I Want It!

I am a sucker for cute packaging, so what could be better than new Surfer Girl line of skin and lip essentials? Buff, shimmer and shine with this trio from Philosophy. You want it, too? Get it here.--Rebecca Heller

I Heart Mermaids

Along with a love of the sea, I have a special fondness for the myth of the mermaid and I post images of the sea sirens on my other blog. (Pictured, a mermaid among the surfers on the graffiti wall in Venice Beach.) A good summer read with a mermaid theme: "Republic of Love" by Carol Shields.--Stef McDonald

Seascapes

O.K. So I must admit I used to be at every break with my camera every time a decent swell rolled in. Now let's face it folks- "I'd rather be surfing." Just can not stay out of the waves and I used to tell myself "oh ya know, cool so you surf til you're exhausted then break out the camera. " WRONG. First I surf til I'm exhausted then, it's dark. Or I have somewhere to be, like sailing or dinner.

These are currently available in different forms check out various items here and for framed prints e-mail me. Thanks for dropping by and surf steady.

Summer Swell

Don't get me wrong, I love summer swell, but it certainly brings out the crowds. In LA over the weekend we saw overhead sets, but most spots were closing out. I caught perfect Sunset with about 500 of my closest friends.--Rebecca Heller

U.S. Open: Go, Courtney Conlogue

Sweet sixteen, indeed: Courtney Conlogue is only 16 years old and took the top prize at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. A $10,000 prize for a day of surfing--yes, definitely sweet.--Stef McDonald





And, just for fun, here's Kelly Slater's perfect 10 wave from the competition:

Surf Flicks to Get You in the Spirit

We recently checked out two new surf flicks that will have you jonesing to get out in the water. The Present, the newest flick from Thomas Campbell, follows a crew of stellar surfers riding unique boards from West Africa to Peru to Indo to Hawaii and back. The film highlights female rippers Chelsea Hedges, Kassia Meador and Sophia Mulonovich. The Present is about being in the now and the gift that the ocean gives to us. And we like that.

Dear and Yonder is the newest film from Villa Villa Cola. This all girl surf flick is replete with a great section on the history of women's surfing, perfect waves in Mexi, powerful surf at Maverick's and scenic serenity in Indo. The film shines a light on top surfer chicks such as Stephanie Gilmore, Coco Ho, Kassia Meador, Belinda Baggs and, our hero, Liz Clark. --Rebecca Heller

Check out more of our favorite flicks here.

Greener Surf Gear

Planet Green has a good piece on eco-friendly surf gear. I would like to have a surf board custom-shaped for me using less toxic ingredients one day and I covet the Patagonia wetsuit made with recycled materials (and no petroleum-based ones). For now, I'll start with the better-for-the-sea surf wax from Green Surf. We've also got some tips on going green on the Surf Like A Girl website.--Stef McDonald

Aquarium Video

Via HuffPost, a video of a Japanese aquarium. Lovely.--Stef McDonald

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

U.S. Open of Surfing

Check out the wave of the day on the website for the U.S. Open of Surfing.

Surfer Girl Lessons: Step By Step

Rebecca taught a "Surf Like a Girl" lesson on Saturday in Santa Monica. These few photos capture the broad strokes: the lesson in basics on the sand, including a few words on surf etiquette, walking out in the water with the soft boards, being pushed into the waves by the instructors, paddling, pushing up, popping up, smiling, laughing. Learning to surf is a beautiful thing.--Stef McDonald

Wave: Art Restored

Driving up PCH last weekend, I spotted a new American Apparel shop. Yep, there's another one (everywhere you turn it seems, just like Starbuck's). But news via Racked LA: the store is in the same space that once housed a surf shop, with a wave mural above it by a surfer and surfboard shaper, and American Apparel commissioned the artist to restore the mural. Good nod to history. (Image from Racked LA).--Stef McDonald

Naive

In a small world, my world, I wish everyone, surfers and non-surfers alike, would pick up at least one piece of trash every day they frequent the beach. Really dig this song by the Kooks.

Crazy Wetsuits

Via If It's Hip, It's Here: Check out the wetsuits by an artist named Diddo, whose creations include patterns that are truly wild, like the anatomic one. Makes the basic black wetsuit seem boring. --Stef McDonald

Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute: Blob Attacks?

Via Boing Boing, here is a post about a mysterious blob on Alaska's coastline that is harming wildlife. It's not clear what it is, but it's an obvious reminder that we've got to properly dispose of our waste and reduce our dependency on toxins. --Stef McDonald

Beer and Burgers for Beaches: Heal the Bay Benefit

For its "Last Tuesday" benefit, the Library Ale House in Santa Monica is donating 15 percent of sales on July 28 to Heal the Bay, which works to keep our ocean and beaches clean and safe. Even better: they're participating in a beach clean-up that day, from 5-7 PM.

Venice Beach Skate Park

Sneak preview of the Venice Beach Skate Park being built.

Baby on Board

We thought this picture was just too cute not to share. Although we don't suggest surfing while pregnant, we know that some of us just won't be able to stay way, including our friend Robbie, who's belly made paddle boarding a better choice. --Rebecca Heller

Learn to Surf!

Join me for two days of sun and surf! June 18 and 19 in Santa Monica. Ladies only. Find out more by clicking here.

Surfer Girl Swim Lessons

What's a surfer girl to do on downtime? Give swim lessons! Find out more here. --Annie Walton-Teter

Wish You Were Here: Bali

My trip (honeymoon!) to Bali was amazing, with good surf, food, and other adventures. Read about it here. --Rebecca Heller

Soaking Up the Sun More Safely

Here comes the sun? Feels good... but you really should beware. Sorry to harsh your mellow, but you've really got to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. (If you know me, you've already heard this lecture...) I turn to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group's "Skin Deep" database for finding out what products I should use (and which ones I should avoid). It's not as simple as choosing an SPF of 15, 30, or 45; you've got to find out what the stuff is made of and I'm betting you'll be surprised (and possibly horrified) to find that most commercial brands of sunscreen contain chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues. I recently posted more on the subject on my other blog and you can find out more directly from the Skin Deep site. --Stef McDonald

Splurge: Lather Up

My new favorite soap comes from Soaptopia, a shop in Mar Vista (they also sell their products online and in select stores). How perfect is this one for a post-surf shower? Ocean's 12 contains seaweed, palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and lemongrass essential oil, among the all-natural ingredients. Very refreshing. --Stef McDonald

Pro Interview: Stephanie Gilmore

Our latest pro interview is with Stephanie Gilmore. (Photo courtesy of Rip Curl.)

Spotted: Skateboard Mama

We saw this woman on the road in Santa Monica--check out those wheels! We had to learn more about her and found this video on YouTube. One comment: rad.--Stef McDonald