Archive for the ‘GEAR’ Category

November 18th, 2011 | By | 2,507 Comments

How to Choose a Wetsuit – 2011 Wetsuit Buyer’s Guide

Shopping for a wetsuit is a lot like shopping for a car. Different cars will be best for different folks. So with that in mind, Like a car finding the “BEST” wetsuit is very subjective and ultimately up to you. Fortunately enough there are a lot of great wetsuits out there so it is hard to go wrong. Wetsuits have progressed a lot from their beaver tail days and finding the right suit is easier than you think.

Most companies come with three or four different levels of suits. You’ll get your high end or Ferrari-Lambo type suits, your midrange or SUV-luxury sedan type suits, and then your entry level or economy type wetsuits. Choosing the right one for you will depend on several factors, which I’ll try to explain below.

Entry level wetsuits: ($150 – $250)

New drivers might drive better (or faster) in a brand new luxury racecar, but it’s often best to start them off in an entry level vehicle. Much like cars, entry level wetsuits are better for those who are either new to the sport or looking for the most economic option. While these suits will not offer the same flexibility, comfort, or performance as the top of the line models, they will get the job done and give the user an idea of the fit and of the other features they’ll want in a future wetsuit.

Here are some examples of the entry level suits:

Billabong Foil Series:
For the price this wetsuit is a steal. Features super stretch throughout, glued and blind-stitched seams and comes in a chest zip option

Click Here To View Billabong’s Foil Line
Click Here to View All Billabong Wetsuits

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Series:
Good entry level suits at a good price. Reliable and affordable.

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November 14th, 2011 | By | 1,243 Comments

This Year’s Top 5 Surf Films – The Must Have Surfing DVD’s

With so many amateur video segments popping up all over the internet, it can be truly refreshing when you do finally stumble across a good surf flick. While I enjoy me a good browsing of Marine Layer Productions or the occasional grainy live feed from the ‘CT, there is something to be said about popping a DVD into your player and savoring a crisp, high definition production. Fortunately, this year surf video connoisseurs were able to chew on some pretty tasty video titles. From progressive to artistic and postmodern to just plain fun, here are the top 5 flicks that got us frothing and why.

 

1) Kai Neville – Lost Atlas:

WHY: Two words: Kai Neville. His first project Modern Collective became the undisputed must-have, cult video of modern surfing. Lost Atlas is equally, if not more, impressive than his first. For this film Kai gathered the original 6 Mod Col crew, a handful of other equally impressive surfing maniacs, and let them loose on a free surfing frenzy. The video is a cocktail of big airs and trash talking yarns set to an incredible soundtrack and stunning visuals. If you had to buy 1 DVD this year, this is it.

Of course, Lost Atlas is available at SWELL!
 

2) Globe Presents – Year Zero:


WHY: Mad Max meets high performance surfing? Hell yes!! Shot entirely in vivid 35mm film, this one of a kind video features Globe’s impressive surf team tearing up a gritty, post-apocalyptic world. The lifestyle scenes are subtle, yet intoxicatingly vibrant and fun. Plus who doesn’t want to watch Taj and Ceej get barreled with gorgeous ladies in the foreground? Well done Globe!

Of course, Year Zero is available at SWELL!

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October 5th, 2011 | By | 150 Comments

New at SWELL: ECO All Natural Sunscreen – Surfrider’s Official Sunscreen Partner

This Just in: ECO Logical Skin Care. This new line of environmentally conscious sunscreens is the Surfrider Foundation’s exclusive sunscreen partner.

After fine tuning their product in the Ozone depleted lands of Australia, ECO has nailed this non-toxic, biodegradable, and very water resistant (BODY & BABY) formula and brought it to the States. Not only is this sunscreen good for you, but it’s also good for the environment. Chemicals found in other sunscreens such as oxybenzone and octymethoxycinnamate may pose a danger to marine life especially corals. But, ECO’s 100% natural ingredients ensure safety of our oceans and our bodies with their special non-greasy and eco-friendly blend. If that weren’t enough, 3% of profits benefit the Surfrider Foundation to help fund ongoing educational and activist efforts.

ECO sunscreens are Zinc Oxide based w/o the hard-to-rub-in & whitening factor of other sunscreens. These screens are definite must for any beachgoer, waterman, or pasty, I-forgot-my-sun-hat ginger.

Here’s a breakdown of their line:

BODY – Great general use sunscreen that’s fragrance free and will stay on you while you surf. ECO -BODY uses only the finest natural antioxidants (green tea & grape seed) and anti-aging (Shea butter, Jojoba and Silica) ingredients to help moisturize, reduce wrinkles and repair damaged, leathery skin.

BABY – Strong enough for a baby, but can be used by anyone. ECO Baby delivers a tough UV protection with a subtle, yet sweet avocado and Frankincense smell. It utilizes the same water resistant and UV protecting elements as the BODY sunscreen, but includes avo & carrot oil to give more protection and nourishment to gentle skin.

FACE – Specially formulated to go on very light and still offer maximum protection. This sunscreen is great for everyday use and can go great under makeup for ladies. Helps reduce wrinkles and promote cellular renewal while protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. This screen has a subtle chocolaty fragrance that will have you licking your lips. This screen is not water resistant.

September 29th, 2011 | By | 2,538 Comments

Top Gear: Surfboard Bike Racks

Beat the pack to the peak with the new Carver surfboard mount for bikes. This is a game changer for those of you who hoof it to places like Lower Trestles, or park in war-zones like Huntington. Born on the North Shore of Oahu, Carver Surf Racks are road tested and approved by Hawaiian journeymen like Garrett Mcnamara, Jon Jon Florence, Megan Abubo, and Jamie Sterling.

Carver Surfboard Racks

Unlike other jimmy-rigged frame-mounted saddles, this alloy set-up fastens to the seat-stem of your bike for universal mounting. The arms adjust length and angle for boards up to 8ft. When not in use, the racks fold together and out of your way. It even comes with an allen wrench for super easy assembly.

Five Reason Why Carver Racks Can Improve Your Session
1. Gets you to the beach before the wind and crowds gets on it.
2. No worrying about someone finding where you stashed your skateboard.
3. Warms up and stretches legs before your session.
4. No more gnarly foot blisters from running across hot coarse asphalt.
5. Blow dries your hair so the boss cant tell you surfed at lunch.

You’ll be surfing twice as much with Carver bike racks, new here at SWELL.COM