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Customer Reviews (2)

It Does the Job, but Could Use More
I used the Surfing California book in this series in the past, and thought that was a better book not only because it provided more in-depth reviews and details of specific surf locations, but also because it skipped the body-boarding locations, which I had no use for.Surfing Hawaii will be useful for the person who doesn't know Hawaii well, but I wish it would give detailed information on ALL the locations, not just the ones it deems more popular.Granted it lists pretty much all the locations, but for a lot of them it only gives a one-paragraph description, while for other locations there can be pages of info.All-in-all, the book could use more, but it does the job and is probably the best of all the surf travel books.

great book
I wanted a book to use as I was planning a trip to Hawaii for my son and I and wanted to know the best surf spots. This book covers locations, seasonal conditions, and rates them. I was pleased with the book. ... Read more

Product Description

"Surfing is art on waves, a form of self-expression." -Lisa Andersen, four-time women's world champion."

As the official counterculture sport of the 1960s, surfing was not just a sport but a lifestyle, one long, sun-drenched beach party with endless waves and music, as well as an unapologetically masculine culture. This notion has since been disproved by generations of amazing female surfers who have made an indelible mark on the sport. Surfing: Women of the Waves highlights some of these extraordinary women of surfing, from Linda Benson and Joyce Hoffman in the 1950s and 1960s to Layne Beachley, Sofia Mulanovich, Bethany Hamilton, and the great Lisa Andersen, four-time women's world champion. Today, women of all ages and skill levels have taken their place among the waves-longboarders, shortboarders, goofyfooters, hotdoggers, young girls, and surfer moms-these are the women of the waves!

Women featured include:

Bethany Hamilton, Jessi Miley Dyer, Melanie Redman-Carr and Layne Beachley: Australia Sofia Mulanovich, Punta Hermosa, Peru (small town outside of Lima); won 2006 U.S. Open Lisa Andersen, Florida Megan Abubo, Hartford, Connecticut Emilia Perry and Alana Mock, Northshore, Hawaii Monyca Byrne-Wickey, Hana, Hawaii Kristen Steiner, Big Island, Hawaii Melanie Bartles, Hawaii Lisa Benson, Encinitas, California Kim Hamrock, Huntington Beach, California Jennie Useldinger, Ashley Lloyd, Jamilah Star, Savannah Shaughnessy, Katherine Carter: Santa Cruz, California

Customer Reviews (2)

The coffee table book for surfers!
This is such a cool book.It's beautiful enough to be a "coffee table book" but it's also a great read. Wow, Linda, you're on a surfboard!

An inspirational book
Surfing may be one of the most difficult sports to take on and just watching what the pros can do after your first attempt can be frustrating and maybe even intimidating.I bought this book to hopefully inspire my girlfriend, a lifelong athlete, but newer to surfing.I wasn't disappointed.

The book covers all aspects of women's surfing--from beginnners to the pros.The rich photographs show women of all shapes, sizes, ages, races, and styles doing their own thing--from riding powerful Hawai'ian barrels, to getting up in the white water for the very first time.The book shows that surfing is possible, no matter how hard it might at first seem, and that you don't have to be a sponsored pro to enjoy the culture, to enjoy the ride.

I highly recommend this one for your daughter, your girlfriend, your wife.It proved to be a great Valentine's Day gift... ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The complete surf guide
Since I started surfing a few years ago, I have looked for a good guide book for my aim. I had not found one til i read this one. This is the complete surf guide for anyone going to Indonesia discovering its marvelouswaves. ... Read more

Product Description
"The Surfing Tribe" presents a unique insight into the forgotten story of Britain's pioneering surfers. How did a sport practised in Hawaii find its way to the chilly Atlantic shores of Britain? How did a photo in a 1929 encyclopedia inspire a Newquay ice-cream man to become Europe's first regular surfer? How did the British surf industry grow from a handful of backyard board builders into the multi-million pound industry it is today? "The Surfing Tribe" tells the full story of the history of surfing in Britain. It explains how a quirky seaside pastime transformed itself over seven decades into a phenomenally popular sport and lifestyle. From Newquay to Newcastle and from Jersey to Swansea, the origins of Britain's separate surfing tribes are revealed and all the top British surfers from the various eras are profiled. The book also charts the evolution of British surfboards, and looks back at the films and magazines that have portrayed British surfing over the decades. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Probably the best literary work on the history of surfing in the UK so far
It seems to me as Mr. Mansfield has been promoting quite an interesting work in the form of this book. Not only an extremely fine selection of photographs has been conducted, but especially the text brings detailed pieces of information I reckon only somebody with such intimacy to the development of the sport in that Continent would be able to gather, analyze and present the way the author has managed to achieve.
I strongly recommend this book, not only to those interested in the history of the sport, but also as a piece of art. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Is this a cookbook?
While fans of the authors and the show might love this book as a keepsake, I doubt that anyone will use it for much cooking. As a previous reviewer noted, the ingredients called for are hard to find and expensive for the average home cook. In addition, these recipes were created using metric measurements, and I often find that unless you re-test the recipes using American measurements (which are also given) the recipes do not come out very well. I am not willing to spend a lot of money on ingredients unless the authors can guarantee the result will be worth it, and is this case I have my doubts.

Great Cookbook
I bought this as a gift and the recipient loved it. I had browsed the book prior to wrapping and found it to be interesting, colorful and useful. ... Read more

Product Description
This is Nat Young's own autobiography.460 pages of hislife story starting as a young Aussie grommet spanning the years asone of Australia's best ever surfers.Everything is covered both intext and photos...his loves, travels, mates, business ventures youname it.It is all covered in this big biography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Nat's all that. What a legend
Humble family beginings to world champion, husband to father, party animal to entrepreneur. Through all this Nat Young was destined to be a surfer and one of the best the world would ever see. This book is a fascinating combination of surfing history (Australian in particular) and the history of a man who pushed to get every ounce of enjoyment out of life. This is a very informative, yet light hearted book with more than its share of incredible surfing tales. From surfing the best waves the world has to offer, the early days of the world tour and the unavoidable changes of the 70's. This book is nothing short of the ultimate life style a surfer could wish for. Reading this book inspired me on more than one occassions to get out in the waves and make the most of my life. A must read for all surfers.

This book will detonate your youthful & adventurous spirit
This book is long overdue.As a surfer and skier who grew up in the 70's and 80's Nat Young was the inspiration to us then and to teenagers today.He was one of the front runners who not only showed us how to do it but he did it with a passionate, laid back style.This read gives you the chanceto know Nat as a person and to be inspired by his youthful, adventuroussoul.

NAT YOUNG BRODZIAK - CINCINNATI, OHIO (9/9/99) ... Read more

Product Description
This book covers the full gamut of surfing topicsincluding the history, professionalism, surfboard evolution,professional surfers, the Hawaiian Islands, kneeboards, wave skills,windsurfers, and the future of surfing.Lots and lots of rare colorphotos covering surfings exciting past and present. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Great Overview
The photos in this book are really wonderful and tell the story.The commentary isn't too bad, either!A great coffeetable book or gift for anyone who loves the sport.

A lovely gift any surfer will appreciate.
There have been numerous books over the years to celebrate methods of surfing or best surfing spots: now THE HISTORY OF SURFING provides an illustrated, definitive overview of the sport and its roots. From interviews with surfing champions of previous decades to reproductions of early Hawaiian and Australian surfing photos - some never before published - this covers the great boatmen, surfers, and their equipment and techniques in full color. A lovely gift any surfer will appreciate.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Great History & Photography
Surfing is one of the most exciting and stunningly beautiful sports in the world. The modern surfer on his small plastic board is the product of a fascinating history of development. Nat Young, one of the world's great surfers, has produced an illustrated history of the sport that is the most definitive and authoritative ever published.

This book is the result of a lifetime of involvement with surfing and a deep interest in its history. Nat has had discussions with the greats of the sport, from Duke Kahanmoku through to contemporary stars like Kelly Slater and Lisa Anderson. He tells for the first time the real story behind the remarkable development of what we see as modern surfing in California in the '40s.

Illustrating the book are rare reproductions of early Hawaiian and Australian surfing that have never before been published, and the work of the world's best surf photographers, gathered together in a volume for the first time; a feat remarkable even for a surfer of the authority of Nat Young.

He traces the paths of the development of the sport from the Hawaiian kings through to the cur-rent crop of professionals. Along the way are portraits of some of the remarkable figures that the sport has seen - and it is a field not short of its eccentric stars.

Cool for waxheads and non-surfers alike
Surfing is of course a great pastime, an escapist form of recreation, an artistic expression of the soul, a highly challenging sport for young and old, and... a culture. This book suits both surfers, historians and beachgoers alike.

The history of the sport is curious. The polynesians engaged in it, as described by Captain Cook in 1777. "I could not help concluding that this man felt the most supreme pleasure while he was driven on so fast and so smoothly by the sea." Nat Young the author and former world surfing champion, traces its roots to the modern age of professionalism, commercialism, hippie cultures, with notes on board development, big wave riding, surf safaris, and so on. The book is becoming a little dated in this respect, as there is no toe-ins yet, amongst other things. But there may in fact be a revised edition which has these things-look around.

For the non-surfer there is some great historical pictures and stories. For the thinking surfer there is all this and some great waves. The only drawback for me, is that Nat Young is not a great writer, or narrator. The movie by the same name bears this out. Still, he is original if nothing else, and conveys the nature of surfing very well. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I swear by it.
I hopefully will not end up eating my words, as I'm studying right now for recertification.

As a review text, this book is great.Covers high points I'd forgotten and helps me remember them.Not a whole lot of depth, but for that you really want something like PREP or a good textbook.

I have two gripes with the book.The first is the many, many typos throughout the book.Simple formatting errors that should have been caught before publication were not.Distracting, perhaps even annoying, but the content is still very good.

My second gripe is that the publisher, MedHumor put my email address on their spam list after I bought the book from them.I had to formally request that my name be removed from the mailing list.I'm sorry, but that's just cheesy.

In summary, great book for basic recert review, once you get past the typos and the spam. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the condensed version of the 1998 revised atlas that was totally updated with new information and photographs. It is meant for the glovebox and is designed as the totally user-friendly guide necessary for finding the best waves in Australia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thunder Downunder
Great colour pictures, picture perfect pointbreaks, radical reefs, barreling beachbreaks, and more. An exhaustive review of surfspots in Oz, from the crowded pointbreaks of Surfers Paradise, to the empty soul surfingin the outback, this is a good buy for surfers, overseas or Aussie,thinking of a surf holiday in Oz. Tips on swell direction, tides, time ofyear to surf etc etc its all there, written by former world champion MarkWarren, and compiled by surfers from around the country. And one morething, a few secret spots have been left out, which you can find on yourown! ... Read more

Product Description
"Surfing" is huge, we surf the web, talk with surfer lingo, and wear surfer styles. How many of us understand the core experience of surfing a wave? And of those of us who have surfed, how many of us understand that enigmatic icon of surfing -- the surfboard?Well, your secret wish to know has finally been answered. Bob Smith, the most obscure and iconoclastic shaper ever, briefly opened the door to his ivory shaping tower, and threw out the truth. Bob had observed that untold millions of surfers, and an undetermined number of shapers, didn't have a clue as to how a surfboard actually worked.Your search for the truth is over, Bob's scribblings have been deciphered and sent to the printer. The resulting book tells all in a concise, easy to read, and fully illustrated text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Debunks many "established" truths
I gotta admit right off the bat - the closest I've ever come to surfing was on a $10 foam boogie board at Coquina Beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I live in the land-locked state of Pennsylvania and trips to the beach are few and far between. But when author Bob Smith asked me to review his book "The Basics of Surfboard Design," he said, "I'm always interested in how well it communicates, so I can improve." Bob, himself, is a pioneer in the surfing community having been "at the forefront of the short-board revolution in Hawaii during the late '60s" with examples of his surfboards appearing on the December 1968 cover of "Master of Surf Photography: Art Brewer."

What I like about Bob's approach is that he debunks many "established" truths that I think would be of interest to surfers, such as:

#1: Many surfers have a lack of interest about how and why a surfboard works.

#2: Surfers ride shorter boards than necessary because shortening the board helps make up for an inferior design.

#3: How many fins should a surfboard have? Ask instead - Where should the fin(s) be placed?

#4: Adding a fin will not increase thrust - it will in fact increase drag, slowing the board.

#5: A vertical fin is more stable and more powerful (size for size) than a swept fin.

#6: To get a good bottom, it is necessary to wet sand the surface with progressively finer paper.

#7: The pointy ends on surfboards should all be cut off - they serve no useful function.

#8: Make sure to tell a shaper: (A) what board you're currently riding (B) what you like & dislike about it (C) your favorite surf spot and (D) what size of waves you like to ride.

Overall, the book is primarily for those who are heavily into surfing and wish to have a custom-designed surfboard. The book is mainly text accompanied by rudimentary drawings. Professional artwork would have more fully illustrated the concepts for better comprehension.

I wish Bob had included photos of surfboards that he designed and comments from surfers who use them. Attributed quotes from those who utilize Bob's knowledge in the field would also have added credibility to his theories.

Excellent and essential
Bob Smith's _Basics of Surfboard Design_ is an excellent and essential book describing the critical elements for creating the most important kind of surfboard: the kind that YOU want to ride, on the waves that YOU like to ride.The author doesn't tell you what to do -- he explains the critical "lines" of a surfboard, and how they work, and lets you take that knowledge and build it into your surfboard (or discuss them with your shaper and have him build them into your surfboard).He goes into information about the physics of a surfboard that I have never seen anywhere on the web or heard anyone discuss in the way that he explains it.You should get this book if you want to know more about the way your surfboard interacts with the water, whether or not you actually shape your own surfboards.This book opened up my brain to start thinking about what was going on between my board and the wave in a more informed way, so I can understand not only what I'm currently riding but also so I can make more informed experiments and decisions with the boards I will ride in the future.Most of all, this book doesn't tell you what to do -- it arms you with the experience and insights of one very thoughtful surfer and shaper who shares the benefits of his experiments and observations, and that will enable you to test out in an intelligent way what works for you, and to think for yourself about your surfboard.That is a priceless gift.

Good for the basics
This book is great for those unfamiliar with surfing or surfboards.However, being an experienced surfer, I knew most of the information already.Also, the author has his own opinions regarding certain surfboard design issues that vary somewhat from the mainstream (the superiority of vertical fins).Overall, a good starter book on the subject. ... Read more

Product Description
Honest, sometimes gut-wrenching questions from Bethany Hamilton's fan mail---paired with inspirational Bible verses and Bethany's own answers---will keep girls ages eight to twelve turning the pages of this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Bitchin!
We are beach and surf lovers. So this book was absolutely adorable. Soooo glad they had little girls surfing, too. Huge plus for the multi-racial representation. Last but not least, accurate.

My Surf Tricks
Super fun book for the future or young surfer!Great illustrations show several surfing moves along with the surf jaragon for it.Each term is written into a single sentence positioned to form an image of the action (ie. for a tube, the words for a tight c-shape).The little surfers shown pulling off these moves are both boys and girls as well as multi-racial! Fun stuff & endorsed by SurfRider Foundation! ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 6 to 12 years. Surfing is an exotic sport that fascinates and excites us. Surfers are daring athletes who challenge the mighty waves of oceans. Find out what makes a person wake up at dawn to take thrilling rides on these enormous waves! In this book, children will discover: the etiquette of surfing; the many types of surfboards and how to care for them; great places to surf around the world; the rich history of surfing, which began as an ancient Polynesian tradition. ... Read more

Product Description
An insider's guide to monster waves along North America's fresh coast. Expanded second edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Great informational book
If you are looking to get involved in surfing the Great Lakes, this is a great place to start.The complaints about the book not having any "monster" wave photos are laughable.Reviews like the ones I reference are why you will find a brotherhood of surfers on the lakes, and a fight waiting to happen in the water on the coasts.
This book is a "How To" book on getting yourself acquainted with Great Lakes surfing, and from that perspective, it's a great read.I suggest reading this book, and then following up with a google search on some of the names in your area(or the area you are headed).There's no other better source of information than the people themselves, and when it comes to surfing the Great Lakes, that adage could not be more true.You won't find a better, more grounded group of people. Do a search for the movie "Out Of Place", and you'll see what I mean.
This book does exactly what it states, and has a boatload of info.As a Lake Erie surfer, and a former East Coast surfer, I found this book to be informative and it will go on my shelf as a reference for any future travels I may make to other lakes.

Great book!
This is THEE book on surfing the Great Lakes, and everything else you might want to do with your new knowledge of Great Lakes waves. My only complaint is that the book doesn't really clarify how often wave-making-weather occurs or what exact weather is required. I bet the new DVD movie "Unsalted" would clear that up for those interested.

Your perfect companion!
I moved to Ohio from the Philippines for work and knew nothing of lake surfing. Getting this book immediately helped me understand and learn what, when, where, and how I should plan my surf trip! Highly recommend the book!

Must have...
If you are a surfer or windsurfer that visits the Great Lakes you must buy this book.In a word, Indispensable.
LIVE LIFE...Dave

A must for Starters
Milwaukee Surfer
This book is a must for people starting to surf the great lakes.It gives great insight to weather conditions and lets you know how to get started. ... Read more

Product Description
Zen and the Art of Surfing is primarily a work of fiction. A collection of short stories that was originally a Master's Thesis at San Diego State University. Excerpts from the collection have been published in The Surfers Journal, Surfer Magazine, Surfing Magazine and Wave Action Magazine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

the art of explaining stoke
"Honor was the only thing we bring with us when we...." or "These old geezers are just little kids in old men's clothing. They found their glide..."or "...she's everything to me. In a billion years I'll never meet anyone like her again..."Tara, Skip or thoughts of a loved one while being swept away at Windansea. these are just a small sample of the events, stories and thoughts that shape this awesome book. Amidst the stories of the tension and strife on the beach from time to time. Or of a fight with the kid next door. As a metaphor of life. This book illustrates the fight between good and bad we all are faced with. Engrossing, clear, simple yet profound. Describing the quest for meaning and understanding in the human condition on this big ball of blue water, the message of this book is clear; the most important things in life are our relationships, and relationships with a foundation built on what's right are gold. This line: "...is so powerful that I can just turn my back on them and walk away..." The message that appears often, in small ways in the easy to read adventures and challenges of this book, is that gold relationships in our lives are the ones that teach us what's right. Lastly, this line: "On the dark sea a green light glowed. It was brilliant and brief. I knew that I would never give up hope" Thanks for this book. I highly recommend it.

Captures the Spirit
Greg's short stories capture the spirit of surfing. The hunt for waves, the stoke of catching it just right, and the strong bonds with both people and the ocean are shown in his book. I think it's a good read for the grommets (surf lingo for young surfers) too because there are many life lessons about attitude and priorities woven in. And it helps remind us adults of things we've already heard and know. Haven't finished it yet, but it's in my van. I know I'll be reaching for it while I'm waiting for the tide to fill in or the wind to shift......

I grew up Catholic so I didn't mind the many God and Jesus references but some might find it distracting.

Nice work Greg.

Ryan
Portland, OR

Vicarious Surfing
I picked up a copy of Zen and the Art of Surfing before my last trip to Hawaii to set the mood while I sat on the plane anticipating the fun times ahead.Having never surfed before, the book gave me an interesting insight to a world I don't know much about.

I found myself going through an array of emotions, whether I was feeling the fear of knowing a shark could be stalking me through the water at dusk, rallying for the hero to win a sparring match on the beach, or appreciating the special bond surfers have with one another and with the ocean.I was carried away due to the wonderful story telling abilities of Greg Gutierrez, and have not only bought copies for friends, but also look forward to reading future works by this writer.

not for surfers only
absolutely gripping. an insiders glimpse into the culture of surfing but Gutierrez' stories are truly about the challenges and conflicts of human beings who just happento surf. the author has the ability to invite to inside his characters' lives so that you can feel their elation, pain, joy and sorrow. while the book is mostly fiction, you can tell by the writing that the stories are all born from personal experiences which make the stories all the more intense. highly recommended to all.

Soul Seeking and Brilliant
Truly a heartfelt and thought provoking collection of short stories that bestow a mental Polaroid of one man's enigmatic interrelationship with the ocean, the human state, and the quest to uncover a remote yet esteemed state of higher being.There is a fluid and articulate poignancy to Greg's writing style. The bonds of nature paralleled with human loss and conflict are delivered in an appealing concord of quiet simplicity that will excite both surfers and non-surfers alike. Real life and fictional experience are presented in a manner that is forthright and engaging in reverence to "ali'I" the "Sport of Kings." The path to enlightenment is illuminated throughout the book via skilled metaphors for life and symbolism's of lessons that are realized yet have not been achieved. ... Read more

Product Description
Ultimate Surfing Adventures takes you on a thrilling ride around the world's best surfing spots

Stunning, full-page photographs put you at the heart of the action while inspirational descriptions tell you why each break is so special. This is a sumptuous coffee-table book that's perfect for planning your next surfari, or that allows you to indulge in some armchair surfing of some breaks that only the most adventurous will visit.

As well as classic waves around the Pacific there are a wealth of more unusual surf spots from Antarctica to Nova Scotia. Every continent is covered – expect to read about some waves you've ridden and some you never knew existed. Each entry is accompanied by useful information about season, hazards, how to get there and what to do when you're all surfed out. ... Read more

Product Description
Printed in a compact size that makes it handy for car or van, this practical guide covers the entire coastline of Britain, with extensive coverage of southwest England, Wales, and Scotland, along with the up-and-coming south coast and East Anglia. Based on the authors’ personal research, Footprint Surfing Britain includes recommendations from local, knowledgeable surfers, who also tip the reader to the best spots to stay and eat. Advice on meeting other surfers, avoiding problems with the locals, guidance on the breaks, what to do on flat days, and even a special section on surfing in London wrap up this indispensable guide. ... Read more

Product Description
"The boldness with which we saw [the Hawaiians] perform these difficult and dangerous maneuvers was altogether astonishing. . . . " Penned over 200 years ago, Captain Cook's words could be written today with no less awe or sincerity. In Waikiki, the Hawaiians were the first people to harness the surf as a source of pleasure. Where, for thousands of years, cultures living on the coastlines of the world's great oceans had seen waves only as menacing natural adversaries, the Hawaiians saw fun. Today, as surfers push the boundaries of wave riding, the ultimate test for the surfing elite remains Hawaii's formidable waves. The Soul of Surfing is Fred Hemmings's "talking story" about surfing's culture and history, his own long association with the sport, and everything from surfer slang to the daredevils who risk death to challenge the big waves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

One of the greats
One of the greats has finally written about his love of surfing and the history of the sport, including its professional beginnings. Thank you, Fred, for baring your soul and sharing your stories. Now we will have themfor all time.

best surf book
Most surf books are small waves breaking in shallow water, this guy sees beyond horizon.

A Surfers book.
What a great book. A surfer's book! Fred kept it short, sweet and heartfelt...all a surfer requires. I don't agree 100% with his beliefs but he speaks honestly and with a spirit only a Hawaiian could fully grasp. Hispolitical platform gets my vote. His last page gave me goosebumps. I havedone many things in life non-surfing related but more than anything else,to say "I am a surfer", says it all!

Best book yet on the history and magic of surfing
Hemming's explores the true personalities that made the sport what it is today. His reflections and anecdotes reveal the true heroism of the sport. Hemming's vibrant story-telling style would be greatly appreciated on ESPN.They need a true surfing celebrity to do on-air commentary. Remember him onABC's Wide World of Sports? Fred truly epitomizes the soul of surfing.

60's Surfing... wish I was there.
This book really made me wish I'd lived in Hawaii in the 60's.Mr. Hemmings provides an excellent history of the growth of surfing and outrigger canoe racing.It's hard to imagine his uncrowded surf of the60's.Also a very good look at the change from the recreational surfer tothe professional competitor.I highly recommend this book to any personwho surfs. ... Read more