"A bear mauled the rails here...."

"...and now there's moss growing in it...."



Raph's Surfboards from GotSurf.ca on Vimeo.

What's that aboot?!

Tarzan - The REAL One.

Gene Tarzan Smith

In 1940, Gene "Tarzan" Smith paddled from Oahu to Kauai.  Tarzan was one of the great ocean paddlers - some say the greatest.  An early California surfer, Tarzan was also a lifeguard, Waikiki haole beachboy, fighter and policeman.  He did it all.  


Tarzan was THE man.


Here are some amazing newspaper clippings I found, courtesy of John Lind.  Others may try to use his name, but there is really only one Tarzan.

For more information on Tarzan, please do some google research.  He was one of the originals.

-Steve

Classified Ad: 3 Incredible Surfboards for Sale (UPDATE: 1 left)

UPDATE: One board is left, the 9'0" Gun!  

Send me an email or tell a friend.

A very good medium to large wave board (6'3"), a great semi-gun (6'8") and an amazing full on rhino chaser (9'0").

An Advertisement for the 6'3" (w/ more photos) is linked>>> HERE! -- SOLD

THIS BOARD HAS SOLD.

An Advertisement for the 6'8" (w/ more photos) is linked>>> HERE!  -- SOLD

THIS BOARD HAS SOLD.

An Advertisement for the 9'0" (w/ more photos) is linked>>> HERE!

All are in perfect condition.  I'm asking $350 per board.  If you're interested in more than one, feel free to make me an offer.

Thanks for looking and putting up with my occasional classified ad.

-Steve

...I even like the music.

Every once in a while you stumble upon an amazing clip of surfing. This one struck me on every level. I even like the music.

A Dusty Week in Winter from Toby Cregan on Vimeo.

Divine Images

Jeff Divine is an amazing surf photographer.  Surfing in the 80's and 90's, after learning in the 70's, Divine's photos set the stage.

Here are a couple of classics, with captions already on them.  Of these, the Archy ones made the strongest impression upon me.  At one point, I had drawn Indians on all of my boards.  Thanks, Arch.

Go to Jeff's website & have fun looking around:  http://www.jeffdivinesurf.com/.  You won't be disappointed.

Trim Lines.

Some day my daughter will accuse me of trying to kill her... and use the video at the end of this as proof.

This was a great day when we stayed out for 2 hours, despite the cold water.  She didn't want to go in, but dinner time was upon us.  The video below doesn't come close to highlighting any of our best waves; we caught in the range of 20-25 total.  Those waves will stick in my memory and I suspect my daughter's, too.  Trimming down the line, beating sections, and going for close to 100 yards at full speed on a 2-3' face.

Stance practice.
She's a regular foot... thank goodness.
We don't accept goofies in my family.

Stoked.

This was our last wave of the day.  As you'll see, it's a close out.  Still, my daughter pulled it with a smile.  My favorite part of this?  Easy: "I did it!"

Leds on a sunny Sunday afternoon. from Steve Shlens on Vimeo.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Randoms from My Library

1.  The Snow Leopard.

At the Santa Barbara Zoo, there is a beautiful Snow Leopard.  I'm torn on the whole zoo thing, but this is an amazing animal.  This picture sums up the zoo experience for me.

Snow Leopard.

 2.  A day at the factory.

When you enter the BARK factory, you never know who you'll meet and what you'll see.  Boards from paddleboards to SUPs to shortboards to guns will be on the glassing racks, the new board racks, the repair racks, or other spots.  I happen to love guns.  This was a special day.  For some perspective, the orange and blue one are 10'.  Weapons, at the ready.

One day I will win one.

3.  Cameron.

Cameron Kirkconnell is a world class free diver and one hell of a nice guy.  Just 'google' him.  You will be impressed and amazed. I met him in 2008 (or so) on Tavarua.  Here he is bringing in dinner.  Best sashimi I've ever had... to this day.

Cameron with dinner.

Happy Fourth of July weekend, all.