Surfing in Marketing - Mac OS X Mavericks Operating System

Surf Marketing.  Anyone that surfs know how "cool" of an experience it is.  Lately, I have been noticing that companies are using surfing's "cool" factor in advertising to appeal to the larger population, hoping that some cool will rub off on their products.  Here are three recent examples.

Snow Discussion Pros and Cons: Sierra Cement and Champagne Powder

Powder, Sierra cement, white stuff, champagne, gnar gnar, the fluffy stuff, or whatever way you choose to call it, SNOW. As the season approaches, snow insidiously starts to creep into our minds distracting us from our daily lives. Inevitably, snow has begun filling my thoughts and made me think of an age old debate over who has the best snow. Is it the Sierra Nevadas and Cascade Mountains in California, Oregon, and Washington? Or is it the Rocky Mountains in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming?

One Last Wakeboard Run for the Season | Fall Wakeboarding

Check it out!  The leaves are changing and the wakeboard season is winding down (for many of us).  Take advantage of the fall days while the weather still lets you and get out on the lake for some final runs.

And for wakeboard storage in the offseason, check out our wakeboard racks - perfect for storage and display in your house, garage, or other storage spot when your wakeboards aren't in use.

Surf Trips and Travel: Advantages to Renting a Car

By Andrew Sachs
All surf trips are different. Some surf destinations might not even have cars! Some surf breaks are only accessible by boat.  But there are plenty of surf trips where you land and have to drive to the surf break. Or you have to drive around to different breaks. Here are some of the advantages to renting a car for your next surf trip.

Setting Up Your Snowboard Stance - Binding Angle

Setting up your snowboard’s stance is imperative to your health and will be a big factor in how quickly you can progress your skills. As mentioned in last week’s article, the two most important aspects of your stance are the width of your stance and the angle you have your feet turned. Dialing in these parameters will save your ankles, knees, and will put you in a mechanically advantageous position for balance, and thus, proper technique.

Kai Otton Wins the Rip Curl Pro Portugal | Title Race Still On For Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning

By Andrew Sachs

Kai Otton outlasted Nat Young today in less-than-stellar waves at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal.  But the biggest news from the contest is that because Kai knocked off Mick Fanning in the quarterfinals, Mick didn't clinch the world title.  Instead, the title fight will be decided at Pipe, the 10th and final event of the season, where Kelly Slater still has a shot at claiming the crown for the 12th time.  He's up against it though; anything less than a win by Kelly and Mick will grab his 3rd world title.  And even if Kelly wins, Mick takes homes the title if he reaches the semifinals.  Unfortunately, the drama won't unfold for another 2 months, when the Billabong Pipe Masters fires on December 8.

Snowboard-Wakeboard-Skateboard Combo Wall Rack | Customer Photos

Snowboard - Wakeboard - Skateboard Rack

Check out this board rack setup from our friend Mario in Winter Haven, Florida.  This rack has tons of versatility and it's all being put to good use with multiple wakeboards, snowboards, and skateboards.  Picture proof that this rack does it all and provides a great wall storage and display option for your favorite boards.  The looks are a fit for inside your house as shown here but also works in your garage or other storage areas.  

A nice touch we haven't seen before is the climbing wall on the right side of the frame.  When you want to get your boards up and down, you have to go for a little climb.  That is a really great way to bring all your sports together in the same spot.  Props, Mario.  

How to Set Your Snowboard Stance

Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned veteran, getting your stance right is imperative. There are two main reasons why your stance is important. First, having the proper stance helps prevent injuries by putting your knees and ankles at more natural angles. Second, a proper stance promotes better technique when riding which will lead to lower fatigue and growth in your skills.

Renting Surfboards on Surf Trips | Advantages and Disadvantages

By Andrew Sachs
A big question when you're planning a surf trip is – should I pack my surfboards or rent them at my destination?

Mick Fanning Claims the Quik Pro France Title, Widens His Lead Over Slater at #1

By Andrew Sachs
Mick Fanning defeated Gabriel Medina to claim the Quik Pro France title, finally breaking through for his first win of the season.  Combined with Kelly Slater's ouster in the quarterfinals, Mick's win opened up a 5,000 point cushion over Slater at the top of the standings in the race for the 2013 world title.  It's important to note that the world champ is crowned based on his best 8 out of 10 events, so the current standings are not the true point totals that will be used to calculate the champ.  That said, Mick has no worse than a 9th place finish this season, meaning even if he bombed the last two events, he still would have a strong shot at ending up on top.  Slater and the rest of the field have their work cut out in the last two events in Portugal and Hawaii.

Magne-Traction and Serrated Edge Skis and Snowboards

     Popularized by Mervin manufacturing companies Lib Tech and GNU, the idea of serrated edge skis and snowboard has gained traction (pun intended) over the last couple of years. Also known as Magne-Traction, serrated edge skis and snowboards are designed to provide additional gripping power for your shred stick(s). The basic premise is that the wavy edge of the board provides additional contact surfaces for the board to grip the surface.

Surf Trip Activities: What to Do When It's Flat... (Part 2)

By Andrew Sachs
So you've planned the best surf trip. You researched the spot and picked the time when it always gets the best swell. You know you have the most killer surf trip planned. And then you get there, and…it’s flat. Well even Hawaii gets flat.  The point is if you go on surf trips, you will inevitably be faced with days when there're no waves. Or worse, you land and the swell is so big that guys are towing in.  So you have to find something else to do.   (See our Part 1 with other activities)