Greg Huglin was so fascinated by the dolphin’s antics that he made it an obsession to film and photograph them.  The result are some photos and video clips that are simply stunning to behold.

Image: Greg Huglin / greghuglin.com

Check out this article over at DailyMail.co.uk for more images, and check out Greg’s Website.

Greg has just released a short film called Surfing Dolphins.  You can buy the movie from TheSurfNetwork.com, and it will soon be available from Amazon.

Surfing Dolphins Movie Poster

Related posts:

1. The Drifter
2. Tres Palmas – Surfing Wallpaper

Taylor Steele is pushing the envelope once again.  His latest brainchild is a video contest where viewers will vote for the top 20 sections submitted to his innersecion.tv website.  While the idea itself is not revolutionary, I believe this is the first time something like this has been done in the surf industry – at least on such a large scale.  The overall winner scores $100,000.

The rad thing about this contest is that anyone can enter.  Rules on the site  mandate that entries and surfing must not be mechanically assisted.  That means no jetskis, chopper drops, or green screens.  This is paddle in freesurfing at its best.

I also like the fact that Poor Specimen is going to cover the cost of getting the rights to the music that contestants use in their clips.  This means you can have fun and search out some new music (nothing too mainstream that’s going to cost $50,000 for rights).

I’m totally stoked to see this progress.  What you’re gonna get is a showcase for some fresh filming talent – this will be like 20 cool short films in one, so you’re not gonna get bored midway through the finished product.  For example, check out one of the newer filmmakers that was mentioned on the site: Victor Pakpour (http://victorpakpour.blogspot.com/)

This is a great idea and I’ll be following it closely.  I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Steele briefly at the Encinitas premiere of The Drifter.  He was incredibly nice and took the time to chat with fans, which only increased my respect for him.

Check out:

innersecton.tv

Related posts:

1. The Drifter

In a slight break from our usual topic of surfing, and in honor of the Winter Olympics, I’ve decided to give a little mini report on the snow this winter.  A lot of surfers I know also like to snowboard or ski.  It never hurts to change it up a little!  In fact, riding in powder on a snowboard feels quite a bit like surfing.  If the cold water’s got you down and you’re looking to hit the road for some of the white stuff, then let’s take a look at some favorite spots.

My snow travels this year have focused on mainly the west coast of North America, from the local hills in California to the grand vistas of Whistler Blackcomb.

If you live in the area you know it’s been a stellar year for snowfall, and it can only get better.

Mt. Baldy, CA

Mt. Baldy is a local favorite, and an often under appreciated member of the local hills within reasonable striking distance of the major Southern California area.  Me and a friend set out for Baldy at the tail end of the 10-year storm that hit Southern California in a series of soaking wet punches.  Thanks to the elevation all that rain came as snow for the local mountains like Baldy, Bear, Mt. High, and others.

I can only describe Baldy as quaint.  It has a very small parking lot and 4 two person chair lifts.  When we got there it was snowing quite a bit, and the Baldy staff was a little overwhelmed with the crowds and trying to dig out the chairs.

The runs on Baldy are steep and full of natural features and obstacles–it’s a cool natural terrain park.  Unfortunately it was snowing so hard when we got there that it was nearly impossible to see where we were going, let alone the surroundings.   Visibility got so bad we had to cut our stay short – that and the fact that the chair lifts were constantly stopping (not sure why, but they were covered in about 1″ of solid ice so that might explain it).

If you’re heading up to Baldy be sure to pack chains unless told otherwise.  The road up to the top is a narrow switchback which can get very slick.

I’d like to head back to Baldy for sure when I can actually see something!  I also heard that the Baldy backcountry is one of its secret charms.

Don’t Forget Your: Woodsman’s Axe, Flannel Shirt, Goggles

Check Out:

http://www.mtbaldy.com

Mt. High

Mt. High is a bit easier to get to than Mt. Baldy, and is also bigger.  It also gets a bit more crowded I think.  The crowd is a bit different, consisting of a more punk/shred crowd in general.  This is probably because of the very popular terrain parks that are kept in very good quality by the crew.

Mt. High has three “resorts” in total – West, East, and North.

If you’d rather just cruise I highly recommend the East resort.  They have one run called Goldrush which is over a mile long.  However, Mt. High has installed jumps on this run recently, which to me reduces its charm as a place to escape from the park-heads at the West resort.  Although I haven’t been to the North resort yet, but although a bit smaller I think that it probably has the least crowds and I don’t believe there are any jumps or park features.

Come here after a local snow and enjoy the pow.  Unfortunately Mt. High can get hardpacked pretty quickly due to the crowds and the warm temps.  You can get away with wearing a long sleeve shirt at Mt. High during the day – the sun is very strong.

Don’t forget your: Sunblock, Ipod, Beer Cooler, Baggy Neon Pants

Check Out:

http://www.mthigh.com

Mammoth Mountain

One of California’s crown jewels in terms of mountain resorts, Mammoth is a true pleasure.  I think I was a little spoiled when I went here for the first time last weekend.  We had over 2′ of fresh powder over two days, and there was very little wind.  According to my friends it can get pretty windy at Mammoth, but the fact is that when it snows there it tends to do so in large quantities.

Mammoth is big, and even on weekends it doesn’t get too crowded.  I only had to really wait on the lift line once, and that was because the lunch crowd was done eating and decided it was time to get back on the hill.

What was amazingly fun about Mammoth was the intermediate level tree runs we found.  Not too dense, but just challenging enough to be super fun.  With the 2′ of pow it was like a dream.  After each run we were hooting with delight.  If you’re just starting to get into trees I highly recommend checking out chair 25.  Even after 2 full days we were able to find hidden caches of untouched pow.

If you’re looking for a place to stay check out the Sierra Lodge.  Great prices, spacious rooms, very friendly and helpful staff, and a hot tub on the roof.  I think the conversations in the hot tub were one of the highlights of the trip, as a friendly group of older men challenged my group of female friends with the question of whether or not they pee in the shower.  According to them either you do, or you lie about it (just like wetsuits).  We begged to differ!  I think guys are a bit different in this respect, although one of my girlfriends insisted that she did.

Anyway, carry chains with you to Mammoth.  You can find good lift ticket deals at Costco if you’re going for a few days.  Buying multiple days on the internet will save you a few bucks, but if you’re anything like us and don’t roll in until 5 in the morning after driving all night, then you might want to hold off in case you only board a half day.

Don’t Forget Your:  Powder Board, Friends, Snacks For The Car Ride, Sinkhole Detectors

Check Out:

http://www.mammothmountain.com

Whistler Blackcomb

Everyone has to do Whistler at least once in their life if they are a big time skiier/snowboarder.  It’s just so big.  For the average skiier or snowboarder it could take 30-40 minutes to get from the peak to the base.  The views are breathtaking, and the Peak2Peak Gondola is a real life Disney ride.

Whistler and Vancouver are playing host to the Olympics this year, but don’t let that scare you away (except during the Olympics).  We went over New Year’s and although it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday, after the weekend the mountain was practically vacant.  Go for a midweek jaunt and I think you’ll have a blast.

Winter Wonderland - Blackcomb Glacier

Although the local Vancouver mountain Cypress is having trouble getting enough snow for the Olympics this year, November was officially the snowiest month ever recorded for Whistler Blackcomb.  My friends and I were lucky enough to arrive right before it dumped a foot and a half of snow, so conditions were pretty mint.

Our best runs were in 7th Heaven, which is a wide open bowl with copses of trees to challenge you.  It’s a wide open powder playground when it’s on.  Another great place to head off track is the Symphony Amphitheater, where you can also find some challenging powder and tree runs.

Losing your friends on this mountain is a pretty real concern, so make sure you stick with your buds and carry phones/walkies.  Also, going out of bounds here can have lethal consequences, so make wise choices and stick with the buddy system.

Whistler has some fun nightlife, so for Apres check out Longhorn and Garibaldi Lift Co for drinks, then Maxx Fish and Tommy Africa’s 80’s Night for some dancing.  Watch out for creepy gropers and slimy old guys.

Remember: US Citizens now need a Passport to enter Canada, so take that into consideration.

Don’t Forget Your: GPS Unit, Walkie Talkies, Dancing Shoes, Passport

Check out:

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Related posts:

1. Peniche, Portugal – Surf Travel Report
2. Surf Travel Report – Saladita, Mexico
3. Rincon, Puerto Rico – Surf Travel Report

Front Page Of SurfCoach.com

What surfer doesn’t want to improve their surfing?  Most surfers, however, don’t tend to seek out much training beyond the tip tricks featured in TransWorld Surf and Surfer.

If you’re looking to improve your surfing then the best thing you could probably do is to hire a surf coach to give you private lessons.  However, most people can’t really afford this or just don’t have the time to invest.  Perhaps the thought of a surf coach is just too much commitment.  However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get comparable instruction.  Enter SurfCoach.com, an attempt to fill in the gap and enable surfers to break through plateaus and perfect new skills and maneuvers.

Martin Dunn is the creator of SurfCoach.com, an online training center offering video tutorials and instruction on proper surf techniques and skills.  He was kind enough to give The Surfing Handbook a full access pass to check out the program.

The SurfCoach.com Video Library

SurfCoach.com has been around the internet for a while in various shapes and forms, but recently Martin has revamped the site into an “on demand” online video format and is putting new efforts into adding more content on a regular basis.  “You will see that the site is my attempt to really help surfers through the internet,” Says Martin.  “Two new movies are going up this month, and I hope to produced at least that number each month into the forseeable future. I reckon when I’m finished there should be 150+ movies on the site within the next 5 years.”

SurfCoach.com offers training material for all levels, from fresh beginner to advanced.

The beginner materials cover the basics of how to correctly paddle the surfboard, pop up, and catch green unbroken waves.  The video materials provide a good backdrop so newbies can visualize the skills they will need to master.

The meat of the course lies in the power moves section, where Martin goes over basic and advanced maneuvers on the wave such as the cutback, forehand and backhand re-entries, correct bottom turns,  finish maneuvers, floaters and snaps.

Whiteboard Training Video

The coaching doesn’t just stop at the surfing videos, however.  Martin offers a whiteboard training video for each main maneuver with tips on how to apply what you heard and saw in the surfing clip.  For example, in the whiteboard video on speed creation, Martin highlights some incorrect techniques and habits that many surfers tend to fall into.  Martin also offers tips on how to practice specific techniques on land using a longboard skateboard.  Using a longboard skateboard is a great way to get in the necessary repetitions that are required to get a skill into your muscle memory and erase bad habits.

Also included with each major maneuver is a “training card,” which is basically a color PDF printout that you can take with you on your surfs so that you can make a quick review before you paddle out.  These are pretty helpful tools to remind yourself of key points.

Example of one of the training cards

“I have a lot of experience and IP that surfers will find useful,” says Martin. “It isn’t just a matter of presenting to surfers how surfing should be done, but also ways to create change in their performances. Hence the movies on staying focused, writing notes on the surfboard, and using a skateboard to simulate the actions. By having an understanding of correct technique or decision making skills, correction strategies, and coupled with a surfer’s desire to improve, performance can be improved.”

“Most surfers reach a plateau quickly in their performances, and their solution is to surf more and/or buy new equipment. But the reality is that flawed technique is usually the issue. fix the technique, and better performances and with that more confidence results.”

In my opinion, SurfCoach.com is one of the best training materials available to help surfers get off their “plateau” and get back on the road to improving their skills.  In checking out Martin’s videos and applying them to my own surfing I’ve already noticed an improvement.  I have started small, which is important according to Martin.  If you try to do too much at once – such as watch three skill videos and attempt to apply them all in one session – you’ll get frustrated.

So, I started at square one, which is the speed creation video.  In the past five or so sessions I’ve just been focusing on throwing my arms to create forward momentum down the line.  I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my speed as well as my confidence in propelling myself down the line.  I used to tend to just point the nose of my board and hope for the best, but now I’ve noticed that I have more control and purpose when I take off.  I’m also slowly getting rid of the “huntington hop” (bouncing up and down spastically) that I would try to use to get speed, replacing it with a much more controlled rail to rail acceleration.

The videos on each maneuver are short, but you’ll find that you’re going to be watching them over and over to digest the skills shown.  Amazingly enough there are Regular and Goofy versions of the videos for most maneuvers.  The videos are excellent – the level of surfing is very high, and they illustrate perfectly the technique that you’re trying to adapt.  One of the biggest problems I have with surfing tips and how-to’s for advanced maneuvers (especially from magazines) is that the writer simply cannot convey the body mechanics necessary in words.  Even a picture is not enough.  You really need to watch a surfer performing a maneuver in order to really “get it.”  Maybe that’s just me and my learning style, but I have a feeling most people are the same.  It can be pretty hard to try to read a description of a move and picture it in your head well enough to “mind surf” it out and rehearse it in your head.

For competitors there is an entire section on competition training.  Lessons here include wave selection, positioning, strategic thinking, and more.  This is a must for anyone looking to really accelerate in contests.

One package includes special videos for your ipod or iphone, which are basically like the training cards in electronic form.  I liked this little feature, although it would be nice to see it divided up into smaller videos for easier access to the beginning of each technique.  It’s good to have, though, and to watch quickly before paddling out.

Overall I think that SurfCoach.com is an excellent tool for improving your surfing.  Aside from having your own personal coach, it’s probably one of if not the best surfing instructional tool I have come across.  Martin plans to be able to incorporate video analysis in the near future as well, so surfers can upload video of themselves and have Martin critique them.

The only downside I see here is the price, which might be a bit high for many people.  However, if you’re looking for quality material and you can afford it, I highly recommend SurfCoach.com.

Head over to the website to check out some great training videos that are available for free!  The free videos alone are excellent tools.

Check Out:  SurfCoach.com

No related posts.

I was in the middle of my cross-country move to Southern California when I called up my friend Meghan just to check in and see how she was doing.  Somehow the conversation turned to surfing (as it usually does) and she told me that she and our two other girlfriends were heading to Saladita, Mexico in a few weeks, just after New Year’s.  She said they already had a place and a car rented, and if I wanted to come that all I had to do was buy a ticket to and they’d pick me up at the airport.

It was kind of a lot to chew for me.  I was already in the middle of a cross country move that was going to take quite a while (with a stopover in Michigan for Christmas with the family).  The travel dates would only let me settle into my apartment San Diego for about 4 days before I’d have to get on the plane.  I was also apprehensive about going to Mexico.  After some thinking, however, I decided to go.  I mean honestly, how many times do you get an offer like this?  “Hey girl we’ve got everything planned out and booked, all you gotta do is get here and we’ll even pick you up!”  Uh, like never.  So I decided to carpe diem and bought myself an early Christmas gift via CheapTickets.com.

Playa La Saladita

I had never been to Mexico – all I had heard were some scattered stories about great waves and scary Federales.  “The waves are awesome but don’t drive around after dark.”  I called and emailed some friends who had been there and they all gave me the thumbs up.  Where I was going – Playa Saladita – was quite far south in southern mainland Mexico.  I should be cautious, but since the surf and beach area of Playa Saladita is pretty much owned and run by a single extended family it is actually fairly safe.  To quote my friend Dave, “It’s not about them stealing your stuff.”

Since a lot of my friends had been there and thoroughly enjoyed themselves I became a lot more relaxed.  I have to admit, even though I did take a solo surf trip to Puerto Rico I’m not one of those Lonely Planet travel types.  I think I have to blame my mom for that one, who blatantly told me “Just don’t go to Mexico” when I decided to move to San Diego.  To her credit though, when I announced this trip she remained composed.

I flew Alaska airlines out of LAX, which had the cheapest fare for the dates I wanted.  On top of that, Alaska only charges $50 per way for a surfboard (this may change at any time, unfortunately, so please contact the airline to check on current baggage fees.)  The flight was easy and I arrived in Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo airport along with a bunch of other American tourists who were gearing up for resorts and cruises.

My Friend's Rental Car

Meanwhile my friends picked me up in the most beat up rental car you’ve ever seen in your life.  We speculated that the rental guy just gave us his personal car for the week.  We headed into the countryside, stopping briefly to pick up food for the week.  It was about an hour drive through the narrow roads, stopping twice for an armed military checkpoint.  We were four gringo girls with a surfboard strapped to the roof, and my friends were torturing me by singing 80’s songs at the top of their lungs.

We stayed at the House of Waves, a complex of about five or six apartment style accommodations.  The one defining feature of House of Waves is that it has the best, most plush lawn within 100 miles.  There are several other surfer oriented places to stay along the 500 yard stretch of beach, including several restaurants.  Our apartment featured two bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, a balcony with a perfect view of the break, and a kitchen where we were able to make a few meals.

Sunset At Playa Saladita

So how about the waves?  Well, unfortunately I was arriving at the tail end of a swell, and the surf heights were less than desirable.  However, the ruler perfect lines were still spectacular.  Saladita is a left point, well known for its perfection for a longboard.  You have to see it to really appreciate the precision with which the lip cascades down the line at an even pace.  I rode my quad fish (the Faktion quadzilla model shaped by local Long Island, NY shaper Mark Petrocelli) and had a great time even when the waves dropped below thigh high by the end of the trip.  This area is the frequent stomping ground of popular author and longboarder Alan Weisbecker (In Search Of Captain Zero).  Us being from the same town on Eastern Long Island and sharing mutual friends, we had a few meals and debates, and he showed us early clips from his surf movie.

One thing that was really remarkable about the area was the amount of pelicans inhabiting the area.  Maybe it’s their Winter nesting ground.  It’s pretty cool to see a line of 15 pelicans following each other, swooping low to catch the updraft created by a rolling line of swell.  Pelicans are surfers too – they just ride the air above the wave rather than the water itself.  It’s pretty fun to see.  We also saw a few dolphins, but not many.  We were feeling a little sharky since this was directly after the two deadly shark attacks that had happened in the region – an event that is pretty rare for the area.

Midway through the trip we decided to check out a spot further north up the coast.  It was about 40 minutes by car.  I’m really hesitant to reveal the name of the break here, and to preserve its integrity I’m not going to.  I’m sure with a little research you can find it yourself.  Basically another couple that was staying at the House of Waves gave us directions to the spot, written on a napkin.  The last group of turns took us to a long dirt road past a few extremely poor looking villages that continued on into the woods.  The last direction on the napkin was to “take the fork that looked more traveled”.  So here we were, four gringo girls in a beat up car with 4 surfboards strapped to the roof, driving deeper into the woods with no clear direction.  Every time the dirt road forked (and there were a lot of forks) we would sit and debate about which one looked more traveled.  I was more than a little nervous.

Somehow luck was with us and we made it through, arriving at the most beautiful setup you can imagine.  Picture lush palms, crystal clear water, and a rock reef point creating perfect left peelers.  There were a handful of surfers already out – a group from California we eventually ended up talking to and a couple from Oregon.

Hanging Out At The Secret Spot

Paddling out we were able to see stingrays and lots of colorful fish.  The water wasn’t Caribbean blue, but it was incredibly clear and full of life.  The waves weren’t huge, maybe waist – shoulder, and we got some amazing rides.  After surfing we sat down at a tiny little restaurant right there on the beach run by a grandma and her grandchildren. We sipped Coronas and watched our friends surf.  I had the absolute BEST shrimp tacos I’ve ever had in my life, and nothing I’ve had since has come close.  I would take a trip back here just for the food.  I couldn’t believe it – it was idyllic.

Another popular break in the area is Playa Sayulita, which is about 20 minutes south of Saladita.  It’s amazing how many international travelers were at the break.  We met people from Germany, Finland, and Canada, and everyone was incredibly friendly.

Our Other Friend's Rental Car, Overloaded With Boards

I’d go back to Saladita in an instant, in fact I believe one of my friends is there right now for a few weeks.  I might just hop on a plane and visit her!

Safety Tips:

• Travel in groups, especially women.  It’s fairly safe here but don’t be naïve.
• It’s not advisable to drive around after dark.
• Wear shoes on the beach – it can be littered with trash and fish bones.  The last thing you want is a cut on your foot.
• Fall flat in the surf – it’s a rock reef bottom and it’s sharp!
• Shuffle your feet in the sand!  Stingrays live here, and the intense pain suffered by our friends who was stung was scary enough.
• Lock valuables in your room.

Our Friend Soaking His Foot After A Stingray Got Him

Related posts:

1. Rincon, Puerto Rico – Surf Travel Report
2. Peniche, Portugal – Surf Travel Report
3. Snow Travel Report 2010

I’m a huge fan of Xcel wetsuits.  It seems like everyone has their own favorite wetsuit brands, but I reall find that Xcels are unbeatable in terms of warmth and flexibility.  I have quite a few friends who swear by Xcel as well.  The most important aspect of a wetsuit is how it fits you personally.  I find Xcels to fit me like a glove.  Your mileage may vary, of course, so it’s definitely recommended that you try on a few brands as they are all cut slightly differently.  For example, I find O’Neill suits are much too tight around my shoulders.

New for this winter is Xcel’s new Thermo-Bamboo interior that comes standard in the new versions of the Infiniti and Infiniti drylock models (mens and womens).  This replaces the signature yellow wooly material that used to line the chest area of the past Xcel suits.  The thermo bamboo material is made of “bamboo and charcoal infused recycled fibers” that resist moisture and retain your body heat.

This materal now lines not only the chest but the upper thigh region of the inside of the suit, which is great.  It does do a good job of resisting moisture – often after a short session much of that materal will still be dry even with the use of the standard Infiniti suit.  I’m sure this is even more true with the drylock models.  The materal doesn’t sop up the water, and it drys quite fast.

As far as resisting odor, time will tell–I’ve just started using the suit.

Xcel has produced boots and gloves using the water repellent thermo bamboo material as well.

Unfortunately wetsuits are not very “green” as far as the materials used go, but Xcel’s use of the recycled bamboo material is a step in the right direction.

The only problem I’ve had with Xcel suits is that the seams tend to deteriorate after about a year, right about the time when your warranty runs out.

The thermo-bamboo lining is available in all new models of the Xcel Infiniti and Drylock models, mens and womens.  (Still waiting for the Women’s version of the Drylock suit!)

Check out: XcelWetsuits.com

Buy Xcel suits from HansenSurf.com, an official Xcel dealer.

——-

Do you use Xcel suits?  What do you think about the Thermo-Bamboo?  Leave a comment below!

No related posts.

Last night I was able to attend the Encinitas premiere of Modern Collective over at the historic La Paloma theater.  Modern Collective is the result of years of work from director Kai Neville.

Basically this flick is all killer, no filler.  Showcased here are the talents of Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds, Dion Agius, Yadin Nicol, Mitch Coleborn, and Dusty Payne.  It’s a circus riot of airs, ridiculous slashes, and one foot recoveries.  I don’t know how these guys stick these moves but they do.  The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously though, and they often show a series of gnarly looking botched attempts until they get it down.

Basically Jordy steals the show here, but everyone pulls their weight.  It’s hard to believe that Jordy can be so light on his feet yet pull the insane turns that he does.

It’s funny to note that the waves the guys are tearing to shreds in this movie are not the typical dreamscape waves you draw in your notebook and see in surf movies.  It’s onshore and dumpy, but somehow these surfers make these waves look like a million bucks.

The soundtrack here is progressive and full of electropop gems.  Some songs bordered on a little repetitive, but you might uncover some new tracks here.

The only thing that got a little tiring about the movie was that it was full of one hit wonder waves.  It’s a great talent showcase but there’s only so much slash and burn you can take before it all bleeds together and loses its effectiveness.  Thankfully there are some good barrel sections scattered throughout, and Dane’s black and white section is a welcome style changeup.

The pyramid motif was great.  Very 80’s Tron feeling with a modern twist.  The glowing names of the surfers burned on various parts of their bodies in the opening credits was genius.

Modern Collective teaser ft: Jordy from Poor Specimen on Vimeo.

Overall Modern Collective is a fun, fun ride.  If you can’t make a premiere in your town then check out the DVD when it’s released.

http://www.moderncollective.tv

No related posts.

Before the movie the audience was treated to some great music by Rob, Jon Swift, Fernando Apodaca and Todd Hannigan.  I’ve been a fan of Jon Swift since I first heard his music in the 2001 surf video “Shelter” (Jon Swift is an astrophysicist).  Getting to hear him play live was a treat, and they sounded amazing.

The movie “The Drifter” is more of a travelog / inner journey film than it is a traditional surf film.   The entire film takes place in Indonesia on the island of Bali as well as other surrounding islands, following Rob as he wanders aimlessly trying to get away from the herd.  He finally ends up pitching his tent on a hill where he’s just moments away from a flawless left.

The cinematography is excellent, and it’s almost a love letter to Indonesia in a way, highlighting the people and the unique, friendly villages.  Even though I was expecting more surfing I still very much enjoyed this film.  It’s not so serious that it’s beating you over the head with philosophy, but rather maintains a thread of self reflective humor that’s reminiscent of the Endless Summer movies.

After the film they played the bonus surf section and we were treated to Rob and Jon playing along with the footage.  Taylor Steele and Rob also did a Q+A session after the film where they got to expand a bit on the making of the movie.

Jon Swift and Rob jam before the film

Taylor Steel and Rob did a Q+A session after the movie

If you can’t make it to a premiere then catch the Drifter on DVD.

http://www.thedriftermovie.com for more info

also, check out Jon Swift’s music:

http://www.jonswiftmusic.com

Related posts:

1. Innersection.tv
2. Rip Curl Rubber Soul 2 – Free Vid
3. Surfing Dolphins!

Rip Curl's Rubber Soul II

Heads up for a free download!

Looks like there’s a new trend of company sponsored free surf vid downloads optimized for your ipod / iphone!  The latest offering is Rip Curl’s Rubber Soul 2, featuring Mick Fanning, Steph Gilmore, Owen Wright, Taylor Knox, Matt Wilkinson, Dean Brady, Ricky Basnett, Stuey Kennedy, Frankie O, Nathan Edge, and Ben Dunn.  The whole thing is only about 186 meg.  This is great for your next plane flight or long car ride.

You don’t need an ipod or iphone to watch the vid.  You can watch it in segments right on the website, or download it and watch it in itunes.

Check It Out Here!

Related posts:

1. The Surf Network – Surf Movies On Your Ipod/Iphone

Check out their page here.  We should be putting out  a more in-depth review soon!

Related posts:

1. The Surf Network – Surf Movies On Your Ipod/Iphone