Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Skin Dog Thunderbolt Blender 9'1" Review

 

I've been searching for a newer longboard and stumbled across the Skin Dog Thunderbolt Blender 9'1". The dimensions are 9'1" x22 1/4"x2 7/8" and thats pretty close to how I used to get my custom longboards built to. The technology that goes into building a surfboard has drastically changed over the last 20 plus years, and I wanted to get the feel of what's new. One of the top technologies out there are the Thunderbolt board series. Check out how the Thunderbolts are made, it's really amazing.


The pinnacle of longboard performance, built in eleven stages... Invented by Yu Sumitomo, a second generation surfboard builder from Japan, Thunderbolt Technologies enables the creation of a 'sweet spot' in every Thunderbolt longboard, engineered to the standards of competitive long boarders like Harley Ingleby, and Ben Skinner, as well as style-master and Duct Tape Invitational winner C.J. Nelson, along with regional legends like Kai Salas of Oahu, Hi. Thunderbolt Technologies Surfboards can be found at surf shops everywhere, from Australia to Europe, and the U.S.A.


I really wanted to test drive the SkinDog Blender to feel the difference compared to the 2004 Randy French High Performance Epoxy 9'0. There are a few little differences Like the SkinDog is slightly wider, has a fuller nose and a rounded tail. The SkinDog also feels lighter, and paddles faster. Now it could've just been me getting to test drive the board on a rare good day with solid head high plus waves and offshore wind that lasted well into the afternoon. Needless to say I was stoked on the conditions and the board.



It was just one of those rare days with hardly anyone out. That gave me plenty of time to focus on trying out the board. The Blender is fast and trust worthy. It feels strong and can turn on a dime. Front side, backside, floaters, head dips, whatever I wanted the Blender followed my lead. Wave after wave, it was adding to my stoked.





I surfed for three and half hours straight. Got in 8 miles of surfing, rode 47 waves with a top speed of 13.6 MPG (that 2 MPH faster than my fastest wave in my last 8 surf sessions). The longest wave was 91 yards. As I was running back to the peak a guy that was getting ready to paddle out said, "Man that was the longest waves I've ever seen anyone ride here!" 

The board just connects so well to the wave that its easy to make the section. It worked well with the laybacks, nose rides and heavy cutbacks. It's a board that feels easy to ride. Now that could just be me and the Blender is just a good match for my longboard style. 




I'm loving the versatility of the Blender and now I'm curious if there is anything better out there. What do you think? Is there a better high performance longboard out there? And if there is what is it called, and where is it sold?


Monday, March 24, 2025

The Waves of Los Angeles

 

The waves of Los Angeles are not easy. You got to be ready for the wave of your life, or the beating of your life. I'm not talking about localism, although that's a thing in some breaks. I'm talking about the unpredictability of the waves, the lack of trust that a wave will hold up, the rush when everything lines up perfectly, and you get an unbelievable ride. Check this out: 


A seldom seen day of great barrels and tons of talent in Los Angeles. For this mission I headed to the beach to film some insane waves. It was raining steadily all day but I managed to find a little shelter to keep me and my equipment dry. I doubt we'll see another day as good as this for a while. Thanks for watching. I'm Brad Jacobson and I'll sea ya on the sand. Music (in order): Ooyy (first 2), Loving Caliber, Sven Lindvall and Torii Wolf.


Sunday, March 9, 2025

No Bad Tides Pre Surf Meditation

 

I've been battling some surf related PTSD so I created this Pre Surf Meditation to help get that groove back. It's a quick 5 minute video and covers everything that a recovering surfer or a new surfer needs to boost confidence and wave count. Let me know what might be missing and maybe I'll add it to the next version. Check it out: 


This video is for entertainment purposes only. Please don't operate heavy machinery or do anything that requires your attention so you can zone out and completely enjoy this Pre Surf Mediation. This Pre Surf Mediation is here to help you boost you confidence both in and out of the water. It works best if you listen to it before and after every surf session! More surf tips at


https://nobadtides.blogspot.com/   / nobadtides  


Thursday, March 6, 2025

Cyclone Alfred: Surfers Ride The Waves Of A Lifetime!


 

Cyclone Alfred hits Australia and creates the waves of a lifetime. This could be a surfers dream or it could be a life threatening nightmare. Any way you look at it these waves are hard to ignore. Check this out: 


As Tropical Cyclone Alfred slowly tracks west, 200 kilometres east of Brisbane, surfers are chasing the large swells. Subscribe to 10 News First to get the latest updates and breaking news: https://bit.ly/37DDbL1 #cyclone #cyclonealfred #tropicalcyclone #tropicalcyclonealfred #waves #queensland #naturaldisaster Join the conversation and follow us on: Twitter:   / 10newsfirst   Facebook:   / 10newsfirst   Instagram:   / 10newsfirst   TikTok:   / 10newsfirst  


Jack Robinson and Joel Parkinson head out for a last session before the cyclone Alfred hits the Gold Coast. Please SUBSCRIBE and support the channel. If you see yourself in any of our videos, then please email: rawsurfing@gmail.com and we'll send you a link to download your surf clip in high resolution. Also follow us on: Instagram: @rawsurfingaustralia Facebook: Raw Surfing


Cyclone Alfred Hits Hard - Cyclone Alfred moved direction and the swell had more east in it and was more organised , and freight train sets were rolling down the point , for everyone who made it outback and had the balls to take a bomb set it could be the ride of your life .... Kirra Point - Coolangatta Gold Coast Queensland Australia Cyclone Alfred Filmed Monday 3 March 2025


Cyclone Afred continues to deliver incredible waves to South East Queensland. Today was as good as it gets at the famous Aussie point break. Featuring Harley Walters, Thomas Carvalho, Julian Wilson, Dane Henry, Laurie Towner, Jack Robinson, Dakota Walters, Dion Atkinson, Kieren Perrow, Liam O’Brien, Mikey McDonagh #swellevent #surfing #cyclonealfred #cyclonealfred Filmed by: Owen Milne, Lachy Ross, Nimai Strickland Thumbnail Image: Andrew Shield


Waves of up to 10m have been recorded off parts of Brisbane and the Gold Coast as Tropical Cyclone Alfred now sits directly east of the south-east Qld coast. Subscribe to Guardian Australia on YouTube and hit the bell to see new videos ► http://bit.ly/gdnaustraliasubs The large swells have inundated parts of Bribie Island, an island that provides a protective barrier from the open ocean for areas near Caloundra and Golden Beach. Tropical Cyclone Alfred LIVE updates and latest news ► https://www.theguardian.com/australia... ‘Be prepared’: Tropical Cyclone Alfred changes direction and heads towards Queensland coast ► https://www.theguardian.com/australia... When and where is Tropical Cyclone Alfred likely to hit? Here’s what you need to know ► https://www.theguardian.com/australia... Full coverage of Tropical Cyclone Alfred ► https://www.theguardian.com/australia... Website ► https://theguardian.com/au Facebook ►   / theguardianaustralia   Instagram ►   / guardianaustralia   Twitter ►   / guardianaus   TikTok ►   / guardianaustralia   LinkedIn ►   / guardianaustralia  


Weekend trip up to Double island with the boys. Turns out the surf was absolutely off tap, and pumping all weekend. Everyone was having a great time and getting tubed off their heads. Hope everyone scored! Follow our instagrams: @tobias.vano @lachie.porter