Spangler's Archive

March 21st, 2012 | By | 1,783 Comments

World Water Day 2012

World Water Day is all about promoting wise water management, and SWELL strives to support this issue that threatens our beloved beaches. In conjunction with The Surfrider Foundation we carry a line of products that empowers our customers to become advocates of conservation and change.

With the government cutting funds for water testing and politicians slowing progress for pollution regulation, use these tool for your own advocacy and responsible consumer behaviors.

OCEAN FRIENDLY GARDENS GUIDE -Surfrider’s $15 book will save you hundreds on your water bill. It is a manual on how to design and manage a garden that captures and keeps the water that it gets from rain or irrigation. Over 50% of the water used to water residential gardens is lost to evaporation, and with water costs expected to triple in parts of the country, you can’t afford not to get this book.

SURFRIDER WATER TESTING KIT -Know what you’re getting yourself into, literally. Despite over 24,000 polluted beach closures last year, the federal government plans to remove funding from the water quality monitoring program. Test your local break with this Blue Water Beginner Test Kit.

Recycler Series Clothing -Don’t stop your advocacy on World Water Day, shape your consumer behaviors to save our seas every time you shop. Billabong created an entire clothing line dedicated to keeping plastics out of our ocean. The recycler series boardshort keeps plastics out of places like The Pacific Garbage Patch and other hypoxic places threatening our food sources.

Why WWD 2012 Matters -The United Nations established World Water Day in 1993 to create global awareness for responsible water management.   The mismanagement of this natural resource affects more than just our water supply.  Massive water demands consume 20% of our energy resources,  discharges sewage into our waterways,  and creates marine dead-zones. This year’s WWD theme focuses on “Water and Food Security” uncovering the effects of water on our global food supply.

The demand for food production and the required irrigation has pushed many areas past “peak water” capability, meaning the renewable sources of water cannot sustain the growers’ demand due to massive residential water-consumption. But, even when farms are supplied with ample  irrigation, our waterways can turn hypoxic due to the chemical pollutants in agriculture.

Since all water usage eventually affects our beaches, The Surfrider Foundation has released studies emphasizing the interrelationship between household water use and out nation’s food sources. Over 80% of the nation’s  consumptive water use goes towards agriculture. The increased rate of human effluent and farming nitrates  entering our waterways has reached alarming levels. The fight to curb nitrate and pesticide pollution in California’s Ag industry (the nation’s worst) is currently in court. Learn how you can help here.

Join Surfrider and Save – Join or renew your Surfrider Foundation membership at the $30 level on March 22nd and we’ll send you this limited edition World Water Day t-shirt.  Printed using water-based inks on a brushed 100% organic cotton blank, this t-shirt is as water-friendly as it is comfortable.

 

Thank you for visiting the Swell blog. Visit us on www.facebook.com/swell for more exclusive fan offers, giveaways and more.
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Posted in EVENTS | 1,783 Comments »
March 16th, 2012 | By | 3,388 Comments

Penny Skateboards – New at SWELL

SWELL proudly welcomes Penny Skateboards Australia to our shop. Penny’s plastic molded retro shapes became an instant cultural phenomenon in Australia during 2010, and they are now available in the USA. These compact, durable skates give a super smooth ride, and priced 20% lower than competing brands. The original Penny boards are super small and

Penny offers radical retro color in their decks, wheels, and trucks. The flouro combos come in variety of colors including  glow in the dark decks and a theme for every holiday.
See how much fun you are missing out on with PENNY in this coastal cruising commercial

If you thinks its all a gimmick, here’s a few reasons why we are sold on the Penny style.

Why Plastic? The durable flexible nature of the plastic injection-molded decks allows a responsive ride that basically conforms to the shape of your foot. The camber, or slight arch in the deck creates a “pop” that allows ollies and momentum building carves.

The whole negative plastic stigma only applies to single-use plastics. The durable Penny decks outlast traditional wood decks and even survived the tire test.

Why Retro? Every skater must respect the roots of the sport, because old-school skates will improve your style and balance. The narrower decks allow your feet to grip the rails and throw filthy lay-backs and spins. The griptape-free deck is even better for cruisers who prefer to pump down the boardwalk barefoot and hang-ten.

Its the perfect skate to fit in your backpack, buzz down to Trestles without worrying about tiny skate wheels hitting the skids on some gravel or sand.

Instagram Penny regularly celebrates and rewards skaters with style. Post a unique inspiring and artsy instagram, including #Pennysinceforever for your chance to win a penny skates and shirts this March. Tag us @swelldotcom and we’ll give you some props on your stylish skate as well!

Penny Skateboards Instagram

Click the banner to see SWELL’s new line of Penny Products

Posted in GEAR | 3,388 Comments »
March 14th, 2012 | By | 1,895 Comments

St Paddy’s Day Drink Recipe -Video

Looking for a tasty yet traditional beverage for your St. Patrick’s Day party? The Irish Car Bomb combines three of Ireland’s favorite adult liquors into a tasty libation similar to a root-beer float. Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream are “bombed” into a Guinness stout, in the same fashion as the American Boilermaker.

As with most shots, too many rounds will have you redecorating the bathroom walls, but even novice drinkers can usually power down a car-bomb without any trouble.

Watch, learn and drink responsibly.

If you’re ever in Ireland DO NOT ORDER THIS DRINK. Terrorist targeted civilians with car-bombs during their civil war, making the reference similar to 9/11. A couple SWELL employees learned that the hard way while studying abroad. But don’t let political correctness ruin your fun, because nothing gets people out doing an Irish jig like one of these sweet shooters.

Watch the video, or follow instructions here:
How to make the perfect Irish Car Bomb.
Instructions:

Mixed into shot glass:
1 part Irish Cream
1 part Jameson Irish Whiskey

6 oz Guinness Draught in pint glass

Drop or pour shot of whiskey/cream into beer, drink immediately.

Do not consume alcohol if you are under 21 years of age.
Drink Responsibly, Raise Hell

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Posted in Food/Drink, HOW TO, VIDEOS | 1,895 Comments »
March 9th, 2012 | By | 1,581 Comments

Battle of the Boardshorts: Quik Pro Gear Review

When you hear touring surfers say “I’ve been focusing on my equipment a lot lately” they’re not just talking about working with shapers. With today’s seven figure prize purses, surfers spend the off-season in Olympic style training facilities, boosting into foam pits, and testing new competitive sportswear technology like they were Apolo Ohno.

The first stop on the World Championship meant the unveiling of the world’s best surfers’ new signature designs they rely on for the marathon 9-month dream tour. The challenging conditions at the Quiksilver Pro Snapper Rocks required competitors to generate their own speed, rather than the wave propelling them through sections. Judges awarded the highest scores for aerial maneuvers, a trick that would be impossible with the constricting old nylon trunks of yesteryear.

Here’s a few of our favorite world title contenders, and the trunks they depended on for max agility and performance.

Slater’s Cyhper Nomad trunks feature a diamond dobby fabric that reduces contact with skin, therefore minimizing the dreaded “balloning” or trapped water that acts like a parachute. Kelly landed an equal 5th, which we hope retains his interest to pursue #12.

Jordy’s semi-final finish came via powerful railwork and 100m long combos. He had to muscle his big frame extra hard in the soft conditions, but managed to whip his tail around and take out contest favorite Joel Parkinson. His O’Neill Neurosis features 4-way epic stretch technology helped him blow up, and start his 2012 world title campaign.

Daynolds’ tour aspiration are less predictable than Slater’s, but we always know he’ll put on a show. In just two heats, he stomped 3 of the best 5 maneuvers of the contest. His freakishly agile and aptly named Cypher Revolt boardshorts features a poly-spandex fabric blend.



Parko’s Platinum-X Flux trunks by Billabong have ergonomic panels and water-repellant epic stretch fabric. His attention to those features have kept him a title threat into his 12th year on tour.

Taj’s intense dedication to training and equipment paid off with a victory at the 2012 Quiksilver Pro. His ocean friendly trunks made from recycled plastic bottles fall just above the knee. His Komplete shorts use zero gravity quad stretch, so they can have a less baggy fit without restricting motion. CONGRATS TAJ!!!

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Posted in SURF | 1,581 Comments »