Welcome to our first monthly installment of “Stuff We Like.” Every month we are going to ask our writers, contributors, and friends what surfing related thing they have been stoked about in the past month. It could be a piece of equipment, a book, a movie, an organization, or even just something like getting up for the dawn patrol.
Want to throw your two cents in? Send a paragraph about something you like toadmin@surfinghandbook.com and we’ll add the best one each month from our readers.
So without further ado, here’s some stuff we like:
Stefan Slater
For Christmas, my parents gave me The History of Surfingby Matt Warshaw. It is an incredible book, as it covers the entire history of the sport from its origins in Peru (yes, I said Peru) to the exploits of Duke Khanamoku, the first wave ridden by Greg Noll at Waimea, the birth of the shortboard, all the way up to the current events of today. Rather remarkably, Warshaw is able to condense nearly 2,000 years of history down to 500 very well written pages—which is a pretty impressive feat. As the former editor-in-chief of Surfer, he understands surf culture as a whole, so he is able to utilize the history of the sport in such a way as to allow the reader to comprehend the development of the character and demeanor of the modern surfer. Overall, the book is a wonderful read. I just finished the section on Malibu point in the 1940’s, and I’m infatuated with the idea of paddling out at First Point on a vintage 50-pound redwood board. Not so keen on the butt-hugging trunks they wore back then though. Doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination… if you know what I mean.
Want to read what others are stoked about?
http://www.surfinghandbook.com/2011/01/stuff-we-like/