Product Description
The Girl's Guide to Surfing delivers all a girl needs to score the wave of her choice. The surfing population has recently exploded, and women are in the water more than ever. For all these hearty souls, author Andrea McCloud delivers down-to-earth instruction and indispensable advice. Find out what kind of surf equipment is specifically right for women and how to get it. Learn how to read local breaks and tides for catching the right wave at the right spot. Get the lowdown on surf etiquette to avoid getting yelled at, or worse, crashing into someone. And hear war stories from the pros about how they learned to surf, how they conquer fear, and what it's like to pull into a fat tube. Featuring loads of informative illustrations, sidebars, and tips, The Girl's Guide to Surfing is the bible for any girl who wants to catch a wave. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

great book for beginner surfer girls
This is a great book for beginner surfer girls.I run a surf camp in Costa Rica and I bought this for our book collection.It has nice photos, helpful explanations, and good descriptions.I give it five stars because even though it was a little basic for me, it would be killer for any girl who is getting her toes wet and learning to surf.

This will get you up and surfing
This book was the best little purchase that I have ever made.This book doesn't mess around with cute stuff.It gives you useful facts, information, and illustrations that demonstrate things you need to know in the water.It is about being a real surfer who is female, not a "surf diva".While it may look like a book for young girls, it absolutely will be useful to any girl of any age who wants to get into the water with a lot of knowledge.Even a girl who is already surfing could find something useful in this book.In fact, some guy surfers I know who have been surfing 30+ years, agreed that it was right on.I highly recommend it.In fact, forget all those other books for female surfers, just get this one and save the bucks for a rashguard.

So you wanna learn about surfing????
I bought this book for my niece for her 13th birthday and now apparently I am the greatest uncle in the world.This is a fantastic little book, and I might add a great present from me!Anyway I got the idea from one of the surf rags.But I couldn't find the book I originally went to the bookstore to get and stumbled onto the Girls Guide to Surfing.There are actually several girl surfing books out right now, but of the three at the Borders this one really drew my attention. The drawings are fantastic and dare I say pretty hip. After flipping through the pages and reading a few sections of each book I decided this was the one.It just had this very cool vibe about it.Once I got home I found myself reading through the whole thing.Not kidding, I've surfed for most of my life, and I really enjoyed reading this book.It's funny in a very smart witty way, but very approachable and filled with tons of information.I loved the little side-notes and laughed out loud over the surf shop "bro" deals!That brought me back to when I was an eager teenager getting my new board begging the surfshop owner to hook me up with stickers and track-top and whatever else I could get my hands on.

There is great information throughout this very approachable little book.Only weak-spot I felt was the descriptions for performing maneuvers. I feel like some things in surfing are just impossible to describe like pumping for speed, or whacking a good off the top, or laying into a big roundhouse cutback - these things must be learned and practiced over years.Every attempt is different and depends on the wave, your speed, etc. etc.But I can't fault the writer for attempting to describe or sum up how to do some of these things.It's just impossible to explain.And as I think about it, maybe it's good for a newbie to visualize this stuff.But other then that I'd say the info was downright on the money.I've never heard a better explanation of how to duckdive or how to interpret the buoy reports.This stuff is great.Also great little tips on all those things you'd learn over the years through trial and error - like making your lease string too long (which is a costly mistake because that string will cut right through your nice new board).

Anyway, I've heard through grapevine that my niece has read through the Girls Guide to Surfing a gazillion times and is now desperately attempting to convince her father to buy her a surfboard (and he'll soon find out a wetsuit too!). Word is she carries the thing everywhere and apparently thinks her surfing uncle is a pretty cool guy these days.

... Read more

Product Description
An inspirational and spiritual adventure uses a central metaphor of snowboarding to explore a holistic approach to living and making the most of the mind/body connection. Reprint.Amazon.com Review
An engaging true story of a young American snowboarder who seeks "theultimate high" in the Himalayas. But he stumbles on an experience more thrillingthan he can anticipate when he becomes a spiritual apprentice to a Buddhistmonk...and therein lies the tale... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (79)

valid overview
This is a valid overview of Tibetan Yoga practice, the same practice which was mastered by siddhas like Milarepa and Marpa.

This does not give you the techniques but it does validate the methods of kundalini arousal which are standard fare for advanced yogins of all religious and philosophical persuasions.

For the price, this is a steal.

==============================
For information on the techniques see some of my books here:

[...]

Meditation Pictorial

Brahma Yoga Bhagavad Gita

Kriya YogaBhagavad Gita

Poop from a cult leader
Lenz was a cult leader.
I dated one of his followers - it was weird! It turns out they are all alike and like the same things - same favorite books, same favorite movies - and they all aspire to own a Scottie dog (Lenz's favorite dog!)
There are many of them - and they all LOVE this book!
I guess they all voted to give it 5 stars!
Go figure!
It's pure poop!
A Himalayan mountain takes days to climb - yet Lenz is half way up one in an hour or so with snowboard in hand and ready to snowboard it down.
Low and behold - a little dweeb monk like guy appears out of nowhere on the mountainside to instill "Tantric" Buddhist wisdom.
Dum-de-dum-de-doo-dah!
Lenz is now dead - due to living life to excess on the fruits of his beguiled followers.
This book should die too.
Poop!

A cult Leader's fictional creation
Before reading this book, learn more about the cult the author has created and what has happened to him in the end. Bottom line: its all about his ego.

Surfing the Himalayas is Very Inspiring
Frederick Lenz's Surfing the Himalayas is a very inspiring book that I've enjoyed thoroughly.As a snowboarder, it's great to see a book that happily talks about the relationship between Buddhism and snowboarding !!!

But Master Fwap, what does any of this have to do with Buddhism?
Okay, when I got about 40 pages from the end I just gave up, as I realized it wasn't going to get any better.

First, there is no plot. And that isn't bad in itself, but essentially the book is a poorly written attempt to outline some of Lenz's conceptions of what spirituality is about, in the format of a dialogue between an enlightened master and a clueless/hapless student who isn't looking for what the teacher is offering. This format is completely unnecessary for the information he's trying to get through. It's way repetitive, and hardly insightful.

Second, Master Fwap's disjointed and ridiculous "teachings" have nothing to do with Buddhism whatsoever! I don't remember ever reading the words "suffering", "impermanence", or any hint of the Noble Eightfold Path, or Four Noble Truths. And I have never heard of any connection between Atlantis and Tantric Yoga before reading this book. Most of the stuff mentioned - interdimensional planes, auras, energy lines - can best be described in the words of another poster here, as "New Age Claptrap".

In short, if you really want to learn about Buddhism, almost any book besides this one will do. At least "The Complete Idiots Guide to Understanding: Buddhism" contains factual historical information! If you want a quick and goofy read, pure nonsense for mere entertainment.... there are also better books out there. ... Read more

Product Description
The true stories in this one-of-a-kind collection cross the spectrum from terrifying to comical to downright bizarre. It prepares you for the most gripping and unbelievable stories about big waves, shark attacks, tsunamis, boating disasters, devastating wipeouts, pranks, and bad judgment calls. These thirty tales, by surf journalists, filmmakers, magazine editors, watermen, and everyday surfers, illuminate the less enchanting aspects of a life committed to surf. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Some Stories are Very Funny
Starting with a few power packed stories of sharks and surfers this book provides great entertainment.But the highlight of the book is describing early surfing at Trestles which is on a Marine base and forbidden after a time.Of course a battalion of Marines in the 60s is not going to stop surfers from a few tasty waves and so begins the comedy of surfingwhile Marines either try to swim out and stop you or surfers hide in weeds undetected smoking ganja. I was laughing out loud and this book was worth it for this section alone.Later the stories are not quite as entertaining and the book doesn't end strong but still an enjoyable fast read with every chapter a different story.

A good read
Has good short life stories. From pro surfer's to the average joe. Some humorus, other's scary to life changing events. Tells you about what surfer's do to find great waves or have some adventure.

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good Surfers
This book expertly delves into the surfing subculture with stories that every surfer can relate to.I have never surfed Trestles, but the stories of what went on between the surfers and the military base were hysterical.Even non-surfers I read it to found it extremely entertaining.

GREAT READ FOR THOSE FLAT DAYS
A whole bunch of short stories from surfers around the world. Some sad. Some funny. Some very in-ya-face. But all a good read. Keep it in the glovebox of your car to read when you're sitting on the sand waiting for the swell to arrive.

one of the best
heads and shoulders above most surfing books. Really great writing, short stories, great topic of course. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the "bible" for new surfers! It covers everything from board design to board repair.From wetsuits to wax. From building your own to waves, wind and tides.There is so much info in this book that will help the new surfer understand his sport before he even gets wet.A "must" for beginning and intermediate surfers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The book on Surf Board Design so far in my experience
In my quest to study surfboard design this book is an incredible starting point.If your quest is the same then this book belongs in your library.

Good information
I found the information good.Specifically I liked the review of design options for a surfboard and their relation to performace.It was what I was looking for.

Definitive source for technicals on surf board design
Outstanding book.I have read it several times over.Although it is abit dated technology wise(materials), the dynamics and mechanics involvedin the physics behind the sport have remianed unchanged.The authorexplains how different desings(template, tails, bottoms, rails, ect.)affect the boards performance characteristics.I really enjoy reading thebook.In fact, it was my companion in arms when I shaped my own surfboardrecently and applied all the lamination.The board came out perfect, and Iattribute most of the sucess to this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The Sport of Kings, developed in Polynesia and refined in the paradise of the Hawaiian Islands, is now global, with surfers challenging the waves from Australia to Atlantic City, from Hawaii to Peru, and from South Africa to Malibu. There's nothing like being alone on a board, charging across a waveface, to free oneself from the cares of the workaday world. And there's no other sport that requires so little gear to participate, and yet gives so much in terms of excitement, challenge, and satisfaction.
With its comprehensive text and brilliant full-color photography, The Complete Guide to Surfing clearly and vividly explains the world of surfing. Here is everything you need to paddle out and join in. Veteran surfing writer and California surfing pioneer Peter Dixon takes you step by step through basics such as choosing the right board, reading waves, and paddling out. From there you will learn how to take your first ride and gain experience as an intermediate and advanced surfer. You'll also learn about the subtleties of board design, etiquette on the waves, safety maneuvers, how to deal with wipeouts, and moves to improve your power and grace.
The Complete Guide to Surfing is destined to become the classic guide to the sport for years to come.


... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good reading
Mr. Dixon indeed has a lot to share with those interested in the studying and practice of surfing.
It brings significant information regarding bodysurfing and bodyboarding as well.
I also recommend his "Men who ride mountains", which brings thrilling stories of some California/North Shore pioneers.

watery anecdotes do not make a complete guide
My main complaint about this book is it's misleading title.Dixon's anecdotal style of writing had me skimming the fluffy text for bits of information that were actually useful to me. There was information that I needed and my surfing did improve, but the information was sparce and buried in prosaic whitewater. Now, here I am at Amazon looking for another book to answer my basic and intermediate questions about surfing.Thought I'd drop a review by.

Well designed and informative
Dixon provides the necessary information on surfing with clear text and pictures. His style varies between anecdotal and concise.However, this book is far from comprehensive.The culture involved requires that this reference be supplemented with various other volumes with differing tacts.I recommend that the reader purchase this and several more prosaic works to get the complete view of the surfing world. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

Longboarders guide
Good quick book on basic Longboard info.....would have liked more on catching waves and reading them....

Fine for new surfer, new longboarder.
I am new to surfing and to longboarding. This presented me with terms, basics, and plenty of which I needed and wanted to know to go try out my board.I can see where some who have other experience may not be completely forfilled with this.I am pleased with it.

Great Book
I highly recommend this book for people getting started in the world of long boarding.Lot of good information.

Overall, a very good book for novices.
After reading the others reviews, I was a little hesitant to order the book so I found the book at a local store and flipped through it.I liked it and bought it.

I've been surfing for about 9 months and was looking for guidance learning to cross-step and ride the nose.I'd tried to search the web but all I found was information on longboard skateboards. Although it's simliar, there are some big differences, so I ended up buying the book.

The book gave me the instruction I was looking for regarding how to position my board in the wave and my feet on the board during cross-stepping and nose-riding.It also gave me some good points on surfing waves in general and turning.I found the more advanced tricks a little harder to understand but I think I have the concepts down and am looking forward to trying them out.

I think some of the other reviewers were a little hard on the book for its "lingo."Like any specialty, surfing has its own vocabulary and in order to describe it succinctly you might need to learn a few new words, so be it.

Overall, I think this is a very good book for a novice.

OK... But
This book was really only of moderate usefullness.I got better information at my local surf shop. ... Read more

Product Description
Recommended by the U.S. Surfing Federation as a book that every beginning surfer should read, this instructional guide details the basics of surfing gear, conditions, safety, etiquette, and history.Teaches the beginning surfer the fundamentals of the sports; what to expect in the first days of learning; and how to cope with waves, learning frustrations, and crowds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Easy and Interesting!
I bought this for my boyfriend and I when we were planning a weekend trip to San Diego that included a surfing lesson. We didn't really prep much for the lesson, besides reading through the book on the flight over, but it raelly gave us a lot of info that was helpful. It's a very practical guide, giving you some maneuvers to practice, as well as some tips on ettique, lingo and what to expect your first time out. Plus, it's written as if you're talking to your old buddy from high school who is walking you through the basics of surfing in his free time. Enjoy this and your time in the surf!

Great book for the novice
A quick and easy read.Clearly describes and illustrates all the skills necessary to begin surfing.I recommend it for young and old surfers.

Only for the ABSOLUTE beginner
I had been surfing for about six or eight months regularly before I bought this book. Thus, there was almost nothing that helpful in here for me; I already knew how to paddle out, pop up, what kind of conditions to look for and which to avoid, I'd already boughten an appropriate board. Nothing in the book mentions more advanced/intermediate tips I was looking for like how to turn/carve, or technical aspects on differences between boards.

That said, this book would be good fot total beginners who have not tried surfing yet and just want to be sure of the facts and basics. Many of these things you will pick up intuitively, but some of it will not automatically come naturally, thus the book is good to prevent/check bad habits, create good ones-- i.e. don't look down when you ride a wave, arch your back when you pop up, etc.

mediocre at best
As a long-time climber who finally learned to surf this past year, I naturally assumed there would be a surplus of good instructional/reference books on the market for beginning surfers, like John Long's "How to Rock Climb" series serves for climbers.There aren't.This is one of the few I found, and I supposed it's better than the competition, but that's not saying much.

Surfing is less a technical and more of an intuitive type of sport.That said, there are plenty of technical aspects to it, and this book continually falls short in explaining or even mentioning many of them.The chapter on "paddling out," for instance, doesn't even mention duck-diving or turtle-rolling to get outside the wave break, let along teach them.These aren't easy things to do on a big, fat beginner's board, but at some point every surfer will need to learn how to get outside efficiently.A surfing instruction book should give you some hint here, but I had to go searching on the web to find step-by-step instructions because whatever I was doing wasn't working right and this tome is worthless as a reference book after you've been out 2 or 3 times.

Another example: the book recommends you get a "big" board.No explanation of the different types of beginner-appropriate boards (longboards, eggs, hybrids) vs intermediate-appropriate boards (shortboards, fish, etc).No description of the impact of different board parameters (rocker angles, nose and tail shapes, thickness) have on how a board handles surf; you're just told it's too complex for you to understand so don't bother to ask.

In any sport, you really need some basic instruction from someone who knows what they're doing to really get going.An instructional book should be there to help you remember and make sense of everything afterward, at night when you're not out there practicing.This book doesn't meet those criteria very well.

Best Beginner Book I've Seen
Having never surfed, I was in the market for a very simple book to explain some of the basics before I actually got into the waves. This book fit that bill perfectly. It gave very simple lessons about how to start the sport--the necessary equipment, where to surf, how to actually get on your board and a little history of the sport. It didn't rely on surfer lingo that muddles everything up for beginners who are not yet in the know and had a number of excellent photographs to visually capture what the words were trying to say. It is very well written for someone who does not have experience and I think it is a fantastic teaching tool. I would highly recommend this book for all beginners or parents of beginners who just want to have an idea of what their child is getting into. I can't wait to put these lessons into practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

There are better books about surfing California.
This book covers the basics you would like for a surf break: swell direction, wind, tides, seasons, etc...They do have a decent selection of breaks, but the descriptions vary from good to informative to uninspiring filler.This book does okay as a quick reference while on the road, but I use others for that purpose.

Another reason for my buying a surfing book is to get me amped for travel.However I have never seen more terrible photographs of surfing in my life!They used sub par shots that look like they literally came from a camera phone!Shots that are unfocussed (see Moonstone Beach), too distant (see Humboldt North Jetty), or just plain terrible selection (see Scott's Creek).Want a real scorcher of a photo?Look at their choice for California Street: a surfer failing to paddle into a 1-ft mushburger.It's so pathetic I actually laughed.

The book is not a total loss so I gave it two stars.But I say pass on this one.There are certainly much better books out there.

Very Informative Book
This book deserves better rating. I'm comparing this book to the Surfer Magazine's Guide (SMG). The SMG is printed better, pics look better, but the description part is a bit arbitrary. This book is more organized and more informative. I like the introduction of the history and background of the sites, which is an interesting read. They also did good summary of each site, everything is clear with a glance. I suggest getting both books.

Arguable the worst book ever
I agree with everything the previous reviewer said and then some. A guidebook should be both accurate and have nice photos to help the reader see where they are going. The photos, especially for S.Cal, were taken on the smallest day ever. If El Cap, Campus Point, Sandspit andRincon are point breaks then why are the pictures of beach breaks? You don't have to pay to park at any of the places they refer to as "Tamarack" (it's not the California State Park at South Carlsbad where you do have to pay to get access to the camping area) unless you give money to me as the homeless surf bum asking for spare change. Buy and use this guide at your own peril.

I would rank Cleary and Stern's Surfing Guide to Southern California the best (4 stars) even though its over 40 years old. The aerial photos are great and there are photos of the spots taken when there is actually surf. Bank Wright's is ok as are the Surfer Magazine guides (3 stars). But be sure to skip this one.

Terrible!
Don't buy this book. The pictures are all from what seems to be a one-week fly-by roadtrip in the summer, and so every spot they take a picture of is flat. That's no help at all. The info they write on each break was probably copied from somewhere else online, and most of it is wrong and outdated. It sounds as if these guys don't even surf.

Not worth the money, go with Bank Wright's classic: Surfing California ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

non-surfer delights
As someone who has never been on an actual surfboard (the crack to the back of the head off a skateboard was a big deterrent...), I was very curious to learn about the History of Surfing. I did learn some history and some facts, but what I really got was a story. Michael Scott Moore's prose had a way of making me feel like I was listening to a fascinating travel adventure, not always clean and definitely not easy, but true; real. The passion for surfing has also stimulated my imagination - I very much want to be as close to flying as a human can be without a pair of wings now! I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys the darker corners of experiences had, truly a delight.

Excellent history of surfing
My surfs and I thought it would be interesting to find out more about the history of the sport.I was amazed at just how far back it goes.I also found it fascinating what different stigmas actually have been attached to surfing through the years.This book has it all from missionaries "cleaning" up the Hawaiian natives to modern day.This was an enjoyable and educational book.

Some history... with a little anthropology and a lot of travelogue
To be honest, I think that the appeal of Sweetness and Blood is limited to those serious or semi-serious surfers.It's a great read if you're familiar with surfing people and their environs, but at times it seems to develop a little bit of "been there... saw that... got the t-shirt" feeling.

For me, the "how" is too often cloaked in mystery and legend.There is some history, but the true interest in this is the way that surfers adapt to local cultures and lifestyles (like surfing on a German canal).If there is one recurring theme throughout though, it's that the single development most responsible for the spread of surfing around the world, it's the invention of the wet suit!The Germans, English and Scandinavians will second that notion, I'm sure.

Surfing but much more
Thinking this book was mainly about surfing and surf culture I was surprised, happily, to find it covers much, much more.It's fascinating, enjoyable, informative and great fun to read.I would recommend it to just about everyone!

Amazing Reporting
I wrote this review for San Francisco Magazine.

The king of Morocco institutes a surf school to combat Islamic radicals. Punks in Munich dodge local police to surf urban rivers. A Cali fornian doctor sneaks surfboards into Palestine for the Gaza Surf Club. What's happening here? When you think about America's global pop-culture influence, Beyoncé, George Clooney, and Michael Jordan come to mind long before Kelly Slater. But journ alist, avid surfer, and former SF Weekly theater critic Michael Scott Moore does a fine job of arguing that surfing--yes, as in Point Break--may be our country's most influential cultural export. (The sport is Polynesian in origin, but its modern incarnation is distinctly American.) Moore travels to unlikely surf destin ations worldwide, dredging up fascinating historical tidbits and interviews, many of which debunk long-held myths: For example, the first surfers to ride waves in Indonesia were not Australian hippies in the '60s but an American couple, Bob and Louise Koke, in 1936. You don't necessarily come away from Moore's book convinced of his thesis, but his irreverent style and diligent research capture a truer--and sometimes darker--aspect of the surfer's sacred search for the perfect wave.A-

--JAIMAL YOGIS, author of Saltwater Buddha ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (17)

Must Read!
This book is one of the best books I have ever read about surfing and the surfing culture. It is well worth the price!

The spirit of aloha!
This is a masterful book. From the story of Rel Sunn to Buffalo Kealuna to Eddie Aikau, this book delivers the true heart and soul of Hawaiian surfing. Highly recommended.

A non surfer reads her first surfing genre book
This was the first ever "surfing genre" type book I've ever read. Not one to pick up a surf mag and peruse around its pages, I think that I might be inclined to do so after reading this book. The descriptions of the people, the culture, and the surf events and daring rescues of the life guards made for quick reading that made me feel as if I were in Makaha enjoying the wonderful personalities and beautiful places Coleman describes. In surfing it seems art and life are fused on the moving canvas of the ocean. This book reiterates what is important in this life. It will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. I totally urge anyone who has even the remotest curiosity about surfing, Hawaii, and what is important in life to pick it up.

Pieces the puzzle together...
A lot of surf lit focuses on the North Shore, or the Malibu, or the Mavericks 'scene'. Fierce Heart shines a light on a far more interesting story - Oahu's 'Wild Westside' of Makaha, and the very special characters who live there. One thing of interest to me is Coleman's peculiar 'oral history' style - there IS a bit of repetition and certain anecdotes occasionally reappear as though they've been cut and pasted - but somehow this actually adds a greater aura of authenticity to the story telling. This is an excellent story for people who want to know the role of surfing in Hawaiian culture and to dig deeper than the tourist brochure cliches that often gloss over deeper social issues. I have to say, though, I'm not still not sure if I'd rent a car and go out and linger for very long. Best to just leave 'em alone; they don't need more haoles crowding their beaches.

An insightful glimpse into a highly guarded aspect of Hawaiian local culture
Stuart Holmes Coleman is a somewhat rare individual in today's modern hybrid `pop-culture' dominated Hawaiian society: a surfer who is also a gifted creative writer of appreciable note.

Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Coleman completed his undergraduate degree in that state before relocating to Los Angeles and working briefly as an arts editor for an LA entertainment magazine. Thereafter he returned to the East Coast of the US and pursued a graduate degree in literature (creative writing) at American University.

In 1993 Stuart moved to Hawaii, motivated by the other primary passion in his life, surfing. Once in the islands, he quickly became interested in Oahu's legendary Waimea Bay waterman Eddie Aikau and was inspired to begin writing a book about him. While working on his book, Coleman taught English at Honolulu's Punahou School, and later at Iolani School, befriending big-wave riders Fred Van Dyke and Peter Cole (also former Punahou faculty alumni) in the process.

Upon undertaking his first book, Coleman was introduced by Cole and Van Dyke to the Aikau `ohana and many other important local Oahu figures, with whom he become good friends while conducting his researches. After completing three years of intensive work on Eddie Aikau's life, the book was finally published as `Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero'. This carefully composed and culturally balanced biography served to allow him to gain substantial access to Oahu's somewhat xenophobic West Coast culture after interviewing many of the locals in the Waianae area, and some years later he was able to further draw upon these contacts to begin a new book on the unique and often extraordinary Hawaiian people populating the Makaha area.

As an epicenter of the resurgence of modern Hawaiian he'e nalu (surfing), the story of Makaha (which means `fierce' in Hawaiian) has been captured in an intriguing narrative that gives many empathetic insights into the nature of the diversely distinctive local Hawaiians who are residents on this part of Oahu. Figuring centrally in this book are the principal members of the Keaulana `ohana, among them patriarch Buffalo and his son Brian, as well as other noted local Hawaiians such as Iz Kamakawiwo'ole, and champion surfer and waterwoman Rell Kapolioka'ehukai Sunn.

With this book, Stuart Coleman has accomplished what has been missing for decades: an empathetic and balanced examination of the core culture of one of Oahu's most important, yet highly convoluted local areas. He has also prepared a book that finally helps to honor the memory of Rell Sunn, widely known as `The Queen of Makaha' and perhaps one of the most extraordinary women ever to grace modern island culture. Although many younger Hawaiians may not today remember Auntie Rell and recognise the importance of her life as an exemplar of the traditional spirit of aloha, renown waterwoman, proponent of breast cancer awareness (she sadly succumbed to that disease herself in 1998), and extraordinarily inspired supporter of Hawaiian keiki (children), her compelling story has long deserved to be formally recorded. While not entirely about Rell, Coleman's new book on the fierce local Makaha culture that produced her is at least a starting point that may hopefully inspire a fuller chronicling of her story at some future date.

Writing in a comfortable, highly readable and skillfully engaging manner, Stuart Coleman's passionate interest in he'e nalu culture and the sport of surfing has enabled him to develop portrayals of the central individuals in his book with awareness and keen insight that someone not intimately involved with surfing might not possess.

Along with his first book on Eddie Aikau's life, Stuart's latest book, `FIERCE HEART', deserves to be read by all who are interested in the modern expressions of ancient Hawaiian culture and by those who wish greater understanding of the tragic loss of the sacred Hawaiian `aina (lands) to malihini (outside) interests, over the past one hundred and fifty years.

As Coleman points out, although modern Makaha has a `rep' as a tough and turbulent local area, popularly characterised as being torn by domestic problems, plagued with rampant homelessness, devastating substance abuse excesses and frequent occasions of violence, Makaha's story is also a key to understanding both the clash of traditional Hawaiian cultural elements with modern outside influences and the nobler, more ancient values that are still honored and so admirably maintained by many of its residents.

`FIERCE HEART: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing' definitely belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who appreciates and respects the uniquely rich cultural heritage of the Hawaiian Islands, next to Coleman's wonderful earlier work on the life of Eddie Aikau. Both of these books may be easily found at all internet book sellers, including Amazon.

The only apparent deficiency associated with Coleman's books is unavoidably inherent and stems from the fact that he is a haole malihini (a white outsider, and a fairly recent arrival at that), whose racial ethnicity will effectively bar a fully congruent understanding of kanaka maoli culture (no matter how empathetic it may be). It is also apparent that Coleman's writing on Hawaii and the Hawaiians, like that of many other haoles who dream of and emulate an idyllic culture that is ultimately unattainable (by virtue of having white skin), is unavoidably partisan in the expression of its principal sentiments. It will be a substantial advancement when a local Hawaiian (kanaka maoli or kama'aina), rather than an empathetic outsider who by necessity observes and reports from the perspective of an external observer, finally rises to the task of analysing local Hawaiian culture from within.

That having been stated, it is perhaps not overstating things to say that Coleman has come about as close to gauging the primal pulse of archetypal local Hawaiian culture with his two books as any recently arrived haole malihini has in decades. I highly recommend both of these books to all of you as useful (and enjoyable) reference, since there is really so little else available on modern Hawaiian local culture.

Aloha mai e, Kalikiano....
... Read more

Product Description
Santa Cruz is located on the northern tip of Monterey Bay on California’s central coast. Surfing was first introduced to the U.S. mainland in Santa Cruz by three visiting Hawaiian princes in the late 1880s. Since those early days, the Santa Cruz surfing culture has blossomed into a thriving lifestyle. Many of the world’s most highly regarded surfers hail from Santa Cruz. In fact, Santa Cruz, or “Surf City” as its known, has become a popular destination for surfing aficionados of all ages. Surfing in Santa Cruz is a concise historical overview of the diverse and colorful surfing culture inhabiting the area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A wonderful journey through history
As a longtime surfer, I was instantly drawn to this book, and I wasn't disappointed. But this isn't just a book for surfers. "Surfing in Santa Cruz" offers a wonderful journey through history, not just of surfing itself, but also of a small town that has been shaped in part by the sport. Anyone who has been to Santa Cruz knows what a unique place it is: nestled between the pacific ocean and the redwood forests of California, the city has retained a small-town feel while adopting some big-city ideals. Hickenbottom captures this perfectly within the context of Santa Cruz's thriving surf culture. He includes beautiful photographs that document surfing's heydey as well as its journey into the modern era, and his prose is eloquent and accessible. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to surfers and non-surfers alike.

Surfing in Santa Cruz
A great pictorial history of Santa Cruz surfing.Only the longboard era was covered.

Great Memories
As soon as I saw this book mentioned in the Santa Cruz Sentinel I bought my copy from Amazon, as I have been surfing and windsurfing around Santa Cruz for 45 years. You spend that many years in the water and, besides losing part of your hearing from spending so much time in cold water, you also forget the colorful characters that surrounded you all those years. When my copy arrived yesterday, I had to sit quietly in a corner and stare as each image burned holes into my sealed memory. Thanks so much, Tom, for putting together this collection of photos and memories, and opening me up a little.

My parents owned a home on 38th Street, so I mostly surfed The Point, starting in 1963, before the yacht harbor was built and the Point had beaches, even on a high tide. Sleeping on the beach north of the Hook next to a tiny campfire as me and my friends would listen to the waves crash all night and be on the water at first light. Surf trips to Ensenada, Rincon, the Ranch, and Kauai. Gosh, since this is a book of historical photos, I guess I'm a piece of history now.

If you were never part of this surf scene in Santa Cruz, I'm not so sure this book would hold a lot of interest for you, but for us who have been there, lived it, and loved it, this little book of photos tells a big story. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

All about the fundementals of surfing
This book was a fun read with down to earth written expression...enjoyable at any age!

Excellent Overall Surf Book!
This is an excellent book for anyone learning to surf.The information is amazingly helpful, it offers great guidance on many levels with great pictures and illustrationsAs a surfer I have always heard people say, "I have always wanted to surf but...(insert your own excuse, fear, limitation)If you are one of those people who say this,I highly recommend you get this book, get inspired, and then get in the water!

got me so stoked i acrually teared up... a bit...
... and I'm a guy. I bought this for my wife, and I'll admit I'm a bit surf deprived lately, and definitely very stressed, but I've been trying to encourage her to follow through with her dream to learn to surf for a long time. This book said everything I tried to tell her an much much more. despite the fact that I got a bit emotional looking through this book, I'm sort of a manly man and she feels like I don't understand her fear of water or appreciate her challenges when it comes to surfing , (which is probably true.) This book addressed so many issues so much better than I ever could have that I can't say enough positive about it. It addresses real issues without all the surf hype: its genuine and helpful. Plus it provides perspectives from for all kinds of surfers from pros, to kids, to adult beginners. its really inspiring both for her, and me, an average surfer guy who wishes he could get out a little more often.

Inspiring and informative book
This book is great for anyone interested in surfing.The chapter addressing the subject of 'fear' is particularly good.There's also a good section on surfing-specific exercises to keep in shape.

It's written with a lot of aloha spirit and has a nice dedication to the Queen of Makaha, Rell Sunn.

A great source of inspiration
As a younger woman and recent breast cancer survivor, I found this book to be a great source of healing.It was validating and uplifting to read testimonies from other women that faced challenges in their lives.Sister Surfer reminded me of what's important in life: fun in the sun!After reading this book, I had my first surf lesson and had a blast.I can't wait to hit the waves again! ... Read more

Product Description
In the 1970s, a decade before bumper stickers and T-shirts bearing the phrase Eddie Would Go began popping up all over the Hawaiian islands and throughout the surfing world, Eddie Aikau was proving what it meant to be a "waterman." As a fearless and gifted surfer, he rode the biggest waves in the world; as the first and most famous Waimea Bay lifeguard on the North Shore, he saved hundreds of lives from its treacherous waters; and as a proud Hawaiian, he sacrificed his life to save the crew aboard the voyaging canoe Hokule'a.

Eddie Would Go is the compelling story of Eddie Aikau's legendary life and legacy, a pipeline into the exhilarating world of surfing, and an important chronicle of the Hawaiian Renaissance and the emergence of modern Hawaii.
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Customer Reviews (9)

Great Book!
Great story of Eddie's life, and courage throughout. I read this book while in Maui and wanted to take the next plane or boat to Oahu and the North Shore!

Great hawaiian legend
If you ever wanted to know the story of a modern Hawwaian legend this book will fill that void. Eddie is and was a legend not only for surfing but for the locals on Hawaii. Even though I am from the mainland I could not put this book down. If you love to surf or are just interested in Hawaii this is a good read.

Maika'i
Inspiring.Talks not only to the story of the great person Eddie was, but to what he means to Hawaii and the pride of their culture and roots.

Long live Eddie!
Eddie Aikau is the personification of selflessness. You need to read this story to truly understand.

The medium is not the message
I recommend this book as a convenient source for information about Eddie Aikau for those who wish to know more about him or those who simply wish to know about people who have inspired others.
The subtitle of the book is well chosen: this is a story, not a biography or history. It is obvious (at times frustratingly so) that Coleman relied heavily on hearsay for much of his information (cf. some other reviews), and he does not hesitate to simply make up things he could not possibly know about (e.g., what sundry characters, including Eddie Aikau, think at various junctures).
Another shortcoming of the book is Coleman's poor writing. He is much given to hyperbole, and this detracts from the story. For example, several times he writes that surfing and water-related lifestyles generally are dangerous because the sea is "the most unpredictable thing in the world" (this being a paraphrase). Nearly simultaneously, he stresses that only the skilled dare or ought dare challenge the sea. Obviously, total (or even substantial) unpredictability precludes acquisition of any skill--there are no professional lottery players, for example--and such would make the process of learning about the sea, big waves, and what have you impossible. As Eddie Aikau obviously (on Mr. Coleman's own testimony and the testimony he collected) did possess such skill, the sea cannot be totally unpredictable. Coleman intends the reader to conclude only that the sea is not perfectly predictable; the reader would be better served if he had simply said so.
That said, however, the shortcomings of the way this story is related do not detract from its attractiveness. The story of Eddie Aikau _is_ inspiring, even to this reader. By "even to this reader," I wish to relate that I do not surf, have little special interest in Hawai'i, and fully intend to go happily to my grave (happily at least in this respect) without ever having surfed or visited Hawai'i again. A strong point of the story is that Coleman does not gloss over unattractive aspects of Aikau's character: political ignorance (visiting South Africa during the worst times), reckless drinking, a tendency to violence, etc.
Don't expect much of the book, and it won't disappoint; however, readers may well wish to do on their own more research than Mr. Coleman did. ... Read more

Product Description
A whimsical series that captures our emotional, spiritual, and humorous experiences in the great outdoorsOur new Zen series explores the peace, tranquility, and sense of adventure that many people discover while pursuing outdoor activities. Each book features a compilation of 100 inspiring quotes about climbing, hiking, or surfing, as well as the wilderness landscapes in which these activities take place.With forewords by well-known individuals in each field, describing their personal "Zen" moments in the wild, each book also features original, motion-sequence flipbook illustrations.* Inspirational quotes from a variety of well-known and lesser-known figures * Each title in the series is also a unique flipbook* Great gifts for outdoor lovers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Inspiring and thoughtful
This little book is a perfect read for an afternoon swinging in the hammock, and a great resource when I want to find a quote to add to a birthday card or email. Having lived on various ocean shores, there are nuggets of gold in here that I feel strongly connected to, and others that bring up fun memories of times at the beach and adventures in the Surf. A great gift for a kindred friend or relative passionate about the sea. ... Read more

Product Description
Do a little armchair time-travel, rub elbows with a four-dimensional intelligent life form, or stretch your mind to the furthest corner of an uncharted universe. With this astonishing guidebook, Surfing Through Hyperspace, you need not be a mathematician or an astrophysicist to explore the all-but-unfathomable concepts of hyperspace and higher-dimensional geometry.
No subject in mathematics has intrigued both children and adults as much as the idea of a fourth dimension. Philosophers and parapsychologists have meditated on this mysterious space that no one can point to but may be all around us. Yet this extra dimension has a very real, practical value to mathematicians and physicists who use it every day in their calculations. In the tradition of Flatland, and with an infectious enthusiasm, Clifford Pickover tackles the problems inherent in our 3-D brains trying to visualize a 4-D world, muses on the religious implications of the existence of higher-dimensional consciousness, and urges all curious readers to venture into "the unexplored territory lying beyond the prison of the obvious." Pickover alternates sections that explain the science of hyperspace with sections that dramatize mind-expanding concepts through a fictional dialogue between two futuristic FBI agents who dabble in the fourth dimension as a matter of national security. This highly accessible and entertaining approach turns an intimidating subject into a scientific game open to all dreamers.

Surfing Through Hyperspace concludes with a number of puzzles, computer experiments and formulas for further exploration, inviting readers to extend their minds across this inexhaustibly intriguing scientific terrain.Amazon.com Review
Clifford Pickover is IBM's Renaissance-guy-in-residence. His job is toplay with cool ideas--time travel (Time: A Traveler's Guide),extraterrestrials (TheScience of Aliens), and the line between genius and crackpot(Strange Brains andGenius). His latest game isan oldie but goodie: trying to imagine the fourth dimension.

Like a number of his other books, Surfing is structured as afiction, in this case an X-Files romance--Pickover clearly has a deep andpersonal appreciation for Scully (whom he calls "Sally," presumably onadvice of counsel). You, dear reader, are the FBI'schief investigator of four-dimensional phenomena. As you and your cohortschase bizarre manifestations from "upsilon" (4-D up) and "delta" (4-Ddown), Pickover provides explanations, paradoxes, and problems, with manyhelpful drawings and computer-generated illustrations.

Pickover's book, like every work on higher dimensions, is something of asequel to Edwin Abbott's classic story, Flatland. Like Abbott,Pickover doesn't just look at themathematics: "I want to know if humankind's Gods could exist in the fourthdimension." Not for the theologically squeamish, this book is lively,provocative, outrageous, and fascinating. --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

What would four dimensional beings look like?
Great science is about answering interesting questions and great science writing is about making those selfsame answers accessible to the public.

It is in this latter regard that Charles Pickover succeeds admirably in answering the question posed at the beginning this review.

Having the reader assume the role of David Duchovny like X files FBI agent, he leads the reader on an interesting and accessible investigation of the four dimension and its various properties.

Liberally illustrated with pictures and artistic renderings his book does a great job of explaining.

Oh, and what would four dimensional beings look like?

According to Pickover, amorphous hairy blobs floating in the air, changing shapes and locations but always disgusting as we no doubt would be to them because they could our insides.

For the rest of the story, read his book.It's easy to read and a lot of fun.

"If Satan Were To Fall From Upsilon To Delta Through Our 3-D Space, What Might We See?"
'Surfing Through Hyperspace' by Clifford Pickover is an engaging presentation of highly theoretical concepts within the field of physics presented in the form of a cosmic dectective story. The premise: "Hyperbeings have kidnapped the president!"

Question: Just how do 3-dimensional humans go about tracking down 4-dimensional hyperbeings and would we even be able to recognize them if we found them?

Who could resist a book with such chapter titles as; The Divinity of Higher Dimensions, Satan and Perpendicular Worlds and The Gods of Hyperspace. Wonderfully inventive, theologically challenging and just plain enjoyable!

This is a valuable tool!
This is the third of Clifford pickover's books that I've read. Sex Drugs Einstein and Elves is a good introduction to who Pickover is and to some of the subjects he writes about. The Paradox of God has some interesting things to say about the unprovable idea of the existence of an omniscient being. Surfing Through Hyperspace however, is an extremely valuable book in other ways. While the existence of higher dimensions has not yet been conclusively proven, it is among the current theories in the field of physics and seems very likely. It is not only physicists who should be interested in these ideas, but anyone who cares at all about the structure and order of the universe in which he lives. As far as I'm concerned, physics outranks religion and many other subjects in importance to the state of human knowledge, yet few people become interested in it. This book is a wonderful guide to exploring what beings and objects in a fourth spatial dimension might look and act like. Pondering the concepts discussed in this book could be a powerful and intriguing experience for anyone who is curious about higher dimensions. When talking to people who are becoming interested in such ideas, I usually recommend that they read Michio Kaku's Hyperspace. From now on, I will recommend that they look at Surfing Through Hyperspace as a companion volume. Kaku's explanations combined with Pickover's lessons on visualization of these concepts should make a very effective introductory course.

Higher Dimensions Around and In Us
Clifford A. Pickover, "Surfing through Hyperspace," 239 pages, numerous illustrations

This book discusses higher-dimensional geometry, the fourth dimension, philosophy, religion, mathematics and string theory.The author begins by saying that he knows of no subject in mathematics that has intrigued both children and adults as much as the idea of a fourth dimension -- a spatial direction different from all the directions of our normal three-dimensional space.Philosophers and parapsychologists have meditated upon this dimension that no one can point to but may be all around us.Theologians have speculated that the afterlife, heaven, hell, angels, and our souls could reside in a fourth dimension -- that God and Satan could literally be lumps of hypermatter in a four-dimensional space inches away from our ordinary three-dimensional world.The book's table of contents gives a good indication of topics and people covered.I have given more information about the topic in parentheses.

Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1. Degrees of Freedom (history of fourth dimension, string theory, hyper-time)

Chapter 2. The Divinity of Higher Dimensions (Flatland, 4-D creatures, God)

Chapter 3. Satan and Perpendicular Worlds (parallel universes, wormholes, 4-D chess)

Chapter 4. Hyperspheres and Tesseracts (Hinton Cubes, tesseracts, hyperspheres)

Chapter 5. Mirror Worlds (Zollner, aliens, Mobius words, Klein bottles)

Chapter 6. The Gods of Hyperspace (Hypothetical access to the 4th dimension)

Concluding Remarks
Appendix I.Mind-Bending Four-Dimensional Puzzles
Appendix II.Higher Dimensions in Science Fiction
Appendix III. Banchoff Klein Bottle
Appendix IV.Quaternions
Appendix V.Four-Dimensional Mazes
Appendix VI.Smorgasbord for Computer Junkies
Appendix VII. Evolution of Four-Dimensional Beings
Appendix VIII.Questions for Further Thought
Appendix IX.Hyperspace Titles

A fun story involving fictional FBI agents exploring the fourth dimension weaves the topics together.A mixture of humor and mathematics.

A profound disappointment in six easy lessons!
Queen Victoria almost certainly would have been amused if she had thought to pick up a copy of Edwin Abbott's inventive story "Flatland" when it was first published in 1884. But it's unlikely that she would be amused at the degree to which Pickover has chosen to rehash all of the same ideas - and, not just once, but seeking to dress the same material up as different chapters over and over again. My goodness, there are only so many ways that one can say a three dimensional sphere projects as a circle in two dimensions. Therefore, a four dimensional hypershpere projects into three dimensions as a sphere. OK, OK - I got it the first time!

It's bad enough that Surfing Through Hyperspace barely rises above plagiarism. But Pickover has tried to tart the presentation up with a bizarre, pretentious narration that is also a simple rip off from Scully and Mulder of X-Files fame! This silly repetitious presentation borders on insulting to any intelligent reader who, after reading a couple or three chapters, will realize they would have been better off going to the store to buy the original item - Flatland.

Any other material that is beyond Flatland - wormholes, Many Worlds Theory, quantum mechanics and superluminal contact, to name a few examples - are explained more completely and more clearly in any number of other sources. I did briefly get excited when one chapter headed down a road that looked really promising - multidimensional variations on games like chess and monopoly; knights that weren't allowed to effectively jump into the 3rd dimension by leaping over men on the board; 3-D chess play inside an 8x8 cube; a chess board on a Möbius strip. Then Pickover pulled the ultimate cop out - "We leave exploration of these interesting variations as an exercise to the reader." For crying out loud, if I was a mathematician, a physicist or a game theorist, somehow I doubt I would have purchased the book in the first place!

Surfing Through Hyperspace promised a deeper understanding of higher dimensions but, for me, it was a profound disappointment.
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Customer Reviews (5)

Surfina Australia
This is a gift for my grandson and it is small and perfect size for him when he goes to Australia at the end of December.Excellent information and I know he will use it.

Not a bad way to go!
I spent 4 months driving from west Oz to northern New South Wales, and the coastline was pretty well covered. But not so much that you can't find your own spots not listed. A great guide for the first time visitor.

excellent, accurate and up to date!
Being an Aussie and wanting to get out there amonst it all, this book says it all.Being one of five kids that all surf in different areas and using different modes of transport on the water this book has it all for all ofus and this book is what they will all get for chrissy this year!!

Rad Book
This book is so rad.The pictures are awesome. It's just a great book

An excellent resource.
Good pictures, solid review of breaks. An excellent complement to the Surf Report. ... Read more

Product Description

Everything you need to know about waves Classic surf trips, from California to Cornwall Iconic surf movies and legendary image-makers Profiles of surfing greats, including Miki Dora, Nat Young, and kelly Slater Practical advice—from becoming a greener surfer to travel essentials and how surfing conquered the world!

Customer Reviews (3)

The Book of Surfing: The Killer Guide
//The Book of Surfing// is nothing less than a Bible of surf lore. A historical treatise, a who's-who of influential names, a how-to guide, a travelogue, a film retrospective, a surf lingo-to-English dictionary... it encompasses all of these and more, unified by one very simple ideal: the love of surfing.

Fordham's book richly covers the hows, whys, and wheres of surfing, allowing the greenest novice to gain some valuable tips and advice, and offering plenty to be appreciated by enthusiasts and survivors of a thousand wipeouts as well.

How waves are formed, how weather patterns affect the surf, how to choose a board, what to bring, how to behave, how not to behave... the list is virtually endless. An absolute wealth of information is presented, cleverly dispersed throughout the book so as not to overwhelm, and peppered throughout with vivid and enthralling photography that not only explains concepts and adds color, but captures the imagination.

And despite all of the terminology and technique behind it, in the end, //The Book of Surfing// is just that, a celebration of one man's genuine adoration for riding the waves. Even if you never pick up a board, it is a joyful and entertaining read.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

Terrific!
A wonderful overview on surfing that hits all the right points and personalities. Highly recommended for newbies and experts alike. For more on surfing, check out [...]

Greatness between two covers.
Everything from the content to the layout is amazing.From a visual standpoint, I would strongly recommend this book to everyone.The content is also very interesting and well written.Blow your mind and your eyes! ... Read more

Product Description
Surf culture in the Texas Coastal Bend began in the early 1960s when a few young men set up surfboard rental stands on the beach. By 1970, thousands of people had caught the surfing bug. In the decades that followed, dozens of surf shops and surfboard makers established themselves in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, and nearby communities. Coastal Bend surfers won national championships for their wave-riding prowess, beating out counterparts from the East Coast, California, and Hawaii. By the 21st century, Coastal Bend wave riders had become a force to be reckoned with, playing strong roles in local political movements that influenced public policy. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

from san diego
This book was super helpful finding the breaks along the coast of France and Spain.Usually use the Surf Report by Surfer Magazine, but found a lot more helpful hints, especially places to stay.Seemed the board selctions were a little shorter than I would expect, for example they called a 6'3" a semi-gun.But besides that, great work.I wish someone would pay me to publish the same.

Solid guide to euro breaks for traveling surfers
I took this book along on a trip to northern Spain and Basque France this fall and it was very helpful.The book packs a lot of detail into its break write ups, the icons can be a little hard to decipher but all the relevent information is there.There is no info on any secret or really sensitive spots, but the main breaks are covered and its a great starting place for exploring the region.The board ads (in the guise of advice about appropriate boards for a given region) are lame, and the cultural / non-surfing info is not detailed or deep enough to be really useful, I would rather have a lighter, smaller book without that page count.But, all-in-all this book was useful and it's a lot smaller and more durable than the Stormrider Guide to Europe.

...wet suit, wax, board, footprint guide...
Just the quite simply the best guide around. Detailed information on all the best accomodation. Great knowledgable detail on the local breaks and conditions. Fab little extras, like stuff to do if there's no surf, such an awesome and really useful touch.
Don't leave on a surf trip to anywhere in the UK or Europe with out this baby, it'll save you time and money. AWESOME!!

This book is very good
Perhaps the best book of it's kind. It's better than the Stormrider's Guide to Europe because of it's attention to details and a huge wealth of useful information aside from just surfing -- airlines, car rentals. detailed maps and other travel info. Also, the book is very well laid out with fantastic iconography. The only thing I wished it had was a chart for the wave heights of each region based on the months. I'm surprised this book does not have a wave height chart, because it has a chart for everything else. Overall, I highly recommend this book.

European Surf Bible
This book is awesome! It not only has more breaks than the Stormrider, it also has all the best places to stay, eat and drink. It has advice from top surfers, excellent maps so you can actually find the breaks, and what weather charts to look out for! I picked this book up in London and spent the summer travelling round Europe. I scored some amazing waves and this book saved me a fortune in gas driving to the right spots at the right time.
If you're going to Europe buy it, if not buy it anyway to check out the sick pics! ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the history, equipment, and basic techniques of surfing, as well as safety issues and surfing etiquette. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Popular
I work in an elementary school library and this book is NEVER on the shelf.The kids love it.The text is easy to understand and the photography is wonderful to look at. Great learning for the young surferjust starting out. ... Read more