Get her something other than flowers

Whether its your mom, wife, or sister, moms love surfing too so here 7 ideas for the women in our lives:

1.  Roxy rashguard
2. Dakine leash
3. Future Fins
4. Creatures of Leisure deck pad
5. Dakine board bag
6. South Coast surfboard by Dan O’Hara

Stop into South Coast Ocean Peach or Pacific Beach to pick up any of these items. Is your mom not a surfer mom? Check out South Coast Wahines blog or any Wahines location for your Mom Day gift!

6 Tips For Money Saving Surfers

Most people think surfing is expensive (and it can be) but even if you’re on a budget, you can get the goods you need at a price you love!

1. Go for a low budget suit. Each company has their own standard suit that fits your wallet so try O’Neill’s Epic, Quiksilver’s Syncro, or Rip Curl’s Dawn Patrol.
2. If you’re getting your first suit, go for a full suit. It will keep you warm during the winter time and once summer hits, you can jump right into trunks!
3. Don’t go crazy on high-end fins until you and your hacks are ready!
4. Don’t skimp on the leash. This is where you don’t want to save money. Look at it this way- its the one thing holding you together with your board. If you save $10 on a leash and it breaks, you could be looking at a $100 repair or brand new board! Try FCS- they make great leashes!
5. Get a used board your first time around. It will teach you how to take care of a board and if you ding it right away, you won’t be hating yourself forever!
6. Check our Closeout store for deals on wetsuits, boards, and surf accessories. You might walk away with a bitchin’ deal!

Did we miss any great money-saving tips for surfers?? Let us know!!

GoPro Surf Hero HD

Recently South Coast Surf Shops acquired new GoPro cameras and displays for our shops. They have been stirring up quite the buzz around the floor with customers amazed by the video quality and pint of view. South Coast is one of the few distributors of the popular POV cameras by GoPro and down at the beach the GoPro Surf Hero is making a huge splash. People of all ages are strapping one of these almost indestructible cameras on and going for it. Never has documenting your most extreme adventures been so easy.

There are a couple different POV cameras on the market today but people are by far most familiar with the GoPro HD Hero. These powerful little cameras can shoot up to 30fps at 1080p resolution although GoPro recommends shooting at 720p at 60fps for action sports where you plan to slow down the footage for smooth playback. The sound on this camera isn’t bad until it goes in the waterproof housing then everything gets underwater sounding. But most people eliminate this problem by editing their footage to their own personal soundtrack. Besides voice-overs are the way to go and have become really simple in the new iMovie. It is also important to adjust the lighting settings on the camera in order to get the best image from the camera which makes going from light to dark places difficult for the small camera. Of course as with most cameras they will always perform better with more light than less.

South Coast first featured the GoPro in a few videos created by South Coast Surf Shop rider Cory Edging who has taken a big interest in documenting his surf chronicles. Although GoPro makes a mount for just about anywhere you would want to put the camera Cory still came up with his own method of capturing his point of view. He uses the headstrap mount then pulls his wetsuit hood over the top of that to ensure the camera is secure when duck diving waves. As summer came around the hood had to go so Cory engineered a hat mount that allowed the camera to sit on the bill of an old hat. The POV that Cory is able to get while surfing with the GoPro strapped to his head is like nothing we’ve seen before and truly puts you on the board barefoot on the wax.

Using these cameras in the surf can present other problems like water-spots that ruin your shot. An old trick is using saliva or spit on the lens. This of course is not the best or only solution and we recommend using a water-displacement product like Rain-X on the case lens if you really want to capture spot free surf footage.

All the small issues aside this tiny camera is modern technology that continues to impress everyone who comes across the cameras. You’ll be surprised at all the footage you capture when you own one of these. You might even be surprised to know a camera was rolling when you didn’t even know it so keep an eye out for your buddies trying to play a trick on you on film. These tiny cameras can be used for many other purposes than showing how hard you shred.

Available online at SouthCoast.com with free shipping or at any of our five retail locations in OB and PB. Pick one up today and show your grandparents how that first surfboard they bought you allows you to drop in on kooks all summer long!

Airplane about to land powering down all electronic devices. Few more quick facts before I start getting glared at by the uncomfortable passengers around me.

Professional Quality, Shoots 5MP photos every 2 seconds, Lots of modes, Batteries last 2.5 hours up to 32gb SD card supported, Adhesive surfboard mount proven in the most heavy surf by pro surfers who say they don’t hardly notice it’s even there. Waterproof case up to 180′ or 60m, Replaceable parts. Bam!

Happiness and solitude can be found in the busiest of places. All it takes is an open mind to get away. Go Explore. -Cory

Last Friday South Coast Shop Rider Cory Edging and friends Louis White and Trevor Wageman took an adventure kayak day mission towards the boarder. They brought along Cory’s new GoPro with ultra high tech hat mount to capture the action. Here is what entailed on their journey to no mans land.

Music by Sage
Songs:
Ol’ Franky Two Times
Monday Remix
http://soundcloud.com/sagewisdom

Rip Curl E-Bomb

“I hate wearing wetsuits!” I hear it almost every time I paddle out. “I can’t wait for summer so we can trunk it, I feel like I can’t even move in this suit,” that sentence rings in my ears for almost the entire winter season.  After doing some research, I found a couple ways to release the death grip your old winter wetsuit has been restricting your body with.

Looking for a new wetsuit can be as long and rigorous as a day of “the perfect jean” shopping with your girlfriend, sister, or mother. Naturally there are always some questions about the right suit to select when picking the perfect piece to complete your shred sesh, which is really only made of three things: wave, E-Bomb, board. Boom!

Sleek, smooth, thorough, with adjectives like these the Rip Curl E-Bomb could be considered the James Bond of wetsuits.  And even though it may seem like it’s scientific make up is too complicated for the average surfer, the E-bomb is perfect for any level of surfing.  Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or even a Pro, this clean looking classic is well worth the wear and purchase.

Let’s start with the name: E-Bomb.  Sounds dangerous, right? Wrong. However, amount of flex in this wetsuit alone is practically lethal. Now one of the most flexible high-performance suits on the market today, the Rip Curl E-Bomb has 30% more stretch than the normal E3.  So what does this 100% E3 third generation Elastomax Neoprene mean? It means sweet stretchy freedom for your upper back and under arms, especially with the 4-way back stretch design.  Everyone knows when you can flex better, you move better, and when you move better your session is better.

The E-Bomb was made with minimal seam restriction in mind. As if that’s not enough variety in a wetsuit, Rip Curl has made three variations of the E-Bomb Full suit to fit your liking.  The E-Bomb Chest Zip that comes in both 3/2 and 4/2, the Back Zip in both 3/2/ and 4/2/, and the Pro-Zip in the 3/2 version of the instant Rip Curl classic.  The Back Zip is perfect for the more decided surfer.  Some people know what they want, like what they surf in and enjoy the classic back zip.  The Chest Zip provides great insulation with the classic comfort of the back zip with a modern twist on the typical zipper location protocol.  The same can be said for the Pro Chest Zip that boasts a stash pocket, flex knees, and seamless underarms. So now that we’ve broken down the science of the Rip Curl E-Bomb, the only real question is when are you going to stop wasting time and start paddling back out? Pick up one of these flex machines at any South Coast Surf Shops or online at southcoast.com and get back in the water.

Rip Curl E-Bomb Wetsuits

SuperSeam

O’Neill’s exclusive SuperSeam is the latest evolution of Fluid Seam technology. 60% lighter and smaller (8mm vs. 20mm), the stichless, triple-glued seam with an internal and external silicone-base urethane seal provides the strongest, lightest, and most flexible Fluid Seam construction available.

SuperSeam technology is available in these two new suits sold at South Coast Surf Shops or right here at southcoast.com:

Click the SuperSeam wetsuit above for more information.

South Coast is one of only three retailers in San Diego stocking these new wetsuits.

A little more about the Pyrofreak from O’Neill…

Less is more, Super Strong, Superlight and Super Stretchy.

The Pyrofreak includes the revolutionary new Super Seal Cuff System- this is water tight and is the most advanced streamline cuff available. The Super Seal Cuff is fused to create a very low profile at the cuff ending, to prevent water entry and improves durability in the wrist and ankles. The UltraFlex XDS neoprene makes this wetsuit stretchier, lighter and is a great addition to the forever evolving O’Neill brand.
Features:
SuperSeam Weld- SuperSeam Stitchless Technology: 60% Thinner and Lighter than the Fluid Seam Weld
New Super Seal Cuff System- New Water Tight Cuff System- on the wrists and ankles
F.U.Z.E. Closure System- Front Upper Zipper Entry- O’Neill’s Exclusive Front Upper Zip Entry offers a fresh alternative. Using the same floating zipper technology as our Z.E.N. zip closure, the F.U.Z.E. closure keeps you dry without restricting flexibility
UltraFlex XDS Neoprene Body
New improved Fine Mesh Gripper including much more stretch
Code Red Zipper
External Key Pocket with Loop

If you ever wanted to “try before buy” an O’Neill Wetsuit Now is the time…Join us Friday Morning Oct 8^th at the end of Felspar Street, Pacific Beach CA. More details to come but this is your chance to paddle out in one of the Fall 10/11 styles and see how they work!

Patagonia Wetsuits

Patagonia Wetsuits

Since 1997, Patagonia has designed, manufactured, and distributed surfboards shaped by Yvon Chouinard’s son, Fletcher. Fletcher’s vision has driven Patagonia’s current efforts to address the needs of the ocean athlete, providing only what’s needed: board shorts, wetsuits [along with booties, gloves, and hoods], and sweaters and baselayers for warming up out of the water. We also have some shirts, pants (trousers and legwear), and shorts for those whose minds are on the ocean.

South Coast Surf Shops your San Diego connection for Patagonia Wetsuits. People have been catching the eco-friendly wave making patagonia a more prominent name here in California when shopping for wetsuits. You are encouraged to go and scope the Patagonia Wetsuit Page to find out all the details on what makes these suits stand out or shop online at southcoast.com. These wetsuits are not sold direct from Patagonia but South Coast has all your needs covered when it comes to providing surf gear that speaks environmentalism.  Patagonia Wetsuits: Warmer, More Environmentally Conscious.

Patagonia Wetsuits

Rip Curl Mirage Boardshorts

Rip Curl Mirage Boardshorts

South Coast Surf Shops thinks this commercial for the Rip Curl Mirage Boardshorts is totally radical. It just so happens that at the same time you are reading this you can actually purchase these shorts online right here, right now. We are really amped on having these shorts in stock and ready for the masses. Still not sold on these 2010 Rip Curl masterpieces? Well lucky for you South Coast’s own Jason has provided us with an up close look at some of the technical features of these shorts in this video. Summer is just around the point break and South Coast wants you to be ready to head to the beach in boardshorts that won’t hold you back!

The Rip Curl Mirage Boardshorts – Like Wearing NOTHING.

The K2.1s are a high performance fin for skilled progressive surfers.  The K2.1 design is nothing new to the surfing world. F.C.S. has had these fins around for quite some time with minor changes in template and limited options for materials over the years. Slater has renovated his K2.1 and he ended up his ninth world title with them, that’s a successful improvement at its finest. We’ve stocked up South Coast with these things for that very reason.

The new K2.1s are made out of the F.C.S. performance core fiberglass construction. The performance core fins are stiffer than their natural composite brethren, you know, those plastic feeling ones that look like they could glow in the dark. Now they are composed of a foam core, a fiberglass foil and a satin cloth for aesthetic amusement. This translates to a less forgiving fin but one that is more sensitive and able to handle more powerful waves without sliding out or over flexing while racing down the line for a beach break barrel. They are also much lighter due to the foam inside the fiberglass foil as to not weight down the tail of your board when you’re trying your best Slater impression to get above and beyond the lip on your turns.

Almost all high performance fins now are made with some type of foam core but that’s not what makes these blue and white beauties stand out. The real deal behind them is how their templates work with the flex patterns of the P.C. construction. Most thruster sets have the 3 fins shaped all with the same template and length but not this set, hence the name K2.1. The side fins have more surface area compared to a shorter trailer fin, so responds like a small twin fin plus a trailer fin to balance out the pivoting.

The side fins have a wide base to produce forward drive through turns and allow you to slam your rail into a gouging cutback with confidence that the extra surface area will hold your line. They have almost no rake making them stand straight up like the dorsal fin on a shark. The lack of rake lets your board change direction quickly like snapping a more vertical bottom turn up a wave when you need to do work fast or risk being pitched via a heavy lip into a reef head. If you’re thinking right now that’s too risky, these fins aren’t for you. If you‘re drooling on your computer at the thought of such an opportunity, then you‘re on the right track to qualifying for a set.

The trailer fin is about the size and template of an M3 fin; there is a bit more rake, but less area so when you submerge your tail the board will go into a controlled slide or quickly cutback without sacrificing all your speed in the process.  The concept behind having a smaller trailer fin is to make it easier to break free from a carve and perform a more radical direction change, welcome to fins free surfing. Combine that with the responsiveness of performance core material and you’ve got a recipe for some heavy hitting Young Guns style wave riding.

These fins are not going to let you make a mistake without paying a price. They’re used by a nine-time world surfing champion, they were meant for those with the skill and the sheer guts to assault the most angry of waves at their most critical points. If you don’t set yourself up for a deep bottom turn you can expect these fins to make your snaps feel terribly forced and lacking of all style. They have a very pivotal turning nature so you must surf them more vertically and use more torque from your legs if you want be able to connect maneuvers.

Surf them in hollow beach breaks or in more heavy reefs in the area to understand how they work. Don’t worry about getting stuck behind a section, the side fins have the ability to drive you right around it with some double pumping or if you‘re daring enough right over it with a floater. Now you’re probably thinking these fins are too technical to be practical but it’s a double edged sword that will sharpen any surfers skills to their own benefit. Yes they’re not forgiving, but after you have them dialed in you’ll learn to execute proper bottom turns that produce incredible drive up the face while that smaller trailer fin lets you crank through a turn with style and enough speed to fire off your next blow tail snap.

Shop our selection of FCS Surfboard Fins Online