Bueno in Hermosa, No bueno in Domincal.

¿¡Si or No!?
Our time in Hermosa has come to an end. We arrived here in Domincal last night only to find out moments later that are car battery was broken furthering our time here Dominical. The surf has been good along with the night life, which is an entirely seperate story on it´s own. We are awaiting a new car to be brought to us then hopefully leaving to go down further South tomorrow morning. It´s been stomach high to overhead each day. No complaints. If you do have plans to head down here head to Cabinas las Arenas at Hermosa Beach talk to Roger.

Things we have learned thus far:
1- Costa Ricans are not partial to paved roads.
2- Mercedes has had more luck with the locals than Dan and I put tother.
3- Wear underwear, the bees here show now respect to your private area.
4- The Ipod is the greatest invention.
5- Jaco at 5am is sketch.


Alright we´re racking up the minutes here on our borrowed internet time.
Pete, Dan and Merrrrcedes.

P.S. If you find a girl Dominque please send her my way, I owe her a dance and a coherrent conversation.

Got the Right Sunscreen? Read this!

I just read this on NYNJsurf.com. Follow the link and find out if your sunscreen is keeping you safe or hurting you? 

 Newyorksurf.com

-China Ty

Wild Cards Run Wild! Billabong Pro Chopes Update!

25 heats in one day!!! That hasn't been done since the tour switched to a two tiered system in 92'. 

The second day of the comp was action pact and there were at least 5 not to miss heats.  I'm going to start by acknowledging  that I was way off on my predictions for this event. Everyone  in the top 5 dropped out by the end of round 3. Fanning was handed his first 33rd since Simon Anderson put three fins on a board.  His consistent run finally came to an end and it seems like the fanning from last year is on holiday.  The big surprise was Slater's early exit to eventual finalist Manoa Drollet. It started slow for Slater, with a loss in round 1 to Drollet. Then it was redemption time  against former boy wonder now man/freak Jamie O'Brien.  Slates killed it and for a few moments, you thought the motivation was back and it was going to be a three-peat. This heat was spectacular. Slater crushed O'Brien. when you compare the surfing in that heat against a majority of the top 48, it was leaps and bounds above the rest.  But then Slater was against Drollet and it was a shocker. Slater was pulling into anything that moved and had he made some of the waves he could have done it but the conditions never came together and Drollet got one real decent score and it was over.  

I was right with one of the predictions, Bede did not disappoint and he flopped in round 3 to an unstoppable Chris Ward. Wardo threw himself into the most critical waves and pulled it with control and style. I mean, some people when they surf barrels backhand,  they may drag a hand  or if they are really good they'll drag their arse a little bit. Wardo, He freaking dragged his body!  I mean full body buried into the face and  then getting shacked so deep. Great surfing from a guy who might go to jail. 

The suprise surfer of the comp had to have been Adriano De Souza! The little Brazo kid looked solid and seemed to shake off his small surfer moniker. The kid can get pitted!  He scored one of the highest heat totals of the comp! 

The most hyped heat was the Dane v Jordy heat! It had potential but Jordy just didn't have it. Dane killed it. I mean, the kid went right at Chopes and not only made it but even pulled a couple of turns. Then he proceeded to get pounded on the reef but one could see that Dane's surfing in critical waves was a step above Jordy. Jordy pulled a sweat air reverse right onto the inside reef only to  turn around and see Dane get perfectly slotted on a bigger and more critical wave. So far, it's Dane who is turning out to be the real deal and Jordy has just not really lived up tot he hype. Jeffrey's is going to be the make it or break it comp for Jordy.  If he doesn't get a result there, consider the year a failure for  him. As for Dane, his year is already a success in my book. He's in the top 10 already.  He's a real threat to take out a comp this year. Dane v Jordy: 1-0 

 Andy had a chance to gain ground  this comp and put himself back into contention but for him it was another  quarters finish. Parko took him down this time. I don't see the hunger anymore. I think we could soon see Andy take a semi retirement soon. What's the point in him being on tour if he's not in it to win it? 

Parko and CJ did a great job to gain some ground. Parko showed he really wanted it after he pulled a "Dooma" on Tiago Pieres and forced an interference.  Game, Set, Match! 

CJ was on fire!!! He looked like the man to beat throughout the whole comp.  I think we could see a big result from him in Fiji! 

The final was anti-climatic with the Brazo, Bruno Santos  getting the only real barrel during the whole heat. The sentimental favorite was Drollet but it was not meant to be. Either way, it was quite an accomplishment for two wild cards to make the final.  The last time that happened was at the 97' Pipe Masters with Mike Ho and Johnny Boy Gomes. 

Now, Tavarua is up next!  Damo Hobgood is back and will be taking the place on. Look for him to make a dent. He's gonna want make up for missing his bread and butter event.  Slater is still going to be the favorite and if anyone who has seen his "Letting Go" movie will know that he dominates the place.  I think Dane could be a dark horse at this event.  CJ is also going to be the one to watch.  One last pick is Kai Otton. If the surf is pumping he's going to be the one charging the hardest. 

There is no break for the tour surfers. Tavarua starts this weekend.  Game on!!!

Now for the Fantasy Surfer Ratings. 

LISurfer has surged to the lead  with a solid performance for the Billabong.  LISurfer's saving pick was Manoa Drollet. That put them right up at the top.  Catchafire holds onto Second place with Swampfox in third, Bonebratz in 4th and yours truly rounding out the Top 5. BoneBratz had a great showing with a second  place for the Billabong. The points are close and anyone int he top 5  can steal the lead with the next event. Puerto Rico is looking closer and closer. 

LISurfer will receive a 25% off Gift card at Sundown Ski and Surf. 

Remember everyone else,  The overall winner will get a free roundtrip plane ticket to PR from NY.  So choose carefully for your next few events. They are going to be critical events. 

Good luck and Live Viewings of the Globe Fiji Pro at Sundown all throughout the week.  Call to check if the comp is on.  516-796-1565

For overall rankings go to Sundown Fantasy Surfer Group

Cheers

China Ty

Sundown Ski and Surf

516-796-1565

www.sundownsurf.com 

www.sundownsurf.blogspot.com

Checkk ittt

It's hard to fight our grins right now. It truly is. The travel bags have been dusted off. The dirty cold water wax has been scrapped, stripped, and completely removed..all in exchange for "fresh-off-the-truck" tropical Sex Wax that couldn't have been in the shop for any longer then two weeks. The 5/3's & 4/3's, well they're all safely hung in our closets awaiting future freezin' barrels that us North Easterners have come to love so much. Our plane departs in mere hours and 7 months of waiting have come down to this. For the next three week's three of us will be moving about Costa Rica.

Where exactly? Well we can't say for sure. Our only goal is to be where ever the best wind conditions meet the best swell conditions. We've decided to keep our bags lite with expectations of bouncing around as needed.

We're hoping to keep everyone updated as we make our moves through out the trip, internet access permitting. So here's your chance to live Vicariously through us.

-Poodle, Cooley & Cedes.

Trivial Surf Trivia

For the Surfing Encyclopedia's out there...

1) Which Long Island Surfer is the late 60's " Hannon Surfboards" "Fast Eddie Model" named after?

2) Who is the infamous Florida Surfer from the  late 60's that stole The Star of India Sapphire?

3) Who is the youngest male surfer evver to win a World Tour Event? Extra Points for his nickname?

4) What year did Tom Curren surf Montauk on a 5'5 Rick Twin fin he bought second hand in NJ? Bonus: Which Surfer did he surf against and convincingly beat in France  on the twin fin that year?

5) Where was the First Annual East Coast Surfing Championships held? 

If you can answer all 5, come down to Sundown and get 10% off any one clothing item, or surf accessory before June 1st, 2008. 

Quiet Shred sticks

Quiet Flights for Shredda Rippa's!

 

14 Boards just arrived!!! That's right, four-deen mate! 

Quiet Flight has been around for ages. I remember family trips down to Florida and staying in Cocoa Beach.  We would drive our family mini van from NY and head all the way down to Slater's birth place.  There would be the occasional stop at South of the Border and a must stop at the Waffle House. It would be painful drive but by the time we had gotten ourselves settled in Cocoa Beach and had gone for a surf check, it was all forgotten. A stop at the Quiet Flight Shop was mandatory. They always had the nicest boards  and I'd get stoked on the Richie Rudolph models, lime green and boxy rails. My Step-bro had bought one one year and that board lasted for at least 4 years without a tinge of yellowing. 

We just got the latest models in, including some Stinger's, Quads, and even a board the is reminiscent of Richie Rudolph's old board. Of course it's a bit updated with a bat tail and quad fins but the coloring is the same. Come in and give them a feel...

-China Ty

5'10 Squash

6'0 Bat Tail Quad ala Richie Rudolph

6'1 Stinger

7'2 Funboard

7'6 Stinger

Accessorize, Accessory, Access, Excess, Accelerate!

Ho bra! Da Kine just arrived with kine leashes and traction pads!   

Let's not stop there! Creatures of Leisure are in as well and that stuff is looking oh so nice! We got the slim fit travel bags in. It's great for fitting 2+ boards without the bulk. I reckon it also works nice as a day bag as well. Where were these bags when I was out on the road? 

Oh, and we got finzzzzzz! True Aaaaaaames! (Go on, say it like Fonzie! Ayyyyyyyyyy!) 

Futures and FCS are also looking nice. What you looking for bra? Quads, twins, foiled, it's all there and all good. Can't afford a new board? Get new fins! Curren would approve! 

-China Ty

Quote of the Day: "It's not dying that scares me, it's living that scares me to death!" -El Kelly Slater, from the movie "What Next!" from Marshal Hatori. 

This film had sick Slater at J-Bay and Rob Machado in Reunion and the Timmy Curran segment is sick surfing but lame skit.  Hattori went on to make a few other Surf Films, he was dubbed the Quentin Tarrantino  of surf films. He went on to make a movie called Surfing as  "Surfing as Sadhana" which caused an uproar because apparently there were some shots of Veronica Kay and Stephen Slater implying they are doing drugs and VK's Parents tried to sue him. Lame! People should take responsibility for their actions. If you know you're being filmed and you don't want people to know what you do, don't do it in front of a camera. By the way, where is VK these days? 

Terry Martin Reprezent! Hobie's are FOT(Fresh off da truck)

It is rumored that Terry Martin has shaped over 50,000 boards since 52'  and has shaped for Hobie way back in 63' when he begged the Master, Hobie Alter to let him shape for him. Hobie taught him to work with a skil 100 and he's been there ever since.  We just got these incredible functional pieces of art. Only these boards are meant to be ridden. They might look nice hung up on a wall but I can think of a few other nice walls they'd go great in... The acid splash resin tints are insane! Pure craftsmanship! These boards are those who know and appreciate the quality. 

Come in and fondle and drool. 

I've got overactive salivating glands this week. 

-China Ty

6'6 Bonzer


5'10 C4 Quad


6'0 C4 Quad

                                                                  5'8 twin keel

I'll be upfront about it, I've got money down on Jamie O'brien. He killed the trials and his cocky arrogant style of surfing is what this wave demands in order to perform. He's also super cheap right now, freeing up some extra cash to make a purchase for a certain surfer that seems to be on fire. El Slay-tor! But, it all depends on if the surf provides. If it was like last year, we could see Jeremy Flores win which would be a bit of a disappointment in my opinion. No offense to Flores but when I think of Champs for this event, his name is no where near the radar screen. I may eat my words here but I wouldn't put money down on Bede. He's surfing great but his backhand attack is lacking in sizable surf. He's a tall bloke which increases his chance to get smacked by the lip there. As for Fanning, we will see. He had a great result last year but this year his motivation doesn't seem as intense. It's as if Slater just took the wind out of his sails after the final at the Quik Pro. The big question is, will AI step up finally and surf like he should be surfing. The two quarters he had with Slater this year were just disappointing. All the media guys have been making excuses or glancing over his losses, saying "oh, the waves were crap for that heat and he lost motivation." That's BS mate! If you are in a heat with Slater, especially him, that should be motivation enough. He hasn't had a real good result at Chopes in a long time. His name used to be synonymous with the place. Now, he's just another competitor who has been waxed by Dean Morrison a handful of times in recent pasts at this spot. Dingo is the the dark horse to keep an eye on. He thrives on big hollow lefts! A definite for your teams. And how about the Hobgoods. Always a good bet to take the whole thing. Even Damo who busted his shoulder a few weeks ago. That guy is either extremely motivated, crazy or just plain stupid. We will see this coming week. A High is now dominating the region and it is looking like there will not be any big waves for the beginning of the event. Hopefully it doesn't end up like last year or worse... A french Flag being flown with Flores being handed a Hinano in the channel... Good luck to everyone and if you are in the area, Sundown will be watching the event Live at the shop. So come down if you have some time to kill and want to watch the comp with others and talk s--t. 2726 Hempstead Turnpike, just east of the Wantaugh Parkway. Cheers,  Tyler Breuer Sundown Ski and Surf  516-796-1565  www.sundownsurf.blogspot.com  www.sundownsurf.com

JC's have arrived and I'm not talking about the carpenter!

I'm not going to lie, I never used to like JC's. It was something to do with  his outline that I was never really into. My conversion started this winter at one of the surf trade shows. It was the El Quatro model that caught my eye. The nose was a bit fuller but not fish/funboard wide, just a bit more beef for added floatation and paddling. What stoked me out on this board is the double bump wings that start at just a quarter of the way up from the tail. Then it ends with a nice Diamond tail, perfect for letting you round out your turns a bit more. And I'm on a quad kick lately. So, you've got this perfect summer board that you can utilize the rails fully but still apply pressure to the tail and make a nice tight turn. Quads can be great for rounding out your turns but sometimes it can make tighter tuns a little harder to come by. Obviously depending on the board shape but this thing is going to fly and snap perfectly in the pocket. Check out some of the latest JC's we just got in below. The SD3 (Shane Dorian Model) is looking pretty filthy! It's going to go insane in some decent waves!  Come and get em while their hot...

Also, We got Quiet Flights on their way! Those boards are going to so sick! 

Cheers,

-China Ty