the water was but you learn these things, for an extra 5 Euro per day. My total was 18 Euro per day for 3 day hire.

Rash Shirt & Booties a Must at Tenerife

And before you ask why you need booties I suggest you read my previous article on surf conditions around Tenerife. 95% of the surf breaks are on reef so trust me when I say you need then to walk out on and to save your feet when you come off. I’ve cut myself quite badly on reef in both Australia and Hawaii and then vowed never to surf bare foot again on it.

The rash shirt is an obvious choice for avoiding a seriously red and itchy chest, plus the added bonus that the rash shirt gives you that extra bit of grip so your upper body doesn’t slide off the board when you are paddling.

Tenerife Surf Break Map

Where to go for your Free Surf Lesson

Before I can tell you where to go to get your free surf lesson lets show you Tenerife on a map so you can see for yourself. On the Tenerife island map above you will see the names of some of the local surf breaks. The best and easiest place to surf in terms of both accessibility of beach and equipment is at Playa de Los Americas. This place is not specifically on the attached map but is located in the South West Corner of the island (bottom left for you non-geographical types) where La Izquirda is shown.

Playa del Los Americas has 4 surf breaks. La  Izquirda (left hand break as name suggests in Spanish), Las Americas (reef break), Derecha del Cartel (right hand break) and El Conquistador (reef break). All these breaks are located in the same area of Playa de Los Americas which is easily accessible via the motorway. As a reference, approximately 15 minutes from the airport heading west.

Playa de Los Americas

Once you enter the town weave your way towards the beach and car parks adjoining. The street you are after is right in front of the beach. There is a burger king on the corner and opposite it is an Aberdeen Steak house, which i might add does pretty cheap 2/3 course meals. (no I don’t get any money to advertise from them. I will go as far to say that you can have a beer with your meal at the burger king which is a nice change).

If you stand facing the water with these two buildings behind you you will be in the right place. There are 3 places to get your free surf lesson from.

1. Behind you to the right. A store with many surfboards perched up in front of it. Extremely friendly staff and this is where I got my gear from. Very friendly and helpful staff with an excellent grasp of English.
2. Behind you to the left and slightly further from the beach, slightly more expensive and less surfboard range then first choice.
3. The third place,  on the beach slightly to the right. Its a beach shack that double up as a bar. I had many a nice Mohito there while watching the sun set and the locals at La Izquirda weave there magic on the waves.

Want more places to Surf in Tenerife?

Now if you want more than just the four break at Playa Del Los Americas and you have a car at your disposal then your in for a treat. The second map below shows the surf break locations all over the island, there are many more but this is a good start.

However a word of caution, they’re not as easy to find as it seems on the map and secondly, the roads aren’t well sign posted so unless you ask a local you may not be able to get to half of the breaks, trust me I’ve tried.

Tenerife Surf Breaks

I wish you luck, safety and good surfing with your free Surf Lesson in Tenerife. Share your experiences and frustrations below so we can all learn together.

Technorati Tags: Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures, surf vacation

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A Surf Lesson on reef doesn’t sound appealing except when the water is of tropical proportions and there is almost no offshore winds. Couple this with gentle rolling breaks and you have a fantastic combination in which to learn on.

Having said this its not for the feint hearted.

Surf Lesson on Reef not for the Feint Hearted

You have to be committed. The entry and exit of the water is the most dangerous with slippery uneven rocks to walk over, not to mention balance and carry your longboard surfboard through all this.

I traveled all the way around the island of Tenerife for good surf conditions for both a surf lesson and larger waves. The early November conditions brought with them a NE/NW swell which meant that the best conditions were in the SW of the island, namely Playa de Las Americas.

Surf Lesson at Playa de Las Americas

The Surf Lessons are taken usually in the wash at Las Americas. You can get surf lessons from half a dozen places in the town and even from the beach kiosk, they also do a pretty mean Mohito but i’ll save that story for another day.

Wherever you do decide to go you can expect to have wetsuit, surf shoes, a rash shirt and longboard surfboard included in the price. To be honest, in November, the water is so warm that you really don’t need anything else other than your shoes so you don’t slice up your feet.

Hiring Surf Equipment

Many places offer free surf lessons as long as you hire the equipment from them. Longboard surf hire (with everything above included) is approximately 15 – 20 Euro per day and this is reduced the longer you hire.

I hired for 3 days and it cost me 12 Euro per day.

For the best surf lesson experience i thoroughly recommend you go and speak to one of the surf shops and ask them how the swell is and what the conditions are like for a surf lesson. If the weather is not good they will tell you and usually give you a good estimate of how many days until the conditions improve.

You cant beat local knowledge so don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

El Medano not for Longboard Surfing

Of note, not every person on the island can distinguish good surf lesson conditions and good windsurfing conditions. The reason i mention this is that some will say to head to El Medano for great surf conditions but the only thing you’ll find there 99% of the time is 20-30kt offshore winds and dozens of kite and wind surfers. I’ll save you the drive and time right now.

Technorati Tags: longboard surf, Surf Lesson, surf vacation

Surf Vacation at Jeffreys Bay

Your imaging your first surf lesson is pristine water with small waves and wash that lap at your knees. You gently mount your board and with a quick paddle are up and away on your first wave. You’ve practiced your stand up technique a hundred times on the beach so this will be no problem. The muscle memory kicks in and Whala you’ve done it… Your catching your first wave.

So why am I telling you this AND including Jeffreys bay in the same breath?

The world knows Jeffreys bay, or J Bay because of its series of barrelling right handers from the point of Supertubes. J Bay is on the ASP tour, the J Bay Billabong PRO. The likes of Kelly Slater, Andy Irons and this years 2009 winner Joel Parkinson are regulars.

So why am I still talking about surf lessons? Have I gone completely mad or am I the type of guys that enjoys watching people get beaten within an inch of their life on the rocks learning to surf.

The last time I checked I wasn’t crazy, just don’t ask my wife.

Jefferys Bay Secrets

Unknown to most surfing enthusiast who go to watch the Billabong Pro is J Bay’s sand bottomed sheltered beaches that are ideal to learn to surf on. I’m not saying that you have to specifically head to South Africa just for a surf lesson but if your heading over to watch the Billabong Pro then why not check out a lesson or two while your down there. Many of the local surf schools have packages varying from a single lesson to week long courses.

Surf Lesson Accommodation

Your closest majot airport is Port Elizabeth. From there your within a short drive to most lodges and surfing beaches. The majority of courses can include accommodation, meals, activities and all equipment hire.

J Bay as I have already mentioned has more than one surf break or beach to surf at. In fact that bay itself has eight.

Jeffreys Bay Water Temp & Swell Size

Jeffreys Bay Surf breaks

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• Augie Globalog » Going Broke…30 cents at a time – Taking full advantage of our increasingly hotter temperatures we have been fully packing our weekends with trips to Sydney’s local beaches, the petting zoo, aquarium and the Blue Mountains. simon3 One of my favorite beaches here in …

Technorati Tags: Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures, surf vacation

Surf Vacation at Cornwall

This morning I came accross and article that was very apt for me right about now in regards to a surf spot that I never really heard of Cornwall? I am leaving Australia on an extended, well there is no deadline to return, holiday/adventure through UK and Europe. I am extremely fortunate that I currently live extremely close to the beach so the choice of driving or walking to my favourite surf spot often comes to mind when I decide to hit the waves… and the winning choice usually depends on how lazy I feel.

The one thing that I am going to miss the most is the ability to have full access to my surfing within, at most, a 15minute drive to all my favourite surf spots. My starting location will be London, UK. I have already been warned that the closest to surfing I will get there is if the street ices over and I fall on my ass. Nonetheless I want to start my UK/European adventure in the big smoke.

I have been researching surf spots in the UK initially and came accross an article from Extreme Horizons Blog about the annual surfing pilgrimage to Cornwall.

The Cornwall Surfing Crush

Cornwall isn’t your Jeffreys Bay but is apparently one of the better surf locations in the UK which picks up considerable swell on both coasts. The beach at Cornwall likened to an overcrowded Tokyo subway at rush hour.. But yet the Brits still make their way down in the masses. There can be up to twenty surf school each with twenty plus students taking their first surf lesson vying for a piece of the action, and I haven’t even started to talk about the sub arctic water temperatures. You have to be half seal or have a very very good wetsuit to even get your toes in.

There are also the myriad of  beginner surfers whose first experience is likely to be that of being run over by a surfer after they unknowingly drop in on them. The prevailing north coast winds are westerly which means alot of offshore. You do get the odd day when the conditions are perfect with  onshore winds and great swell. This culminates in a few reef breaks, the odd point break plus some barrelling sandbars.

Surf Pilgrimage to Cornwall

I know I havent painted a fantastic picture of the place but its more than just a surf location. Its a pilgrimage. When you get back its not so much about the location but about the journey. Its the ability to recap the crowds, the traffic jams, the 12 year old on a softboard that you ran over while catching your first barrel. Its these memories that will last you the whole winter of dinner time discussions.

There still are uncrowded locations to surf at although you will have to search and get off the beaten track to find. There is much to do in the form of nightlife if your under 25 at Newquay and the water can be a beautiful green crystal colour.

Noone questions religious travels abroad to walk along some sandy tracks and hang out with thousands of other people in the overwroded blistering heat and neither should anyone judge yours if your that way inclined.

I’ll see you there.

Here is an article that you might enjoy:

• Surf and Fun in El Salvador – I’ve been back from my trip to El Salvador for a week and I am only starting to feel better. I had a great time there but I have felt awful for the last few days. My friends and I spent 7 days at Las Flores Surf Club, a 4 star surf resort located in El Cuco, a tiny village on the East side (note they call it East but if you look at a map, it’s actually South ).

Technorati Tags: Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures, surf vacation

Today we are going to dispel some of the myths of surf boards. Correct choice comes down to correct use. What does that mean you say. What we’re going to do is tell you which board is the best for you for your expereince level and style of surfing. Lets face it, we’re not all Kelly Slaters and are on the ASP tour.

Considerations for surf boards

The most important factors to consider when choosing a board is your height,weight, level of fitness and style of surfing will determine which board is best suited for you. If your just learning to surf or just had your first lesson then a large board is better. On the other hand you’ve been surfing for a while and want a board that can turn and cut-back like a pro then something 10ft long and 3inches wide will not be the one you want to spend your money on.

If you follow the basic ideas in this article I believe that within two minutes you can decide which board type is the one for you.

Types of surf boards

There are as many surf boards out there as types of waves and locations to ride them. Dont consider that just because you havent seen a type of board in your location it doesnt exist somewhere else. There are a myriad of surf board designs out there with custom surfboards popping up every second day.

We’re only really going to be touching the surface in the this article. You could read a whole book of board types, designs and uses let alone cram it all in one article. The basic rules still apply for surf board choice; height, weight, level of skill and intended use. These are really the big four.

Surf boards can be classified into 4 basic categories. Beginner boards, longboard surf surfboards, mini mal surfboards and shortboards. For ease of understanding we are going to divide the 4 board classes into longboards and shortboards.

Beginner surf boards and longboards

Longboards are instantly recognised by their sheer size. These boards are typically seen and originated from Hawaii. You’ve seen the movies where they hang ten and walk along the board. In this category are also beginner surf boards and arguably mini mal surfboards, albeit at the small end of the scale.  These are the boards that are recommended for learning to surf, if your body weight is typically greater than 200lb or the waves are smaller.

Longboard typically range from 8ft to 10 plus feet and range anywhere from 2 to 4 inches thich. The volume of board gives you the buoyancy and stability that you need for when you are learning, heavier bodyweight or surfing smaller waves with less energy/speed to keep you floating. for those of you who dont think wave speed is important in not sinking thenjust try and stand up on your board in a pool or no waves. You literally sink. The speed/kinetic energy of the wave gives you the increased buoyancy you need to stand up on the board.

Performance and shortboards

If your a big wave surfer then this is the board for you with narrow noses and tail. The big wave boards are much larger and more powerful. Board size ranges from 7-9ft in length. These boards need to have the stability and buyoancy to be picked up by a large wave (15-20 plus feet) and accelerate down the face witout losing balance, ability to turn and sinking the rider. They’re like a performance board on steroids.

Fish surfboards are identified by their distinct tail. The V tail gives better performance and handling, tighter and faster turning ability while also having the ability of the board to be thicker catering for heavier bodies and those with less paddling power. These are the boards that paddle like a longboard but turn like a shortboard.

Choose a board in this category if you are an accomplished surfer who has no trouble getting up and on waves and wants more than just a straight ride. These are the boards where you want tighter turns, crisper cut backs or the speed and acceleration to pull away from large dumping barrels.

Basic surf board selection comes down to your ability, weight and intended use. Once you have a clear idea where you fit into this equation you have just saved yourself tens of hours of frustration and potentially thousands of dollars that could have been better spent on the right board.

Technorati Tags: longboard surf, Surf Boards, Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures

Longboard surfing is probably the easiest and most fun way to get into surfing. Longboard surf is a slowed down more graceful version of surfing with soul. You can feel the power of the water yet not fear that any slight movement will throw you off like a bucking bronco. Longboard surfing is also the safest way to start your surfing addiction.

Longboards by their description are generally 8-14ft long.

The Duke

They can have variations of tail and fin design but most commonly will have a large central single fin and rounded tail. This is the type of board you can hang ten on but also surf on the big waves. Longboards are synonymous with Hawaii. Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport from Hawaii to mainland USA and Australia in 1912 and from there it evolved. As technology and popularity spawned so did board design, size and materials.

The Classic Longboard

Modern Longboards

Big wave surfboards

Big wave Surfboard

Big wave surf boards, or Gun’s as they are commonly called range from 9 – 12ft. These sleek tear drop shaped boards pierce through the large waves effortlessly. The Gun incorporates shortboard performance features into a longboards structure. The hybrid structure allows better paddling performance to catch the big waves but then shortboard performance and handling to cater while riding it. This is far from a beginners board and surf conditions.

Longboard surfing is like the circle of life. In your infancy as a beginner surfer during your first surf lesson you’ll appreciate every extra foot you can get for your balance, buoyancy and stability. Then as your experience level progresses you’ll work up to shorter faster boards that need the extra paddling power of a sub olympic swimmer.

As the years pass and your pursuit of speed and sharp turns flails you’ll come back to your old friend. Your longboard that you can now ride with finesse and caress your way through the water,  tango down the stringer to get your feet wet.

Your new found appreciation of your longboard will stay with you forever, not to say that you wont go and get a rush of speed on your shortboard every now and then but you will always know that your old friend is not too far away.

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Technorati Tags: longboard surf, Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures

If you do take up the offer and decide to help someone to learn to surf there are several things you will need to consider. Most of us are not naturals at teaching anything let alone something as dynamic as surfing. Each wave is as different as each student. All I can say is follow these basic ideals for teaching your first surf lesson and you’ll be in the ballpark for success.

Surf Lesson Water Awareness

If the beach is your second home, like in mine, then you need not have your eyes open to navigate around your house, open the fridge and sit in your favourite chair. For newcomers however we need to teach them that the water is safe as long as you respect it. Choose a safe surf spot, point out where the surf lifesavers are and where the flags are. In many countries surfing is not allowed between the flags where people are swimming, Point out not to get in the way of other surfers that are already in the water.

The onus on the beginner is to learn safely without negatively affecting those already enjoying the sport. Most times this is easy as beginners will stay in the wash and a lot closer to shore.

Surf Lesson Shore Practice

Practice makes perfect. Well almost. Practice on the shore means drinking less seawater and falling off less. Take your student through the motions on a beach towel of how to stand up and imagine being on the board. The more you do this on the beach the easier it will be for your muscle memory to kick in and you will naturally know what to do.

Surf Lesson

If you don’t have a longboard or softboard available then I suggest you hire one. A surfboard in the 8-10ft range will suffice for most body size and types. There is nothing more frustrating when trying to teach someone to surf with a short board.

This does nothing but frustrate all parties involved and disappoint the student which eventually lose all their confidence and motivation. Just ask my wife how long it was until she tried to learn again after such an experience.

Calming fears during your first Surf Lesson

Most people are scared of waves and it can be terrifying when your not used to them. When teaching someone on their first surf lesson its extremely important to calm their fears and nerves and tell them that your not going out very far. Only into the broken wash and in most cases will be able to stand. If they fall off they can safely stand up on their own.

Walk you student through the wash together and show them how to carry the board out without injuring themselves or others. Instead of just taking a board each into the waves and watching your students from a distance you should, if possible, take only 1 board out and gently push them onto their first few waves so that they can feel what its like to catch a wave.

This will accelerate your students learning and give you a warm fuzzy feeling that your doing a good job. Stay for a few waves and reassure them then you can take a step back and watch them try on their own. If they have huge problems when you let them on their own you might need to go back for some more 1 on 1.

Surf Lesson Attitude

If confidence is king then a Sense of humour is the kings best friend.  If you try to instil a good sense of humour and positive attitude in your student even before go head out to the water your day will be a success and each fall will just seem like a comical situation rather than an ego bursting experience.

Teaching someone to surf can be both rewarding and an enjoyable experience. Don’t take it lightly that someone has asked you to give them a surf lesson. Be grateful that someone believes in your abilities. Take your time with your student and always consider their safety. What is obvious to you may not be obvious to your student. IF you are unsure or not confident to the task then politely decline. Better to say no now then cause injury or hours of frustration at the beach.

Technorati Tags: longboard surf, Surf Lesson, Surf Pictures

Five finger what?

You can wear your footwear down to the beach, paddle out and surf for the day, then walk home in them without taking away anything from your surfing experience. Lets face the facts, surfers are inherently lazy when it comes to most thing other than surfing. You’ll never have to worry about flip flops or shoes ever again or where your going to put them when you get in the water. You don’t have to worry about carrying down a second pair of booties when your surfing on reef. And most importantly, one that has got me twice quite badly, cold water.

Feet and cold water

In cold water my feet cramp up and when I transition from laying/paddling to standing position. My feet stayed in the arched position so that when I jumped to my feet I tore the ligaments on the top part of my foot between my toes and ankle. Imagine a ballerina standing on her feet. Now imagine someone with no ballet experience trying to hold their bodies up like that … yes .. OUCH.. 2 trips the doctor and I have learnt my lesson. I always wear footwear when its cold.

So what is Vibram Five Finger?

Vibram Five Finger, is what we’re talking about here is liken to a combination between a pair or toe socks and a pair of shoes. A picture says a thousand words so have a look at it above and it will save me much effort in explaining. With 26 bones, 33 ligaments and 20 muscles your feet are extremely complicated animals. This is why we need to care for them more than we do … no more high heels ladies, they really are not good for you, just ask your chiropractor.

Vibram five fingers brings you the flexibility of a outdoor shoes with the feelings of being barefoot. Five fingers stimulates the muscles in your feet to build strength and lower leg muscles. When translated into surfing terms this means that you will not lose your most important sense whilst surfing. And that is touch. Your contact between board and feet is your best friend.

Well actually more important that your best friend, like your lifeline or last breath. You can feel the surge, the power, the change in angle not to mention the change in weight as you push through your feet to turn and guide the board.

Surfing Safety Equipment

If your serious about your safety, health and love for the sport but don’t want to lose an ounce of feel then this is a must for you. A bare minimum in surf equipment that I believe you need out in the water if your surfing on reef or walking over it to get to that fabulous break. I believe it’s a small price to pay to still enjoy a sport with great benefits and little to no drawbacks. Vibram please send me one pair size 11.

Technorati Tags: five finger, surf equipment, Surf Lesson, surfing, vibram, vibram five finger