Wow: Whale Photography

Via HuffPost, a gorgeous gallery of whale photos from Bryant Austin. The photographer is known for taking spectacular photos of endangered species, bringing awareness to their plight with the Marine Mammal Conservation Through The Arts. (Poster pictured above comes from the mmcta.org site, where you can find out more and donate to the cause.)--Stef McDonald

Yoga for Surfers Tip: Down Dog Done Right

Our friend Peggy Hall, of "Yoga for Surfers" fame, emailed a tip on getting Downward Facing Dog just right. It's the pose of poses for yoga devotees and worth mastering. Here's her video on Down Dog 101.--Stef McDonald

Fashion Fun: Lines for Surfer and Skater Girls

We've read recently that two fashion designers are working on lines that we're going to want to check out (cause there ain't nothing wrong with wanting to look cute). Fabulous fashion designer Cynthia Rowley is teaming with Roxy for a line of surf and surf-inspired gear and Kit Scarbo, one of the past contestants of "Project Runway," is reportedly working with Etnies.--Stef McDonald

Liquid Castles: Places You Can Study and Surf

Around this time, high school seniors are deep into working on their college applications. Surfer girls who want to get a good education but just can't imagine parting with their waves can take a look at Surfline's list of colleges and universities where you can still Hang 1o .--Rebecca Heller

Cove Drama: Behind the Scenes

Boing Boing has a great post on the director of "The Cove," the documentary on dolphin killings in Japan. Louie Psihoyos talks about the experience of being present for a screening of the film in Japan with those who participate in the slaughter and/or support it right there in the audience.--Stef McDonald

Just for Fun: Seagull on the News

These Shoes Are Made for Skating

...and that's just what they do.... Ah, shoes. I won't reveal how many I have but there's a good reason for owning every single pair and a large percentage are flippies for the beach and sneaks for sport. Here's a book that celebrates shoes for skating.--Stef McDonald

Teen Read Week: Read Gidget

Just learned that this is Teen Read Week. First thing I thought? Gidget. You've probably seen the movie with Sandra Dee or the TV show with Sally Field. I liked both, but the book is best.--Stef McDonald

Always a Good Time: Volunteering

TV networks are promoting volunteerism on numerous series this week, so there's a good chance you'll see a favorite character in the act of lending a hand while you're reclining on your couch (not that there's anything with a little downtime on the couch in front of the tube...). Each of us has worked with Surfrider and Heal the Bay for beach clean-ups and other efforts to keep our beaches safe and clean and we can attest to the fact that doing something feels good. If you're looking for a place to pitch in, environmental organizations are a good place to start and we've also got a list of other do-good organizations on our site.--Stef McDonald

They Do: Surfers Hitched At Sea

Got the link to this story from our friend Donna of Betty Belts. She's acquainted with a couple that had their wedding ceremony in the water--while on their surfboards. How cool is it that the bride wore a wetsuit and a veil?--Stef McDonald

Hot Pix from Down Under

Just came across a surf inspired website that I wanted to share with you. Aquabumps, from Australia, is home to gorgeous surf photos like the one you see here of a lone surfer at Bondi Beach. Wish I was there.--Rebecca Heller

Behind the Scenes: Making Snowboards

There's something thrilling about going behind the scenes to get a glimpse at how something is made. I clicked on this video in today's Cool Hunting email on how a snowboard is made by Burton, a leader in the field. Yep, cool.--Stef McDonald

Go, Surf Doggies, Go!

Check out this video of surfing dogs on the LA Times website.

Up, Up, Away: Kite Board Ride

Via Boing Boing, here's a terrifying/thrilling video of a kite boarder who is lifted up, up, and away by the kite.--Stef McDonald

Attack of the Sea Blobs?

National Geographic reports that mucus-like sea blobs have been forming in what appears to be an effect of rising water temperatures. Yes, that sounds like something you'd read in a sci-fi novel; marine biologists who have studied the blobs say they can contain harmful bacteria and viruses and have the potential to kill sea life. An author on the study of the mucilage suggests that this is a good call to action for all of us to seriously take action against global warming. Amen.--Stef McDonald

More Shark Sightings: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em

This morning as I took a friend for a surf lesson at Ocean Park in Santa Monica, California, all the surfers were abuzz about the leopard sharks along the shore. I laughed it off until we headed down towards the waves. I am not exaggerating when I say hundreds of fins were flipping in and out of the shore break. As we approached the water we could see schools of leopard sharks swimming along the shore where the ocean meets the sand. The sharks ranged in size from about a foot to about three feet. All we could do was laugh. They didn't seem to be bother the other surfers out in the water, and, well, it was the perfect day for a lesson, so I walked out shuffling my feet, yelling, and splashing to scare them away. My ever brave protégé tagged along behind me. They were only very close to shore so there weren't any sharks to bother us at the break, but let's just say my student never fell off her board as she rode it in. She told me her horoscope this morning said, " you will have great stories to tell." No kidding.--Rebecca Heller

P.S. If anyone has any photos, please share them with us.

New fin, blue fin, one fin, two fin

Recently I was asked by the Surfrider Foundation to paint on three fins (one above) to be auctioned off to raise money for the Life Rolls On Foundation.--Annie Walton-Teter

Splurge: Surf Hoodie

A gray hoodie is a staple in my wardrobe and I've got more than one (when one is in the wash, I've got a back-up). But I don't have one with a photographic print of the ocean on the back, like this one I found on Etsy. Wow, this one is cool. The seller also has tees. --Stef McDonald

Shark Spotting: Los Angeles

Our friend and owner of Horizons West Surf Shop, Randy Wright, caught this sequence of a shark breaching just off the LA coast line on Saturday. Yikes!--Rebecca Heller

Lip-Smacking Good: Non-Toxic Tints

I feel naked without anything on my lips and use shea butter when I'm feeling no-nonsense and glosses when I feel glam. For in-between, a tinted balm is just right and my new favorite comes from Hemp Organics, a company that makes products without the nasty chemicals you find in most brands. The Skin Deep database, which lists ingredients in personal care products and tests them for safety, gives this product the Low Hazard label (0 is safest and this gets a 2) so I can feel comfortable wearing it.

Happy Feet: Yoga Video

I began practicing yoga shortly before I learned to surf, when a friend told me it would help give me the upper body strength needed to paddle and push up on a surf board. And now I continue to practice because it makes my life better. This video is lovely. Watch it full screen for the full effect.--Stef McDonald


Umag Asanas At Sunset in Istria

Crowded Surf: Breaking Records in South Africa

We all know how crowded the breaks are these days, but the members of Earthwave take sharing waves to a new level. Organizers in Cape Town South Africa tried to break the record for the most people riding a single wave. They think they beat the record held by Brazil with 125 surfers on one wave. Absolutely nuts!--Rebecca Heller

Venice Skate Park: Dogtown Graffiti

During opening day of the Venice Skate Park, I took photos of this graffiti work, honoring Venice's skateboarding heritage: Dogtown.

Read an interview with Peggy Oki, the sole woman of the original Zephyr skateboarding team from the Dogtown days, on our Surf Like a Girl site.

For more graffiti art in Venice, see posts on the subject on my other blog, Sideshow by the Seashore.)--Stef McDonald

New Venice Skate Park: Open for Ripping

Below, photos from opening day at the Venice Beach Skate Park. I biked down to the park early, with my morning cup of coffee in hand, and took photos before the official opening. Then I returned in the afternoon to see the action. Hundreds were there to take to the concrete. The action shots below capture a couple of girls ripping.--Stef McDonald

New Surf Music: Pearl Jam

I realize I am a little late in the game, but I think I might have a crush on Eddie Vedder. Check out Pearl Jam's song "Amongst the Waves" from their new album, Backspacer. --Rebecca Heller

(Update from Stef: Never too late!)

Weekend Fun: Venice Skate Park

The new Venice Skate Park opens Saturday, October 3 (the photo above was taken last week), with expected appearances by Dogtown Boyz Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Jessie Martinez, and Geri Lewis. Photo of the finished park after we visit.--Stef McDonald

Breast Cancer Awareness: Beauty-Buying Tips

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and you're sure to see the pink ribbon on many products. Maybe you'll think, Oh, great, I'll buy that and help support the fight against breast cancer. The pictured pink gloss from Jane Iredale would be a good grab because it does not contain carcinogens like so many other beauty products (yes, a lot of beauty products really do contain chemicals linked to cancer -- but it's easy for you to educate yourself with help from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics). I'll get off my soap-box after saying this: you should think twice about what you buy and choose not to get products that can harm you and/or the environment. Still have your attention? I've posted more on the issue at my other blog, Sideshow by the Seashore.--Stef McDonald

Tip: Stand Up Straight!

At one of Rebecca's "Surf Like A Girl" days, where she teaches women to surf during a morning session, Peggy Hall was there to warm up the new surfer girls with stretches on the beach. Then I began practicing with Hall's series of "Yoga For Surfers" DVDs (fyi, her yoga DVDs are good for anyone, not just surfers) and she's offered us a lot of good tips to us. (A tip from Peggy on our website on stretch for paddling.)

In the last year, I began to experience back pain and a chiropractor pointed out what should have been obvious to me: I had terrible posture and years of slouching had hurt me. What could I do? More yoga and learn -- finally -- how to stand up straight. Pushing shoulders back? Not right. Seems like it should be simple, right? Those who practice yoga know how it's done. Check out Hall's video clip on perfect posture. I'm practicing....--Stef McDonald