Doing Good: Skateistan

The LA Times has a slideshow of kids skateboarding in Afghanistan, who've learned moves from a non-profit organization called Skateistan. From the site: "...we’ve seen that Afghan youth of all ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds love to skateboard. Skateistan brings them together, equipping young men and women to lead their communities toward social change and development." That's rad.--Stef McDonald





More video clips at the Skateistan site.

Ride My Board: Demo in Oceanside

Two of my kick-ass surf camp instructors from Las Olas, Julie Cox and Kristy Murphy, are hosting a board demo and BBQ -- "Ride My Board Day" -- on October 3 in Oceanside Harbor. Julie designs the Jule Collection and Kristy is behind the Siren line of stand-up paddle boards. Email julecollection@gmail.com for more info.--Stef McDonald

Skate Stunt: Tetris Time

Via Boing Boing: Skaters "playing Tetris."--Stef McDonald

Cute Baby Onesie: Stoked To Be Here

With baby showers looming, I was searching the web for some surf inspired items. This one made my day. Get it here at Surf Shack Baby. --Rebecca Heller

Surfrider: 25 Years of Kicking Butt

The Surfrider Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an event in Los Angeles on Friday, October 9 that features an auction of ocean- and surf-inspired art. Get details on the Anniversary Gala on their website.

Just for Fun: Sumo Wrestler

Photo taken at a street fair in Venice, CA. --Stef McDonald

Here Comes October, Here Comes the Sunn

This bit of entertainment news jumped out at us: Tia Carrere is reportedly going to produce and star in a movie on a trail-blazing surfer girl from Hawaii, the late Rell Sunn (aka the Queen of Makaha); find out more about Sunn on her official website. We'll be there with popcorn in hand when it makes it to the big screen. Sunn lost her life to breast cancer several years ago, but her legacy lives on, just as the fight against the disease continues. Next week marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month and we're sending a shout-out to the Keep A Breast Foundation for doing its part to spread the good word--with art and with the help of surfer girls everywhere. Right on.--Stef McDonald

Give a Hoot: Coastal Cleanup Day '09

Saturday was Heal the Bay's Coastal Cleanup Day. Records were set for participation (more than 14,000 registered volunteers) and production (more than 300,000 pounds of trash), with organized trash collection efforts taking place in 60 countries, 60 of them in Los Angeles. The photo above was taken near my home, where I was heartened to see lots parents with their kids at work. Of course, if people would only pick up after themselves, the trash take would be lower and there would be no real need for such volunteer efforts. If only... a girl can dream, right?--Stef McDonald

Below, some classic public service commercials on the subject.

Cool Recycled Find: Skate Chair

I've been looking for some wood chairs for the yard and stumbled upon this cool skate deck chair from Treehouse Designs on the Craftzine blog. Looks like an Adirondack chair and seems to be a great way to repurpose old skateboards.--Stef McDonald

Go, Girl: Earning Stripes

We have no idea if Sarah Thomas surfs or skates or snowboards, but we think she's a girl who deserves a high five--for making waves of her own as a college football referee. Read about it in today's NY Times story on Thomas. --Stef McDonald

2009 Surfer Poll Awards

We're super stoked that Tiffany Campbell and Andria Lessler won the award for Breakthrough Filmmaker for the Roxy sponsored all-female surf film Dear and Yonder.

The top five women to take home Surfer Poll awards are Stephanie Gilmore, Sophia Mulanovich, Carissa Moore, Coco Ho and Alana Blanchard.

Girls rule!

--Rebecca Heller

Surfing with Dynamite?

"Mythbusters" investigate...

Surf Industry: Looking Up

The LA Times has a hopeful story today about how the surf industry is doing during the economy: "After a Dry Spell, the Surf Industry is Getting Its Stoke Back."

"The Cove" Happy Ending?

The saga of the dolphins captured in the documentary "The Cove" has a happy ending. News reports suggest that those in the Japanese town of Taiji will stop killing the dolphin and set them free. Fingers crossed....

Santa Monica Pier Centennial: Dick Dale

We sat on blankets on the beach for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Santa Monica Pier last night and heard surf rock legend Dick Dale perform. Live music coming from one side, waves lapping on the other--and then a spectacular fireworks show. Pretty perfect.

Project Runway meets the Surfer Girl

Episode 3 of Season 6 of Project Runway had the contestants creating surf inspired looks. Loved the idea, not convinced about the execution. Definitely want Irinia's macrame; didn't love Ra'mon's winning neoprene look. --Rebecca Heller

Shame on Sigg (Bottles)

There are a lot of toxins around us and we try to take steps to be clean and green. Going green for us means being kind to Planet Earth and also protecting ourselves and embracing all that is natural (really natural). Most know that plastic bottles are wasteful and the popularity of re-usable metal bottles, like the ones from Sigg, have become popular. I have used their bottles and also given them as gifts to friends, so I was particularly disturbed to read the news that suggests the company misled consumers about the safety of the bottles. It's bad that the bottles tested positive for nasty chemicals but worse that the company appears to have hid that info from consumers. There's no other word for it: it's shameful. Ad Age has even more on the story.--Stef McDonald

Layne Beachley: Dancing!

Read Layne's blog posts (with photos!) on her experiences on Australia's "Dancing with the Stars."

Daily Beast Post on Surfer Girls

Interesting new post on The Daily Beast, "Surf Girls: The Next Wave." Good quotes from legendary Layne Beachley (with a good bit of trivia: she's appearing on the Australian version of "Dancing with the Stars").

Big Wave Surfer Girl: Maya Gabeira

I'm happy with a small wave I can catch with my long board, thank you very much. But big wave surfing is still impressive to me. Wowee, those waves are big! Lately, some surfer girls have grabbed attention for riding some serious monsters. Check out the photo of Maya Gabeira at Dungeons, South Africa from earlier this month. Repeat after me: Wow.--Stef McDonald

Surf Chick Flick : Women and Waves

We haven't seen "The Women and the Waves" yet, but we want to!

Ando and Friends: Cool Clothes

Super-stylish surf artist Andy Davis is creating wearable art with his new company Ando and Friends. With organic fabrics and Andy's signature designs, we just can't get enough. --Rebecca Heller