The surfing addiction and wetsuits

The surfing addiction and wetsuits!

When Joe public often thinks of surfers they think of blonde messy hair, laid back, most likely dope smokers and drop outs. Well in some cases their perception would be correct, but i bet they never think respectable people surf like doctors, vicars, scientists, teachers and i was going to say bankers and politicians, but they are far from being respectable. Also i bet Joe blogs thinks surfers only surf in the summer time when the weather is respectable and bearable. This is the case with some surfers, but there are a minority who like to take the plunge in winter waters of 7c (before adding wind chill) and we are completely mad! Yes, mad thats right, completely mad for surfing!

Think about it; who in their right mind would wake up at 6am on a cold dark winters morning and slip into an already cold, wet, piss stained wetsuit from the previous session to go and enjoy their sport? I think this procedure must put a lot of fair-weather surfers off surfing in the winter. However, if you can get over dragging yourself out of bed and slipping into a damp cold wetsuit you know you are 110% dedicated and a surfing addict.

When i first started surfing i do admit i tried the sport in the summer months, but after that first wave i knew cold water wasnt ever going to stop me surfing. I had caught the bug and became a surf junky. I think to myself, if there wasnt such a thing as a wetsuit, what would i do? I would most likely rub deep heat all over my body, then pop on a coat of lard. Thankfully continual improvements in wetsuits technology mean we dont have to resort to a tube of deep heat and a tub of lard. Winter surfing is gaining followers who might not have previously braced the winter seas, not only in the UK but in cold waters all over the world.

Why has there been an increase in winter surfers? Is it because more people have had an increase insanity levels and they are more likely not to give a rats ass if the waters freezing? Maybe its because of Increased levels in overall population, therefore more people will get into winter surfing? I think its definitely down to wetsuits now providing unprecedented warmth and comfort. Even the cheapest winter wetsuits we sell offer great warmth and flexibility for under 100. A few years ago the arrival of winter surfing meant that the crowds were a lot thinner in the water. I have to say, the crowds in the winter arent as bad as in the summer, but they arent far of summer levels now.

The conclusion is that wetsuits, wetsuit gloves, wetsuit hoods and wetsuit boots all enable us surf addicts fuel or desire to surf even in the most extreme of conditions. So all you fair weather surfers out there dont you think its now time to get suited and booted and take a dip in the winter time?

Cornwall Surfing Style

The “Cornwall Surfing Style” is the opening season exhibition of the Trelissick Gallery, in Truro, United Kingdom. It’s the exploration of the work of artisan and surfer James Otter.
James creates hand-crafted wooden surfboards and furniture that are sculpted to perfection a true work of art inspired by the natural world and built using locally supplied sustainable materials.
“My current work has its emphasis on my surfboard project to develop hollow wooden surfboards to replace and reduce the use of toxic substances in surfboard manufacture and to marry two of my deepest passions,” says James.
Alongside his work, the Museum of British Surfing will displaying a small selection of historic wooden surfboards dating back over the last 100 years, beachwear and other items from its collection along with our classic VW combi van.
Surf artist Ben Cook will also be there signing copies of his wonderful books, and the venue itself is in the grounds of the National Trusts beautiful Trelissick Garden.
Organised by the Cornwall Crafts Association, the launch day runs from 11am 4pm, but the exhibition of James Otters work runs right through until April 4, 2011 (were only there on opening day).

Sharks are colour blind!

Sharks are colour blind
It seems choosing the right surfboard and wetsuit shouldnt just be about how much rocker the surfboard has, or how stretchy your next wetsuit will be. Apparently sharks are completely colour blind and mostly see objects clearly if they are dark, or light. Professor Nathan Hart, from the University of Western Australia, said: ‘Its the high contrast against the water rather than the colour itself which is probably attractive to sharks.
‘So you should wear perhaps more muted colours or colours that match the background in the water better.’
This research makes me laugh for a couple of reasons. Who was the mad head who tested this theory out? Also even if you did slip into a blue wetsuit and decide to ride a blue surfboard, wouldnt the shark see a dark figure at the surface? No matter which colour coordination you used to outwit the colour blind fish it would see a dark shadow which they can see clearly?
I have a better idea why not just paint a shark on bottom of the board, this way the shark thinks you are a friend and is more likely to either mate with your board or pass on by? Good job Im not a scientist!

Photography Comp Winner

Above is our photography competitions winning photograph taken by Giles Adams. The competition saw thousands of entries being sent to us, the theme was ‘all things beached’. We liked Giles photograph as it clearly shows how human activity can have a profound positive effect on the beach and environment. Just look at that shopping trolley isnt it a cracker! As far as shopping trolleys go i would give this one an 8/10. I bet you if you were to use this to thrash around Tesco the wheels would have a smooth motion and give your groceries a seamless, smooth ride along the isles. All we need is supermarkets located on the beach front and this lonely shopping trolley may have a better use other than making the beaches look better.
Well done Giles you have won a winter wetsuit and a summer wetsuit for life. We have also thrown in a surfboard.

Pair banned over ‘car park surfing’

I dont know about you guys but i would rather surf a surfboard rather than a car?! Somebody needs to tell the young people today that theres water out there to do such recreational wizardy??? Looks like the guy in the picture hasnt learnt to pop up yet on his automobile surf wagon.
Artical
A boy of 17 and a man have been banned from driving for taking part in dangerous “car surfing” circuits around a car park, police said.
CCTV footage released by police shows the pair driving at speed in circles while someone else lies on the roof of their cars, clinging on by their fingertips.
The incident was captured on film in darkness in a car park in North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, on September 5 last year and the pair were sentenced at Chichester Magistrates’ Court after admitting dangerous driving.
The 17-year-old boy, from Haslemere, Surrey, who was filmed in the second of two CCTV sequences released by Sussex Police, had only passed his driving test two months earlier.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on January 7 at Chichester Magistrates’ Court, police said.
He was sentenced on the same day to a year-long ban from driving and ordered to take an extended re-test. He was also given a 12-week curfew order.
Kieron Burgess, 21, from Common View, Stedham, also admitted dangerous driving on December 6 at the same court.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to take a re-test and handed a 120-hour community order by JPs.
Inspector Phil Nicholas, of Sussex Police, said: “Thankfully, no-one was injured during this stupid behaviour, but it could have ended very differently.
“A few minutes of dangerous behaviour has ended with driving bans for these two males. The boy had only passed his driving test two months earlier.”

Quiksilver Heated Rash Vest £159.00

Ever wanted to wear a 3/2mm wetsuit in summer, or just have the ability to crack up the warmth in your current winter wetsuit? Well now you can with the Quiksilver battery heated rash vest.



Quiksilver introduces the first ever battery-powered heat vest that can be worn and operated under any wetsuit. Utilising FAR infra-red heating technology,
the Cypher PS+ Heat Vest System delivers hours of heat to vital organs maintaining your core temperature and extending your session!
We feel this is the best solution so far to adding heat to your wetsuit asof courseyou can regulate the heat plus remove the vest altogether when water warms up unlike a suit with a fixed heating panel – The Quiksilver Cypher vest can also be used for other sports where a boost to core temperature is needed like snowboarding or winter cycling….?
The Cypher PS+ Heat Vest utilises flexible waterproof carbon pads to house the powered heat elements and distribute heat to the body and water within the wetsuit. These pads are incorporated into a lightweight Polypropylene vest which can be worn under any wetsuit and serves as an additional thermal layer. Once the vest is on and under your wetsuit it is easy to press the button to change the heat settings or to turn the vest on and off.
FAR infra-red heat technology is a safe and therapeutic form of heat that is free from hot wires or electromagnetic fields. This FAR infra-red heat technology has been incorporated into flat flexible carbon pads to distribute heat when the system is powered on.
Features:

• Comes with recharge-able battery that will last 2 hours on High
• Comes with Car Charger and Wall Charger with adaptors for different countries.
• Can be worn under any wetsuit (thickness or brand)
• Uses FAR infra-red heat technology 129 deg on high setting and 116 deg on low setting
• 7 1/2 oz Polypropylene

New 2011 Summer Stock Arriving

Our pre season orders for summer 2011 are arriving daily.
We have just taken delivery of the new 2011 Billabong Foil 3/2mm Chest Zip Mens Summer Wetsuit

This summer wetsuit is a steal at 120 with free next day delivery. The wetsuit has great stretch and ultimate comfort. Rather than having a rigid zipper located on the back which decreases flex, the zipper is located on the chest. This also makes the wetsuit more water tight.