Wax Buddy

Made from 100% recycled materials, the Wax Buddy is a $3 wax remover manufactured by the Endless Wave surf shop in Newport, Rhode Island. After "years of experience using everything from credit cards, to kitchen spatulas," they believe they've developed the perfect tool for removing old wax.

Day Trip

Thankfully, after a rather eventful Saturday morning, what we needed most was only two hours away. We packed our shit in a hurry, ferried across and soon found ourselves paddling into waist high lefts. It's been a long week, with Tim in the hospital following his fight with a semi-truck, and a day trip was just what we needed. It could have been better, but it can always be better. Water was pretty cold. Little to no wind. An older gentleman on a SUP showed up with his wife and kid. He caught a few small waves on the inside, but aside from him we had the place to ourselves. Snapped this photo shortly after before I peeled off my wetsuit.

COMING OF AGELESS

COMING OF AGELESS is an "ongoing Volcom surf web series with the potential to be whatever it wants to be without a schedule." Sort of like Hi-Shredability without all the bullshit. Interesting to watch Alex Knost surf a short board, though. More videos are available here.

Back In The Water

My friend and fellow surfer, Tim Nelson, was struck by a semi-truck while running to work Monday morning. Tim resides in West Seattle and in an attempt to avoid the congestion brought on by the closure of the Viaduct, Tim decided he'd rather get a little exercise and simultaneously reduce the number of cars on the road, than drive his truck to work.

Tim is currently in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center. His back was broken, as well as his right shoulder, right arm and a few ribs. His skull is fractured, a lung punctured and his spleen lacerated. His injuries are severe, but his spirits are high.

We will be hosting an event at The Capitol Club on Friday, November 11th to raise money for Tim's financial recovery. In addition to raffle tickets and a silent auction, our friends from Stoke Harvester are working on a limited edition sticker that we will be selling in hopes of garnering additional funds. All of the proceeds from the event will go directly to Tim.

A vibrant member of our surf community, we'd like to see Tim back in the water as soon as possible.

Any support you're able to provide is greatly appreciated.

Click here for additional information.

Absent Minded

At times I feel as though I can't keep my mind from wandering. Scribbling notes, moving from subject to subject, unable to relax. It's terrible, really. That said, and without trying to sound like a some sort of neo-hippie, searching for life's meaning in ocean swells, the only time I am able to enter a meditative state, one absent of thought, or distraction, is when I am surfing. When I absent-mindedly paddle for that approaching left, move my body from prone to erect, turn my board, step toward the nose. Those are the moments that I meditate, where my mind no longer wanders.

So, after a rather exhausting week, I was in desperate need of salt water. We awoke early on Sunday, caught the first ferry and headed for the straights. When we pulled up to Twin the tide was all the way in, farther than I have seen it in the past. There were two people in the water, each struggling to get into the foot high swells. We waited, watching the water, hoping that what we were looking at was only a lull. As one of the guys paddled to shore, a trio of waist high lefts appeared. That's all it took. I suited up and paddled out.

The first few were small, but fun. The swell direction was inconsistent, however as the tide receded the size increased. They were weak, though. I had to crouch, knees to chest, on nearly every wave. But I had the place to myself, so why complain. After four hours and countless waves, I was exhausted. We packed up and headed for the ferry just as gray clouds wandered from the west.

Click here for a few more photos.

Moonstone Beach

I've been away from the water for a few weeks now. Following last weekend's Shelton Valley Adventure & Dual-Sport Ride, I was asked to attend the Horizons Unlimited 'Travelers Meeting' in Cambria, California. Short notice, we packed up the van and headed south. After two days of driving, we found ourselves in sunny Santa Cruz. Stopped by Zero Motorcycles to test ride the latest electric bikes, then proceeded further south towards the small coastal town of Cambria. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say we sat in a booth for three days discussing motorcycle bits and fending off beardos. No fun. We did, however, wander down to Moonstone Beach for a few minutes. And while the swells were well overhead and the rip so serious that signs were posted about the beach suggesting you not swim, let alone surf, it was nice to stand knee deep in the Pacific, if only for a moment.

RITRATTI DI SURF

Trailer for a forthcoming surf film shot in Sri Lanka.

Saltwater Buddha

I recently purchased a copy of Jaimal Yogis' Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer's Quest to Find Zen on the Sea. But before I could begin reading it, my fiance picked it up and has yet to put it down. So this isn't a book review, more of a book mention. I'd ask Karissa to write the review, but that might take a while ;) Anyhow, I promise to read and review the book at my earliest convenience. Scout's honor.

For The Win

Day trips are terrible. They leave you yearning for more, desperate for another ride, another wave, another left. Wholly satisfied yet completely disappointed upon returning to your suburban dwelling. On Saturday, after one too many cocktails the night prior, Karissa and I struggled out of bed, loaded the car and headed for the ferry. We arrived at low tide, the swells shoulder high. There were a handful of people in the water; an old dude on a SUP, our friend Gabe, a general contractor from Sequim and three kooks on the inside. Karissa had the first wave, a waist high left that brought her all the way back to the beach. I had my fair share. Most memorable of which was a head high left where I found myself crouched, knees to chest, feet firmly planted on the nose of my Becker. Made my day.