Ever Thought About a Galapagos Surf Trip?

Gregg Drude may not have found too much to get excited about in the Galapagos Islands, but from the looks of today's clip from YouTube, spots like La Loberia and Tongo Reef show plenty of promise.

Watch the video now at YouTube.

Gregg Drude's 'Round the Globe Surf Journey

Gregg Drude had a simple dream: sell everything he had, buy a suitable boat, then embark on an around the world sail in search of good waves.

As John Fowler describes it for Surfer Magazine, Drude is enjoying a modern day "endless summer," as he's already explored Latin and South America and much of the South Pacific. Last month Drude reported that he's about a third of the way through his journey, one that many surfers have thought about but few have undertaken.

Follow Gregg Drude's quest at SurferMag.com.

Sundance Channel's 'Iconoclasts" Features Laird Hamilton and Eddie Vedder

Just got word that the Sundance Channel's acclaimed series Iconoclasts is featuring an hour long episode on the relationship between friends Eddie Vedder (of Pearl Jam) and big-wave legend Laird Hamilton.

Visit SundanceChannel.com for airtimes and a video preview.

Groms Light Up Imperial Beach

A pair of groms tear up Imperial Beach Pier on what look to be brand new Greg Tate boards.

It's always interesting to watch stoked groms try and do turns when they're still too light to really put a regular-sized board on its rail.

Watch the action now at YouTube.

'Someday the Waves' Chronicles Fiji and New Zealand Surf

Someday the Waves is a well-put together short film on Super 8 that documents a group of friends' surf trip to Fiji and New Zealand.

The search for waves is successful, and even though the surfing is at times pretty average, the film provides a good example of how home-grown footage can be assembled and brought to the Web at sites like YouTube.

One question comes to mind when watching the clip: If you were planning a trip to a warm-water locale (like Fiji) and a cool-water destination (New Zealand), which place would you visit first?

Watch Someday the Waves now at YouTube.

BuenaOnda Presents Zippers and the East Cape of Los Cabos

The Los Cabos/East Cape region of Baja escaped yet another hurricane threat today, as Hurricane Paul weakened to tropical storm force.

For all of the development in the area, it's still very possible to find high quality, uncrowded surf at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, as BuenaOnda Surf demonstrates in today's video clip on YouTube.

Gold Coast Girl Stephanie Gilmore Lights Up Women's WCT as Wildcard

Red-hot Aussie Stephanie Gilmore has now one two separate women's WCT events as a wildcard.

Gilmore is currently sitting in second on the women's WQS with one event remaining at Haleiwa, meaning she'll be causing 'CT vets headaches on a full time basis next year.

Surfine's women's channel has an excellent feature on Stephanie Gilmore, complete with audio clips. Watch it now at Surfline.

Ten Easy Steps to Protect Coral Reefs

It's no big secret that many (perhaps most) of the world's once-pristine coral reefs are in serious jeopardy.

From the Maldives to Madagascar, coral reefs and the fish, animals and plants that depend on them are under attack. And who's the culprit? You and me, pal.

According to Nature.org, there are ten easy steps that any one of us can take to help protect coral reefs. And most of the ten are common-sense things that will help prevent the water quality at your local beachbreak from further deteriorating as well.

Check out the list at Nature.org.

Sri Lanka in 2005 - Before the Latest Round of Violence

It's unfortunate that Sri Lanka has more to offer than just world-class point break surf. The latest round of ethnic violence in the country has made travel by Westerners unsafe to say the least.

Let's hope that some measure of stability can return to Sri Lanka soon, as this morning's clip from YouTube demonstrates what we're missing.

Sunny Garcia Prison-Bound

After several months of speculation following Sunny Garcia's guilty plea to charges of tax evasion, a sentence has been handed down: three months in a minimum security prison beginning this coming January.

Considering that the Internal Revenue Service claimed that Garcia had failed to pay taxes on more than $400,000 in prize money, Sunny's sentence was viewed as relatively lenient, and will enable him to participate in next month's Triple Crown of Surfing on the North Shore if he chooses.

For the full story on Sunny Garcia's sentencing, visit SurfingTheMag.com.

Tom Curren Lights Up Puerto Escondido in YouTube Clip

Santa Barbara native and multiple world champion Tom Curren has always been known as one of the most stylish, most well-rounded talents that the surf world has ever seen.

He's hardly slowed down as he's moved past 40 years of age, although he may have shifted his focus a bit over the years to have more of a tube-riding orientation.

Curren takes on some fun-sized Puerto Escondido in today's clip at YouTube.

Jamie Brisick Uncovers the Jamaica Surf Scene in Surfline Feature

Anybody who has spent some time in Jamaica has probably noticed that the people are extremely proud of their country, their culture and the many things the island nation has to offer. Including the surf, which certainly isn't the best to be found in the Caribbean but continues to inspire an increasing amount of Jamaicans.

In a new Surfline feature, journalist Jamie Brisick uncovers the positive vibes of the surf scene in Jamaica, with colorful photographs and insightful comments from the surfers themselves.

Turn your computer's speakers on for this one, at Surfline.

Waves Await in American Samoa, But Can You Get There?

Seems the governor of American Samoa is seeking to ban Hawaiian Airlines from flying to the U.S. territory. He's accusing Hawaiian Airlines of abusing a monopoly that Hawaiian enjoys on the routing between Hawaii and American Samoa by charging inflated airfare prices (usually around three times the amount that Hawaiian Airlines charges for flights of similar distances).

This is an interesting development, and maybe the biggest question mark involves how any residents of American Samoa will be able to travel anywhere. And obviously, the surf tourism business could be significantly affected.

So the key question: good surf awaits in American Samoa, but will surfers still be able to get there? Here's a video clip that shows you what you might be missing right now in American Samoa, on YouTube.

Machine-Made Waves and Wipes at the WaveHouse

Is there a way to kick out or exit cleanly from one of those machine-made "waves" at places like the WaveHouse in Pacific Beach? Or do you just come unstuck and go over the falls or disappear into oblivion while deeply tubed?

Here's three-plus minutes of action from the WaveHouse at YouTube.

The San Onofre Surf Trip Documented

This morning the emergency horns will be sounding at the San Onofre nuclear power plant south of San Clemente.

But not to worry, it's just a scheduled test and is highly unlikely to slow down the dedicated San Onofre surf crowd, which has been enjoying the mellow, friendly vibe at the storied break for decades now.

Today's YouTube video captures the family camping/surf trip to San Onofre in all its timeless glory. Watch the clip now at YouTube.

Barbados Becomes 'Bombados'

The world-famous Soup Bowl on Barbados goes mental in this nearly 10-minute long clip at YouTube.

A big November swell and both free and contest surfing are featured. By the end of the contest, at least 33 boards had been broken. Watch the Barbados bomb and barrel-fest now at YouTube.

To Pay, Or Not Pay, For Surf Reports and Forecasts

There's been quite a bit of talk during the past several months about the merits of Surfline, the original - but pricey - surf reporting and forecasting service, and WaveWatch, the upstart challenger that's absolutely free.

Surfline definitely has the better economic model, with both subscription and advertising revenue. And the site reflects it, by providing the most comprehensive coverage of regions and spots worldwide, with content features that rival the sites of Surfer or Surfing Magazine.

But Surfline can be expensive. My tip: if you've got the dough for Surfline, shell it out and feel good about it. But if you're cash-challenged, try WaveWatch or even the improving wetSand. They may not be able to replace the old-fashioned surf recon run, but these sites are sure to save you plenty of $2.50 gallons of gas.

Pipe, Rocky Point Go Off on Friday the 13th

Got an e-mail from a friend who mentioned that the North Shore was absolutely fun and firing this past Friday the 13th.

The word from Hawaii is that there has been about 10 times the normal amount of rain so far this fall, but you'd never know it by checking out a clip from Hawaii Surf Session Report that features action from Pipeline, Backdoor and Rocky Point this past Friday.

Blue skies, ideal conditions, bikinis, grom rippers and a quick Mark Healey interview provide the highlights from Surf Session 107, which can be downloaded at Podcasts.Yahoo.com.

Supertubes - California Style

A little slice of old school-style punk rock provides the soundtrack for some heavy, sandy barrels at California's version of Supertubes in today's clip from YouTube.

As mentioned in a previous post, Supertubes is a semi-secret spot along Pacific Coast Highway and if you go looking for it and don't know exactly when to look for it, chances are you'll never see it break.

Watch the Supertubes video now at YouTube.

'Surf City' High School Surf Team in Action

...and in case you're wondering which town I was referring to in my previous post about its "mostly crappy, mostly closed-out" beachbreak, I've found a short clip on YouTube of its high school surf team doing its best with the type of surf I just described.

Watch the video now on YouTube.

'Surf City' Rivalry Gets Petty

Lots of hoopla last Friday in California about the "Surf City" rivalry between Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz.

Seems that each town's been staking its claim to the name for years, and what's previously been mostly in good fun has gotten more serious, more petty and more ridiculous as Huntington Beach has trademarked the term and shopowners in Santa Cruz have retained attorneys to sue H.B. so they can continue to sell "Surf City" merchandise.

It's always fun and games until the almighty dollar is implicated, and yet it's unlikely that most actual surfers care at all about which California beach town is nicknamed "Surf City."

But here's one surfer's definite perspective on things: there's no way a town with mostly crappy, mostly closed-out beachbreak surf should be called (by anybody) "Surf City."

Here's a link to the full story at Newsvine.com.

Al Merrick Stoked After Billabong Pro Mundaka

...and speaking of Bobby Martinez's win over Kelly Slater at the Billabong Pro Mundaka (and Slater's eighth world championship), could anyone have been more stoked than Al Merrick of Channel Islands Surfboards, who has shaped for and mentored both Martinez and Slater for many years.

There's a great interview with Merrick in the current issue of Surfer Magazine, on newsstands now.

Bobby Martinez Will Be WCT Rookie of the Year

A lot of folks associated with the ASP's World Championship Tour will look at Bobby Martinez's win at the Billabong Pro Mundaka as anti-climactic, as it came one heat after Kelly Slater won his unprecedented eighth world title.

But in taking home his second WCT event victory of the year, Martinez has basically guaranteed Rookie of the Year status on the major league tour, and Bobby's two event wins equal Slater's count this year.

It's on to Brazil at the end of the month. For a complete recap of the Billabong Pro Mundaka, visit ASPWorldTour.com.

They Come on Wednesdays

Have you ever noticed how frequently big swells happen to arrive (or peak) on Wednesdays?

Wednesday. Right in the middle of the work week, with just the most committed around to score the waves.

Of course, "big" means different things to different people, including the Nova Scotia surfers featured in today's video from YouTube, sampling their own version of "Big Wednesday."

Watch the guy on the really short board just totally claim it about three minutes into the clip, at YouTube.

Kelly Slater Wins World Championship Number Eight

First, Mick Fanning went down in the quarters. Next, it was Bobby Martinez eliminating Andy Irons. Then Dean "Dingo" Morrison took care of Taj Burrow.

And finally - appropriately - Kelly Slater finished the job himself, beating Joel Parkinson in the semi-finals of the Billabong Pro in Spain and mathematically eliminating all other challengers from contention.

Kelly Slater has won his eight world title, and second in succession!

The contest has yet to be completed, as one semi-final heat and the final remain tomorrow. Log on to ASPWorldTour.com for the final day on Saturday.

Billabong Pro Spain Moves to Beachbreak

The Billabong Pro that has to date been held at Mundaka was moved down the coast today to Bakio, which provided the world's top pros with some rippable beachbreak peaks.

Three of the four quarterfinal heats were completed, and Kelly Slater and Joel Parkinson took care of business in the first two heats, then Bobby Martinez stunned three-time world champ Andy Irons in a fairly close heat. The Martinez victory might have been slightly more predictable had the heat been held in point lefts at Mundaka, but in beachbreak righthanders most observers had to think that A.I. would have the edge.

One more day of competition is required to complete the event, with two days left in the holding period. Log on for the final day of action at ASPWorldTour.com.

How Big and How Good Does it Get in Oregon?

I'm currently wearing a University of Oregon t-shirt, so it's no big surprise that this question just occured to me.

An answer is provided by today's YouTube clip, which features some narraton and a soundtrack from the Jack Johnson flick Thicker Than Water (copyright infringement...what copyright infringement?).

Watch the video now at YouTube.

Billabong Pro Mundaka Stays on Hold

No news is bad news in Spain, as the Billabong Pro at Mundaka remains on hold. There are three days left in the waiting period and we've not yet completed round three.

This one may be destined to end badly. Tune in for the latest news and live action at ASPWorldTour.com.

Brian, How Can You Do It?

Brian Keaulana is an absolute legend on the Hawaii surf scene. He's brought groundbreaking techniques to the lifeguard profession. He's ridden some of the biggest waves on the planet, and won tandem surfing competitions in knee-high mush. He comes from one of the most respected families in the state, and he's built a strong resume as a stuntman and served as a technical consultant on any number of big-budget Hollywood productions.

Brain Keaulana is a waterman in every sense of word. So why has he assumed a production role on the teeny-bopper, bubble gum show Beyond the Break? Sure, the show is set on Keaulana's beloved West Side of Oahu, but the first season was absolutely horrible, and it could be argued that the show actually does a disservice to the surf culture.

Lots of room for improvement here. Brian, can you turn Beyond the Break into something respectable?

Timeless Action From Windansea

Shortboard, longboard, any board makes for a good time at Windansea, the classic reef in La Jolla.

A fun afternoon session is captured on today's YouTube clip, with golden skies and both video and still imagery of the timeless peak just outside San Diego. Soundtrack by Sublime. Watch it now at YouTube.

'Girls in the Curl' Make Some Big Bucks in Australia

A major gap has been bridged between the paychecks of men and women on the ASP World Tour. The inaugural Havaianas Beachley Classic went off during the past couple of days in Coolangatta, Australia.

The "Beachley" in the name of the contest is none other than Layne Beachley, multiple women's world championship and the force behind the richest women's surfing event in history.

Stephanie Gilmore won the event over Beachley, earning U.S. $20,000. In taking second, Layne moved into the lead on the Women's WCT with just two events remaining (both in Hawaii).

Can Layne Beachley win another world title? We'll know by late December when the women visit Honolua Bay on Maui for the Billabong Pro.

Round Three on Hold (Again) at Billabong Pro Mundaka

Only sporadic action at the Billabong Pro Mundaka. There are still several days left in the holding period and Mundaka has yet to turn on. But round three is almost completed. With two heats left to go in the round, there haven't been any serious upsets.

Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson are all through to round four, and WCT rookies Pancho Sullivan and Bobby Martinez also made good round three showings.

The fourth round will provide some stellar match-ups, and good surf would really help. Keep up to date on the action at ASPWorldTour.com.

Forrest Troxell Tears Maui Apart in YouTube Clip

The east coast of Maui near Hana defines "paradise" for many visitors to the island. Maui surfers like Forrest Troxell feel the same way, as secret and semi-secret spots can be found in the region.

Watch Troxell take apart some good surf in the Hana area (and other locations on Maui) in today's clip at YouTube (which just announced it will be acquired by Google).

Jamie O'Brien Goes Finless

Hawaii-based free surf superstar Jamie O'Brien takes his game to a whole new level by going finless in some shoulder high North Shore surf on an old-school single fin shape.

Check out O'Brien getting his freak on with barrels, doggy-door exits, floaters and more in this morning's hot clip from YouTube.

Zen Del Rio on Beauty, Big Waves and Palos Verdes

Zen Del Rio has seen a lot in his six decades, and has plenty of interesting stories to tell about the things he's seen. Originally from Mexico City, Del Rio moved to Palos Verdes early on and eventually worked his way into a local crew that's one of the most notoriously protective to be found anywhere in the world.

Palos Verdes is a pretty unusual place when you think about it. So much beauty, so much wealth, and so much localism for so many years.

But I digress. Del Rio's artwork colorfully captures the beauty of perfect waves, and his experiences in heavy Hawaiian and Mexican surf are the subject of a "People Who Surf" online feature by Alex Wilson of Surfer Magazine. Read the interview and check out Zen Del Rio's art at SurferMag.com.

Billabong Pro Mundaka Lurches Through Round Two

Okay, after what seems like many days, round two is winding down at the Billabong Pro in Mundaka, Spain.

A good portion of the second half of round two was completed today in smallish conditions. Cory Lopez from Florida looked particularly good in the Mundaka lefts, and a pair of round two heats remain before things (hopefully) get a little more interesting in round three.

Tune in for the latest news and live action at ASPWorldTour.com.

PureDIGITALMaui Presents Honolua Bay at its Finest

When Honolua Bay on Maui's northwestern shore really starts firing, it must be considered one of the absolute best waves in the world.

PureDIGITALMaui captures an epic session from late 2004 at Maui's version of "Da Bay." Watch the clip now at YouTube.

The First Father/Daughter World Champions Coming Soon?

So I was thinking this afternoon that - unless I'm mistaken - there have never been two surfing world champions from the same family. The most likely scenario, of course, would be a title for either Bruce Irons or Damien Hobgood, who both have brothers who've already claimed the title.

But how about this? Father/daughter world champions. It could happen, as Tom Curren's 17 year-old daughter Lee Ann keeps getting hotter and hotter. Lee Ann Curren took out all comers this past summer at the Target Women's Junior Pro at Huntington Beach.

Lee Ann probably has some time remaining before her women's WCT debut, but the style and gene pool are already there, with dad Tom and grandpa Pat Curren. Stay tuned.

Billabong Pro Mundaka Enters Round Two

The second half of round one and a portion of round two were completed today in Spain at the Billabong Pro Mundaka. Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Pancho Sullivan and others took care of business in the first round, and the lazy Kelly Slater and Dean Morrison advanced out of the "losers" round.

The only round two disappointments so far have come as WCT vets Taylor Knox and Mark Occhilupo fell to younger competitors.

Action will likely begin again tomorrow morning with Hawaiian Fred Patacchia up first. Catch the action live at ASPWorldTour.com.

Shane Dorian: The World's Most Versatile Surfer

Just cracked open the November issue of Surfer Magazine and if you have a chance, take a look at two pictures of Shane Dorian.

The first shot is from the epic sessions in late July at Teahupoo, Tahiti, with Dorian slotted in a backhand barrel so big you could drive a U-Haul truck through it.

The second shot is designed to generate interest in the story on progressive surfing, and Dorian is shown in a sequence blasting up and over the lip on his forehand...as hot a snap as you'll see anyone do today.

So this got me thinking: is Shane Dorian the most versatile surfer in the world right now? I mean, it's difficult to think of anybody who maintains such a high level of performance in both big and small waves.

One other note: the former star of In God's Hands looks to be losing his hair. Oh well, happens to the best of 'em.

Big Island Grom Girls Get No Respect

In my experience, the surf scene on the Big Island doesn't get a whole lot of respect. Girls generally don't get much respect. And groms get dissed fairly regularly.

So why not showcase some grom girls from the Big Island in today's video clip from YouTube? Cool soundtrack on this one.

YouTube: Where Average Joe's Can Go to Post Videos

WCT pro Taylor Knox maintains that "Log Cabins is not a surf spot."

Based upon what I know of Logs (on the North Shore of Oahu), I'd tend to agree. But as today's clip from YouTube demonstrates, you can find an occasional nugget among the Log Cabins closeouts.

Watch it now at YouTube (a current subject of Google buyout rumors).

WCT Pros Getting Skunked at Mundaka

Okay, so there's about a week left for the holding period at Mundaka, Spain, but things haven't looked too promising so far. Only half of the first round has run, in conditions so poor that Kelly Slater could not be moved to cross the border from France and surf!

We'll see what the next week holds. We know Mundaka can get good again, but the question remains: will it!

Check in for daily updates at the Billabong Pro web site, which needs some work because the "Results" link actually takes you to the "Photos" page.

YouTube: Where Average Joe's Can Go to Post Videos

Overhead action from Supertubes at Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa is featured in the YouTube clip of the day.

Watch what happens when a trio of above-average surfers take advantage of world-class waves. See it now at YouTube.

'In the Lineup' Radio Show and Podcast: Required Listening

The weekly Surfer Magazine Internet radio show and podcast is basically required listening for those interested in great interviews, a little biting commentary and all of the latest news and information from the surf world and surf industry.

Hosted by Scott Bass, the show is produced every Wednesday at noon on the left coast, and is available for live listening at SurferMag.com, or can be downloaded at iTunes and the usual sources.

The shows usually last about an hour, and incoming e-mail and voice mail are usually played, read and/or responded to by the hosts. Sam George used to be on board, but mysteriously disappeared sometime back. But no worries, Bass, Rick Irons, Jake Howard and crew are pretty consistently entertaining.

Surfer Magazine's 'In the Lineup' is definitely worth a listen. Click here for more information.

YouTube: Where Average Joe's Can Go to Post Videos

A quick session in Western Australia is highlighted in the YouTube video of the day.

With hard carves, foam climbs and a few barrels, this short one's action packed. Watch it now at YouTube.

Billabong Pro Mundaka Begins

We got some initial action at the Billabong Pro Mundaka. Eight first round heat were run, and Kelly Slater was a round one no-show for the second time this year.

California boys Timmy Reyes and Bobby Martinez won their respective heats, as did Aussie's Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning and both Hobgood brothers.

So what's the story on Slater? Word is that he stayed across the border in France, jumped online after the contest started and saw somewhat disappointing conditions, and just opted to surf the "losers" round.

For a complete wrap-up, visit SurfingTheMag.com.

YouTube: Where Average Joe's Can Go to Post Videos

I'm in Milwaukee (of all places) on yet another business trip. I cannot think of a worse place in the United States to visit on a business trip than Milwaukee, but here I am for a couple of days.

Which got me thinking about the hardy, landlocked souls who surf the Great Lakes. You've got to really want to surf bad to paddle out on Lake Erie or Lake Michigan, but guys (and maybe even gals) do it...fairly regularly as I understand.

Here's a clip of some Great Lakes "action" at YouTube.

'Buzzy' Trent Passes On

Big wave charger Charles "Buzzy" Trent has passed away at the age of 77. One of the original big wave hellmen, Buzzy was reportedly the first to refer to a big wave board as a "gun" and was famously quoted as say that "big waves aren’t measured in feet, but in increments of fear.”

Those interested in the pioneering hi-jinks of Buzzy and crew in their prime should watch the first act of Stacy Peralta's Riding Giants.

For more on the life and times of Charles "Buzzy" Trent, visit SurferMag.com.

YouTube: Where Average Joe's Can Go to Post Videos

Soft, slow mushburgers in Galveston, Texas are highlighted in today's YouTube video clip. Lots of dug rails, lots of longboards and a kid that does a mean head-dip.

Watch it now at YouTube.