Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

SurfWatch, like the rolling waves of the surf, is rolling with the times. We are so proud to announce our SurfWatch In World edition, spearheaded by the In World edition editor, Ashleigh Dickins, that will be hitting newstands shortly. This has been a labor of love in the works since late last year, and Ashleigh has put together a truly remarkable product. We hope to issue an In-World edition on a quarterly basis.

We have added two columnists and a researcher to our staff and continue to look for quality reporters and staff interested in what is happening in the SL surf community with the goal of keeping that community strong and growing. Please contact Tauri Tigerpaw if you are interested in contributing.

We are as of now freezing our comments section and will post no comments to past posts until we complete our research and discussion of how best to moderate comments with guidelines that are both fair and impartial and allow debate while maintaining civility. We believe everyone has had sufficient time and space to present their points and vent. There are appropriate venues outside of SurfWatch for investigating legal grievances and it serves no purpose to bog SurfWatch down with those issues, many of which have been simmering for years. We are interested in reporting current SL surfing news.

We are also interested in ideas you may have for current stories. While we make no promises that we will cover every suggested topic - this is, after all, SL and there are too many waves calling!!! - we will discuss those that seem to be of interest to most readers and attempt to cover them, as well as posting all your announcements and events and activities and celebrations.

The sun sets and rises over another sandy beach and with the new day, we look forward to a great day of SL surfing, sharing time with friends, and having fun. Did anyone bring the tequila???
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SIERRA SUGAR ANNOUNCES, "NO MORE THOR"

Yesterday's SLSA season end awards ceremony took a shocking turn of events when, following the SLSA's announcement of the coveted Thor Bishop award to Socks Clawtooth, Ashleigh Dickins shouted to the crowd, " I AM SORRY EVERYONE BUT I AM LEAVING. I LOVE YOU SOCKS. BUT IT WAS WRONG OF THEM TO ANNOUNCE THIS NOW. SIERRA HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE VOTING OR THE WINNER AND WAS NOT EVEN ASKED TO BE HERE TO GIVE THE AWARD". Sierra Sugar, long time love of the late surf icon, Thor Bishop, called a public meeting following the ceremony to make an announcement regarding the Thor Bishop award. Following is a slightly condensed version of her announcement:

"Now that most everyone is here, I have to say in the 2 years or so that I have been involved in the surfing community and the SLSA, there has been many ups and downs, drama, good and bad. But today I feel that irrevokable damage has been done, and I need everyone to understand exactly where I stand and how serious this is to me.

Thor was my soulmate, my love, my once in a lifetime. Many of you were there when I lost him and helped hold me up til I could find a way to stand again on my own. The *THOR BISHOP* MVP Award is JUST that, NOT an arbitary SLSA MVP award. When Sally came to me about the MVP award, it was originally suggested that I choose the winner. No nominees, no vote, my choice. In my short sightedness, I suggested a public nomination with a private vote between me, active directors, and advisors. I have been in talks with Robin, Colleen, Sally recently to ensure the honor of Thor's memory is upheld in selecting the MVP award, that when *I* hand out the award at the ceremony, I could do so in good conscience and honestly give a heartfelt presentation because too many today never met Thor and have no idea what the award stands for.

I have been watching the forums, the advisors circle. There were nominations. The last information on 6/26 - yesterday. No information about when or where. I was never notified of the awards ceremony. VW, a director, has no idea how this award was choosen as he didn't vote. I know *I* didn't vote. There was no vote created in the advisors circle. Total and blatant disregard for protocol. I was in IMs via offline messages with VW today when he asked me to come and hand out the award. I was at RL work and was floored.

I begged him and Ash to not hand out the award, to wait for me to be home to sort things out. It is MY award to hand out in honor and memory of Thor and yet the award was handed out anyway... arbitrarily picked like throwing a dart at a board - eenie meeinie minie mo. I'm sorry... NO. That is UNBELIEVABLE and unforgivable disrespect to me and Thor. From this point forward, I revoke permission for use of my name or Thor's name in ANY and all official relation to the SLSA.

I withdraw my support of the SLSA, and I DO NOT give my permission to give a THOR BISHOP MVP award. The SLSA can make their own. I *WILL* have Thor's RL family log in on him and send an official statement. Misfits is disbanding, and I am severing ALL ties with surfing and the SLSA. I'm DONE. I will be contacting Heather to remove Big Dawg boards. I cannot BELIEVE that his memory would be so blatantly marred. This is the worst disrespect possible to me, to him, to anyone who has struggled to set up the guidelines and rules for the SLSA to be followed."

The SLSA Board was contacted to issue a statement. The Board response follows:

"We, as the SLSA, truly regret any and all pain Sierra might have endured over this. We, as the Board, want to ensure all surfers that we take her comments to heart and are in discussions to make the appropriate changes where needed."
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Editorial Comments

by Special Correspondent Rhett McMahn

Much like life, our SecondLife surfing community is in turmoil. I don't speak of turmoil in a negative sense, as it is really not. Turmoil is just part of our day to day world. Turmoil as in the gut wrenching feeling associated with what we know to be true and factual changing. The ending of a relationship; the loss of a loved one; the stresses associated with work, business, community, finances. All of these things play a factor in who we are at any given moment.

The SLSA was formed as a group of surfers who wanted to be connected personally as a community. They have transcended their original organizers’ hopes and evolved into a highly efficient sport sanctioning body. Every step along the way, there has been turmoil. It is all part of the evolution process in any SL group’s history. At some points, the turmoil seems larger. As adolescents, we call this turmoil "growing pains."

I read everything I can about our community. I study and write articles as a journalist. I listen to people discuss their issues. Not one person I have encountered has said anything wrong. Of the 10-20 IMs a day I receive discussing various things, everyone has valid positions on every side of the situation. Not everyone in a community should have the same agenda, life would be boring. As I read other postings here in the SurfWatch venue, I observe tons of evidence supporting the entire surfing community’s "growing pains."

It was my pleasure to investigate this story about the SLSA's historic events surrounding the 2009 Season 1 Topanga comp. I have been able to spend time with some amazing people getting their feelings on the matter. I first interviewed Kimmy and learned her feelings on the matter. Always stern and intensely passionate to her beliefs, Kimmy laid out why she was so upset that day. She shared conversations she had with SB, and made you believe she was absolutely right about her reasons for creating a scene at her own hosted competition in her own sim. She was up front and frank when she stated that, even though she felt bad about how she chose to handle the moment, she would not back down from believing that what she did was right. Not only that, but that was done for the betterment of our sport. Even though Kimmy faced the turmoil of making that choice, losing her best ever finish in her competitive career, she acted from her heart for something she believes in.

After completing my first interview on my first lead assignment (within two hours) I got reminded of two well known SL facts. Loose lips abound and note cards travel fast. I still have not figured out why we as a species love our gossip, but I make my living now as a reporter so I don't argue. As I was interviewing, the interview was being cut and pasted by one of the people present to at least one 'trusted' friend, who note carded it and distributed it. I got my first introduction to SB within the two hours.

My first interaction with SB was brief. He pasted into my IM excerpts of the interview I had just finished. He told me quite convincingly how he felt about it, and what I was and was not going to do with my interview. Yeah I was pissed at first, but then laughed it off as this is nothing new. It happens in RL all the time. It is part of a community. It's part of my job. Of course, his view of what is right is his and yes, they are right. My views and understanding of journalistic license and laws lets me know I'm right. I followed up with him when I returned to work, we had a frank but professional conversation. I was surprised SB thanked me for staying objective and taking my time to care about surfing enough to write about it and stay on top of it. I actually was very surprised knowing my lead in article was about him posting as a non member in the SLSA's forum (http://surfwatch.blogspot.com/2009/06/sexyboy-oh-speaks-out-illegally-in-slsa.html) had ran just hours before.

SurfWatch Editor-in-Chief, Tauri Tigerpaw, interviewed SB on the matter, and he held true to his beliefs that the SLSA does not invite true competativeness, and that someone comes along and invests thousands of hours becoming good, they are not accepted, that other competitors are scared. He grasped at every available angle as to how the laws were flawed, unclear, that you have to join to enter, but not have to stay in the group to compete, others who had left the organization and come back. Not a stone unturned. I gained a lot of respect for SB in this process. As a true competitor, I respect how intensely he fought to get what he believed right out into the public eye. I, too, had opportunity to go to SB's new home and have a little face to face with the man who took the SLSA by storm in his rookie year. I tried to offer him suggestions of places he could find quality builds for his new place, and I started to understand more of what drives SB. He literally will not settle for anything he has not mastered and done himself. I understand that type of personality. I have it somewhat. My father was almost identical in philosophy to SB.

Is SB bitter? Yeah, but who could blame him? Was he wrong in fighting tooth and nail even though the SLSA has no appeal process? Absolutely not! SB is standing firm by his beliefs and even though his efforts will not correct his mistakes as seen by the Disciplinary Board of the SLSA, they will affect the thoughts of the people involved to make their organization better in the future. Perhaps some day maybe a structured rule for an appeal process? Who knows. But SB was right.

Nowhere in this process did I see evidence of huge amounts of pettiness. What I did see was tons of passion, tons of right opinions, and, yes, tons of turmoil. One thing occasionally being able to write editorials does is let me give MY opinion. Here are my thoughts. In my almost four years in SL, I have seen groups go through about a one year cycle of extreme issues as well as a major effort to self destruct themselves at about three years old. As a community, we all need to be aware that these turmoils are natural. As much as we would like them to never happen, they compound. Just last night new turmoil erupted, starting the next news cycle. SurfWatch is a news organization. We objectively report the news. By staying informed we reduce the effect these turmoils have on the negative side of our world and gives us information to think through our actions. Embrace the growing pains, stay involved to make a difference. Like my departed, father would have said. "Be part of the solution, not part of the problem." He would have liked both Kimmy and SB. I know I do.
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SLSA Director Reflects on Recent Disciplinary Actions

By Rhett McMahn, Business Columnist and Special Correspondent

The last couple of weeks have been a trying time for the SL Surfers Association (SLSA). Their Directors were forced to instruct their Head Event Judge to form a disciplinary board against two of its more prominent members. SurfWatch caught up with SLSA Director (one of five) Abel Halderman by e-mail and asked him for his opinions on the process.


SW: Abel, for the first time in history, the SLSA has had to discipline some of its members. It proved to be tough for everyone. SW had an independent study done of the SLSA Constitution, Rules, Codes, and found the DB had the authority to hand down broad rulings and DQ was their correct option of action. Do you feel that even though unpopular, the processes put in place worked correctly?

AH: It was a dark moment for everyone. It was hard for the two people that were DQ’d, it was hard for all other surfers, and I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for the Committee members. However, what had been done about the two cases of Code of Conduct (CoC) violations was necessary. I’m not sure if it was unpopular.

I know that a few people didn’t see it as a right thing to do. Right now, besides those who were directly involved and accused, I can think of maybe 5 or 6 of those who were unhappy about the result. But you know what? I trust the committee. I know how hard they worked on the cases and how much stress it cost them. As you know, the definition of unsportsmanlike conduct is broad and in my opinion it should be so. The commission acted according to rules that we ALL accepted. They investigated all the facts, spoke to many witnesses, and finally made the decision, maybe the hardest one in the SLSA history. What kills me is that those people, that accepted the hardest job in the SLSA history, are now sometimes disrespected.

Let’s not forget, while in an election SLSA members vote for their representatives, when it comes to executing legal rules we, as a community, gave that right to the representatives. On the other hand, any of us is allowed to submit a proposal on changing those rules, too, so I encourage everyone to read the rules again and share their doubts and ideas like some of us did on the SLSA forum.


SW: The rulings came against the SLSA 2009 Season 1 reputed 'Bad Boy' SexyBoy Oh (SB) and SLSA Co-founder Kimmy Fitzgerald-Jigsaw. Do you feel that this process shows the ability of the SLSA to govern itself and its competitions fairly? Make decisions based on facts and not who is involved?

AH: The whole thing caused a lot of stress and negative emotions. I think SLSA is able to act against anyone if rules are broken and harm to the community is made. I can’t say “It’s too bad that it happened to Kimmy as one of the SLSA founders, and SB – one of the best surfers this season”. It should and will happen against anyone who breaks the CoC.

Of course there are always at least two sides of a case. So, I’m sure Kimmy had her reasons to act like she did, and SB had his. Personally, I’d say Kimmy cared so much about her baby – the SLSA – that she made a mistake and acted in a disrespectful way. Her intentions were not bad, but at the same time intentions are not something to judge. Actions are. As for SB, like I said in one of my posts on the SLSA forum, I think we disappointed him, as a community. I can understand his reasons to leave the group, I can understand more or less how he felt. At the same time, even that I understand that, it’s not intentions that are judged, but actions.

I had doubts before the whole process started. Not that I had anything to say about it. It is the Event Committee who executes sanctions, but I felt like sharing my thoughts with other directors. I thought it was a serious and important step that SLSA had to do. On one hand maybe it will never be the same. Maybe, as a group, we just lost some kind of innocence, if you know what I mean. By having that process we crossed some line. Since now there will be no excuse for unsportsmanship-like behavior which means no one will be able to act according to the “no see evil, no hear evil” saying, which for many of us was a nice thing to do. We rather wanted to forget and move on than face some facts. I’m not saying it was right. I just think that it was easier.

On the other hand, we have reached a point where violation of the CoC rules is becoming much more common than in past seasons, and that is a bad thing. Therefore, that process, even that it was so hard, even that it was painful, should have happened. Violation of the SLSA basic rules, our foundation, is not, and will be not tolerated.


SW: A lot of discussion was made both publicly and privately about the SLSA rules being currently edited; the infamous missing 'rule 2'; the FAQ being the only place that clearly states you must be a member to compete. What steps are being put in place to correct this before next season?

AH: In my opinion, Rule 2 is complete. The FAQ says something that is obvious. Want to be treated with event rules, win or lose, earn points? You need to be in the group = having accepted its rules. However, I do agree that one or two clauses may need be added to it, and I know that at lease some of other directors think the same way. The off season IS to correct things that didn’t work or didn’t work the way we expected them to. There are a couple of projects on modifying rules coming, and I think one of them will be about specifying the CoC rule 2, although personally, I would say it should stay broad because it is impossible to predict all kinds of general sportsmanship violation behavior.


SW: Looking forward... What's next for the SLSA, what should its members be excited about going into 2009 Season 2?

AH: Before the next season starts, we will have a surprise for our surfers. I shouldn’t talk about it yet, though. It will be announced soon.

As for the next season, we can expect a lot of excitement. SLSA will be still growing and hopefully the Board will be ready to handle large competitions even better than this past season. My hope is that if we organize the responsibilities within SLSA a little better, we’ll be able to get involved in different kinds of activities. We are discussing possible ways of cooperation with other surfing associations. Just imagine how much of excitement that can bring! I am also sure that a lot about the excitement can be done by small simple changes, just like drastically modifying or removing the “no tie for second place” rule, as suggested by SLSA members on the forum. What I, as a surfer, expect from the organization is fun! Give me fun and I’m happy! “Fun” is not a simple thing though. It is consisted of positive vibes, good ruling and exciting events. That’s what the Board’s only interest and a general plan for the next season.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS


THE LATEST BUZZ

KAYAK DERBY RESULTS

Second Life's first Kayak Derby and Fishing Tournament was held Saturday morning under clear virtual skies in the beautiful Tidewater Canyon River at Wilder Keys. A great time was had by all, with Lacy Rossini winning the top prize of $1000L with a final time of 3:43 for all three runs. Taine Ansar took second place, and Dick Seerose took the third spot. In our 7Seas Fishing Tourney, Goose Overland caught fish at an amazing rate to take th top prize.

Here are the times for the top three:

Lacy Rossini 1:23 1:10 1:10 - 3:43
Dick Seerose 3:24 1:52 1:42 - 6:58
Taine Ansar 1:31 1:22 1:23 - 4:16

Thanks from GT Whitewater Kayaks and the SL Paddlers Association to everyone who attended and congratulations to all our winners! Join the SLPA for more info and updates for the next event or contact Guiles Tidewater!


MICK LUNASEA AND SURF LESSON 101




Mick Lunasea, former SLSA director, member of Da Hui Surf Team, and long time surf instructor, is scheduled to speak on Thursday, July 2, 4 PM SLT, at Knowhere on Surf Lesson 101. Be there for everything he knows about the basics of surfing. For more information, contact Kohana Schimmer.






SPLENDEURS 5.2



Splendeurs is pleased to announce they are carrying new 5.2 boards in stock! Check it out at Splendeurs. Surfwear at its finest.









RIPPLE AND REDLIGHT TOPLESS CALENDAR 2010


Be sure to pick up your copy of the Ripple and Redlight Topless Calendar 2010! The most gorgeous sufers, baring it all for 2010! The calendar is available for 350L with 1/3 of proceeds going to charity. Contains 13 months, with a bonus Jan 2011 month, all topless and all surfers!



Contact Lala Recreant for information on where you can get your copy.

BRAATA NEEDS YOUR INPUT!

Braata is currently testing different waves to continue to provide everyone with the best possible surfing experience. They are looking for input on Action Beta waves. Contact Kristoffer Juneau for a notecard explaining the entire process. There are specific sections on the notecard indicated by "Evaluation:" and a space where you can enter your feedback and return it back to Kristoffer Juneau. Your feedback will be used to improve surfing in Second Life, so the more participation, the better!





HP SURF POINT

--- with a new look!!! Beautiful...natural...surfable...retail goods available! Come check out the most realistic island of SL at Crab Island (149, 82, 22)

RIPPLE NEWSFLASH

ONeill Auer continues with the Ripple Surfwear lines located at Mori, Surfside and Maa sims. However, we would like to announce a NEW development. ONeill is also designing clothes for a new brand, Redlight Fashion and Redlight Lingerie. There will be a new location for the Redlight range and rest assured, they will be both sexy and trendy clothes.

In addition, ONeill is about to open Redlight Productions, a state of the art photo studio. You may remember ONeill formerly had studios in SL called 3D Vision and Unique Photography and is known to the surfing cogniscenti for his surfing pics. Redlight Productions is celebrating its opening with a Ripple Surfbabes Calendar, celebrating the topless beauty of some of our lovely surfing girls and also the Ripple bikini line. The calendar will retail at 350L and a donation will be made to Reef Riders charity as Ripple is a proud sponsor of Reef Riders. Stay tuned for more info on calendar availability!

BIKINI FEST AT RIPPLE, MORI






Woot! Newsflash!!! All Ripple bikinis at Mori Beach reduced to 100L! Take a look - over 50 kinis to choose from!!! Also, if you buy 3 bikinis, we will refund you the third! No better offer available and it's good thru the month of June so come on by!!! If you need more info, contact Lala Recreant!




IFROG DESIGNS - CUSTOM BUILDING & LANDSCAPING



Lollypop Congrejo. Remember the name and see the best custom sim designer in SL. You can check out her recent projects on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lollypopcongrejo/. She creates her own textures to make your sim or home special. iFrog Designs - Custom building, Ocean estate 9 (225, 207, 21)


KAHUNA IS COMING...

Kahuna magazine will be Secondlife's first inworld surf magazine. The magazine will give an in-depth look into the world of surf in Secondlife, focusing on surfing as the sport, as a lifestyle and give a look into the world of fashion that follows the surf. For the people who love to chill on the beach, paddle out into the water and live. Founded by Aries Ashton and EllieShea GossipGirl, scheduled release dates (subject to change) are the first Sat of every month: June 6, July 4, Aug 1. Pick up a copy in world and check out Kahuna!!!


FROZEN AT THETIS BEACH

Come ride the new Sunset 100 along with the pipes and fluffies at the newest SL surf sim to open, Kimmy Jigsaw and Wil DeCuir's Frozen at Thetis Beach (214, 79, 21). And if you're looking for prime beach real estate with incredible views, check out the adjoining residential sim, Topanga Canyon, and contact Kimmy if you're interested in finding out more.







BEACHMICE

Stretch out in the sand, feel the sun, and surf the waves of the newest surfing beach to hit SL: Beachmice at Kryten (208, 116, 21), Buffy Munro and Abel Halderman's slice of surfing heaven.




CH CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE


Modern...stylish...sophisticated...furniture that makes you go mmmmmm...check out Celestria Henley's designs at ch Contemporary Furniture located at Blues Island (160, 43, 23).


SANDDOLLAR BAY AT SUNSET

Come surf the pipes at Sandipanimuni Haiku and Kimmy Jigsaw's newest surf sim (116, 49, 21)! Relax in the sun under the palms and swap surf stories - plenty of sand, sea and surfing!



REBEL SURF CO.







Rebel Surf Co. for the latest in surf fashion ala Emilyn Knoller. You know the designer, now come see the designs. All bikinis are tat friendly and 100L. Currently two locations to serve you: Debaser, SmartVest (172, 244, 34) and PDH Shopping - Azure Sky.



JAWS AT GAN







What's that getting ready to slam into shore at Gan??? Jaws...grab a board and see if it tries to bite you in the butt! Check it out, now rolling at Gan (192, 220, 26)







RODASS BOATS

Kickazz badazz Rodass Boats! Visit the shop at Surf City. Speedboats, catamarans, sailboats and custom boats. IM Rod Ambrose for test rides and details.









ISLAND SEA DREAMS


Countess DeCosta's shop, Island Sea Dreams, carries the latest in beachwear fashions, stained glass, jewelry and furniture AND she does custom requests! With two convenient locations to serve you! Now open at JJ Lane's (189, 160, 21) and Surf City (195, 125, 25).






CREATIONS BY RACHELLE

Creations by Rachelle, Rachelle Seeton's newest creative venture, carries the latest in hot, sexy, provocative outfits, from clothing to shoes. Whether she's building, surfing, or flying planes, Rach is always creating. Visit her shop at Cardew (150, 77, 33) and see if you can walk out without spending any linden.











RIPPLE SURF BEACH


Ripple Surf Beach is rolling an epic and is open for surfing! 3 panel epic surfing on a low lag sim. Ripple Surfwear is set for a grand opening very soon. But the beach is open! Come down and enjoy some excellent surfing! Group membership is required, so contact Lala Recreant or Oneill Auer for a group invite and an LM.





PECOS



Kantbe Thursday is proud to announce a new addition to her family!
Name: Pecos
Became family member: March 24, 2009
Weight: 50 lbs
Age: 3 years old
And they call it puppy looooooove...

BIRTHS

PARNALL

Zenon Parnall is proud to announce the birth of RL baby Leonie
Date: Feb 23, 2009
Size: 51 cm, 3080 grams


KAFFEBAUM/CHENAUX



Birth of a prince
**Birth of baby boy Kai Kaffebaum-Chenaux**
to proud moms, Shannon Kaffebaum and Bonheur Chenaux, on 23 March, 2009
Baby born: 10:10 am
Weight: 6 lbs 1 oz
Length: 19



WEDDINGS



KOROBASE AND VLODOVIC







Blaize Korobase and Lothor Vlodovic are proud to announce their marriage on May 23, 2009. Karah Raymaker and Mocha Shilova were maids of honor with Circe Falta as bridesmaid. Rexx Capalini gave the beautiful bride away. Retaliator Bury and Oowalt Lowey were best men. The couple had one week of honeymoon bliss at the Loveknot.





LANE AND LOWTIDE







Emily88 Lane and Bodhi Lowtide were partnered on May 26, 2009. Emi is the owner of Emi'z Custom tats and DJs at a variety of places in SL. Bodhi owns Bodhi's Board Shop, the #1 shop for your surfboard needs, board shop headquarters located at Monkey Paw (235, 60, 23), just down the pier.



PINKLADY AND MAPP ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION



Monq Pinklady and Robin Mapp celebrated the one year anniversary of their May 23, 2008, SL union at the beautiful Eons Ballroom at the Island of Maa on Sunday, May 24, 2009. Many guests attended the formal event where the couple was seranaded by the talented and beautiful Althea Baxton, and Tricia Bracken kept the party hopping spinning tunes.



MAA AND SPOTTER RECOMMITMENT CEREMONY



Quench Spotter and MaryAnn Maa are proud to announce their recommitment on Sunday, May 17. Best Man was Rory Ofarrel. Maid of Honor was Asyah Thorne. Flower Girl was Kim Henig. The ceremony was held at Weddings by Maa which is one of SL's premier full service wedding sims owned by the bride.









MUNRO AND HALDERMAN WEDDING



Abel Halderman and Buffy Munro are proud to announce their marriage on Saturday, May 2, at 1:30 PM SLT. Maid of Honor was Cloudy Matova and Best Man was Milo Voss. Bridesmaids were Emilyn Knoller, Slave Lacey and Tauri Tigerpaw. Grooms were Crusader Arado and VW Sands. Giving the bride away was Quench Spotter. The wedding was a sunset oceanside ceremony arranged and performed by MaryAnn Maa of Weddings by Maa. The happy couple will be honeymoon in the attic with the mice (hey - that's what the bride said!!!).


RAGU AND SORBET WEDDING


Rastaman Sorbet and Nanu Ragu are proud to announce their wedding held Wednesday, April 8. Maid of Honor was Halie Hermit, Best Man was Dawgbone Clip. Bridesmaids were Nekki Lovenkraft, Aurora Jacks, and Jasmine Kass. Groomsmen were CROW Luminos, Gath Gothly, and Danny Korkus. Musical performances during the ceremony and at the reception were performed by Gath Gothly, Jimmyt49 Dukes and Tauri Tigerpaw.



WEITMAN AND DOCHERTY WEDDING

Xtereme Docherty and Harmonie Weitman are proud to announce their wedding on Saturday, April 4, 2009. The ceremony was followed with an open reception held at The Wild Rose.

DECOSTA AND DESTINY WEDDING






Countess Decosta and Yendor Destiny are proud to announce their marriage on Sat, March 28, at 7 PM. A mixture of Aussie mates and surfing buddies got together and celebrated the day. According to the bride, Socks Clawtooth looked fabulous in lap lap and lei. With the bride from the South Seas, the wedding was set as an island event, and the service was conducted by Fleur Ferris. Altho many were willing to pay big money to find the newly wedded couple on their honeymoon, they kept that very private and enjoyed every moment.

SARAMAGO AND SARAMAGO WEDDING


Sebastian Saramago and Thalia Saramago are proud to announce their marriage on Feb 15, 2008, at 4 PM. Seb is one of the designers and creators of SL surfing (editors note: see SW 10/6/08 Interview - Sebastian Saramago), and he and Thalia share a memorable love story. The video of the ceremoney can be seen at: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/sexy/watch/v178380532kprnc9A.



SurfWatch is the source for all your Second Life surfing news and information. If you are a member of the surf community and you would like to announce a wedding or birth or other important event, contact Tauri Tigerpaw.


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Letter from the Editor

SurfWatch reports what's going on in the surf community. If readers choose to comment on a story, we ask that they stay within the parameters of identifying themselves and no profanity. SurfWatch has asked commentors to voluntarily modify their statements where there has been blatant and direct name calling without compromising their point, and so far most have done so. We remind those making comments to posts that, while SurfWatch has been a forum for members of the SL surfing community to discuss issues that are important to them and SurfWatch has resisted censoring, we ask that those commenting not use the forum for additional personal attacks. This is an opportunity for discussion, examination, and growth in our community. Consider whether your comments are benefiting the community and what they are reflecting about yourselves. While venting may serve some purpose to clear the air, at some point it becomes counterproductive and clouds the issues in irrelevency. While SurfWatch does not believe in censorship as it relates to our ability to report all aspects of the surf community, SurfWatch is interested in responsible reporting and will not be a tool to damage the surf community. Please consider your comments before requesting that SurfWatch post them.

Tauri Tigerpaw
Editor-in-Chief
SurfWatch
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SL SURFING WORLD CUP

SurfWatch recently caught up with Colleen Brennan, SLSA Advisor and lead organizer of the SL Surfing World Cup competition, to get all the latest information on this multi-league event. The SLSA (Second Life Surfing Association) and ABSSL (Associacao Brasileira de Surf no SL) are reportedly making significant progress in negotiating the details of this Surfing World Cup competition first announced approximately two weeks ago. Since making an historic hand-shake agreement to stablish the first “international” interleague surfing competition, representatives from the SLSA and ABSSL continue to meet and iron out the details such as when, where, and how. SurfWatch will be providing team coverage of the entire process right thru the finals of the series.


SurfWatch: Is this competition intended to create a "champion of surf champions"?

Colleen Brennan: No, absolutely not. Despite its lofty title, this competition is not in any way intended to crown the “World Champion of all SL surfing.” Rather, it is an exhibition match bringing together top surfers from each league in a friendly competition designed to promote surfing in Second Life, unity of Second Life surfers in general, and to be a cultural exchange of sorts. Bottom line, it is an excuse - if anyone even needs one - to go out and have fun surfing.

SW: Who is “in charge” of the organization of the SWC?

CB: It is a joint effort of both leagues. I am most familiar with how the SLSA side is organized and can comment on that. Recently I submitted a proposal through the sponsorship of Bonheur Chenaux (current SLSA Director) to the SLSA Board. It basically asked for Board approval to sanction a joint venture establishing an exhibition match for fun between the two leagues. With Board approval, we are able to access and use SLSA resources such as the forums pages for registration, the spectator stands, the judges HUD, and the scoreboard system.

SW: Who is “we”?

CB: I was getting to that. “We” is a secret international conspiracy headquartered in Zurich and made up of international bankers, politicians, and the secret owners of the military-industrial complex .... just joking, of course. For the SLSA component of “we”, the proposal approved by the SLSA Board established a special competition committee composed of SLSA Board members, SLSA Advisors, and SLSA members who actively want to make this happen. It is important to emphasize that this competition is an independent joint venture of both leagues and an owned subsidiary of neither. That way, it is able to draw upon the expertise of each league in running a competition, yet is financially independent and will have to get its own sponsors. The point person for the SLSA Committee is Boneur Chenaux. Her counterpart from the ABSSL is none other than Leogarto Burt. Bon is doing a great job and it is so helpful that she is fluent in Portugese.

SW: What is the format of the actual event and who decides who participates? Is it invitational only, or is it open to all?


CB: Each League will choose its own format for deciding its 15 representatives. The SLSA is all about being open to all whenever possible, so all members can compete for one of the 15 open positions to represent us. The committee will host an open surfing competition similar to the first round currently used in SLSA competitions and the top 15 will move on to represent the SLSA team in the joint World Cup Match. One significant difference is that current SLSA rankings have no bearing on the selection. All members have an equal shot to make the team based solely on their performance in the open.

SW: Wouldn't it be easier to just take the current top 15 surfers and send them?

CB: Perhaps, but that is not what this is all about. We want to offer the maximum opportunity for members of both leagues to participate. Additionally, earlier I mentioned the cultural exchange component of this event. As you know, the SLSA and ABSSL use different wave systems and boards during the course of their respective seasons. By coin ,the first SWC will be held on the ABSSL waves at Crab Island using ABSSL HP Boards. Because of that “cultural exchange” , SLSA surfers will have to operate on a wave that will be new to them and a board they perhaps have not seen before. Current standings therefore have very little bearing. We will need to choose the top 15 based on performance on the wave and boards that will be used in the Cup.

SW: Won't that put the SLSA surfers at a disadvantage?

CB: Well, of course, it presents a challenge for the SLSA team to have to learn a new system and compete at a high level on it. I have never seen an SLSA surfer run away from a challenge, though. Many will embrace the challenge as a fun thing and the ones who do the best with adapting will be in the main event. We did lose the coin toss when it came to picking location and board system, but our surfers can still win this competition despite that. In fact, I am guessing many members will like the fact that even our most seasoned surfers will have virtually no greater amount of experience of the boards used in the open and main event. This may be the most competitive open we have ever had.

SW: What “cultural exchange” will the ABSSL surfers have to deal with?

CB: While the competition will be at the ABSSL home sim and using ABSSL boards, it will be run under the SLSA heat format and will have SLSA judges scoring system. This will be new to most ABSSL surfers. They are used to a format in which each surfer gets 4 minutes alone on the water to surf as many waves as they can and score as many points as they can in that time.

SW: How can you use SLSA judging if the board is scripted differently?

CB: The SLSA judging standards are, for the most part, independent of any particular script. They are “universal” in that the things that count are style, control, use of wave, and length of ride. They have survived several script changes and will be applicable for the ABSSL board and waves as well. The judges, as always, will have to have knowledge of the waves and boards in use, their capabilities, their limitations, and the degree of difficulty of various surfing moves. The details of unifying the SLSA standards with the ABSSL ones and training of judges is one of the things currently being worked out by the Committee. It is a challenge, but not an insurmountable one by any means. By the time the event occurs, the judges, as well as our surfers , will have had sufficient time to come fully prepared.

SW: It sounds like a lot has been done already. When will the full details be available? What is still holding things up?

CB: A lot certainly has been accomplished, but there is still much to do. A lot of people are working very hard to make sure it does get done. The committee has to get sponsors, the event still has to be scheduled, and both leagues must come to formal agreement on even some of the things I have discussed here. One of the very big challenges also arises in the area of having very good translation. We need to be certain that all surfers fully understand all the rules, how the judging works, etc. Additionally, not to put Socks (Clawtooth) on the spot, but he and others have already, at least tentatively, agreed to help with the all important tutorials so that our surfers can learn from each other how to quickly adapt to competing on a different board for one event. Also, there are always a million other details that need doing to have a successful surfing event. They run the gamut from getting rashies made and distributed prior to a competition to having pose balls in place for the winners on the podium at the end. We are on top of it though, and I feel very certain that everything will be officially announced in the near future.

SW: Do you have any other major concerns at this time?

CB: Right now, my main one is that people understand exactly what thiswill be. It will be a fun competition and reason to surf. It will be a challenge for all involved. It is also an opportunity to share a mutual love of surfing with another surf group, as well as an opportunity to restore the team spirit and feeling of good will and community in our ownSLSA group. This is an exhibition event for fun. Though anyone would love to win and certainly winning this event against such competition is a major accomplishment, the intent is not to say the winner is the definitive champion of all surfing.

Some people have even taken me to task over the proposed name of the event. This is still subject to change. Admittedly it is “promotional” and draws attention. But I have also personally already received a cultural lesson. As an average American who barely follows American football, I did not quite grasp the connotations involved with the title “World Cup” and soccer. If viewed only in comparison to the soccer World Cup, obviously this comp pales in comparison and is not for determining a world champion.

That was never the intent, though. The intent was so that all surfers could see that there is a bigger surfing “world” than just the one they have immediate involvement with. Also, if the event is a success, it is hoped we will have another in about 6 months alternating waves, boards and sims to the SSi ones currently in use by the SLSA. Also, if the Japanese league were to be resuscitated, they would be more than welcome to send a contingent to compete, as would any other viable SL surfing association

Finally, as most of us already realize how truly international the SLSA itself is. It is my hope that no one thinks the SLSA is the “American Surfing League.” We already are a worldwide league, and I have always loved that about SLSA. How else would I have gotten to be friends with the Big Kahuna of all Poland?



Stay tuned to SurfWatch for more information on the SL Surfing World Cup event.

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Mori





Fine, white sand...warm sun..salty waves rolling onto a powdery beach. While Mori Pwani and Tuli have not been with us long, they have filled a void in SL surf sims left when Bishara closed down.


Mori runs a 4 panel epic for about 200 meters. According to VW Sands, estate manager of Mori/Tuli, "the shoreline was designed to make the wave break at a realistic distance from the shore, and it washes up into the really wide shallows area." Tuli runs "old school" pipes and fluffies at a 20 degree angle to follow the natural peninsula break on the eastern edge.

Mori is home base for the Vibrations Surf Alliance, and home to the SurfJam series, surf classes, live music, contests, and a host of other activities. They also have a thriving rental community with cliffside homes and a "surfers village" of surf shacks.

Mori/Tuli is currently facing the same fate as some of our other favorite surf sims in this challenging financial climate. Mori's owner, Dawnevea Destiny, is currently searching for a buyer for these two beautiful joined surf sims. And she's interested in selling to an individual or group that would be committed to maintaining it as is. According to VW Sands, current rentals are covering 90% of the monthly tiers, and he would be willing to stay on as estate manager if the current situation can be maintained. Dawnevea believes the sims can be profit generating with very little effort.
Both sims are full prim, standard 15,000 prim sims. She is looking for a price of $1400 USD for both, or $750 each, altho she prefers the sims stay as they are, with joined themes. If you are interested in more information, contact Dawnevea Destiny in-world.









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TOPANGA ROUND 2 RESULTS RELEASED

Scores courtesy Abel Halderman

Following the SLSA Disciplinary Action and recalculation of competition results, below are the final scores of the final competition of the SLSA 2009 Round 2 Season 1 held at Topanga and released by the SLSA:

FINALS:

Wilfrid DeCuir: 17.133
Desirae Beaumont: 17.000
Abel Halderman: 16.000
Cipriano Grut: 14.667

SEMI FINALS (includes prelims and semi scores added together):

Monq Pinklady: 30.167
Jac Mornington: 30.167
Bobbi Laval: 30.000
Yendor Destiny: 29.500
Sunrize Mornington: 28.000
Cymindra Deschenal: 24.833

PRELIMINARIES:

Buffy Munro: 15.666
MarkFoo Waverider: 15.333
Robin Mapp: 15.167
Colleen Brennan: 14.833
Harbor Piers: 14.833
Bodhi Lowtide: 14.666
Bonheur Chenaux: 14.500
Kim Henig: 14.333
Triston Mayo: 14.167
Bo Ohmai: 14.000
Basalia Flow: 13.666
Giavannamarie Melody: 13.500
Dixson Martian: 13.167
Mateus Rieko: 13.000
Mick Lunasea: 12.833
Quench Spotter: 11.666
Kohana Schimmer: 8.833
Mojo Manamiko: 8.000
Selina Otsuka: 7.833

Round 1 Results (Round 1 surfers also accumulate SLSA ranking points):

Lynda Mimulus: 14.330
Sweetcajan Voom: 14.160
Kristoffer Juneau: 13.330
Melora Loring: 10.830
Rick Galli: 10.500
Kait Seetan: 10.166
Leilani Siamendes: 10.000
Kathy Heberle: 9.666
Sean Azambuja: 9.166
Pilze Braveheart: 8.833
Tanya Sideways: 8.833
Driftwood Miles: 8.660
Mateus Rieko: 8.160
Kantbe Thursday: 8.160
Sienna Velinov: 7.830
Aurora Jacks: 7.660
Aeryn Kidd: 7.160
Marianna Monentes: 7.160
Aldo Courtois: 6.330
Maldrul Morris: 5.830
Rachelle Seetan: 5.660
Mas Sohl: 5.000
Followingwaves Sirbu: 4.500
Lacy Rossini: 0.000
Seyna Teodosio: 0.000
Velvetori Twine: 0.000
Countess Decosta: 0.000
Tilly Theas: 0.000

DQ scores :
SexyBoy Oh: 17.333
Kimmy Jigsaw: 15.833






For more information, see www.surfslsa.com
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Going Wet...

SurfWatch is proud to introduce our newest member to the staff as Business Columnist and Special Reporter, Rhett "Maddawg" McMahn. This is an exerpt from the longer posting on the SLSA Forum, surfSLSA.com.







Our next door neighbors were a retired couple named Walter and Teresa Bent. He was a retired Aerospace Engineer, and she was a beautiful older Spanish lady who I remember cooked really well. I used to go from the time I was allowed to walk next door with my mom to the Bent's and would bug Mr. Bent like Dennis the Mennis. Mr. Bent had this thing up in the rafters of his garage that I would bug him about. "Wasss that?" He'd reply "a surfboard." I'd, without pause, ask, "Can I play?" He'd say, "Nope not old enough, but when you are, I will teach you."

After much discussion with my parents, during summer vacation after my year of kiindergarten, it was decided I could learn to surf. Mr. Bent would teach me as my Father couldn't with his knee (injury)
. My mother was not too happy, but my father assured her that he learned to ski that young. It was "good for the boy's development!" Ha! Little did he know.

Mr. Bent had gotten this monster of wood with a single shark fin down from the rafters and had done his best to fix it up. I didn't care that the varnish had yellowed and cracked. It was huge! It was amazing! And... Mr. Bent's, trying to lecture me while I stood in awe of this thing on two sawhorses I had only seen in a distance watching the surfers on the beach, only words that rang through to my head were "If you can learn to ride it... it is yours!"

Now I don't know if y'all have seen a 7 foot Hennon from 1960. Not a longboard by any means, but a thick monster of a board for a 60 pound first grader standing all of three foot five inches. Mr. Bent started me on a built up mound of sand teaching me how to lay on the board, paddle, pop a jump to my feet, boogie and crouch. Over and over all morning until I could do it on command, he worked me like a Drill Sergent. We all had a picnic lunch and then after the proper wait time not to get cramps, we went wet!

Well, I took to it in grand style. I'm telling you, I was a natural. Now I was surfing about a foot to eighteen inch fluffies, but I was spotting my waves and paddling as hard as I could and riding to the shore. Every now and then, a roller would curl just a bit, and I was the next grand champion surfer shooting that curl. Then it happened... a little bit bigger wave came and even though Mr. Bent had told me to pick my waves carefully, I didn't listen, and I experienced my first headlong off the board official kawabunga style face plant! Ouch! Cry! No wait! Don't cry! I couldn't cry because Mr. Bent would not give me the board. I found the board and grabbed it and headed back out to the waves. It was then I realised... I had lost my swim trunks.

So picture the scene: this small boy paddling like crazy on a board twice his height in length, bare butt proudly pointed to the sky. I wasn't stopping. If I stopped, I just knew Mr. Bent would be mad I lost my trunks and wouldn't give me the board. As Mr. Bent would try to catch me, I would shift my wait, get low in my crouch and shred that wave heading back out for the next one, my Mother with my trunks in her hand shouting for me to come in. There I am over and over, wiener in the breeze, shooting my first waves and showing total disregard for authority. I bring those same qualities now to SL.

Mr. Bent gave me the board. (I don't have a picture of mine as it is long gone but I've included one from the Malibu Online Surfboard Museum
http://www.malibulongboards.com/hannon.jpg) Mom took in my trunks and instructed me in the morality or lack of nudity.

So... late at night... when you find me trespassing in your private surf sim, riding your curls butt naked? You have got two options: stand on the shore and shout in the immortal words of my mother, "Get you ass back here and put your swim suit on!" Or... you can strip off your clothes, thank God for the waves, and ride free with me.
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Aries Ashton and Sebastian Saramago: Are they the same person?

by Ashleigh Dickins, reporting editor

It was recently brought up to SurfWatch that surf legends Aries Ashton and Sebastian Saramago may infact have the same person controlling the keyboard! They do both have alliteration in their names, and their prowess on the beaches can't be denied. SurfWatch dug into this issue a bit further to uncover if there was any truth to these rumors.

Sebastian Saramago (L); Aries Ashton (R)

"Aries and I the same? That's a new one," Sebastian Saramago said when asked about the rumors. "Perhaps people got that idea by the way Aries wrote the article in his surf mag. He took the 'questions and answer' transcript of our interview and morphed it into more of a narrative coming from him." Sebastian refers to inworld magazine Kahuna, run by Aries Ashton. And though that could have lended some to the confusion of people, Sebastian assures SurfWatch there's no truth to the rumors. "But for the record, that is ridiculous."

We caught up with Aries as well, who found humor in the situation and also squashed the rumors. "I thought I resembled Brad Pitt more," he joked. Of course, if they were the same person this is exactly how they would respond. So SurfWatch brought the rumor to a member of the surf community who has known both men for quite some time, as they had been friends with the late Thor Bishop. "No, absolutely not," Sierra Sugar laughed when we asked for her opinion on the matter. Sierra confirms she has heard both on voice and can confirm they are not the same person. "Someone is pulling everyone's leg or severely misinformed themself," she stated.

So there you have it folks! Sebastian Saramago and Aries Ashton are not the same person. Maybe next time we'll be investigating if Mori Pwani and Majini Island were managed by the same person! (Spoiler alert: They were!)
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SexyBoy Oh speaks out illegally in SLSA Public Forum

by Rhett McMahn, Business Columnist and Special Reporter

Sexyboy Oh
is making news again less then twenty-four hours after a decision was handed down disqualifying him from the SLSA's Topanga 2009 Season 1 season ending competition. Oh, who recently won said competition on points, was made aware of the SLSA's Disciplinary Board's findings yesterday afternoon.

In a 10:05PM (SLSA Forum Time) post entitled "So everyone know by them self" (complete post can be viewed publicly at http://surfslsa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=622), Oh posts the entire history of the actions of the Board, including the initial letter and a detailed defense of his actions. In addition, Oh makes commentary as to his opinion of the validity of various things such as which group is to be joined in the term SLSA, a notice in the official rules about being in current edit, a missing rule 2, and his interpretation of whether being a member of the SLSA organization requires membership in both the In-World SL Group or just the Internet based SLSA Forum (http://surfslsa.com/forums/index.php).

Responses have been mixed at the time of this post with SLSA Advisor Ashleigh Dickins taking time to address each one of Oh's points in a clearly laid out point by point post, with quotes. One point Dickins made and was clear about Oh violating SLSA rules by posting in the SLSA Forum while not a member of the SL Surfing Association SL Group. "At the time of posting Mr. Oh was not a member of the group and therefore should not have even been allowed to post this. However he had not yet been deactivated by the board. As can be seen here:"

SLSA Director Robin Mapp assured his members that the SLSA Board is reviewing the recent events and actions. Mapp also calls for it's members not to air these issues in their public forum, but come directly and privately to the Board. "While I believe there are issues related to this ruling that need to be examined, and very much want to hear all opinions around this, I also feel that public scrutiny does nothing but cause disharmony and division among us all. I assure you all this is not a Witch hunt, and it will be addressed as such." Mapp reassured his group of his confidence in their administrators, officials, and members to come to a fair and correct outcome in this matter.
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FINDINGS ON HEARING RE: CODE VIOLATIONS

The SLSA has posted its findings related to two cases of possible SLSA code violations stemming from the Topanga Canyon Longboard competition. The Committee decided:

It was decided that Kimmy Jigsaw engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct, violating the SLSA Code of Conduct, in making statements that were unsportsmanlike to their intended target and marring and disrupting the event. They have disqualified her from that competition and the final standings will be recalculated.

It was decided that SexyBoy Oh violated the SLSA rules that state competitors must be members of the SLSA to compete in SLSA sanctioned events when he left the SLSA prior to the Topanga Canyon competition. The Committee has disqualified him from that competition and the final standings will be recalculated.

The posting for this information can be found at the official SLSA website: http://surfslsa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=621.
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THE GIANT SNAIL RACE - RELAY FOR LIFE

Neck and neck - er - feeler to feeler, these giant snails are giving their all for the American Cancer Society in a Relay for Life Giant Snail Race. Socks Clawtooth, event organizer, takes a 5 inch lead after 3 hours, pulling away from the pack comprised of WickedV Carver, Colleen Brennan, Bobbi Laval, Sally LaSalle, and many others. Sweat, or slime...or something...trailing behind them, the snails push to their max speed of...well...there is no number that low...as they fight for the lead!








Slimin' Sally trips Bobbin Bobbi...Colleen kicks it into gear, motivated to speed by the French chef following her, calling her escargot, and falls on her back, pulling a classic turtle and unable to get up! ...Don't miss a second of this exciting race - head on over to Abitibi (34, 138, 61)
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Surf Love and SurfWatch Announce Winners of 2009 Beach Babes Calendar Contest!

SurfWatch will be featuring each winner from the Surf Love 2009 Beach Babes Calender Contest. One of the 12 delicious beach babes will be chosen to model in a SurfWatch in-world magazine edition. If you'd like to see more of a Surf Love/SurfWatch beach babe, just let us know by leaving a comment and maybe your fave will be chosen! And be on the lookout for more information on the 2010 calendar starting soon!



January - Rhett McMahn

"In constant search of that one God given perfect wave. Lost the ability to do it RL. Thank God for SL (smiles)."




For more information on how to get a calender, if you have a spot for a low prim/low script kiosk that distributes the calenders for free, or on the 2010 calendar, contact Beloved Avril.
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Disciplinary Hearing on Code Violations

The SLSA has announced a delay in validating final scores and results for SLSA 2009 Season 1 Round 2 at Topanga due to a Disciplinary Hearing related to possible violations of the SLSA Code of Conduct and SL Community Standards (surfslsa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=611). According to the Code of Conduct, possible members of a Disciplinary Hearing Committee could be: Judges, Event Coordinator, Marshall and Security. SurfWatch will keep you posted as additional information becomes available.
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BREAKING HEADLINES

Hot and direct from the SLSA!!!

From the SLSA directors:
THE SLSA HAS A HANDSHAKE AGREEMENT WITH LEOGARTO BURT TO CO-SANCTION THE FIRST EVER WORLD CUP!!!!

Stay tuned for details!!!!
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SL Relationships and SL SEX


This column is a continuation of our first column. Oh wait, hey all you math whizzes out there in cyberland who felt compelled to make comments about the SL timeline I put out there! Hey!!! It was just to make a point at how fast your SL relationships will move as compared to your RL relationships! It wasn't meant to be a literal calculation but rather an example, especially for us who obviously don't own a calculator! (Yeah, I'm smiling!) Be sure to leave all that analytical thinking in RL cause if you choose to be all that in SL, you may spend alot of time alone. Then I'm out of a job because if everyone is alone, who the hell needs a Love Doctor! But I digress...


Referring back to our previous column, the bottom line was this: be nice to each other, realize there are RL feelings behind these drop dead gorgeous avis', think about how sensitive people are and how we all crave attention, especially from the opposite sex. Most importantly, try your hardest to be faithful and monogamous to your partner. One last word on this: R E S P E C T!!! Just like Aretha coined the phrase like 100 years ago! You math people are thinking now: 100 years ago...is the doctor nuts??? The number is for effect!


Now to the meat of this column - SEX. Shall we discuss SL SEX? yes, we should - why not! Let's move forward a bit. You are in a relationship with the person you can't stop thinking about. Maybe you have already gone and figured out how to voice in SL rather than all this typing. It's alot easier to moan in real time and voice than to type all those OOOoooh's and AAAaaah's, isn't it! My brain is just flying here, and I know we're going to have to make this an ongoing topic which is just fine with the doctor. After all, discussing SL SEX is alot of fun.


Again, people, key word here is respect. For yourself and especially your partner. Having sex, making love, is THE most private moment two people can share with each other. Not only are your bodies bared, but so are your souls! Making love is such a private and wonderful experience. It's what brings two people closer than any other act. With this bonding, we grow closer and closer. We start buying gifts for each other - small ones, big ones, it doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts. For each of us to know that someone cares so much that they buy us little items to show they're thinking of you! Man, you can't beat that feeling, can you? SL SEX will do all of this and so much more. You must make the "do I or don't I" decision within yourselves. Even in SL, there needs to be some sort of morals at play. Forget the school of thought that this is "just a game". We all know that's nonsense! I want every single person who's reading this to think, just for a sec: How often do you think of your favorite person, place or thing in SL when you're out in RL? That incredible tropical island you spent time on with your partner. That secluded skybox cave and waterfall with pose balls of all types. Then in a flash, you both TP'd to Tahoe Mountain for some skiing and canoeing only to find an ice cave hidden in the forest! SL SEX -- making love -- is this incredible or what! How lucky can we be to be able to meet people from every corner of our incredible planet, here, right here! WOW! People from every walk in life and all these people are potential friends, lovers, advisors!


The act of actually performing SEX in SL is another thing completely. For the uninitiated first time folks, especially the guys, this can be hysterically funny. Ladies, please try not to laugh out loud, okay? Let's see if you beauties can relate. "Now where the hell did I put that new penis? Oh, here is is. Oh crap, that's a pencil. Damn, I have to organize this inventory. Oh, maybe this is it. Yeah, okay. Now click wear and then touch it to make it do stuff. Damn, why do they make this so hard? ohhh, hard...there it goes!" Anyway, I think we all get the picture of what a riot this can be. You know what, tho? She'll love you even more for all the laughs, guys, so don't get discouraged. The doctor is here to help! I will most certainly continue next time right where we left off here.


I want to leave you all with a quote or a saying of sorts. I'll try and have one for each column. This week's is: "When I die...I want to go in my sleep just like my grandpa did and not like the rest of the screaming people in the car with him!"




Dr. Love is a regular columnist with SurfWatch and writes about SL love. Post your questions for Dr. Love in the comments section or send direct to Tauri Tigerpaw. You may post anonymously.
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