tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44346993866178848682024-03-13T15:18:38.893-07:00WaveridersPapa He'e NaluGrowling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-84836846098295961082015-07-04T04:28:00.000-07:002015-07-04T06:59:09.288-07:00An unwelcome visitor and I take a punt on an Addvance<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fj9m6B__dtg/VZe_tsur1TI/AAAAAAAAI1I/KkSzy-GEOcM/s1600/477354-1be5e1e0-1a54-11e5-86c9-93778cb00b31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fj9m6B__dtg/VZe_tsur1TI/AAAAAAAAI1I/KkSzy-GEOcM/s400/477354-1be5e1e0-1a54-11e5-86c9-93778cb00b31.jpg" width="400" /></a>With the recent unfortunate but extremely lucky escape from an encounter with a large shark of some species, most likely a White Pointer, that a neighbour and acquaintance of ours had recently I have been reevaluating my surfing regime.<br />
Although I have thoroughly enjoyed riding a surf mat for the last few years I have always felt rather exposed around these parts as I think I must look awfully like a seal from beneath the surface! Having successfully returned to stand up surfing on a longboard for the last year I have decided that rather than always taking a mat out on those chunky non longboard wave days that I need an alternative so it is time to get myself a shorter board again too.<br />
I have taken a punt on a Firewire Addvance which is an interesting concept developed with the assistance of Taj Burrow's old man Vance. I have gone for the longest model available which is 7' 6" X 23.5" X 3.25". As you can see it is a fish essentially with rather a lot of width and meat to it. Thankfully, it has a bloody big v starting a foot in front of the fins all the way back into the quite narrow tail so it is easier to bank into a turn. That should do the job. It is actually wider and thicker than my 9' 1" longboard! It is sensibly, I think, a little longer than I used to ride and from all the reviews I have read should be terrific fun. I have included some images I found of the old guy himself chucking his own designed board around with great abandon. I look forward to attempting to emulate him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bNSxWk3oTIQ/VZfBjnyE2nI/AAAAAAAAI1U/qtxd6trfe7E/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bNSxWk3oTIQ/VZfBjnyE2nI/AAAAAAAAI1U/qtxd6trfe7E/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9mHtCRVeoE/VZfCFdtVWfI/AAAAAAAAI1g/zlsC9IZ8QPM/s1600/IMG_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9mHtCRVeoE/VZfCFdtVWfI/AAAAAAAAI1g/zlsC9IZ8QPM/s400/IMG_2391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUQwulJFLkA/VZfCFnt3i0I/AAAAAAAAI1k/f54awEqZpU0/s1600/IMG_2392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUQwulJFLkA/VZfCFnt3i0I/AAAAAAAAI1k/f54awEqZpU0/s400/IMG_2392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuYPl_fhKgw/VZfCFQr9phI/AAAAAAAAI1c/f_K-Qu6Zmbc/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuYPl_fhKgw/VZfCFQr9phI/AAAAAAAAI1c/f_K-Qu6Zmbc/s400/IMG_2393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXYPgAU3GfI/VZfCGbTNmyI/AAAAAAAAI14/ZboK8rv6190/s1600/IMG_2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXYPgAU3GfI/VZfCGbTNmyI/AAAAAAAAI14/ZboK8rv6190/s400/IMG_2394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1BMttbkT9A/VZfCGQl2O9I/AAAAAAAAI10/LOT6B771lBE/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1BMttbkT9A/VZfCGQl2O9I/AAAAAAAAI10/LOT6B771lBE/s400/IMG_2395.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-18325407819708435422015-06-29T16:39:00.000-07:002015-06-29T16:39:00.657-07:00The Right June 2015 Swell of the Decade<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132006706?color=08A9E1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-34944491953926073482015-04-20T04:01:00.001-07:002015-05-11T15:10:50.993-07:00Such a lot of fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wuRNI1V300/VTTfOBYAwhI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/OqbHDjGfOBI/s1600/IMG_7672.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wuRNI1V300/VTTfOBYAwhI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/OqbHDjGfOBI/s1600/IMG_7672.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
The surfing season has arrived with perfect conditions today again allowing Michelle and I and a few others to enjoy great waves round the bay. I was on the new board and yet again it is proving to be a great ride. It was just a little too loose so I recently replaced the 7" central fin with an 8". It felt great today so I will stick with this for awhile as I enjoy the lively feel in contrast to the 9' 6" McTavish Noserider I also own.<br />
I turned 62 earlier this month and I am pleased to report, that remarkably, considering I had a 3 year sabbatical on surf mats, I seem to be surfing better than I ever have. I think that period of mat riding has informed this improvement in some very positive ways although I am a little mystified how. I know for sure that instituting a 6 day a week yoga practice has definitely contributed as my body is far more flexible making it easier to pop etc. An additional factor, was a shift to a paleo eating regime I embarked on at the end of last year. Although not so obvious from the image above, this has resulted in an extraordinary reduction of fat cover over my body and dropping down two sizes of pants with another reduction close. My mantra is 85 by 65 and I reckon I am well on the way!Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-62665900300444834812015-04-14T05:24:00.002-07:002015-04-14T05:26:02.306-07:00Great demonstration of longboarding <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/124277188" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-14309045414269993152015-03-07T16:01:00.002-08:002015-03-07T16:04:42.436-08:00My new ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEqlw51vplc/VPuOud2ANiI/AAAAAAAAIw4/F-bLT1qZ6qo/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEqlw51vplc/VPuOud2ANiI/AAAAAAAAIw4/F-bLT1qZ6qo/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" height="400" width="216" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YULp8-Izpko/VPuOt7PJ8PI/AAAAAAAAIw0/-uUBD1HGAmg/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YULp8-Izpko/VPuOt7PJ8PI/AAAAAAAAIw0/-uUBD1HGAmg/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" height="400" width="230" /></a></div>
<br />
The saga is now complete as here is my beautiful new white 9' 1" roundtail pin longboard. So how does the new board go.<br />
Well is is usual with a new board, my first session was in absolute shit onshore crap but I was able to discover that it is very forgiving as it has terrific balance.<br />
The second session was again in an onshore but with at least a little shape and I discovered that it is super quick, has an amazing amount of glide considering the rocker in it and is a terrific nose rider!<br />
The 3rd session yesterday was in cleaner side shore conditions and I had a great time as I was able to really push it finding that it is a super lively fun board coping with every demand I made of it. I cannot wait for some conditions when the waves have a steeper face to attack.<br />
In my last <a href="http://ridersofwaves.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/9-walden-slx-epoxy-mega-magic-longboard.html">post</a> I detailed the story of the collapse of the 9' Walden SLX Mega Magic I used to own for which I received a full refund from the local surf shop. So huge props again to Dave and Alan at the Big Drop Surf Shop for doing the right thing and I hope that Walden will also do the right thing and compensate them in some way in time.<br />
As I mentioned in the post, I took the step I probably should have made initially when I wanted a new longboard using the refund cheque to ask local shaper Warren Thompson to shape me the new board I now own. It is based on the phased out of production South Point 9' 1" Bonga Perkins replica.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iA3_q4ntkuI/VPuNTJinGpI/AAAAAAAAIwo/yk13PYxqpjU/s1600/407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iA3_q4ntkuI/VPuNTJinGpI/AAAAAAAAIwo/yk13PYxqpjU/s1600/407.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
Why? Well, I only happened to get the chance to ride one wave on one of them a few years ago and was mightily impressed with it's performance. I had done a swap out the back to give a visiting surfer a go on the 10' longboard that Warren had shaped for me. I have never forgotten how comfortable the Perkins felt and it's performance on the first and only wave I rode on a busy day. I think you will agree he has done a pretty good job and I will tell you how it goes shortly.<br />
Before starting to shape my board Warren was asked by the Big Drop Surf Shop guys to see if he could repair the delaminated mega magic which he duly agreed to do albeit rather reluctantly. Here are some before and after pics which show he did an amazing job of resurrecting it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DJ82gtGLm4/VPuPScrFDjI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/Q74W-gtcu2E/s1600/IMG_2185-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DJ82gtGLm4/VPuPScrFDjI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/Q74W-gtcu2E/s1600/IMG_2185-1.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv0L7mEPmKg/VPuPQKkXYOI/AAAAAAAAIxE/3XuXGg8Hd1M/s1600/IMG_2183-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv0L7mEPmKg/VPuPQKkXYOI/AAAAAAAAIxE/3XuXGg8Hd1M/s1600/IMG_2183-1.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFsj7y4_QZM/VPuPSdO3BrI/AAAAAAAAIxM/Hwsj1BVAIdE/s1600/IMG_2184-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFsj7y4_QZM/VPuPSdO3BrI/AAAAAAAAIxM/Hwsj1BVAIdE/s1600/IMG_2184-1.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-48778044557653356692015-01-20T20:06:00.002-08:002015-01-20T20:16:25.593-08:009' Walden SLX Epoxy Mega Magic Longboard delamination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZgSZJgXff0/VL8Qc1tUPzI/AAAAAAAAIto/NptlZMqi8Fc/s1600/GSI_90_Mega_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZgSZJgXff0/VL8Qc1tUPzI/AAAAAAAAIto/NptlZMqi8Fc/s1600/GSI_90_Mega_1024x1024.jpg" height="400" width="135" /></a></div>
In June last last year I made this <a href="http://ridersofwaves.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/after-3-year-immersion-in-singular.html">post</a> describing how delighted I was with the 9' Walden SLX Epoxy Mega Magic longboard I had purchased.<br />
By December, my delight in the board's performance had not changed at all and I had been having some terrific sessions on it.<br />
But, I am horrified to report that the board itself had failed catastrophically!<br />
I am not a weekend warrior, as I have the opportunity to surf most days in the week, so I am in the habit of leaving my boards on top of the car all the time.<br />
Unfortunately, epoxy boards using an EPS polystyrene core are more sensitive to heat and, as I have found out to my detriment, prone to delamination!<br />
The irony of this is that I live on the South Coast of Western Australia that does not experience super high temperatures as other more northerly parts do.<br />
So, I took the board back to the local surf shop, and equal shocked they, asked me to take some pictures so as they could send them to the manufacturers to see what could be done for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_q4AhcG7Pho/VL8U9FyLUMI/AAAAAAAAIuE/cR37cd19vYE/s1600/IMG_4202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_q4AhcG7Pho/VL8U9FyLUMI/AAAAAAAAIuE/cR37cd19vYE/s1600/IMG_4202.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7OYkibN3fwU/VL8U4FoLbYI/AAAAAAAAIt4/8WEJ0B4W6Qc/s1600/IMG_4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7OYkibN3fwU/VL8U4FoLbYI/AAAAAAAAIt4/8WEJ0B4W6Qc/s1600/IMG_4204.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8bmbT7CAr4/VL8VGFbCRPI/AAAAAAAAIuc/7coLFy1G1-M/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8bmbT7CAr4/VL8VGFbCRPI/AAAAAAAAIuc/7coLFy1G1-M/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Well, nothing was the answer as in their opinion the board had been exposed to excessive heat!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"That has been cooked in very hot temps inside a board bag, it will not fall under a warranty" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Well, that got me going I have to say!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Well that is just not good enough.
I have owned umpteen boards ( 3 of them Waldens ) over many years, both epoxy and traditional, and none of them have experienced this sort of failure within so short a time no matter the exposure they may have been subjected to.
I am not a weekend warrior as I surf most days and my board are always on the car most of the time.
I was never advised at anytime that your SLX construction epoxy boards required a specific care regime, including the preference of a cover with a side vent, as they were prone to delaminate if they were exposed to too much heat. <
If someone had advised me that “They do not withstand heat very well” as stated in the png attached that will appear on your new website soon then I would have taken steps to ensure that the board was not likely to be exposed to heat!
In these circumstances I just don’t think you can make a blanket refusal to provide me with some level of assistance as you have mislead me as a consumer of your product and that is illegal!
So please be more reasonable about this and speak with your superiors before I do and come to some sort of agreement that." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Their reply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"This has come from my Production Manager. He specs all materials and production processes. All surfboards should be kept from direct heat when not in use.
The screenshot you are referring to is from a blog and not our site. I directed that information to Big Drop as a matter of education." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So then they copped this from me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
"Oh for goodness sake I have never heard such a lot of crap in my life! </div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
So if your customers go to the beach and decide the waves are not good enough to surf and go for a swim instead, you are expecting them to take their board off the roof racks and put it in the shade??? </div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
What I cannot seem to get through to you is:</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
1. The fact that the board may have been exposed to more heat than it could cope with is immaterial in this instance as I was unaware it was not capable of being used in the way I had normally done so for years with all the other boards I have owned. That usage has included leaving boards (both in and out of bags) sitting on top of my vehicle in far more extreme temperatures than we have experienced in the last week or so when it appears the damage to this board occurred. </div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="">
2. I live on the south Coast of WA and we do not get very high temperatures here. During the month of December, when this product failure occurred, the highest temperature we have had was a balmy 25.8 degrees.</div>
<div class="">
Link provided for your FYI <a class="" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW6001.latest.shtml">http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW6001.latest.shtml</a></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
3. The information relating to the special care this type of board needs and it’s susceptibility to heat compared to a standard construction board was <b class="" style="font-size: 36px;">NOT! </b>made available to me when I purchased it. </div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
4. It appears that you had not provided the great guys who run the retail outlet here in Denmark with this information until I informed them of the problem with my 9’ mega magic a couple of days ago? </div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
5. Had I been informed of this deficiency in the normal use of the board I may not have gone ahead with a purchase. </div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
6. Under Australian Consumer Law, this product has suffered major damage during what I, the consumer, considered normal usage and therefore am entitled to either a full replacement or refund.</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
7. Under Australian Consumer Law, had I, the consumer, known about the problem, I may have chosen not to purchase the product.</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
Link provided for your FYI <a class="" href="http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/minor-or-major-problems-products">http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/minor-or-major-problems-products</a></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
ion</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
I rang your HQ in NSW and they advised me to cc Cory into this email"</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I got no reply to that one so I made an official complaint to Consumer Protection here in WA.</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
"Just letting you know that I have submitted an official complaint against your organisation to Consumer Protection here in WA in regard to this matter."</div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I received a call from Consumer Protection within a week to say they had rung the suppliers who still refused to assist in any way. The officer related that she had hotly disputed that the board may have been exposed to excessive heat and in view of the premium price, $1350, paid for the board that they should be covering the board under a warranty of some sort as it had suffered a major failure within a year of purchase. Her advice was that I now take the matter to the Magistrate's court and that it was highly likely that the magistrate would rule in my favour. Unfortunately, I would have to make the claim against the shop from which I purchased the board whose owners I happen to know well.</span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I am in a bit of a quandary wondering quite what to do so I left it for a few days to think about it and eventually decided on a plan of action.</span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the end I decided that I would go back to the shop in person and discuss with the owner what might be done in view of all that had transpired. I suggested that he ring consumer protection to get their view on the matter rather than hearing it for me. I did state that I preferred that the board was replaced, with a different more robust board at a similar price point or a full refund so as I could purchase another board elsewhere.</span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He was not particularly happy but I left stating that I would send him the contact details of the consumer protection officer involved.</span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Within in half an hour, to my bewilderment, I had been called back in to the shop and was handed a cheque for a full refund and asked to return the damaged board, which I happened to have on the car still! I did express that I was very surprised they had not offered to replace the board with another which would have been a much more economical option but he was adamant that he was sick of the whole thing and wanted done of it all. I accepted, got the board off the car and laid it damaged surface down as there were many customers in the shop. He offered his hand saying That was a relief as I did not want to fall out with them but felt that I was well within my rights to make a claim. Hopefully, there will be some redress for the shop from the manufacturers somewhere in the future as they certainly deserve it. </span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So the moral of the story is? If you by an epoxy board, particularly one with an EPS core, you will need to make sure that you do not expose it too any degree of heat at anytime!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh and, as I have enjoyed my return to stand up surfing so much, I have ordered a 9' 1" high performance longboard </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from my local shaper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">based on this Bonga Perkins Replica that I rode once and was pretty stoked about the performance of.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tXRdxymb0o/VL8n_lqXCEI/AAAAAAAAIus/r6x4JdhXBV0/s1600/z_board_13_board_detail_91bonga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tXRdxymb0o/VL8n_lqXCEI/AAAAAAAAIus/r6x4JdhXBV0/s1600/z_board_13_board_detail_91bonga.jpg" height="145" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-57830372086402934152014-12-06T23:32:00.002-08:002014-12-06T23:35:24.045-08:00Sensational longboard skills<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="381" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/112838997" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe><br />
With thanks to the <a href="http://endlessbummerny.blogspot.com/">Endless Bummer</a>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-5064881363222472212014-10-02T22:57:00.001-07:002014-10-02T23:01:38.554-07:00Step back, turn and drive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://surfeco.wikispaces.com/file/view/popupwater.jpg/105533343/popupwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://surfeco.wikispaces.com/file/view/popupwater.jpg/105533343/popupwater.jpg" /></a></div>
I have been enjoying getting out fairly regularly of late on the smaller fatter days using the 9' Walden Mega Magic. If I get the right conditions I end up having a terrific time but if they are not quite so good it can be pretty frustrating. This is mainly because I still haven't got my pop up back and am tending to scrabble up unless the wave really jacks up and I am better able to get straight to my feet.<br />
It always takes me a few take offs to make the change from having surfed a mat to being back on a longboard. On a mat I am so used to taking off deep in the pocket and driving straight into the wave that getting that gliding top of the wave longboard thing happening on the take off can elude me for awhile. Once I am up though, the Walden just hollers out to be stepped back on, turned and driven hard across the face from up near the nose. I cannot remember any of my previous longboards having quite such a particular effect on my surfing but my god I am enjoying it! Oh and I reckon I am very close now to swinging my legs straight through again as I could have today but just forgot to as I have not yet quite set the habit and lack a little confidence that I have regained the strength required.Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-50869004865256063022014-07-03T20:05:00.000-07:002014-07-03T20:05:02.900-07:00How fast do you go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGOL82zNuBQ/U7YY0n3n75I/AAAAAAAAIf0/dQAVW2smRlI/s1600/prodBlack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGOL82zNuBQ/U7YY0n3n75I/AAAAAAAAIf0/dQAVW2smRlI/s1600/prodBlack.png" height="400" width="346" /></a></div>
Well soon you will be able to find out!<br />
I am really looking forward to getting my filthy little mitts on one of these watches. Not only will I be able to find out just how fast a surf mat goes in 4th gear when it occurs but how much actual wave riding time I am getting in each session. Hopefully, they will provide an average speed summary too as that would also be interesting. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="355" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VFFgFNg3bqY" width="600"></iframe>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-29748593465777202632014-06-28T17:51:00.001-07:002014-06-28T17:58:11.284-07:00After 3 years of mat riding the bodyboard just had to go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6UNgYwQGmW4/U69bdFwG29I/AAAAAAAAIfY/zKfIYlJQl7I/s1600/BZ.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6UNgYwQGmW4/U69bdFwG29I/AAAAAAAAIfY/zKfIYlJQl7I/s1600/BZ.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
In this <a href="http://ridersofwaves.blogspot.com.au/search?q=bz+big+bruddah">post</a> back in March of 2009, I expounded on the virtues of the <a href="http://www.ebodyboarding.com/Brands/bz_2/BZ-Big-Bruddah-45-Bodyboard_2">BZ Big Bruddah bodyboard </a>I had recently bought. I was very comfortable on it using it regularly on busy chunky days at the point until I discovered surf mats a year later. Yesterday, after three years of riding surf mats, I took the BZ out for a session. It was an appalling wave riding experience. Now the BZ is a big bodyboard, and feeling that might be causing the problem, as surf mats are smaller craft and it just felt almost unmanageable underneath me, I swapped it for a smaller bodyboard being ridden by a mate. The experience was not changed and after an hour of persevering I ended up returning to the beach to swap it for a mat. After a fun session on the mat, I ended up leaving the BZ leaned up on the car park fence with the message written on it that you can see in the image to the left. So what was the problem.<br />
1. Compared to a surf mat, it was far harder to cruise around and return back to the line up. In the rippy conditions that often occur at the point, I was barely able to get myself back to the take off spot especially on the smaller bodyboard.<br />
2. I am so used to adjusting the shape of the surf mat to accommodate the various parts of the wave catching and riding process that the bodyboard just seemed completely ineffective. For instance, I was unable to bend the nose of it down to assist the take off as I do on a mat let alone perform all the other subtle changes one can make to the shape of a mat once on the wave.<br />
3. With the nice big round rails the mat has more inherent grip on the water surface and feels more secure on the wave than the bodyboard which can spin out within a moment with little ability from the rider to stop it apart from dipping a fin. On a mat a judicious shape change can alleviate the situation.<br />
4. I missed the feedback from the wave surface that the soft surf mat so willingly provides.<br />
5. Bodyboards seem to be inherently unable to find the power source in the wave that a surf mat excels at.<br />
It was a truly revelatory and confirming experience that threw into a stark light the brilliance of the surf mat as a wave riding craft and showed that 3 years of effort have not been wasted!Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-49504145731104596392014-06-25T19:08:00.001-07:002014-06-25T19:08:11.910-07:00Yoga for older guys who surf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sa5xysDaZg8/U6t_HSoArqI/AAAAAAAAIe4/sb9fV8ynXoI/s1600/virabhadrasana1male+lrg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sa5xysDaZg8/U6t_HSoArqI/AAAAAAAAIe4/sb9fV8ynXoI/s1600/virabhadrasana1male+lrg.jpg" height="400" width="347" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I mentioned in my previous <a href="http://ridersofwaves.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/after-3-year-immersion-in-singular.html">post</a>, I have started riding a longboard again after basically three years away from this style of surfing whilst I explored the intriguing world of surf mat riding. A</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">lthough my pop-up is yet to return as it once was, a</span>fter only 4 sessions, it has been a surprise how quickly, at the age of 61, I have slipped back into this style of riding again. Yes, the 9' Mega Magic I am using is a terrific board and really helping but bemused I thought further about it today. It occurred to me that it is probably due to having recommenced a 6 day a week yoga practice 18 months ago, which has dramatically improved my flexibility. My routine is to switch between a group of sitting poses (worked for 90 seconds) and standing poses (worked for 60 seconds) each alternate day. So even though I still don't quite have the strength to pop-up straight away yet, I am able to get to a standing position quickly enough. I am confident that fairly shortly, my strength will have increased and my pop-up will return and that I will be back to my previous level of ability.</span>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-77634071771599661012014-06-21T17:14:00.002-07:002014-06-24T22:25:52.327-07:00After a 3 year immersion in the singular world of surf mats.......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ej8aUQCFaI/U6YenSskfpI/AAAAAAAAIeY/mX4ylUBce9A/s1600/GSI_90_Mega_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ej8aUQCFaI/U6YenSskfpI/AAAAAAAAIeY/mX4ylUBce9A/s1600/GSI_90_Mega_1024x1024.jpg" height="400" width="135" /></a></div>
....I make my long anticipated return to the wider world of waveriding! Well, maybe not. In any case I have certainly broadened my surfing activities of late with the addition of a new 9' Walden Mega Magic longboard and Brownfish Barrel Rider Model 2 handplane to my quiver of 9 surf mats.<br />
The longboard is the first standup craft in quite awhile to to get me a little excited. Even though it is nearly 4" thick, allowing it to get into waves like a much longer board, it is very light making it most manageable and easy to chuck around on the wave. Terrific fun on a those smaller fatter days that are not so good for a surf mat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9kGq73HB4I/U6YfECpyKkI/AAAAAAAAIeg/ONArlRrf44Q/s1600/photo_1_(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9kGq73HB4I/U6YfECpyKkI/AAAAAAAAIeg/ONArlRrf44Q/s1600/photo_1_(7).jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
On the days when the waves are a little too chunky for a surf mat, but sitting up, I have enjoyed getting out with a handplane again and now have three in my quiver. I started out my surfing life using a handplane off the groyne at City Beach in West Australia back in the 80's and have always kept one in the quiver. I am thoroughly enjoyed getting back into it and sometimes have to force myself to get out of the water to end a session. Handplaning is a very comprehensive workout and often I am very sore all over my body the next day but I think that is probably a very good thing.<br />
But don't get me wrong now as one of my surf mats will forever remain the go to first choice waveriding surf craft.Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-42009520768443869552011-05-04T17:46:00.000-07:002011-05-04T17:46:41.990-07:00Waving goodbye!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRFJdmsrOs4/TcHyu2uhgYI/AAAAAAAAB80/g-YolU-PBVo/s1600/ChildsJ-0708-0025-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRFJdmsrOs4/TcHyu2uhgYI/AAAAAAAAB80/g-YolU-PBVo/s640/ChildsJ-0708-0025-011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Waveriders has come to a shuddering stop since I discovered surf mats. So this is the last post and one in which I say goodbye to all you good folks who have taken the time to visit!<br />
"May your life continue to provide bountiful opportunities to ride waves on whatever surf craft you might choose!"Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-59713214092806040522011-04-05T03:51:00.000-07:002011-04-05T03:52:31.371-07:00A local rider on a local wave!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dx6zFiWtMTc/TZr0BA4eJbI/AAAAAAAAB8A/c6N1we7x744/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dx6zFiWtMTc/TZr0BA4eJbI/AAAAAAAAB8A/c6N1we7x744/s640/IMG_1403.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Where? Those who know know and those who don't won't!Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-44309409309843990132011-03-27T01:17:00.000-07:002011-03-27T01:19:50.645-07:00Are you serious?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FSe-MpyQQA/TY7yIZ4zpfI/AAAAAAAAB6s/RSNxW3y-oS8/s1600/r3-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FSe-MpyQQA/TY7yIZ4zpfI/AAAAAAAAB6s/RSNxW3y-oS8/s640/r3-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Yep, one of those rare pics that captures the seemingly impossible. Owen Wright just ripping the lip into little pieces!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Muchos Gracias <a href="http://sloanephotos.blogspot.com/">Mr Sloane</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">!</span>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-25178784367946627352011-02-28T01:11:00.000-08:002011-02-28T01:11:23.916-08:00Jeeezus!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3d395RJ1hZE/TWtmd8uB7RI/AAAAAAAAB5w/6cTbTSddYfc/s1600/jpeg-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3d395RJ1hZE/TWtmd8uB7RI/AAAAAAAAB5w/6cTbTSddYfc/s640/jpeg-9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-52631507819901399852011-01-28T16:58:00.000-08:002011-01-28T16:59:00.489-08:00Something very compelling about this image!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TUNl0Gq7YMI/AAAAAAAABzU/lYpG6RMTKG0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-01-29+at+8.55.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TUNl0Gq7YMI/AAAAAAAABzU/lYpG6RMTKG0/s640/Screen+shot+2011-01-29+at+8.55.21+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Many thanks to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://dalybread.blogspot.com/">Jason</a></span>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-15155572485562953002011-01-06T14:57:00.000-08:002011-01-06T14:57:41.130-08:00Sometimes a vicarious experience is all there is!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TSZGW-_uQpI/AAAAAAAABqY/EPbJAYIkidc/s1600/Scan7_1_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TSZGW-_uQpI/AAAAAAAABqY/EPbJAYIkidc/s640/Scan7_1_0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>25 years ago, analogue film and left arm stuffed way into the face setting up for a total shacking! I have never been in this place but had to nab this great shot as I just love the light which only further adds to the impact of the image.<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://cbsurfriders.blogspot.com/">Zog</a>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-52520771007356037742010-12-19T02:43:00.000-08:002010-12-19T02:45:08.784-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TQ3h2Gq7acI/AAAAAAAABh8/c7b_9PpeCD4/s1600/WaveridersWordle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TQ3h2Gq7acI/AAAAAAAABh8/c7b_9PpeCD4/s640/WaveridersWordle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-87594353824483446632010-12-10T01:10:00.000-08:002010-12-10T01:17:13.812-08:00Ah there's the wave!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hTAr5dQ7miY/TKtj_ltL0lI/AAAAAAAACW4/Lzw5TjD2fAA/s1600/08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="536" width="800" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hTAr5dQ7miY/TKtj_ltL0lI/AAAAAAAACW4/Lzw5TjD2fAA/s1600/08.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now let's get off this boat and go ride <a href="http://craudphotos.blogspot.com/2010/10/pequena-grande-bono.html">it.</a><br />
<br />
Incredible! Believe it! A group of surfers braved the unknown and surfed pororoca of Sumatra in Indonesia.<br />
<br />
Follow the following report:<br />
<br />
The 'little' Big Bono<br />
<br />
Everyone knows that Indonesia is home to the best waves of the ocean in the world, but is the soul of one surfer in the world knew that there could find the holes in tidal waves, as powerful as Pororoca Brazilian or the Chinese dragon?<br />
<br />
YEP Frenchman Antony Colas led a team of 'boreriders "and found what appeared to be impossible.<br />
<br />
- I found this incredible surge in the river in the jungle, which is neither in the list of fifty-five rivers listed by 'Tidal Bore Research Society' (www.tidalbore.info) - YEP Antony Colas<br />
<br />
On the east side of Sumatra island, there is the 'Bono', as the inhabitants call Kampar River, in fact the phenomenon with a certain fear, which swallowed many lives since last year.<br />
<br />
Although few details and the lack of tides, Eduardo Bage, the Franco-Brazilian longboarder pro, and Fabrice Colas Audoy and Patrick, both very experienced with the tidal bore of "Mascaret" in Dordogne, decided to explore the mysterious hole. Presumably thought that was very weak during the day, and that the 'Bono' should remain in breaking the range of 1 to 2 feet, whereas 'bono' by most of the night would stay at around 6 feet! Despite its supposedly low power, the 'Bono' day ended up generating a lot of energy to face 6 feet and 8 feet at its peak "epicenter". With several sections lasting a few tens of minutes and a peculiar walk which was recorded over the one hour mark, the 'Bono' also offered the first barrel ride on the picture!<br />
<br />
However, the trip almost became a disaster when the second day, the two boats, which had been specially sent from Jakarta, had been cut with knives! Apparently, some people involved in forestry is not believed that we had only been surfing the 'Bono', and thought they were making comments to Greenpeace.<br />
Only one of the two Zodiacs could be repaired properly. The ground wood was arrested on 3 to go to meet the waves 'Bono' of five heavy guys!<br />
<br />
Fortunately, we were sitting in one of the best tropical woods in the world!<br />
Anyway, we could go to the tidal waves, and teach some places to surf with the stand-ups, instead of local boats, canoes known as Sampan or Perahu. And remember, you're only 6 to 8 feet, local pilots say the boats in the winter 'bono' is large and can reach 12 to 15 feet tall!<br />
<br />
Cheers ...<br />
<br />
Antony "Yep" ColasGrowling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-36847093498017643002010-12-06T15:21:00.000-08:002010-12-06T15:23:59.239-08:00Old school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TP1rjit-c2I/AAAAAAAABhc/1s1c7m1O66k/s1600/gregnollfig8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TP1rjit-c2I/AAAAAAAABhc/1s1c7m1O66k/s400/gregnollfig8.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>On Sunday when we went to check the surf conditions and chose not to go in but to watch the rather large numbers scrabbling for a poor selection of waves. One of the horde stuck out as he was having a hell of a time getting on to any of the waves even though he was riding a blue longboard. Until the set wave of the day came through and he got a most satisfying ride I would think considering the conditions although the board seemed slow considering the size and power of the wave?<br />
Yesterday, I discovered why from the rider himself, a visitor from Crescent Head, whilst preparing for another session on the longboard he had found discarded on the verge whilst in Perth. After checking with various house owners to ensure he was not going to be stealing it he found himself in possession of a board shaped in 1962 with an old style and quite small wedge fin. Normally a shortboard rider he had found he could not stop himself choosing the longboard instead.<br />
I got a chance to check it out, unfortunately I did not have a camera on my person, but it is very much the same shape as the Greg Noll board in the pic but not quite as pretty. Overall it is quite narrow with all the meat in the board is at the back end and a long thin nose section. Rocker you ask? Nuh not really!<br />
In the end I joined him for a fun session with a handful of others in better than it looked conditions on my <a href="http://ridersofwaves.blogspot.com/2010/04/quiver-now-complete.html">new school old school 10' single fin</a> shaped by local icon Warren (check out my new shoulders!) Thompson.Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-3747943008871308452010-12-04T18:48:00.000-08:002011-05-03T17:03:23.814-07:00Want a lesson on the pop up............. and a few other beautiful things?<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xfu9hd?theme=none&wmode=transparent"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xfu9hd_alaia-rob-machado_sport" target="_blank">Alaia Rob Machado</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Riders-Match" target="_blank">Riders-Match</a></i>.Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-23084330221304364592010-11-25T21:28:00.000-08:002010-11-25T21:28:01.611-08:00Surf Sister charging!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TO9FOw4GqSI/AAAAAAAABg0/4uoa4y52dXM/s1600/Wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TO9FOw4GqSI/AAAAAAAABg0/4uoa4y52dXM/s400/Wed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On a great looking wave! Cowabunga!Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-49682609373479356462010-11-11T15:30:00.000-08:002010-11-11T15:30:50.555-08:00Good Company!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TNx8gPB7LsI/AAAAAAAABf8/FBwY1ubU9Xk/s1600/delfin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TNx8gPB7LsI/AAAAAAAABf8/FBwY1ubU9Xk/s400/delfin1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday we had the privilege of a pod of dolphins surfing with us for a good 40 minutes or so. I had up to six at a time flying along underneath me and then 2 or 3 would escort me back out to the peak dodging each other as they darted around in front of my longboard. There were quite a number of juveniles and they were in a playful and inquisitive mood leaping out of the water right next to me and breaching close by to have a good look too. Just wonderful particularly as it was just Michelle and myself out enjoying some little peeling rights in front of the clubhouse. Unfortunately, the up beat mood of the session was marred as Michelle has re-injured her foot in exactly the same way again and is back on crutches. She is very down on herself for being a very <a href="http://michellefrantom.blogspot.com/2010/11/playing-with-dolphins.html">slow learner</a>!Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434699386617884868.post-25396202058215668882010-10-25T22:00:00.000-07:002010-10-26T15:02:41.438-07:00Walking the board!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TMZbKDWKbuI/AAAAAAAABfQ/5dEo53qSOaA/s1600/pro-longboard-winner-kamu-auwae-kazsanocom-_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-BN7k_uVmko/TMZbKDWKbuI/AAAAAAAABfQ/5dEo53qSOaA/s400/pro-longboard-winner-kamu-auwae-kazsanocom-_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I have had the longboard out a fair bit lately due to a lack of swell mainly. As I mentioned in a previous <a href="http://ridersofwaves.blogspot.com/2010/10/better-longboarder.html">post</a>, I believe that my matting experience has quite markedly resulted in an improvement in my stand up board riding skills. For example, just in the last couple of sessions, I have pulled off some cranking bottom turns that I cannot remember having been able to complete so readily before and damn I am nailing the take off staying in the top of the wave, with plenty of time to leap gracefully (Ahem) to my feet more than I used to also. <br />
Anyway, brimming with confidence, I have now started work on learning to properly cross step up and down the board rather than shuffling in my usual ungainly fashion. Ummm and it is not as easy as it looks. When I first tried it I just attempted to walk up the board as one normally does and it was straight off the side I tumbled. Then I realised that I had to maintain the angle of my feet, in particular, the starting foot, being the right as I stand normally. I have a long way to go, particularly in actually remembering to do it, but I am encouraged by my progress so far.Growling Geckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.com1