The Aquatic Almond

I was recently introduced to Almond Surfboards, "a collaborative effort of friends who enjoy making things the old fashioned way." In addition to their (relatively) small shop in So-Cal, the guys at Almond shape a variety of surfboards, to include the one featured in this film, the Aquatic Almond.

In this video you'll see Cyrus Sutton take his Aquatic Almond to Malibu to test the log on some backside peelers. According to their website, "this is the board we developed with Cyrus Sutton for surfing Cardiff Reef. The outline is extra wide for stability and planning through sections. This pintail has a slightly tucked rail for lively turns. Step in the deck to keep it lean and mean on the nose."

Along with a website, Almond Surfboards maintains a lively blog and online store.

Bible School

Short video featuring So-Cal native Jared Mell that was filmed and focused by Nat Lanyon.

Rez Dogs & Razor Fins

Rough weekend. Picked up Karissa's 9' Stewart from The Stoke Mender on Friday and headed west. Weather report looked ominous. Rolled into the 'Buck around 11pm, pitched our tent and passed out. Our friend Tim had driven out to join us and we found him sleeping in the bed of his truck the following morning. Coffee from the Cedar Shack before our first session. Rain clouds looming in the distance. By noon the sky was dark gray and the rain was coming down steadily. Swells were pushing in from the NW, with little to no wind. Ugly weather, beautiful surf.

Come Hell or High Water

Come Hell of High Water is Patagonia surf ambassador Keith Malloy's forthcoming film about bodysurfing. The film is being produced by Woodshed Films, the same people responsible for 180˚ South and Thomas Campbell's infamous flick, Sprout.

"It's about taking a breath, and kicking your feet, in the big blue sea, come hell or high water."

Mustache Man & The Stoke Douches

Say hello to Mustache Man & The Stoke Douches. It's a long story, but suffice it to say these five friends were more interested in looking the part than actually participating. "You ready to get wet!"

On that note, while browsing the internet last night my girlfriend came across a rather interesting article written by a gentleman named Thomas Mitchell.

The Seven Levels of Surfers is "a spiritual and satirical guide adopted to surfing," in which Mitchell describes, in detail, seven very different surfing personalities, from the "Soul Surfer" to the soulless "QuiverBaiter." An enjoyable read for anyone familiar with the tribe.

Young Men Dead

What I've been listening to lately.

Grain Surfboards

Grain Surfboards began in the basement of a home just minutes from York Beach, Maine. Combining his love of board sports with a passion for traditional boat-building techniques, Mike LaVecchia began creating one-off wooden surfboards and has since turned Grain Surfboards into a full-fledged board maker, "known for innovative techniques, classic designs and ground-breaking products."

I am particularly fond of their 10' Waterlog, a traditional squash tail noserider that weighs only 23lbs.

Click here for additional information.

Rogue Gathering

The 9th annual Rogue Gathering, a longboard surf contest sponsored by Rogue Ales, will take place September 10th & 11th in Newport, OR. The contest begins at 8am on both Saturday and Sunday. Check-in will held at the Rogue Brewery (below the Yaquina Bay Bridge at the Port of Newport’s South Beach Marina) from 6-8 pm on Friday evening, September 10th. Deadline for registration is August 31st.

Click here for additional info and registration details.

Subway Surfers

Produced by Chris Shashaty, Subway Surfers looks at those who are bound to the coast by trains, tunnels and other underground tubes. "Because we can't all walk to the beach."

It's crazy, the things we'll do in order to go surfing...

For better, for worse

Our friend William Cameron just posted this video to our Facebook page. Produced by Romain Juchereau and filmed in both France and Cornwall, For better, for worse tells the story of three couples who have changed their lives in order to pursue their passion for surfing.

To purchase a copy of the film, click here.

Seventeen Seconds

When I checked the report before leaving town on Friday, a few of the sites were reporting one foot swells with seventeen second intervals. But when we woke up on Saturday morning, the waves were well overhead, aided by offshore winds. Build it did. Seventeen seconds and a sandbar. We paddled out for an awesome little left that was breaking at the north end of the beach, while a few of our friends with short boards took advantage of the bigger swells to the south.

Surf Wagon: 4x4 Toyota Van

Spotted this thing at First Beach. Had more character than I could count. Four-wheel drive, knobby tires, shag carpet, "two-tone" paint job and plenty of rust. A perfect surf wagon.