Socks spot of the week - Easthaven

By Socks Clawtooth, Senior Furry Correspondent.

It's amazing what you find when you're not looking for anything in particular. That's the case here when I stumbled into Easthaven. As far as surf sims go, this one is very quiet. But that's what I like about it.

It's a residential sim of two people who have opened it up for everyone to explore. I've chosen the teleport point below as it's right next to the waves. Surfing wise, there is a single pipeline wave that's about half the sim, and a very short fluffy run that is more than wide enough to be interesting. Loaner right near the TP point, or bring your own.

As always, it's the area too. It's probably one of the more crammed spots on the grid, and well worth exploring. There's a hidden treasure here somewhere, but heck if I can find it. But the dragon is worth finding for yourself!

So if you need a nice place to get away, try Easthaven for a nice change of pace. I promise, something more exciting next week.

Useful links
SurfWatch: Moana'Ina Beach, The Weather Island
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Grandblue Bella
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Kekoa
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Nymphs Beach
SLURL: Easthaven

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4th event of Brazilian surf circuit Sunday

The Brazilian Second Life Surfing Association (ABSSL) will hold the fourth event in its 2008 surfing event circuit this Sunday at Crab Island.

Vana Loire took first place in the third leg of the Brazilian Surf Circuit held at Crab Island in September, followed by Mya Yalin in second and Danyllinho Aker in third. Pauinho Stoop and Ammie Graves were only placed fifth and sixth place at September's competition, however Pauinho still holds on to first place in the Surf Circuit season's table with 3,956 points and and Ammie comes in second place with 3,875 points. Guiloan Graves, who scored fourth in September, is third placed in the table with 3,565.

The ABSSL Circuito Brazileiro de Surf no Second Life begins at 1500 hours SLT (2100 hrs BRT) on Sunday 23 November 2008 at Crab Island. Be sure to check out SurfWatch Results for the competition results.

Updated 2000 hrs 24 November 2008

Useful links
SurfWatch Results: Brazilian Circuit 23 Nov 08 - Final Results
SurfWatch: New wave on Crab Island (27 Aug 08)
SLURL: Crab Island
URL: ABSSL (Portuguese)

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Socks spot of the week - Moana'Ina Beach

By Socks Clawtooth, Senior Furry Correspondent.

This week I want to revisit an old flame. The place I learned how to surf and how to dodge bodies on the water: Moana'Ina Beach at Weather Island.

If you've ever ridden an epic, you have this place to thank. The name epic actually comes from this beach, as it was the first to have one. The Weather Channel's small cluster of sims is a hangout area, they have all sorts of extreme sports like skiing, mountain biking and big wave surfing.

The beach is a re-creation of the infamous 'Jaws' on Maui (or call it 'Peahi' if you're a local). Watch for the atmospherics. While surfing out there it's not uncommon to be rained on while riding. Within the last month or so the epic has changed from the old style to the new. But it's still poorly maintained, it could do with a weekly reboot. But the wave is very good, and almost never laggy.

For new riders, when you get to the beach look for 'Sebastians Surf Shack'. In there you'll find a loaner surfboard, and a free shorty wetsuit. Other boards are there as well for purchase. Cross the border into the next sim, drop your board, and ride. Just be warned, the freebie board only works on The Weather Channel's sims, and nowhere else. Oh, and it's an ancient script too.


The down side is there's no ambient music, which is a real downer. And like I did, a lot of new people go there and ride. But if nothing else, head out there for the history. Or, if you want to appreciate the new boards, go out there and get one of the loaners to try out. To quote Warren Miller, 'let's hear it for the new stuff!'

Useful links
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Grandblue Bella
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Kekoa
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Nymphs Beach
SLURL: Moana'Ina Beach, The Weather Island

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Majini Longboard Epic

11.30am SLT 14 November 2008 -- The Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) today announced the heat draws for the SLSA Majini Longboard Epic surfing competition, which takes place at 1100 hrs (1800 hrs GMT) on Saturday 15 November 2008.

40 surfers have registered to take part in the Majini Longboard Epic. The competition is limited to SLSA members, but anyone can watch and the spectators stands are on the adjacent Bishara Island sim.

All the results for the SLSA Majini Longboard Epic are now posted on SurfWatch Results.

Updated 1930 hrs SLT 15 November 2008

Useful links
SurfWatch Results: Heat draws - Majini Island
SurfWatch: Surf Report: Majini Island
SLURL: Majini Island (competitors only)
SLURL: Bishara Island (spectators)

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The essence of Surf Jam

By VW Sands. Exclusive to SurfWatch.

Surf legend, Bishara Estate Manager, Vibrations Surf Team owner and SLSA Director VW Sands sums up what Surf Jam is about

The Vibrations Surf Alliance or VSA was formed soon after Majini Island was added to the Bishara Estate, . At the time there seemed to be a giant rift in the Second Life surfing community. It was being pulled in different directions and I founded the VSA as a way to try and create a group for surfers to just surf and have fun - no politics, no drama, no power-struggles.

As the Vibrations group grew - very slowly and by invitation only to this day - we decided to schedule surf contests for members and Surf Jam was born. I always tried to schedule contests in between Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) competitions as a way for surfers to stay in shape for the SLSA circuit, but more importantly to allow new riders a chance to compete in a relaxed atmosphere.

Since then, the VSA has grown to around 300 members, Surf Jam has become a regular fixture in the Second Life surfing community and Second Life's best riders are always on the roster alongside of new surfers. Since our first event the level of surfing has increased and Surf Jam's are still a great place for new riders to spend a day in the water with the top names. These days it takes only around 8 hours to fill the roster with riders, if that's any measure of success.

What we strive for at Surf Jam is a relaxed, informal and playful approach to competitive surfing. We, of course, adhere to the well established rules of fair play, judging, wave counts and so on, but in a format less inclined to intimidate new riders. I think that´s what make the Surf Jam so much fun - we all root for one another, we ride as friends, as Vibers, together. It is true to what the VSA was way back then and still is today. It's a day in the water with friends, it´s a vibe and it´s alive and well on Majini beach!

Surf, party, surf!

Useful links
SurfWatch Results: Surf Jam 8 Results (2 Nov 08)
SurfWatch: Surf Report: Majini Island
SLURL: Majini Island

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Socks spot of the week - Grandblue Bella

By Socks Clawtooth, Senior Furry Correspondent.

This week's spot is another slice of tranquility: Grandblue Bella. It appears to be a Japanese sim created as a part of a 'jazz and art' festival. The ambient music is a constant stream of jazz, and a lot of live stuff too. Right away, this sets the tone of the island.

The break is a very challenging one, three pipes unsynched and just far enough apart to make it a challenge to go from pipe to pipe. Assuming that one of the local natives doesn't breach and land on you, that is. It's a diagonal run, to maximize the room to go.

On the beach you can find a windsurf loaner, as well as one surfboard if you're persistent and look for it. Sales of Analog boards here too. However, the beach is open to all to drop your ride and go. If you're in an exploration mood, next door you can find some scuba gear for free and take a quick dive. Or go check out the art in the galleries too.


What gets me about this beach is it's different than all the others. The mood, the style, it's not like everything else. It may just be the jazz too, it certainly sets a whole new mood on the break. So, put Grandblue Bella on your stops list this week.

Useful links
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Kekoa
SurfWatch: Sock's spot of the week - Nymphs Beach
SLURL: Grandblue Bella

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Surf Jam 8 Video - 'Surfing Bishara'

By Socks Clawtooth, Senior Furry Correspondent.

Missed all the hot action at SJ8 this month? Fear not! Surfwidow Beaumont had filmed every turn of this month's competition, and made it available for free for anyone to watch!

"It's awesome footage," says SurfWidow. "Blur your eyes and it's one of those extreme surf vids you buy at the back of a surfing magazine"

The footage has a speaker-melting soundtrack that runs non-stop from end to end. SurfWidow captured all the action from the first heat to the last run of the finals. The video is nearly 20 minutes in length, and it'll keep you entertained the whole time.

Where do you find it? It's available on her YouTube channel in two parts, as well as on 'Blip' as one long video. The Blip site can even be streamed into Second Life, with the appropriate screen hardware in Second Life.

Video credit: SurfWidow Beaumont

Useful links
SurfWatch Results: Surf Jam 8 Results (2 Nov 08)
SurfWatch: Surf Report: Majini Island
URL: Surf Jam 8 Part 1 'Surfing Bishara' (YouTube video)
URL: Surf Jam 8 'Surfing Bishara' Part 2 (YouTube video)
URL: Surf Jam 9 ' Surfing Bishara' - Blip TV Link
SLURL: Majini Island

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VSA Surf Jam 8

10.20am SLT 1 November 2008 -- The Vibrations Surf Alliance (VSA) holds its 8th Surf Jam of the year at Majini Island today.

VSA Surf Jam 8 starts at 1200 hrs SLT (1900 hrs GMT) Saturday 1 November 2008. The competition is limited to VSA members, but anyone can watch. The spectators stands are on the adjacent Bishara Island sim.

You can see all the results for VSA Surf Jam 8 on SurfWatch Results.

Updated 0600hrs 2 November 2008

Useful links
SurfWatch: Surf Report: Majini Island
SLURL: Majini Island (competitors only)
SLURL: Bishara Island (spectators)

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