Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro... Game On!

The swell cranked up yesterday and today sees the first round of the men's WCT competition! Surf today is "6' Hawaiian, 8' Australian, and 12' Californian" as the announcer pointed out. It is big and burley with a lot of side-on shore wind making for challenging conditions. To surf well in these conditions takes the utmost physical fitness and it's obvious the touring elite are in great shape. Tough paddle out and large bumpy walls to negotiate -- and they're ripping it! It's great fun to watch them surf in these conditions. Check out,
http://www.ripcurl.com/ for all the coverage.


(A very focussed and fit Mick Fanning headed out for his first heat. Photo: Hank Ten)

Surf Stronger at 2nd Annual Surfer's Fitness Forum

The Surf Stronger team, featuring Scott Adams and Todd Walsh, will be out at the 2nd Annual Surfer's Fitness Forum Saturday March 29, 2008 in Redondo Beach. The team will be leading a hands-on, dynamic talk on Core Training for surfers. You will learn some valuable new exercises that will help you take your surfing to the next level by way of better core strength! Also on hand will be Peggy and David Hall of Yoga For Surfers fame, as well as Rocky Snyder, author of Fit to Surf and Fit to Ski & Snowboard.

If you are interested in how you can get in better shape to take your surfing to the next level you won't want to miss this awesome event. It's free and open to the public and is located a the fabulous Riviera Fitness Club in Redondo Beach. Hope to see you there!

Details:
Riviera Fitness Club (www.rivfit.com)
Saturday March 29,08 10:00am to 12:30 pm
1650 Pacific Coast Hwy. Redondo Beach, CA
310-316-5000


(Surf Stronger's Serena Brooke demonstrating a great core exercise. Photo: Holly Horn)

Noosa Festival of Surfing ... It's All Good

Noosa Heads, Australia is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. White sand beaches, a groovy (if ritzy) town, and cobblestone point after point after point. Set in a sub-tropical rainforest, it's lush and green. No wonder surfers have grown to love the place.

The 16th annual Noosa Festival of Surfing rocked this week! Longboards, stand ups, tandems, surf ski races ... music, food, drink. The waves were small, but that didn't deter competitors or the overall vibe of the event. It was all here and one of the coolest surf festivals around. Look for a Surf Stronger video take on the event in the future. Meanwhile you can get the full skinny here.

Surf Stronger Down Under!

We are stoked to announce Surf Stronger staffers will be in one of our favorite countries in the world in March -- Australia! We'll be attending a couple huge surfing events -- starting off at the famous Noosa Festival of Surfing and then proceeding to the Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro. If you see us running around in our Surf Stronger t-shirts, or out in the water, definitely say hello (er, G'day!).

Sliding Liberia

At the risk of becoming a surf movie review web site, we have another great film recommendation: Sliding Liberia, a story of war, peace and surfing. Indeed, this is definitely a little different take on your typical surf film! Sliding Liberia follows four young surfers to Liberia in search of more than perfect waves. They "risk it all" and along the way document the people and land of this war torn country. Shot in 16 mm film this looks to be an interesting film.

Sunday, 2/10 Victoria Theater, San Francisco, 7:15 PM

Rainy Day Blues? Work It Out.

In California, the rainiest months tend to be January and February. While the rain (or snow!) can get you down and keep you out of the surf, you can always do some surf-specific training so you are ready the next time it's firing.

Check out this great rainy day workout by Coach Scott.

Stay healthy. See you in the water.

Save Trestles. The Time is Now!

One of California's finest waves is at great peril. A proposed toll road in Southern Cal greatly threatans a perfect wave as well as precious coastal open space and water quality and the time to act is now! From The Surfrider Foundation:

On Wednesday, February 6, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) will hear the application for the Foothill-South toll road that will run through San Onofre State Park.

Join hundreds (if not thousands) of Surfrider Foundation activists and other opponents of the toll road for a rally at the CCC hearing. Come help us send a clear message that our State Parks and open spaces deserve saving!

This is literally THE most important hearing in regards to protecting Trestles and San Onofre State Park. We need an enormous crowd to attend. Please help spread the word to all your family and friends in Southern California .

The Surfrider Foundation and partners are renting buses and organizing carpools in San Clemente and San Diego . We are also providing lunch, tee shirts, and posters/sign for all supporters. Surfrider has it all organized—you just need to show up.

If you have questions about the hearing, or are interested in organized transportation, email Stefanie Sekich at: SSekich@surfrider.org, or see
http://surfrider.org/