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PRODUCT NEWS & REVIEWS


CLICK HERE FOR BOOK REVIEW:'CAUGHT INSIDE'
AND INTERVIEW BY DANIEL DUANE


SURF CLOWNS - SEVEN MENTAL MISSIONS

To come up with something different, yet still of this era ( and any other come to think of it..), that is altogether a credit to the kind of people who inhabit Surfing, it's hard to find a better example than "Surf Clowns" by Leslie Connell Lyon & Charlie Lyon ( who's previous work includes the classic big wave book "Jaws" ).

Surf Clowns Cover

As Charlie (the artist and ex surfboard air brusher) tells INSIDE SURFIN from Hawaii "Our intentions in the creation of Surf Clowns was two fold. One was to lure young kids into reading with bright exciting illustrations and help them see that there is more than TV, video games, etc. you know start them into the habit of reading, something I never had. The other was to create a vehicle for commentary and a sort of lighthouse. Our industry / lifestyle is driven by brands and a handful of pros/role models. The Surf Clowns are permanent clowns they can't take off the makeup, they experience discrimination, all kinds of bias. The Surf Clowns are not perfect, they are working on it. With the bauble Boo as their guide they learn to follow their instincts and to respect all things, especially a good gag".

"We have created a brand new kind of reading experience, it's a new form of story telling. So far we have 75 dealers and are beginning to build a fan base. We have started book two, the working title is "Clown Wars". This should be out Nov. 2001 ".

SURF CLOWNS

170 Pages of fun, a colourful Surf experiencebook for ALL ages!

Highly recommended.

Price:US$29.95

CLICK HERE to purchase Surf Clowns from Amazon.com.


Book Review: SURFING-A History of the Ancient Hawaiian Sport.

To the ancient Hawaiians,surfing was a national pastime that had tremendous social significance. In religion,in language,in festivals,in love,in story,and in song,surfing was woven into thelife of old Hawai'i. It encompassed ritual activities that began with a selection of the tree from which a board was to be carved, and progressed to legendary surfing contests in which the great chiefs would vie for honours.

In "Surfing;A History of the Ancient Hawaiian Sport", Ben Finney and James D. Housten trace the history of surfing from ancient times through to the mid sixties,by which time the sport had become an international passion. This newly revised edition of the classic first published in 1966 features extensive photographs and illustrations (including early prints and engravings), a new introduction by the authors, and articles by Mark Twain ("Roughing It") and Jack London ("The Royal Sport") about their firsthand observations and experiences with surfing. The text also explores the development of the surfboard-from a seventeen pound 'olo' made of koa(and weighing 150 lbs) to the modern foam and fibreglass version- and follows surfing's timeline from the earliest legends and accounts, to the accomplishments of 20th century heroes such as Duke Kahanamoku and George Freeth.

"Surfing-A History of the Ancient Hawaiian Sport" is a fascinating compendium of the language,culture,and history of surfing and is compulsory reading for those who wish to seek the roots of the lifestyle.


MARK WARREN'S SURFING ATLAS

Whether you are a local who's goal is to surf every break in Australia before you die, or a travelling visitor on the road, this book is the definitive guide to the waves & coastline downunder. Lavishly illustrated and set out, this hard back revision of Mark's earlier book is a must for all Surfers. Just released, it is the ideal companion for those who wish to get away from the steadily growing crowds at the well known spots. It doesn't look like there needs to be another revision this time around, so get in touch with Mark and order your copy now. If you ask nicely, he might even autograph it for you! Great reading.

PRICE: Australia: Aust$65.00 (3-5 days delivery )
Overseas: Aust$99.00 (7-10 days delivery)

Write to: Mark Warren's Surf Atlas PO Box 511 Avalon Beach NSW 2107 ph:/fax: 612 9973 2882

email: info@surfinfo.com.au>


SHAPING 101 & GLASSING 101.

Review of the Videos.

For Surfers interested in building their own Surfboards,those considering a career in the Industry or any who would wish to understand further the aspects of a board's design and performance, these two videos are excellent starting points.

Produced by Crossfire Productions in association with JC Surfboards Hawaii, the videos take the Surfer through each stage of a board's manufacture through to completion.

Shaping 101 begins with the affable John Carper of JC Hawaii showing how to select a blank and make a template. Demonstrating the different tools and techniques used by Pro shapers, John's relaxed approach is ideal for gaining an understanding of how to shape a Surfboard for yourself. The tapes are timely and professionally produced, with excellent camera angles and commentary ensuring a clear picture of what stage the shape is at. Outlines, Rocker and Rail shapes are all discussed for the Surfer to deduce which features will effect performance.

Glassing 101 as it's name suggests takes us from the finished shape to the fibreglass layer that both fine tunes and protects it. JC's Glassing team take us through the various stages of laying out and cutting the glass, tools used ,and the trade techniques for the glassing, fitting fins and sanding of the modern Surfboard. As John points out at the end this isn't the only way to make boards, but unless you have worked in a board factory you aren't going to get any closer to the methods the Pros use.

There are many board making tips here that are demonstrated in a way that only a video could show , and surfing footage and music combine to make these a must see for all Surfers.


CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CROSSFIRE PRODUCTIONS WEB SITE


LIQUID STAGE

The Lure Of Surfing

LIQUID_STAGE A Review of the Video.

Surfers interested in looking into the depth's of surfing's illustrious history through the people who helped shape it would see Liquid Stage both as an inspiration and reminder of Surfing's timeless legacy. Wonder as surfers such as Woody Brown,arguably the greatest legend of them all, talk of surfing the North Shore in the '30s. Woody who helped pioneer board design,gliding and catamaraning could surely have a film made of him alone.

Surfing and shaping legends Mickey Munoz, Skip Frye,Rell Sun,Carl Ekstrom,Greg Noll and Rabbit Kekai reflect on their considerable influence on the sport itself. Here LIQUID_STAGEis an in depth look into the effect that Surfing has on the lives of those who participate, done with full reverence to the Spiritual inheritance left to us all.If Gidget and later The Endless Summer are remembered for bringing Surfing to a wider audience , this film goes a long way to bringing it back to the Surfer.

Elegant script,crisp water photography and original music make Liquid Stage a must see to keep at top of your surf film library . A Co Production of KPBS and Michael Bovee Productions.

Contact us via phone on (usa) 1-800-266 5727, or visit our web site for more info http://www.kpbs.org/Isindex.htm



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