Surfing in Los Angeles: Places to Go

I posted a list on Citysearch of my go-to places for the surfing in Los Angeles experience.--Stef McDonald

Gleeking Out: Puck in GQ

Mark Salling of "Glee" (he's Puck) is in the new issue of GQ (photos are also online) looking awfully cute in board shorts, with swoon-worthy props: a guitar and surfboard.

She's Back: Gidget!

Here she comes again... Gidget!

Video: Surf Prankster

I might be late to the party discovering Remi Gaillard's videos, but I just got forwarded one (thanks, Dad!) and he's a hilarious prankster. Here he is attempting to surf. More of his video are on his site.--Stef McDonald

Designer Boards, Bags, More

Refinery 29 featured the painted boards by designer Alexandra Cassaniti; I also like the board bag, vial necklaces filled with sand or compost, and bags.--Stef McDonald

Surfin' Sheep Video

Thanks to our pal Donna from Betty Belts for alerting us to this promotional video for a company that works with wool.--Stef McDonald

Video: New Jonsi Song and Video

This is an unofficial video for a new song by Jonsi of Sigur Ros. (Don't know him or the band? Get online and check them out! Sigur Ros site and Jonsi site). Love the surf footage used here in this video.--Stef McDonald

Surf Like An Animal?

Surf Music 101

Sure, you know the Beach Boys. Maybe you know Dick Dale--or the Ventures. KCRW DJ Tom Schnabel lists the Top 5 Bands that Defined Surf Culture on the stations super-cool "5 Things" blog. You know this one, for sure.--Stef McDonald

Mavericks Wave Knocks Over Spectators

The Mavericks surf contest always promises excitement. But spectators expect to witness the excitement from afar--close enough to see but, well, that's close enough. A wave overtook spectators this past week and the several suffered broken bones and while others were bruised and battered. Scary.--Stef McDonald

Kelly Slater Flick: Waves in 3D

I heard Kelly Slater interviewed on the radio about his new surf flick, "Ultimate Wave Tahiti." Searching for the ultimate wave? That's right--the endless (and endlessly fun) pursuit. So what makes this flick different than the last? 3D, for one (3D waves!). It's also another vehicle for the world champion surfer to raise more awareness for protecting the sea and those waves we love to ride.--Stef McDonald

Vintage Ad Browser: Cool Surfing Ads

The Vintage Ad Browser site allows you to search for vintage advertisements and images from them. The one above came from a search of "surfing."

Look All Around: Cool Images

This comes from a cool site that has 36o degree images. Be sure to click on "full screen" to see it in all its glory.--Stef McDonald


Surfing at Eisbach in Munich

Old School: Alaia Surfboards

The New York Times has an article (thanks for pointing it out, Dad!) on the rising popularity of the alaia surfboard, a traditional Hawaiian longboard that is thick and wide and made of wood--with no fins. My arms hurt just thinking about paddling one, but I'm intrigued enough to want to try.--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

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

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

Go, Surf Doggies, Go!

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

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.