Check out Shredda’s new fin configuration. The company claims to use 100% recycled materials and that the cost is under $100 (presumably AUS). They also make the claim that their new steering system “has increased the speed ,stability and turning ability by at least 20%….”

Read more about it at http://www.shredda.com

The California Coast State Waters Mapping Project aims to map the seafloor off California’s coast. They recently released data that illustrates the seafloor surrounding Mavericks. Visit http://www.mbnms-simon.org to read all about it and check out some cool images and this cool video.

Pororoca is a bore in the Amazon river that could be the world’s longest natural wave.

“Twice a year, between the months of February and March, the Atlantic Ocean waters roll up the Amazon river, in Brazil, generating the longest wave on the Earth. The phenomenon, known as the Pororoca, is caused by the tides of the Atlantic Ocean wich meet the mouth of the river. This tidal bore generates waves up to 12 feet high which can last for over half an hour.”

Check out this great post on Fogonazos. It’s got some great pics, video and links.
Thanks, Fogonazos!

These mice sure can rip. Watch them pull off some sweet floaters . . . one even scores a nice cover-up.

You gotta throw these guys a big shaka for a) coming up with the idea to make a video of mice surfing waves and 2) following through on the idea.

There’s some debate as to whether this video is real or not. Just check out the comments on any of the numerous sites that’s streaming the video. Regardless, I think the concept is pretty cool. Kids, my guess is that you should not try this at home.

Here’s a link to the second half of the video.

A study funded by the EMF seeks to quantify the health risks associated with surfing. After looking at the number and severity of injuries involved with 32 pro and amateur surfing contests worldwide, the researchers (some of whom are trained physicians) published a report stating that competitive surfing is safer than collegiate soccer or basketball.

To say that surfing (in general) is safer than soccer is total bullsiht. To be fair, though, the study does recognize the fact that contest surfing is much more controlled and generally safer than amateur surfing. In the past I’ve made it clear that I am not a doctor, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this study is far from being comprehensive. If they want a clear picture of the health risks associated with surfing, they should look to hospitals and life guards for data on the injuries that they treat. And while they’re at it, why not talk to these guys and count up all the illnesses that result from surfing in poopy water.

Here’s an article that covers the report.

Thanks, Starling Fitness

Here’s a little video of Ryan Bracker (San Diego) ripping it up in the Mentawai last summer.

One time when I was a kid I got smacked upside the head for asking if I could build the world’s largest water park 300 meters from a natural beach. Well, as it turns out maybe it wasn’t such a crazy idea after all.

Located in Miyazaki, Japan the Ocean Dome measures 300 meters long, 100 meters wide and the temperature is around 30C. The surf kicks up every hour for a few minutes just after the volcano erupts. The entrance fee is around $24.

Here’s a link to more pics http://www.alltraveltips.com/oceandome.html

Judging surfing competitions is going to be a little bit easier in 2007 as the ASP tour is embracing video replay technology. ASP president Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew explains,

“As a result of the performance standards being raised, judges at top tour events are forever facing increasing pressure to be 100 per cent accurate in the delivery of scores and results,” he said. “For this reason, for the first time ever in the sport, ASP will be introducing instant replays via personal monitors for each individual judge so they can access previous waves and further scrutinize over wave scores….It will aid the guys in judging when two competitors are riding or when something is critical…”

I think this is a good move for the ASP.  Having a scoring system that is more accurate and reliable can only make the sport more attractive to spectators.