Legendary Women Surf Riders | Akahmai

Welcome Back Surf Gals

Hi Gals!

We have just posted out summer meetup events. Please sign onto meetup and check them out.  If you are new you may want to look back at our last year posts for some great info.

This summer there will be a few of us posting weekly so keep your eye out!

Looking forward to a great summer.

See you out the back!
Meredith

Cold Water Suits.....What should I wear?

Hey Gals!
Happy New Year. Hope everyone had a great Holiday and got a chance to get out the back. Here is a quick aticle on cold water suits.

Cold water as defined here is any water temperature of  65 degrees or below. This means than any cold water wetsuit will be a fullsuit. A fullsuit covers a surfers body ankles to wrists. Fullsuit thickness is described in millimeters.
A 3/2, for example, has a thickness of 3mm around the torso and 2mm around the arms and legs. Most wetsuits come with zippers in the front or back. Some have half length zippers and some are even zipperless.
The thickness of the wetsuit you choose depends primarily on the water temperature your surfing in as well as your tolerance/comfort level.
In general, a 3/2 will work in water temps of 65-55 degrees, a 4/3 in 54-49 degrees, and a 5/4 in 48-43 degrees. Below that requires a 6/5 wetsuit or possibly a drysuit. Some wetsuits will have built in hoods, especially the thicker ones for colder water. Booties are optional at the high end of this temperature range and mandatory at the low end.

Popular brands of cold water wetsuits include Billabong, Oneill, Rip Curl, and Quicksilver. These brands use high quality glue, taped and stitched seams, and reinforced kneepads. A surfer who uses one regularly should expect to get 1-2 years use out of it, provided it's properly maintained
Proper maintenance includes a fresh water rinse after every use and drying on a hanger out of direct sunlight.
Most cold water wetsuit companies will have a sizing chart for you to consult. It's a good idea to try a few different sizes on as well as several brands to find the right fit for you. Choose the right one and your wetsuit will become as indispensable to your surfing as your surfboard.
So go get your suit and try cold water surfing!!

Happy Holidays Surf Gals

A warm happy holiday to all your surfing gals out there!  Santa hasn't sent us much swell lately but keep your fingers crossed for some fun nor'easter weather heading our way.

If you haven't tried cold water surfing yet, now is your opportunity. We have a few cold waters surfers that would be glad to join you, just give us a call. Check our meetup site under discussion for posts when the gals go out.Surfing Gals Meetup

Here is a great cold water article to get you excited!! Happy Holidays- Mere

The waves are head-high and pumping and no one is in the water. So, why aren't you surfing--is it the sub-arctic temperatures? No. Get in there... and stay warm. Don't let the cold water keep the waves to the fish alone. With proper preparation and the right wet suit, you can surf those lonely cold waves all the way to the beach. Read on to learn how to keep warm when surfing in cold water.

1. Warm yourself from the inside out. Before you even get close to the water, prepare your body by filling it with fuel. Stoke the fires with high-fat foods, such as nuts or peanut butter, to get your inner furnace burning.
2. Add some warm liquids to that furnace to get things cooking. Take a thermos of tea with you to the break--it will come in handy later as well, to warm you up after your private session. Dehydration also makes it easier for hypothermia to develop, so drink up.
3. Wear warm clothes to keep in that body heat. Put a hat on your head as well. You don't want to be chilly before you even stick your toes in that cold water.
4. Do some warm-up exercise to get your blood pumping once you're at the surf break: light jogging, stretching, calisthenics, yoga. It'll warm you up and also help you perform better, while reducing your chance of injury. It's easier to pull a muscle when your body's cold.
5. Put on that wet suit. If you haven't already, get your suit on. Check with your local surf shop or online for size, style and thickness recommendations. Suits come in different thicknesses designed for different water temperatures. In the end, the appropriate thickness depends on you. some people tend to stay naturally warmer than others. Test out a friend's suit, if possible, to gauge your personal needs before you buy your own.
6. Cover your noggin with a wet suit hood if the water is really cold. We lose most of our body heat through our head, after all, and there's nothing worse than cringing before a duck dive into a freezing cold wave face.
7. Consider other extras, such as booties and gloves, if your hands and feet are going numb. Our body shunts off blood flow to the extremities when we're cold to help keep our core warm.
8. Remain active in the water. We have an amazing ability to keep our bodies warm by burning our own energy source through exercise. Now is the time to put that food you ate earlier to good use--it's the fuel for your fire. Paddle around...don't just sit and wait in the cold.
9. Head to the beach as soon as you start to really feel the cold. Involuntary teeth chattering or shivering are signs that your body has already gotten too cold. Even when mild hypothermia starts to set in, we perform below capacity and are prone to make foolish decisions. As you know, the ocean is no place for that.
10. Enjoy your thermos of warm tea and reflect on the beautiful waves you had all to yourself. Head home and warm up with a nice shower or a Hot Tub!!!

Choosing A Surfboard Type Based On the Waves

Check out this link at Surfscience.com:  "Choosing A Surfboard Type Based On the Waves"  if you're interested in reading more about the many different kinds of surfboards and the waves they surf best. For additional reading, look back a post or two for one describing board types in more general terms. Today's article link goes into greater detail. For example, traditional longboards are best in smaller, rolling waves, and performance longboards are designed to surf best in larger, rolling waves. 


Don't forget to visit us Surfing Gals on Facebook, and feel free to email with any questions about board selection. Also remember that we have a direct line to local shaper, Austin,of Austin Surfboards. If you haven't been by the shop on 19th Street lately, stop by on Friday or Saturday 12-6 if you'd like to chat with Austin himself. He's one of the friendliest guys you'll ever meet, and he really knows his stuff. He has several of each model of board in his shop, and he's happy to discuss which board might be the best for you based on surfing ability, height, weight, etc. If you don't see exactly the right shape or color for you, Austin can make a custom board just for you! My two Austin 8'6" Figjam surfboards are my favorite boards ever, and I'll be ordering a third, my very own 9'4" Soul Glide noserider very soon. . . 


Dreaming of warmer waters,


Anna

Rip Current- Surf Gals Beware- Can be good and bad

Hey Gals! So this week I thought we would talk about rip currents. Annette's daughters had a run in with a rip a few days ago and since most of you are getting out on your own now I thought this would be a great topic. I found a great article from NOAA - So check it out!

Why Rip Currents Form As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore.
Why Rip Currents are Dangerous Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured--this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.   Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States. More than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents. Rip currents can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes.
When Rip Currents Form Rip currents can be found on many surf beaches every day. Under most tide and sea conditions the speeds are relatively slow. However, under certain wave, tide, and beach profile conditions the speeds can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf. The strength and speed of a rip current will likely increase as wave height and wave period increase. They are most likely to be dangerous during high surf conditions as the wave height and wave period increase. Diagram courtesy of the NWS Southern Region Headquarters
Where Rip Currents Form Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Rip currents can be very narrow or extend in widths to hundreds of yards. The seaward pull of rip currents varies: sometimes the rip current ends just beyond the line of breaking waves, but sometimes rip currents continue to push hundreds of yards offshore. Diagram courtesy of the NWS Southern Region Headquarters
How to Identify Rip Currents Look for any of these clues: a channel of churning, choppy water an area having a notable difference in water color a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward a break in the incoming wave pattern None, one, or more of the above clues may indicate the presence of rip currents. Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgoer. For your safety, be aware of this major surf zone hazard. Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see the rip current clues provided above. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at Duck, NC.
How to Avoid and Survive Rip Currents Learn how to swim! Never swim alone. Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out! Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly. Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore. If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore. If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself:  face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help. If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 . Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
Rip Current Myth A rip current is a horizontal current. Rip currents do not pull people under the water–-they pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills. Good News about Rips for Surfers Rips can be used as a means to get out the back. It will help conserve your energy but if you are new please beware. You are playing with mother nature and she can be harsh. It is good to try to use the rip when you have a partner or a lifeguard is around in case you get in trouble. Have fun surfing!! Mere

Surf Board Designs - Learn which one fits you best!

Thought this was an interesting topic about boards since we will be trying several of Austins Boards. Even though Austin has his own custom types this article will  give you an understanding of the types of boards out there! Enjoy ~ Meredith

Surfboard design!

 Different boards are made for different styles of surfing so it's a good idea to have in mind your surfing style. AKA - most of you gals would be long boarders.
Keep in mind, when you are just learning you do not want to spend a lot of money on your first board. The nuances that an experienced surfer spends the money for are missed by beginners. So save the money until you get more experience in and can appreciate the investment. A typical custom board is anywhere from 600+ Big Bucks!!
Your first board will probably take and give its fair share of abuse, so it may be wise invest in a nose guard as a beginner or start out with a foamie. There is no shame in a foamie and its safer. Lets face it gals; surf boards hurt when you fall and when you are a beginner that's going to happen.
SHORTBOARDSThe surfboard design of a shortboard ranges anywhere from about 5-9 feet, with most of them being in the 6-7 foot range. They are designed for high performance and maneuverability. Which makes them unsuited as a beginning board. The smaller size and squirrelier movement which make for great carving speed and turning ability mean that a beginner will have difficulty with the amount of floatation and the ability to paddle well. And the ability to stand up.
Waiting until you have more experience to buy your first shortboard is recommended. Trying to learn on a shortboard is a recipe for frustration. After a year or so, you can adapt to the board much better.

SOFT TOP SURFBOARDS AKA FOAMIE
A soft top surfboard is exactly what it sounds like and is the ideal board for most people to learn on. The top and rails are softer than fiberglass surfboard design, which is what makes them great for beginners. They are usually good for the skill level of beginners for your first year or so on the water.
You are much less likely to injure yourself or another surfer on a soft top. Although a thunk in the head will still have you seeing stars. You are also less likely to damage another surfer’s board with a soft top. Which means they will probably be a little more welcoming in the water when they see you on a soft top.
The soft surface means they don’t ding as easily, so when you graduate to a shortboard or longboard you can sell your soft top to another beginner and recover some of the money you spent.


FUNBOARDS 7-9ftWith a name like that they must be fun, right? Exactly. And they are great second step after a soft top board. They have enough floatation and stability for someone that is still fairly new, but enough maneuverability for someone who is gaining skill.
A funboard is something you can keep around for a long time too. Whether you decide that you want to head towards long boards, short boards or have the full spectrum, falling back on a funboard is something you can always do.
When you go to find your funboard make sure that you get 6 oz glass rather than 4 oz, because it won’t ding as easily.

LONGBOARDS
The surfboard design of a longboard is similar to a soft top board but when a board is over 9 feet long it qualifies as a longboard. Most experienced surfers have at least one longboard, even if they mostly surf shortboards. They are the veterans version of a funboard. Just about everyone loves to ride them.
They are easy to paddle and very stable. That being said, they are not the perfect choice for a beginner. Just as a beginning driver couldn’t parallel park an 18 wheeler, beginning surfers can not properly turn longboards. This makes for a danger alert. When you can make the progression from soft top to funboard and them to longboard, it’s time to add a big gun to your quiver.


FISH TAIL SURFBOARDSThe surfboard design of a fish tail originally modifies from a kneeboard design in the 60’s by Steve Lis. The fish tail is exactly what it sounds like. The tail is indented the same way that the tail of a fish is, shorter in the middle and longer near the edges.
What does this design do? It gives the ability to do roller coaster style turns at high speed. Very high speed. It does not adapt well to pivot style turns and will put the brakes on if you try it.
This is a board for experienced surfers with at least a few years of time in the water. They are extremely short in comparison to other boards. The combination of speed capability based on the tail design and maneuverability quirks because of the shaping mean this is a board for the surfer who has earned her stripes.

EPOXY SURFBOARDS
Epoxy surfboard design came out in the 70’s, but they didn’t catch on until 90’s when Surftech developed their tuflite models.
You can get epoxy surfboards in just about every style and shape. Their toughness means fewer dings, less damage and less damage to anyone else’s board.
One advantage for beginners if you know the shape you like is that epoxy boards are lighter and have better flotation then fiberglass boards. And if you get thunked in the head with an epoxy board it will hurt just a little bit less than with a fiberglass board.
The epoxy boards have a tighter flex, which as a beginner you probably wouldn’t notice. The same kind of difference between a carbon fiber tennis racket and a ceramic. When you have a lot of experience you will probably want both an epoxy board and a fiberglass board depending on the conditions.


CLASSIC SURFBOARDSJust as in fashion, surfboards must have special characteristics to actually be classics. Simply being an old surfboard design does not qualify a board as a classic. You want to avoid anything that is simply an old school replica. A classic becomes a classic because it rides well for years and years.
Longboards shaped by the likes of David Nuuhiwa and Donald Takayama are classics. These aren’t high performance, which is why Takayama calls one the “Model T.”
The breakthrough tri fin thruster from Simon Anderson is one of the most influential designs in a board in surfing history.
Skip Frye’s twin fin fish, for smooth arcing turns, was not only incredibly innovative, but is still popular today.
Al Merrick’s designs are what you would call modern classics. Used by professionals and amateurs around the world and consistently ranking as favorites.
Remember when looking at classic designs or classically inspired designs. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s classic. Retro chic works on many fronts, but in your board you want performance.

Paddling Tips

Hey Gals! Sorry for being slack on the posts! Welcome to all that our new. So our never ending topic is paddling but hey lets face it.....it is surfing!! So here are some tips and exercises.

Paddling tip 1 - Look for a channel to paddle out in. It will save you huge amounts of energy that are better spent paddling after great waves. White water paddling is extremely tiring and will lead to unnecessary fatigue. A channel is where the waves are not breaking, this can also be a rip so if you are new to the sport be careful and don't freak. Everyone remembers what to do in a rip right? Stay on your board and when the tide slows down from pushing you out paddle left or right away from rip. Do not try to paddle back to beach and ultimately back in the rip. You will not win. Always remember parallel to the beach :) Paddle tip 2 — Practice. Practice. Practice. Find a safe, uncrowded place where you can practice paddling in and out. This will perfect your timing and save your energy in the long run. I know you gals hate this but if you come to a meetup and its flat, don't go home. Go out and paddle. Paddling tip 3 — Avoid paddling through the line-up. This is highly important. You can consider the line-up to range from the point where people are taking off on the waves to where they finish the ride. Not heeding this advice will result in getting run over or ruining someone else’s wave. Even if you see others doing this, do not follow their lead. In order to build respect as both a beginner and a girl you must show respect. Paddle tip 4 — Sprint. This is the surf version of interval training. You want to paddle as fast as you can for about 20 meters or yards. Doing sprint style training will give you the paddling strength you need to catch waves. Try paddling as fast as your can for one block. Start on 4th by the lifeguard stand and paddle all the way to the next lifeguard stand. Paddling tip 5 — Paddling endurance. Like the tortoise, slow and steady may not be glamorous. But practicing for two - three blocks will build the endurance you need to get back out to the break after you catch waves. This is critical gals because when they waves get bigger it gets harder to paddle out. And most of you are long boarders and you will never be able to duck drive a long board so your paddle and the turtle are your best friend.

Now onto exrecises. Paddling exercise techniques will develop the skills that you need to hone your surfing ability. It may seems tedious but the payoff is rewarding.

Exercise 1- Timing — Practice turning your surfboard 180 degrees. The best way to do this is to sit closer to the tail of your board until the nose is at about a 45 degree angle. This basically gives you a pivot point to rotate on. Hold the rail with one hand and pull the board in that direction by paddling with the opposite hand. Work from both left and right sides while you are practicing. This will help you catch a lot more waves. "Riding the bull", I am sure you've heard me say that.lol Its a lot faster than trying to turn while laying down.

Exercise 2 - Endurance — This is a mimic of what you will be doing in the water when you are actively catching waves, hopefully very soon. Paddle stop and do your turning exercise and paddle full speed. Try starting with one block. This is exactly what you will be doing when you come back out and try to catch a new wave and will build both your timing and endurance.

Important Safety tip!
As a safety tip when you are waiting for waves, always sit with your board pointing towards the waves and not parallel. This is extremely important. The force of the water hitting your board when it is parallel to a wave is amazing. It can knock you unconscious. For your safety, always point your board into a wave and do not begin a turn if you risk only half completing it and ending up parallel to a wave.

Surf Board Wax Info

Surfboard waxing is important, at least if you want to stay upright.

But both the wax you use and the technique you use to apply it depend on personal preference and the environment you surf in.
The surf wax you choose and the method you use to wax your board are primarily based on personal preference. There are just a few actual rules or guidelines.

• A wax comb is great item to have at hand. You can use it to rough up the wax on your surfboard to give your wax better grip. This reduces the number of times you need to re-wax. This saves you both time and money. It will also help you to strip the wax off your board when you need to apply a fresh coat.

• Applying a fresh coat of wax about once a month is a good guideline if you are surfing regularly. The wax becomes dirty, absorbing both your body oils and your sunscreen which will cause your board to become slippery. A light coat of surf wax before each session will optimize your grip.

• If you use deck grip do not wax over your deck grip or it will end up actually making it slippery.

Everyone has their ideal method for waxing and their ideal wax, the important thing is that the method you choose works for you. Working means that it prevents you from doing a slip and slide when you try to stand up. When waxing, experiment with different waxes and techniques until you find your ideal solution. Vary the application, linear movements or circular movements. Try thinner coats or thicker coats. When you get the right waxing combination it will click for you.

Helpful Hints:

Cold water or winter - use the softest surfboard wax.Temperate water - use a middle hardness surfboard wax Warm water - use a semi hard surfboard wax Tropical water - use the hardest wax

You can also use a “base coat” style of wax on your surfboard. This is a very hard wax that creates solid lumps on your surfboard that thinner layers of softer wax applied over it can cling to.
Using the correct hardness of wax is extremely important. If you use a wax that is to soft for warm water conditions the wax will actually begin to slip off the board. The converse is true as well, wax that is too hard for cold water conditions creates a slick surface that will send you flying.
Remember the purpose of surf wax is to make sure you have an ideal amount of grip so that both you and those around you are surfing in the safest conditions.

Correct paddling trim

Ever see the bumper sticker "I'd rather be paddling?" We can all attest to spending lots of time paddling while surfing. I remember how surprised I was not only by how much paddling was required to surf, but how tiring it could be. Although paddling can be a pain at times, it is necessary for good surfing. Getting your technique down pat will help you surf better, up your wave count, get you in the wave sooner, and keep you and those around you safe. Here is a quick article that does a a great job of explaining proper paddling trim and technique and why you need it: 

http://www.surfing-for-girls.com/paddling.html

Excerpt from article:

The confidence that knowing your paddling ability is the best it can be is also important. It will allow you not only to get past the white water, get to the waves and stay out of danger, but it will also help you to remain calm and composed when faced with new situations. As a beginner not panicking can save you a world of trouble. Additionally, if you have stronger paddling skill you will have a lot more momentum when you do catch a wave. That makes it easier to maintain you balance and you can also stand up sooner and get ready for the drop.




Important Safety tip!
As a safety tip when you are waiting for waves, always sit with your board pointing towards the waves and not parallel. This is extremely important. The force of the water hitting your board when it is parallel to a wave is amazing. It can knock you unconscious. For your safety, always point your board into a wave and do not begin a turn if you risk only half completing it and ending up parallel to a wave.

Words to Live by

Very simple.....Very true....

Remember this when you have a moment in surfing :)

Words to Live by

Our Last Video!

Hey Gals!

Last week for videos and this one is great right before our first meetup. This is a video on surfing etiquette which goes great with my posting in our discussion section of the meetup. So check it out and I'll see you tomorrow. M

Surfing 12 

Ride a Wave!

Ok so I know it looks much different than VB waves but just remember starting here will only make you better! Hope to see you out on June 5th. M

Week 11 - How to ride a wave

Week 10 - How to select and catch a wave

This week's video is how to select a wave and your stance! Both are vital if you are going to get good. You need to be able to tell when the swell is coming from your board and the correct way to stand up. So check this weeks video out and the next time your out, don't follow someone try it for yourself. M


Week 10

Controlling your surfboard

This week you will learn the ins and outs of using your surfboard in the water. Enjoy!

week 9