At first word of the Hurricane, the surf reports for NYC read “EPIC”. This video was taken yesterday, and at first, all I could think about was, oh man, they’re surfing hurricane swell! Then other surfers from SF just reminded me, hey, this looks like Ocean Beach. Yes, that’s true. Except dirtier. Also, I am reminded by that white water that I’m still a kook and belong on the beginner beaches, out of everyone’s way. There’s nothing wrong with that; being new at something is terrific because there’s a definite lesson every time you head out, from the water, the board, or fellow surfers. [Youtube]
Brian Lam
ruby! Malcolm! Good doggies!
Wave and Dive Photography Tips and Gear
At Gizmodo, we’ve done a few fun posts on water photography. First up is Clark Little, north shore surfer/photographer with less fear of the waves than others. His secrets include Nikons, housings coated in Rain X to keep the droplets away and what look like Da Fins (a pair of which I just picked up.) Then, my friend Joel Johnson wrote us a review of a diving case for an iPhone/iPod touch and a review of some Canon camcorder in a housing, which he took with him to the Channel Islands. The videos on Joel’s pieces are worth watching. [Clark Little on Giz, The Canon and H20 by Joel]
Something Bothers Me About This School of Pilot Fish
Can’t put my finger on it. [Wetpixel]
He Thought It Was a Errant Bud Light Can
Lobsters turn blue only one in 5 million; the royal variety earns its shade by processing astaxanthin, and antioxidant found in its food, better than its brethen. [LA Times]
A Monster and a Bridge
The Maltese Falcon is an obscene vessel, at 290 feet stern to bow. The sails are automated, unfurling, 5 per carbon fiber mast, automatically within 6 minutes. The entire ship is robotized, so it can be sailed by one. Here it is arriving in San Francisco, with many a sailboats keeping it company it like a pilotfish would a shark. Surprise: The boat also has a personal submarine in its belly, called the Super Falcon. [Youtube]
Get Ready
Hi there! Been reviewing the type of stuff I reviewed year 2 in my career. Feels like Groundhog Day. I’ve got a massive backlog posts I’m going to spit out one line at a time, right now.
Precision Shoryukens
This edit of some skilled street fighter combos is entertaining to anyone who’s ever struggled to pull off a supermove at just the right movement. I believe footage is from the EVO 2k9 fighting game tournament, or perhaps it’s just scripted by macro commands. Either way, a fun watch. [GameTrailers]
An Odd Fish
Carl Ekstrom shaped asymmetric surfboards, the idea being that front and backside physiology create different types of pressure on the board from toes and heels. These tail variations, and the accompanying fins, would compensate for that. Beautiful, huh? [Hydro]
So Damn Cool
I met some people who actually live in one of these houses. The road washed out above them, and because of an owner/township dispute, no one has fixed it. So they have to hike down stairs to bring down their groceries. But they don’t have to drive to surf, now, so I’d say that’s more than a fair trade.
Miyamoto Musashi’s Wooden Practice Swords
Japan’s greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, killed one of his greatest opponents in a duel on an isolated island. His opponent wielded steel; He carved a wooden sword out of an oar on the way to the fight, which he used to crack his enemy’s skull.
