SLSA 2008 Season II surf breaks announced

The Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) announced late Wednesday its chosen surfing breaks for the association's 2008 Season II, 2008. The SLSA received 14 nominations for competition venues and chose 5 for its next season, which runs August to December 2008.

Here's SurfWatch's run down on the Season II surf breaks.

Boneyard, Saturday 16 August 2008


Surf break:
A two section-wide pipeline wave with fluffies that runs North-South across the sim for about 38 seconds: over rocks!

Opened:
June 2008

Owned by:
Radical Twang and Breezy Biddle
Location:
In front of the Reaction store sim

SurfWatch:
Surf's up at Boneyard! (2 Jul 08)
SLURL:
Boneyard


Morant Cays, Saturday 20 September 2008


Surf break:
A 36 second Epic wave break that runs for just over 230 yards North to South across the sim

Opened:
June 2008

Owned by:
Kristoffer Juneau and Aurora Jacks

Location:
Part of Braata Estate, next to JJ Lanes Bomba Shack Beach Club

SLURL:
Morant Cays

Chi, Saturday 18 October 2008


Surf break:
A short, 20 second one section pipeline wave with fluffies that breaks North-South for just under 100 yards

Opened:
July 2004

Owned by:
Sally LaSalle

Location:
North-West corner of Chi Island

SurfWatch Surf Report:
Chi, unique surf breaks with a touch of Zen
SLURL:
Chi Island

Livestrong, Saturday 15 November 2008


Surf break:
Epic wave with a long 35 second North-South run about 220 yards across the sim

Opened:
May 2008

Owned by:
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Location:
In the Livestrong group of sims, next to Tsunami Island

SLURL:
Livestrong

Pepo Island, Saturday 13 December 2008


Surf break:
Luminescent pipeline wave with fluffies that runs 245 yards South to North across the sim towards Mandhari Island

Opened:
May 2008

Owned by:
Dumisani Ah

Location:
Bishara Resorts, adjacent to Majini Island and Mandhari Island

SurfWatch:
Two new surf spots at Bishara (9 May 08)
SLURL:
Pepo Island

Useful links
SurfWatch: What makes a competition surf sim? (12 Jun 08)
URL: SLSA Forum (SLSA 2008 Season 2)
URL: SLSA Website
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SLSA overhauls its constitution

Changes will increase the number of eligible voters, clarify roles and positions

The directors of the Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) have called a Special General Meeting to ask eligible members to vote on a new version of the association's constitution, something that has been worked on behind closed doors for the past couple of months. This is the first complete overhaul of the SLSA constitution since the association was founded more than a year ago. Other than a lot of minor changes aimed at removing ambiguities and bringing more clarity to certain clauses, the overhaul makes some important changes to voting rights and the definition of responsibilities within the SLSA.

"We've reviewed and revised the whole constitution," said Radical Twang, SLSA director. "We've revised clauses over and over, and ran it through different advisors to make it the best that it can be, with safeguards to prevent any constitutional crisis and straight forward clauses to provide clear rules for the future."

Voter eligibility
Perhaps the changes of interest to most SLSA members are those to the definition of who is eligible to vote during SLSA elections. The current rules state that only SLSA members that have competed in the last three months of SLSA surfing competitions prior to the election may cast votes. The new proposed constitution requires that, in order to be eligible to vote, an SLSA member must have either competed and been assigned a score in at least one of the previous 6 competitions prior to the vote; or must have served as a director or officer in one of the last three competitions prior to the vote; or must be an SLSA Hall of Fame inductee.
The net result of the changes is more eligible voters and less brain drain on the electorate.

Other than provided much needed clarifications regarding the roles of board directors, officers and advisors, the new proposed constitution tightens up the rules regarding the election of the board, responsibilities of board directors and enters a new clause to allow the association to replace directors that simply don't show up ("if a director is out of contact for one month then their position shall be declared vacant and a by-election held to fill their position"). The new constitution also officially creates and defines roles for Head Judge, Marshal and Security officers.


Teams officially recognised, but that's all
The SLSA's terms or recognising surfing teams are also defined under the new proposed constitution, but the new document stops short of spelling out how teams might be involved in SLSA competitions in the future. However, it does state that "surfers and event participants are not required to be a member of any team".


Only SLSA members that have competed in an event in the last three months are eligible to cast votes on the new constitution and have been asked to do so by the SLSA directors between midnight 5 August and midnight 7 August 2008 (SLT).

Meanwhile, the next election to vote in new board members is scheduled for 1 September 2008 (with nominations being accepted by the SLSA between 11 August and 18 August).

Updated 9.54am SLT 29 July 2008

Useful links
SurfWatch: SLSA Elections (Part II) - Why should you care? (17 May 08)
SurfWatch: Election voices continued (2) (15 May 08)
SurfWatch: Election voices ( (14 May 08)
SurfWatch: SLSA Election Up-date (13 May 08)
SurfWatch: SLSA Elections (Part I) - What's going on? (10 May 08)
SurfWatcy: New SLSA directors announced (2 Mar 08)
SurfWatch: SLSA Opens Hall of Fame (9 Feb 08)
URL: New proposed constitution (PDF file)
URL: SLSA Website
URL: SLSA Forum
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LIVE RESULTS -- TCH Surfers Open

SurfWatch is reporting live from TCH Estates on the TCH Surfers Open surfing competition -- Starting Sunday 27 July 2008 from 1215 hrs Second Life Time (SLT or PDT) or 1915 hrs GMT.

LIVE RESULTS

This is the second Surfers Open surfing competition to be held at TCH Estates. Today's event takes place on an Epic wave with no restriction on surf board makes or scripts. 16 surfers are expected to take part in 8 heats. SurfWatch will post the competition heat draws, semi finals results and finals results only for the TCH Surfers Open.


SurfWatch Results is also available on the mobile (cellular) Internet via SurfWatch Mobile.

Useful links

SurfWatch: New judging format for TCH Surfers Open (25 Jul 08)
SLURL: TCH Estates (competitors & spectators)
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LIVE RESULTS -- Surf City Classic

SurfWatch is reporting live from Surf City South on the SLSA Surf City Classic surfing competition -- Starting Saturday 26 July 2008 from 1100 hrs Second Life Time (SLT or PDT) or 1800 hrs GMT.

LIVE RESULTS

This is the first Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) surfing competition to be held at Surf City. Today's event takes place on pipeline waves using Rob John's Noserider longboards. 26 surfers are expected to take part in the first five competition heats (see live results for information on heat draws). SurfWatch will post the competition heat draws, semi finals results and finals results only for the Surf City Classic.


SurfWatch Results is also available on the mobile (cellular) Internet via SurfWatch Mobile
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New judging format for TCH Surfers Open

The view from the sundeck at TCH Enterprises

TCH Estates will host the second TCH Surfers Open at Saba Island on Sunday 27 July 2008, following its inaugural fourth of July event. Sunday's event introduces a new set of rules for surfers and judging as the organisers use both spectator votes and a judging panel to score surfing heats, although according to Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) scoring rules.

"TCH Enterprises on behalf of TCH Surf Company is very excited about our entrance into the world of competitive surfing and we are looking forward to a very competitive season," said ATown Fall, CEO of TCH Enterprises. "Although this competition is not an SLSA event we would like to reinforce our dedication to supporting the SLSA in their efforts and TCH will remain an active supporter and sponsor during 2008 SLSA competition seasons."


TCH Estates has announced a full calendar of monthly competitions culminating in a TCH Surfers Open 2008 Invitational. The event has been named the Surfers Open to highlight the fact that surfers are allowed to use any surfboards and surfboard scripts, including custom animations.

"We have also made arrangements with members of the SLSA to ensure there is no additional time conflicts between TCH and SLSA events so surfers are not forced to choose one or the other," ATown confirmed to SurfWatch.

Uniquely, spectators attending the Surfers Open will vote to decide which competitors go through from the preliminary heats to the semi-finals. Once surfers are through to the semi-final of the competition, scores will be awarded by a panel of judges made up of two TCH staff members, one guest judge from the surfing community, and a spectator judge. The spectator judge will be randomly selected from list of spectators who have volunteered. Other than the make up of the judging panel, scoring for the semi-finals and final heats will use the SLSA scoring rulebook.

The TCH Surfers Open takes place on Saba Island, TCH Estates starting from 12.15pm on Sunday 27 July 2008. Spectators are welcome to watch from the sundeck of the TCH Enterprises building.

Surfers' contact: ATown Fall


Useful links

SurfWatch: Wilfrid DeCuir wins TCH Surf Open (5 Jul 08)
SurfWatch: TCH Celebrates 4th July with Surf Open (3 Jul 08)
SurfWatch: Estates join forces to create massive watersports development (23 May 08)
SurfWatch: TCH Surf launches new longboards (8 Feb 08)
SLURL: TCH Estates (competitors & spectators)
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Surf City to test longboard skills

First SLSA event to be held at Surf City; first SLSA contest to use Rob John's surfboards

The Surf City Classic takes place this Saturday 26 July 2008 at Surf City using Rob John's new Noserider longboards. The competition will not only be the first Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) surfing competition to take place at Surf City, but also the first SLSA event to standardise on non-Heather Goodliffe scripted surfboards. 28 surfers have registered for the competition, including many from the SLSA points table although the Surf City Classic scores will not contribute to surfers' points in the table.


Robin Mapp with the new Surf City Classic competition longboards

"The SLSA approached me once they learned of the new Noserider board and saw myself and a few others out riding different breaks. Rob John's Noseriders are the first true longboard in Second Life based entirely around the precepts of longboard riding," said Robin Mapp, owner of Rob John's Surf and Surf City (see pic above). "They are designed to replicate longboard surfing and surfers can literally walk the board to the nose and hang five! The boards are capable of long sweeping bottom turns, climbing back up the face and reversing direction."

Surf City opened in September last year and is based on Southern California's famous Huntington Beach, headquarters of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour. Surf City has both Heather Goodliffe Pipeline Wave breaks and Rob John Surfable Wave breaks. Saturday's competition will take place on the pipeline break on Surf City South beach.


"We wanted to include some new SLSA events this season by including some other surf areas, so a contest using Rob John's surfboards was a natural fit," said Milo Voss, SLSA director. "Robin Mapp is such a force in Second Life surfing and has been a staunch supporter of surfing for longer than I've been around. We also wanted to have some fun at Surf City and try out something new without interrupting the existing seasonal competition calendar."


Regular SLSA competition surfers have been practicing with the new boards this week in preparation for Saturday's competition and have faced a steep learning curve. "The boards are so different," said Bobbi Laval, ranked 10th in this year's first SLSA season's standings. "The first few days on the new board was very frustrating, but I actually seem to be doing okay on them now."


"There is a learning curve, just as there is in real life surfing," explains Robin. "We designed a new exciting sculpty shape based on the classic Southern California longboard. The unique part of these boards is each rider has the ability to develop their own style. These boards are totally different than anyboard available, the script and controls react in ways nothing else on the market does. Each rider controls their experience in the water, nothing dictated by the wave or the board."


The Surf City Classic takes place at 1100 hrs SLT (1800 hrs GMT), Saturday 26 July 2008 on Surf City South beach. Spectators are welcome to watch from the main Surf City sim.

See the heat draws for the Surf City Classic on SurfWatch Results.

Surfers contact: Ashleigh Dickins

Updated 23 July 2008 (link to heat draws added)

Useful links
SurfWatch Results: HEAT DRAW -- Surf City Classic
URL: Surf City Classic (SLSA Forum)
SLURL: Rob John's Surf Store
SLURL: Surf City South (Competitors only)
SLURL: Surf City (Spectators)
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New to Second Life surfing?

If you are new to Second Life surfing and are trying to make sense of it all, be sure to check out SurfWatch's newly updated Second Life Surfing 101.

You'll find some basic information, tips and advice on how to get started surfing, where to go and who to contact. Please feel free to refer any new Second Life surfers you meet to this guide.

Useful links
SurfWatch: Second Life Surfing 101 (updated 21 Jul 08)
SurfWatch: Socks' Rough Guide to Second Life Surfing (9 Jul 08)
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What makes a competition surf sim?

With the first Second Life Surfing Association competition season behind us, the SLSA is busy planning the next season of surfing action and has invited sim owners to apply to become competition venues for Season Two. Majini Island, Surfline, Monkeh Barrel, El Corazon and Neart provided the venues for Season One. We already know that Monkey Barrel and Surfline will not be around for the second surfing season, which means that the SLSA must find at least two new venues by default just to hold the same number of competitions. Which begs the question, what makes a good surfing competition sim? And how will the SLSA choose?

“The basic criteria for an SLSA competition sim are all performance related,” Sally LaSalle, SLSA director told SurfWatch (see pic right). “We’re looking for class 5 sims, probably not class 4 and performance comes down to a few elements: prims, textures and physics. However, what makes a good surf sim is more subjective than that. The sim needs to have some atmosphere, a feeling if you like and, where SLSA competitions are concerned, it needs to provide a challenge.”

VW Sands, Bishara Resorts Estates Manager who runs Majini Island surf sim agrees. “A full spec sim with very little prim-traffic and nearly no scripts! And a full spec adjacent sim to swallow spectators. However, atmosphere is a whole new challenge. Either a place has it or it doesn't in my opinion.”


“Well perhaps the most important thing is that there is a joining sim to hold the spectators on, this helps spread out the strain that a contest puts on a sim,” comments former SLSA director Craig Stallion. ”The only exception to this would be perhaps venues that have access to their own server. Certainly full prim sims are better able to handle the strain all things being equal as they tend to have more access to server resources.”


“What makes a good surf sim? Well the closest you can get to a full sim with zero lag,” said Pova Rustamova, the SLSA 2008 Season One champion. “Surfline, may it rest in peace, was beautiful. El Corazon had so many scripts on the island that when competition started it was like surfing in molasses. And then Monkeh Barrel surfed great, but broke down on competition day. Although, I love surfing them all! Of course, we always forget that simply having people on a sim cause problems too.”


The SLSA has already received a dozen offers from surf sim owners to host SLSA competitions in Season Two. "We want to give sim owners the ability to register their interst and have a fully open process," explains Sally. "This first step really is just about gathering basic information. The decision making process on choosing the final competition sims will also be open."


Other than having a full spec surf sim, all that is required of the sim owners is for them to dedicate management resources to work with the SLSA organisers and to turn the sim over to the SLSA for a day. However, whilst there is no financial requirement made of sim owners by the SLSA, surf sims must also take the SLSA competition sponsorship package if they want their brand to be associated with the event.


Sim owners wishing to offer to host an SLSA competition in Season Two should complete the application form available via the SLSA Forum as soon as possible.


Useful links

URL: SLSA
URL: SLSA Competition Sim Application Form
URL: SLSA Season One Contest Calendar
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New kid on the block: Shark Surfboards

By Ashleigh Dickins.


“I wanted to surf a retro fish, and as no one did one, I decided to make one myself,” Paeida Allen (see pic, left) told Surfwatch when asked what inspired him to start Shark Surfboards. His main surf shop has opened just recently at Sunset Bay with examples of the company’s custom work on show, as well as vendors selling the 10 varieties of standard production board currently available.

Shark Surfboards' current board shape offerings include a big wave gun, a hybrid shortboard and Paeida’s beloved fish; in a variety of designs old and new. “I think in the future I will offer more shapes,” said Paeida. “I’m working on shapes all the time, but it’s not easy to get a clean shape into Second Life.”

One of the future shapes he is working on is a 50’s style gun, inkeeping with the retro style designs already featured on the shortboards. You won’t find a longboard in the vendors currently, but they are offered as a custom style and examples are leaning against the shop wall.


Buying one of the shortboards from the vendors will only set you back L$555. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, or get a longboard, you'll need to go custom. Shark Surfboard's custom boards start at L$2,000. All of the boards sold by Shark Surfboards feature Heather Goodliffe's Epic board script.


Whether you pick a retro fish, or a smooth and modern design on a gun, Shark Surfboards have bite. “The two shortboards are very fast; they are more competition boards,” said Paeida, a competition surfer himself, ranked 20th in the Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) Season One table. Look out for these speedy predators next time you’re surfing.


Useful Links

SLURL:
Shark Surfboards
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Socks' Rough Guide to Second Life Surfing

By Socks Clawtooth, Senior Furry Correspondent.

One of the things I've noticed recently is a lack of an updated surf spot list. The most modern one I could find was about January... of 2007. One of the things I adhere to in life is that if you see a problem, you fix it if you're able. And after the 'Where the Hell is Socks?' video, I apparently have developed a reputation as a sim hopper.
And I guess I am.

So I began a project called simply 'The List', but it's been called Socks' Rough Guide to Second Life Surfing by enough people I'll let that stick. It sounds less sinister too. The guide lists over 60 sims that offer surfing waves of all types, with landmarks and where to find the waves. It also has some notes from myself about the waves, where to rez, size of the runs, and so on. All of the things that I wanted when I started looking for surf around here.


The guide is free in world, anyone who has it is free to copy/transfer. I'll also be putting them in 'give boxes' wherever I have a store, and I'll make it available to anyone who wants one. It's also available on Surfwatch Surf Reports, following the link at this end of this review. The idea is it's a live document, and will ideally be updated quarterly. Second Life beaches come and go so fast that sometimes a list is outdated a week after it's out there.


Surfwatch asked me for a review of the list. So I chose 7 surf sims to highlight. Let's face it, we all know the big ones. Manjini, Neart, Chi, Surf Camp, Boneyard, Tsunami. And those are fantastic locations well deserving of the reputations. But I want to turn you all on to a few other locations that you may not know about, all in the Guide and, as a side note, I know there's at least two beaches I missed. If you want yours in
Socks' Rough Guide to Second Life Surfing, send a notecard to me in world and I'll check it out and add it!

Weather Island's original Epic wave

Xenox Harbour - Surf next to an aircraft carrier!
The TP point puts you on a pier overlooking a nice fluffy run. To the South-West you'll see an aircraft carrier. Fly up and over it to hover over the fluffy run at (25, 141, 25) Rez your board, get on, and enjoy. Or, if you want more of a thrill, rez on the carrier deck, get on and push over the side for a 'woo-hoo' freefall! And it's not a "privateer" ride, I talked to the guy who owns the sim, it's cool!
SLURL: Xenox Harbour

Nymph's Beach
- a must surf spot!
Underloved, but a must surf spot!
Sim long, some loaners on the beach near TP point. Plus a spectacular bonfire on West side of the beach!
SLURL: Nymph's Beach


Moana'Ina Beach @ Weather Island
- the orginal Epic
!
For the history and for new folks it's got
freebies
. One of the oldest epics on the grid(in fact, the original), still running the old version pre Havok 4, so be warned. She's not the ride she used to be. TP takes you to the Weather Island visitors center, but should highlight the beach area. Great for new riders, lots of freebies all over.
SLURL: Moana'Ina Beach


Hana Aloha
- one of the stranger spots!
One of the stranger surf spots I've seen. TP point is at a fluffy run running 2/3 the sim length N to S, which intersects a Pipe run running 2/3 E to W. If you do it right, you can catch the pipe on the corner and have a double length run
.
SLURL: Hana Aloha


Japanese Sunset Beach*JSSA
- full of Eastern promise!
For a more Eastern take on surfing, visit Japanese Sunset Beach*Japan Second Life Surfing Association. I can't find a public rez area here, and all the boards seem to be "group only". The group you need to join is "Japanese Sunset Beach". Multiple staggered pipes and fluffies in a dedicated cove setting. Freebie wetsuit if you look on the W side of the beach.

SLURL:
Japanese Sunset Beach

Playa Escondida
- longest three-wide pipe!
Perhaps the longest synched three-wide pipe (no fluffies), on a full sim. It's almost, but not quite, like riding an Epic. Board rez area is a few steps north of TP point.

SLURL: Playa Escondida


Pondi Beach
- shortest pipe ever
!
An almost unknown fluffy ride
. A beach sim. Pipes and fluffies are separated here. Rez area is a pontoon out on the water (251, 181, 21), where you can find beginner board loaners. Fly over, I wouldn't trust the in-sim teleporter. Sales on beach area. And. The. Shortest. Pipe. Ever.
SLURL:
Pondi Beach

I hope that I've now whetted your appetite and inspired you to surf some new sims and check out the full version of Socks' Rough Guide to Second Life Surfing
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Action appeals for beta testers

New board and wave concepts in development

SurfWatch can reveal that Action Surf & Skate has spent the last few months developing a new range of surfboards and surfing waves and is now appealing for volunteers to help test its new HUD-controled surfboards. Action is currently conducting beta testing with a number of Second Life surfers, but now aims to expand the beta testing program prior to the launch of the new product.


"We have been working on a private sim for three months solid trying to develop the new surfboard and waves," said bobn4uyes Winkler, co-owner of Action Surf and Skate (see pic right). "We've had a team of four people working both on new boards and new wave shapes. The boards have been in beta for two months and we're currently going into the final beta phase. We are trying to do something new and are asking for the assistance and feedback from the Second Life surfing community."

The new boards include a control HUD, that allows the rider to adjust the surfboard to surf on different types of Second Life surfing wave and even make adjustments for laggy surf days. According to Action, the HUD controls all the functions of the surfboard entire the board from paddle speed through to surfing speed. The boards also boasts three cams: 'tele' (simulates TV view), aerial view (or 'chopper view') and 'tube' (for the 'real life' experience). There is also a full trick set HUD still under development, which has not yet been released to beta testers, with surfer and board animations.


"The idea is that surfers can have more control over their surfing and really surf in their own style," said bobn4uyes "Many people complained that the first board I made was too stiff, so I wanted people to ride like in real life, the way they prefer. One of the innovations we've included, is that the board will throw the surfer off the board when he fails during a hard maneuver. Yes, we added wipeouts!"


However, according to Action, surfers will not have to wear the surfboard HUD the whole time. Once the surfboard is set up for your home wave and with your preferences, you do not need to wear the HUD to surf. However, if you lose the board you will have to wear the HUD to program in your settings on the new copy of the board.


Second Life surfers interested in participating in Action's surfboard testing program should contact 'bobn4uyes Winkler' via IM.


Useful links

SurfWatch: Action board burning (16 Feb 08)
URL: Action Surf & Skate
SLURL: Action Surf & Skate
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Surf's Up at Sugar Beach!

By Ashleigh Dickins.

A sweet sunset at Sugar Beach

Sugar Beach is an amazing new pipeline surf break, with double pipes running diagonally across 80% of the Bounty Reef sim, making it one of the longest wave runs in Second Life.

"We wanted to have a long run," says co-owner Desirae Beaumont, who is placed second in the Second Life Surfing Association's (SLSA's) first 2008 Season. And they do have a long run, lasting about 40 seconds and breaking North West to South East into a little cove beside the Sugar Dolls Beach Club. "We also wanted to have an open sim to surf and hang out," Desirae explains. "It should be all about fun."

"Each space was made to be special," says co-owner Bobbi Laval, who is also a SLSA surfer, and a talented builder. "Some of it I built, some is pre-fab." If you enjoy one of the relaxing loungers or other buildings at the beach, look for Bobbi's shop (called Bobbi's Bits) nearby to see if it is available for purchase.

The Sugar Dolls Beach Club is a great place to relax straight off the waves, feeling comfortable and casual. If you're lucky you'll catch a live musician. "Tone Uriza has been a regular for us, playing live blues," Bobbi told Surfwatch. "We will book bluesman kelvinblu Oh," Desirae added. "And I am trying to get Micki Underwood also," (a popular female guitarist that plays classic rock). In addition to the beach club and waves the surrounding islands feature a couple of shops, an exotic club in the South West corner and numerous secluded areas to lounge with a loved one.

All in all, Sugar Beach is as sweet as it's owners and worth the time to give it a shot. You never know, you may find that you have a sweet tooth.

Useful links
SurfWatch:
INTERVIEW -- Desirae Beaumont (19 Jun 08)
SLURL:
Sugar Beach
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Brazilian surf circuit comes to Praia da Paz

Second leg of the ABSSL surfing circuit takes place on HP Surf Board's new Teahupoo surfing waves

A Teahuppoo wave breaks on Praia da Paz

The Associação Brasileira de Surf no Second Life (Brazilian Second Life Surfing Association) or ABSSL will hold the second event in its 2008 surfing event circuit on Sunday July 6th at Praia da Paz. The second leg of the competition circuit will also take place on HP Surf Boards' new Teahupoo surfing waves for the first time. HP Surf Boards, the leading Brazilian developer of Second Life surfboards, is a key sponsor of the ABSSL. The new non-profit organisation aims to unite Brazilian surfers in helping to develop Second Life surfing and establishing a Brazilian surfing circuit.

"The new Brazilian Surf Circuit consists of five legs, each contest taking place on a different surf sim," said Leogarto Burt, President of the ABSSL and CEO of HP Surf Boards Inc. "We're starting from zero in organising a Brazilian circuit for the first time in Second Life, but the response has been amazing. This weekend's contest forms part of a whole week of surfing activities at Praia da Paz including the Surfgirl Praia da Paz beauty contest, surf lessons for the public and, of course, surf parties!"

Fourteen surfers took part in the very first Brazilian Surf Circuit contest, which took place in May this year, with Pauinho Stoop scoring his first win in the new circuit. Pyros Yoshikawa and Lucket Beck followed closely behind in second and third place respectively. Pauinho will no doubt be looking to make it onto the podium on Sunday to consolidate his lead and give him a shot at winning the whole circuit.

The second leg of the Brazilian Surf Circuit takes place at Praia da Paz on Sunday 6 July 2008 from 1000 hours SLT (1400 hrs BRT). However, due to the limited space available at the venue, admission is regrettably by invitation only for this contest.

See the qualifying timings here: WAVE TIMINGS -- Praia da Paz

Updated 0655 hrs SLT, 6 July 2008

Useful links
URL: Associação Brasileira de Surf no Second Life (ABSSL)
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Wilfrid DeCuir wins TCH Surf Open

Wilfrid DeCuir and his brand new TCH Surf board on Saba Island

Wilfrid DeCuir won a fiercely competitive inaugural TCH Estates Surf Open on Friday, closely followed by Crusader Arado in second place and SurfWatch's own Socks Clawtooth in third place.

Wilfrid, who is ranked 18th in the Second Life Surfing Association's standings, walked away with L$2,500 cash, a L$2,500 TCH Gift Card and one of the 15 new surfboards launched by TCH Surf at the event. TCH Surf plans to launch new boards every month from now on in coordination with each monthly TCH Estates surfing competition. The next contest is scheduled for Saturday 27 July 2008.

Useful links
SurfWatch: TCH Celebrates 4th July with Surf Open (3 Jul 08)
SurfWatch: Estates join forces to create massive watersports development (23 May 08)
SurfWatch: TCH Surf launches new longboards (8 Feb 08)
SLURL: Saba Island
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TCH Celebrates 4th July with Surf Open

Saba Island surf break provides the venue for the TCH Estates Surf Open

TCH Estates will celebrate American Independance Day, 4th of July by running its inaugural 'Surf Open'. The surfing competition forms part of a series of events being held by TCH to celebrate July 4th and marks the start of monthly surfing events on TCH Estates.

"Another SLSA season is over and so we felt it was timely to hold our own surfing competition," said ATown Fall, CEO of TCH Enterprises. "The SLSA has done an amazing job running events, but we've decided to go a different route with our events to allow surfers the opportunity to try something different. The TCH Estates Surf Open welcomes surfers with all surfboard types, in addition to those with Heather Goodliffe scripts. It's gonna be fun!"


Following the TCH Surf Open on July 4th, monthly official event surf competitions are planned with the first regular monthly competition taking place on July 26th on TCH Estates. Friday's event will be held on Saba Island on pipeline and ocean foam waves. The first prize for the event is L$2,500 cash, a brand new TCH Surf surfboard, plus a L$2,500 TCH giftcard for the purchase of a wide range of clothing at any TCH store.


Up to 18 surfers are expected to take part in the first TCH Estates Surf Open. TCH Surf will also be taking the opportunity to launch 15 new surfboards on the same day. The new boards include a special release featuring five artistic hand drawn board designs, plus a limited edition board which will only be for sale Friday July 4th only.
Prices will be reduced on all boards during this event.

The TCH Surf Open takes place on Friday 4 July 2008 at 12.30pm until 3.30pm on Saba Island.


TCH Estates' July 4th Schedule of Events

12:30 - 00:30 hrs Estate Wide Treasure Hunt

12:30 - 15:30 hrs TCH Surf Open

15:30 - 16:30 hrs Jet Ski Race

16:30 - 17:30 hrs Art on the Water

17:30 - 18:00 hrs Surfboard Release Party

18:00 - 20:00 hrs DJ Dance Party

18:00 - 19:00 hrs Neo-Realms Fishing Derby

19:15 - 20:00 hrs Skeet Shooting Contest

20:00 - 22:00 hrs $L500 Dance Party at SkyClub Andromeda

22:30 - 23:15 hrs TCH Estates Fireworks Display


* All times Second Life Time (SLT)


Surfers' contact: ATown Fall

Useful links

SurfWatch: Estates join forces to create massive watersports development (23 May 08)

SurfWatch: TCH Surf launches new longboards (8 Feb 08)

SLURL: TCH Estates Welcome Centre (competitors & spectators)
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Surf's up at Boneyard!

'Most dangerous' surf break in Second Life opens; Boneyard ready to add to it's collection!

By Ashleigh Dickins
.

Co-owner Radical Twang at the new Boneyard Beach

Last fall saw the birth of the Boneyard, a cool hangout for surfers with games and periodic events with a double pipe surf break just steps away. The beach, located in Alternation, disappeared a few months ago. However, Boneyard Beach has now returned in a new location all it's own, looking meaner and its ready to add some more broken bones to it's collection below the water's surface!

"I achieved what I wanted; the hardest, most dangerous surf spot in Second Life," says Radical Twang co-owner of Reaction, who is also a director of the Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA). "All I knew I wanted was a big store, looking over the beach high up on a cliff, with a lot of cliff-side and reef."


The shark infested surf spot is now located in Boneyard, along with surf stores Reaction and Reaction Girl.
The new beach features a realistic shallow reef system, with pipeline and ocean foam waves breaking over about two thirds of the sim onto the rocks. Radical worked with Heather Goodliffe to integrate the reef, waves and rocky outcrops, providing a more challenging run.

"I have to say that it isn't a spot for beginners, only damn good surfers can surf there and have fun, and go back home with no broken bones!" said Vic Bonetto, Reaction Pro Captain.


Misfit surfer Christine Daffodil, ranked 7th in the final standings of the first 2008 season, also enjoyed the beach, if not the reef. "I curse Rad to evil surf sim owner hell for the rocks that I keep crashing into," says Christine. "It is deadly for someone with only 1.2 fps to try to dodge anything."



QUENCH Spotter has a close encounter with a one of Boneyard's rocks

"The views are spectacular while surfing; with the hills, trees and rocks. It's awesome in Windlight and draw distance up to 376m," says Vibrations surfer QUENCH Spotter who was surfing on the opening day. "I had some moments of hiccups - trying to dodge the rocks in the surf is ingenious idea."


The beach itself features a secluded cave, campfire, beach hut with games and events, the SLSA Hall of Fame building and 7 Seas fishing. So when you're frustrated with your surf session you can take a moment to relax and bandage your cuts and bruises, before you head back out to try and best the reef.


Useful links

SurfWatch: Reaction marks beach opening with one day sale (29 Jun 08)
URL: Reaction Pro
SLURL: Boneyard Beach
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