Saturday, May 31, 2014

Surfing after Dark - With and Without Bioluminescence



Red tide sweeps through southern California, an algae bloom spreading phosphorescent phytoplankton up and down the coast. The bioluminescence does play a role in the food chain—it’s a defense mechanism. Apparently the glow not only deters natural grazers of these dinoflagellates, but also attracts those organism’s predators, who, like us, are attracted to the light. The scientists say it isn’t harmful, contrary to most rumors. Red tide looks and smells dirty, but the bacteria level in the ocean stays roughly the same.


Some avoid duck dives and head dips to keep their insides algae free, others freely ingest the water, curious if it will glow on the way out the next day. Regardless, it’s inspired many to throw their wetsuits on for late-night sessions lit by the sparks of the algae, where every wave feels like a science experiment.
SURFER Magazine caught up with Dr. Peter Franks of UCSD’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography for more information and to double check that we won’t get sick:
Many are claiming this as one of the heaviest red tides in decades. What’s your theory on the cause of such a strong bloom in the area?
The organisms that form this red tide are phytoplankton—tiny single-celled plants. Like terrestrial plants they require light and nutrients to grow. It is likely that this red tide was preceded by some sort of injection of nutrients into the upper layer of the ocean. This could have happened through an uplifting of the deep, nutrient-rich waters by a variety of physical forces. Some of these forces are local (enhanced mixing) and some are remote (winds off Baja). At this point we don’t have any conclusive evidence to support any particular mechanism as being responsible for the red tides we get in Southern California. It is likely a very complicated combination of physics, chemistry and biology. We have been getting red tides in this region since before recorded history—they are natural phenomena—but they are very difficult to sample because they are so unpredictable.
How long do you think it will last?
The organisms forming this red tide are very sensitive to turbulence. So if we get a particularly windy day, the red tide might disappear in a day or two. The red tide-organisms are also being eaten by other organisms, and killed by bacteria. Once the mortality becomes higher than their growth rate, the red tide will disappear. It could be gone in a day, or it could last a month or more. It is as unpredictable as the weather.
How would you explain to a surfer that red tide won’t kill them? That’s true, right?
Many red tides are extremely toxic and can kill people who eat shellfish that concentrate the toxins. This particular organism contains no toxins that are known to affect humans. If you drink the water you’d die from salt poisoning long before you died from phytoplankton toxins. However, the organic material that is secreted by the red-tide organisms may help to prolong the life of human pathogenic bacteria in the ocean, potentially increasing the possibility of being infected by one of them. Many people have written to tell me that they suffer an allergic reaction to red tides. I have never heard of this being investigated carefully, and it would be worth trying to identify the compounds that people are reacting to. They may be from the red-tide organisms, or they may be from bacteria or other organisms that grow during a red tide.

Have you gone in the water at night yet?
I haven’t (I’ve been traveling) but I’ve heard wonderful stories from people who have been swimming in the red tide at night. It’s seriously spectacular! But don’t go in alone—it’s dangerous to swim alone at night. 

And if the Ocean doesn't light the way for you then you still have a few options. Check out the future of night time surfing:

















Saturday, May 24, 2014

AsapSCIENCE Explores the Science Behind Laziness (via laughingsquid.com))

by  at 4:05 pm on May 23, 2014
Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown of AsapSCIENCE join forces to explore the science behind laziness and find out whether or not there is a couch-potato gene.
Why are some people so damn lazy? It turns out that there might be a couch-potato gene!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Surf Sauna (via blog.gessato.com)



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  • The Surf Sauna is an adventure mobile designed for winter surfing and other cold-weather excursions. Made of Western Red Cedar and galvanized marine-grade stainless steel, the barrel-shaped trailer naturally resists rot, bacteria, and salt water wear. A warm refuge from the elements, the Surf Sauna provides storage, heat, and a place to rest. Each model comes with surf racks, a wood-fired stove, and benches, which can be sized for groups of up to eight people. Hitching to the back of a truck, the mobile travels wherever one can drive and comes with a mounted shovel and hi-lift jack in case it gets stuck in the snow. Each Surf Sauna is custom-made in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and prices start at $16,400. For those just looking to get their toes wet, the Surf Sauna will soon be available to rent by the day.


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  • HollyABOUT HOLLY MITCHELL- Holly is a poet from Kentucky. She grew up first in a Sears house, then on a farm. She studied English and Gender Studies at Mount Holyoke College and moved to Manhattan for love. As an occasional jewelry-maker and museum patron, Holly favors wearable and functional design but is eager to see work that challenges her aesthetics. Read more and connect by visiting her "blog", "Twitter", and "LinkedIn".

    Monday, May 12, 2014

    Natural Log Skateboards (via blog.gessato.com)






    Cruising by the storefronts, pop down into the street, through the crosswalk, lean into the bend around the snack bar and shower house, and the gust of the Pacific catches your hair filling your nostrils with the smells of sand and sun….it’s a classic skater’s commute home. Keep it real underfoot with Natural Log Skateboards made of either vertical grain bamboo or recycled oak. Two internal layers of tri-axial fiberglass added to give it torsional strength and for extra bounce performance Entropy Resins Super Sap epoxy. Available in a range of sizes and styles depending for cruising, carving, or a classic board.



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  • AllisonABOUT ALLISON PARKER - Allison Parker is a proud stay at home mom maintaining a full schedule kissing boo boos and passing out hugs just because. Her days many times are spent between the garden and the kitchen. From a journey of learning whole food eating habits, she's taken on the challenges of baking bread, muffins and cakes from scratch and filling the cellar shelves with scores of her own canned goods each year. Writing is one of those things she does because its part of who she is. That and it's a nice break from the never ending work that comes with raising a family.

    Saturday, May 10, 2014

    LAIRD ‘THE INNOVATOR’ STRIKES AGAIN (via lairdhamilton.com)

    You can watch Laird, you can follow Laird, you can emulate Laird, heck you can even blame Laird. But one thing you can’t do is stop Laird.

    So listen up, adventurers, because Laird ‘the Innovator’ Hamilton has struck again. This time, it’s on land. Now even if you find yourself out of the water, you can still have your feet on a board. A Golfboard.

    First it was tow-in surfing, as an innovative way to catch the biggest and best waves.

    Then it was Stand-up Paddleboarding, as an innovative way to experience optimum health.

    Now meet GolfBoarding, an innovative way to Surf the Earth while enjoying a round of golf.

    Brilliant from concept to execution, the GolfBoard promises to change the way both new and regular golfers experience the game as they Surf the Earth from shot-to-shot during their round. But leave it to Laird to innovate the concept one step further - GolfBoarding.

    Utilizing his uncanny balancing abilities, combined with laser-sharp hand/eye coordination (and a pretty darn good golf swing!), Laird is unleashing a new twist on the ancient game in this clip. Could this mark the end of the 4 1/2 hour round of golf? We think so. Go ahead - thank Laird.

    By Jim Black
    Golfboard

    Wednesday, May 7, 2014

    Body Surfing and Hand Planes


    I've found the joy of body surfing again, ever since I watch "Come Hell or High Water." It's a blast! 

    Come Hell or High Water (Trailer)


    Uploaded on Apr 12, 2011
    **DVD now available at Patagonia.com** Surfer Keith Malloy's movie about his passion for bodysurfing: "It's about taking a breath, and kicking your feet, in the big blue sea -- come hell or high water." "Stars Are Free", the music used in the "Come Hell or High Water" trailer is now available for download at toddhannigan.bandcamp dot com.

    Body Surfing isn't too tough, it's like anything else, it just take a little time to get good at it.

    Check out these cool Hand Planes that can make body surfing even more fun!