Thursday, March 27, 2014

Hurley Provides Support for New Surf Film, The Cradle of Storms

In early March 2014, Hurley and Volcom helped host the premier of a gnarly new surf film, The Cradle of Storms. Did you catch the show? If not, you’re going to want to grab your surfing buddies and make plans to do so in the weeks ahead. Here’s why:


For starters, the feature film was produced by two great surfers with an eye for art, Ben Weiland and Chris Burkard. It also stars professional surfers and world travelers, Josh Mulcoy, Alex Gray and Peter Devries. In the film, the men head to the famed Aleutian Islands and tackle some of the greatest, chill-inducing waves imaginable.

Just in case you’re not familiar with the Aleutians, they are located in one of the most extreme parts of the world, the Alaskan Bush. They also run into Russia’s Commander Islands. So perhaps that will give you a good idea of what kind of conditions the men were surfing in throughout the film. If that doesn't do it, seeing them run along frigid shorelines in wet suits and ride ATVs past snow-capped mountains should. You can presently catch the film’s trailer on YouTube.

Of course Devries, Mulcoy and Gray aren't the only surfers to have ever helped showcase the Alaskan Marine Highway’s finest surf. The area has been highlighted before by surfer and surfboard shaper, Dave Parmenter. He wrote about it 1993 for two publications, the Best American Sports Writing Collection and Surfer magazine. Perhaps you may remember reading the piece. It was titled, The Land Duke Forgot. Today, you can catch a reprint in Editor Matt Warshaw’s book, Zero Break: An Illustrated Collection of Surf Writing 1777 – 2004. You may want to read it before watching the Hurley and Volcom supported film to get yet another surfer’s perspective on the area.


And if the film and the book inspire you to head off and tackle Alaska’s waves yourself, don’t forget to contact us. At Surfboards.com, we have all of the Hurley apparel and surf gear needed to enjoy a surfing safari, regardless of one’s destination.
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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Surfing For Beginners: The Ins and Outs of Surfboard Wax

If you're new to surfing, you may be wondering why surfers use wax on their boards. It's actually quite simple, surf wax keeps you from slipping off your surfboard while you're in the water.


In the early days of surfing, before the product used today was introduced, surfers actually used candle wax. As the popularity of surfing increased through the years, candle wax was replaced by paraffin canning wax, and soon oils were added to the paraffin to make it softer and easier to apply.

As time went on, surfboard wax continued to transform, and in today's market the wax is usually made out of paraffin, resins, alcohol and a variety of other ingredients that add further traction to your board.

Choosing the Right Type of Surfboard Wax
When you wax your board, there are two different types of waxes that will need to be applied. First is the basecoat wax and next is the top coat wax. While choosing the basecoat is simple enough, there are some factors that will effect your top coat choice.
  • Basecoat wax. Before you can spread the top coat wax, you'll need to apply your basecoat. A basecoat is a much harder wax which makes it a bit more difficult to rub on your board, but that also means it won't wear down as easily. You won't have to reapply the basecoat until your board is in need of a complete rewaxing.
  • Top coat wax. This type of wax is much softer which enables it to create a tacky surface that sticks to your feet. The temperature of the water you surf in determines what kind of top coat wax you choose. When you're in warmer water, you'll need to use tropical wax, and when the water is cooler, cold water wax is the way to go. Unfortunately using cold water wax in warm water makes the product too soft which takes away from its effectiveness. Unlike basecoat wax, top coat wax needs to be applied to your board each time you go surfing or at least every few times you decide to hit the waves.
If you're looking to purchase a surfboard, or you're just in need of some surf wax, please contact us today, to view our inventory of surfing products.
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Friday, March 14, 2014

Tips on Repairing a Dinged Surfboard

Knowing how to repair simple dings comes in handy when you discover your surfboard has suffered some damage during your last surf outing. Although, small dents can be placed under the category of cosmetic issues, larger problems, such as holes or cracks will require your attention. Choosing to ignore such problems will allow water to get into your surfboard. Unfortunately, water penetrating your boards seal leads to it growing heavier and thus causing a disturbance in its ability to perform. While taking your surfboard to a professional is a good idea, it's not always possible, so it is highly suggested you learn some basic repair tips.


Before You Begin
Before you pick up a repair kit, you'll need to know what type of foam your board is made from. Using the wrong compound to restore your surfboard can cause more problems than you started with.

  • Polyurethane Foam. The kit you purchase must include polyester resin.
  • Expanded Polystyrene Foam. First and foremost do not use polyester resin on this type of foam board. Instead, select a repair kit with epoxy resin.
  • Extruded Polystyrene Foam. This type of foam also requires an epoxy resin to complete your repairs.

What's Inside A Repair Kit

  • Sandpaper. At the start of your repair, you'll use this tool to sand out the rough edges near the marred area. During the end stage of your repair, you'll use the sandpaper, once again, to smooth out the resin used to seal the crack in your surfboard.

  • Resin. As discussed above the type of resin you use on your board is critical to the repair process. When you apply the compound it ends up settling at the bottom of the crack which means it'll be resting on top of the foam in your surfboard. If you use the wrong type, you could cause further damage to your surfboard.

  • Hardener. This component is used as a catalyst, to harden the resin. Make sure you follow the instructions provided in your kit, otherwise you may not add enough hardener and your repair efforts could end up being unsuccessful.

  • Fiberglass Cloth. Using fiberglass cloth increases the durability of your repair.

Don't Forget... 
  • Before starting any type of repair, you'll need to let your board dry out. Hang your board so the crack is at the bottom which will allow gravity to work its magic. If you don't get all of the water out, the moisture will continue to damage your board even after you have fixed it.

  • Remove all debris that has found its way inside the damaged area, otherwise the resin may not adhere properly.

  • Some repairs are better left to a professional. If you don't feel as though you are up to the challenge, don't attempt it. There's a big difference between the cost of a repair and the cost of having to buy a new board.

If you're looking to replace your old board or you're looking for a few surfing accessories, please contact us today, and we'll be happy to help you.
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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Get to Know Your Surfboard's Rail

As you're shopping for your next surfboard, there are numerous design aspect you need to keep in mind. One crucial component that affects the performance of your surfboard and your surfing technique are the rails. Rails are the edge of your surfboard and run from the boards tail to nose. Like other parts, the shape of a rail regulates how your board interacts with the water while also dictating the types of turns you are able to make.


The first thing you should know is the difference between soft rails and hard rails. Soft rails have no edges and remain rounded from a boards nose to tail while hard rails have a continuous edge that runs the length of the board.

Soft rails are often found on long boards and are known for offering stability, but with that stability comes a lack of ease when making turns. On the other hand, hard rails make quick and tight turns less complicated and easier to accomplish.

Another characteristic you must consider while accessing a surfboard is where the top of the rail meets the bottom of the rail. For example, you can choose between a 50/50 which means the top and bottom meet in the middle, or a 60/40 which indicates the meeting point is lower than the middle. Before purchasing your newest surfboard ask the seller about the various heights rails come in and they will provide you with a list of options.

General Facts About Your Surfboard rail
  • A softer and more rounded rail makes your board slower and causes the handling to be on the more neutral side.
  • Increased stability and ease of catching waves usually goes hand in hand with a higher rail that has a large amount of volume.
  • While maneuverability is sacrificed with a lower and harder rail, your speed, on the other hand, is increased.
  • Hard rails are generally found on high performance surfboards
  • Due to the boost in stability, soft rails are often better for an individual new to the world of surfing.

While there are many more characteristics to consider when discussing surfboard rails, this basic knowledge can help you discover which type of rail is best for you and your surfing experience. If you're on the hunt for your next surfboard, please contact us, and we'll be happy to help you.
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