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I surf because…

I surf because…. A great series of videos with the team riders for Billabong… and a competition in which you can win great surf experiences, awesome prizes, awesome videos… what more needs to be said!

Extreme Sports Options in Turkey

“Pump up the adrenaline by taking to the air, climbing a mountain, hurtling down one on a bike, or kayaking through turquoise waters in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. The variety of this area’s active sports is second to none. For vacationers who want to do more than lie by a pool or prop up a bar, this is the essential information

Careening down a winding mountain road in a dolmuş taxi is enough adventure for some visitors to southern Turkey. For others, nothing beats flying down the same road on a mountain bike.”

Sports include:

  • Paragliding
  • Microlighting
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wind & Kite Surfing

Read full story. Fancy something closer to home: check out the activities that SFDO has to offer.

Bournemouth Artificial Reef

Above is a model indicating what was expected from Bournemouth’s artificial surf reef, which has now been open 3 months. Feedback on the reef is not good, with few surfers using it, indicating that “the wave produced is more of a “slab” than a “peeler”, meaning it is too steep and breaks too quickly. As a result most surfers are unable to stand up on their board and ride it for any length of time before they wipe out. Safety fears have also been expressed as the top of reef breaks the surface of the water at low tide, which has resulted in fins being ripped off boards.” However, “Danny Chilcott, a keen surfer and proprietor of Ocean Breeze B&B in Boscombe, said the reef could be fixed by a few “tweaks” but it should be done soon.” Read full article in the Telegraph. Let’s hope they can get it fixed, and we can enjoy good surf waves in the UK!

Bustin' Down the Door

“During the winter of 1975 in Hawaii, surfing was shaken to its core. A group of young surfers from Australia and South Africa sacrificed everything and put it all on the line to create a sport, a culture, and an industry that is today worth billions of dollars and has captured the imagination of the world. With a radical new approach and a brash colonial attitude, these surfers crashed headlong into a culture that was not ready for revolution. Surfing was never to be the same again…”

Interested? Watch the trailer:

Find surf options in the UK.

Like Surfing? Experience It Without Getting Wet In 3D

Having caught up with some of the developments in 3D as featured in the Consumer Electronics Show, and seeing just how BIG 3D is expected to become in the next few years, I did a little searching, and came across this production from last year…

“Pro Surfers Julie Cox and Kyla Langen, the two featured surfers in the film, are both longtime surfing competitors and aficionados. Cox, a talented longboarder who also works for the California Surf Museum, has competed in contests around the globe – winning California coalition events and consistently placing in the top 10 of international events held in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. On the other hand, Langen’s radical, aggressive style is pure excitement. She’s surfed professionally in over twenty countries and works with the Cousteau Foundation’s CELP program as a youth instructor. Both women are also surf coaches and share an intense affection for the sea.

“Julie’s lyrical, flowing surf style is a joy to behold. Her empathy for the ocean is truly inspiring,” said Executive Producer James Humann of Lucid Dreams 3D. “While Kyla’s style is like listening to rock ‘n’ roll – daring, brash, reckless – and her love of the ocean is completely infectious.”

Unlike other surfing documentaries, Physics of Surfing is a 35-minute educational film that uncovers the physical science of ocean waves and the art of surfing. In this captivating presentation, the filmmakers explore how energy moves through water, building and combining its force, traveling thousands of miles over the course of weeks until the ocean floor underneath disrupts the wave’s formation and causes it to pitch up and collapse. The film also investigates the science behind various surfing styles and how surfers instinctively address such notions of gravity and buoyancy while using the energy of motion to ride waves.”

Read full story and visit the company behind the filming.

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The Eddie 2009

Earlier we mentioned ‘The Eddie‘, and looking back, found an awesome clip on YouTube… look how lazy those surfers are – being towed out on a jetski (ha ha), and see how proud they are of their mashed-up surfboards!!  Want something a little more gentle – look out for the surf hotspots in the UK.

50 Foot Waves in Hawaii

Eddie Aikau

“Some of the world’s best surfer’s take to the seas for a rare Hawaiian extreme sports competition as massive waves batter Waimea Bay beach.

It is the ultimate surfing competition held only when the waves are big enough.

Today many of the world’s most experienced surfers raced to compete in the “Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikua Competition” in Waimea Bay, Hawaii.

“The Eddie” – named in honour of a famed surfer and lifeguard who disappeared in 1978 while trying to rescue passengers from a capsized canoe – is often held at late notice as it relies on waves of 20ft or higher. It has only been held seven times before – with the last competition in 2002.”

Read the full story on Channel 4 or visit ‘The Eddie‘ website. (including photos).

Zac Efron: Mountain Biking is more dangerous than Bungy Jumping?!

Zac Efron was interviewed on David Letterman in 2008 to promote his film Me and Orson Welles, but spent most of the interview discussing his love of extreme sports. As a child, he’d been a keen skateboarder, then moved onto the bike, the surfboard, and just before this interview had done his first bungee jump (and plans to skydive!) – a true extreme sports junky! Zac indicated that there was a far higher chance of falling off a mountain bike, but that where he bungee jumped, they have a 10 year 100% safety record (that’s the kind of place I’d go with!), and he jumped from 275ft, maybe causing “a little whiplash”, but seeing that as all part of the fun… and in fact going for a second jump!

Horse-Surfing

When I saw “horse-surfing” come up in my Google Alerts, I was SURE that there was going to be a horse surfing along on a board, nice gentle waves, and being patted gently by his/her owner, but no, here’s what actually happens:

Read more on the Extreme Horseriding site, the site of Daniel Fowler-Prime: “The guy who got hit by the brainwave of combining the power of the horse with the power of the swell was trick rider Daniel Fowler-Prime. Bored on a British beach back in 2005, Daniel hooked up with a couple of kite surfer buddies to begin wet running the then colt of a sport. Understandably, there were nerves at first about being at the mercy of an animal with its own temperament, but this unpredictability is part of the rush – and there’s always a trained rider at hand in case the stallion gets too spirited, or the filly too feisty.” Daniel says this sport is very much suited to the British climate as “Unlike in normal surfing, you don’t want too much in terms of waves,” explains Daniel. “The board needs just of few inches of water. The secret to getting speed is to stay as shallow as possible – but it’s a gamble too because if you catch the sand with your board you’re going to fall down hard.” (Quote from Environmental Graffiti).

Extreme Sports in Hawaii

Extreme sports in Hawaii (see their YouTube channel), including surf-jetskiing… what more needs to be said!

Extreme Sports Sponsorship

relentlessblog41-432x288 “The extreme sports lifestyle culture is developing. Time was when an old camper van would suffice for vert-ramp BMX rider, surfer or skateboard athlete through a career in the discipline they loved.

But like most other areas in entertainment, extreme sports have become part of a wider entertainment industry. Not quite in the mainstream, which suits its protagonists, but they are now on that sports/entertainment/music/fashion landscape, their silhouettes visible to a young generation to whom ‘extreme’ is synonymous with chic and hip. (like surfer Jayce Robinson, a Relentless-sponsored athlete, above)

Very often, and still in many cases on a shoestring budget, athletes are finding their way through their chosen path into better contracts, and into European and world tours where it was once simply impossible to fund.

Yet over 50 athletes and artists, in four countries, are now assisted with funding by Relentless, the drinks brand.”

Read More

Battle of the Paddle 2009

If you’re wondering what Stand Up Paddling is all about – it’s really become popular in the last couple of years, with celebrities such as Jennifer Anniston very into it, watch this video – with lots of action shots!

UK Pro Surf Tour

UK Pro Surf Tour event #4

UK Pro Surf Tour (UK PST)
Longsands Beach Tynemouth
24 – 25 October 2009

Tynemouth set to host event #4

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 October, 2009 : – - The next leg of the UK Pro Surf Tour is set to hit the road for the weekend of the 24th 25th October. The event to be held at Longsands Beach, Tynemouth. This will be the fourth leg of seven UK Pro Surf Tour events for 2009.

Supported by North Tyneside Council, It will be part of Extreme 09, one of the biggest Extreme Sports Festivals in Europe. Other activities taking place include: Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Live Music plus much more. Which draw thousands of spectators to flock to the beach

Read more on Global Surf News.

London Surfing

Artificial Surf London

“The world’s first outdoor artificial surfing machine will see six-foot swells being riden in the unlikely surroundings of a disused dock in east London. From 2011 the attraction will try to rival the Atlantic breakers of Devon and Cornwall using cleaned river water. The plan is to pursuade surfers to take to their boards in Tower Hamlets rather than make the long drive to the West Country, where the surf is sometimes more millpond than Maui.”

Full Story: Daily Mail

Other artificial surf spots are being created in Swansea, Rotherham and Bournemouth.

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Jealous? Me? Never…

An awesome video created by Brendon Held, containing action packed video footage of his/friends extreme sport adventures around the world. In this video you will see kitesurfing, Surfing, Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Sky-diving, Bungee Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jet-skiing and much more… Some of the destinations include South Africa, Mozambique, the USA and Austria. Bex says, “I can’t complain, I did a lot of these on my trip around the world… not tried kite-surfing yet though!”

About Yaz El-Hakim

Name: Yaz El Hakim

Place of Birth: Truro, Cornwall

Now Lives: Southampton, Hampshire

When I’m not having a SFDO, I will be found earning pennies as: Director of Learning and Teaching at the University of Winchester (teaching Sport Psychology), setting up www.superfundaysout.com, or at home with my (very patient) family.

Sum up a ‘Super Fun Day Out’ in 10 words: Fun, Smiling, Fresh, Adrenalin, Community, Service, Helping, Excitement, Experience-based (can that count as 1?), Awesome

The most ‘Super Fun Day Out’ you’ve ever had: I did a sponsored parachute jump (static line for anyone who has also done one). It was a Super Fun Day Out but scary as hell because I very nearly thought my parachute hadn’t opened and moved my hands on to the cut away (opens the reserve chute) just to look up before I did and see a glorious open chute above (serious relief) and loved the ride down from there!!

Earliest Memory of a SFDO: I did a camel ride in Africa when I was very young which was fun at the time. But I guess my first one was aged 7 on an assault course in Cornwall. It was set up by the army (I think) at a time when Health and Safety did not rule the world and 7 year olds could hold on to handles with leather straps around their wrists and fly down a 40ft zip wire! Left me smiling for ages.

Craziest Sport You’ve Ever Tried: Only tried Horse Riding once and I know its not that crazy but sitting on the back of something that you do not have full control over, scared the living daylights out of me (although my wife said I hid the fear quite well – the horse knew if you ask me!)

Next adrenalin activity you plan on trying: Hovercrafting at Adrenalin Quarry (hopefully on my Birthday in August). In the same week I also intend to Surf for a couple of days and also do the UK’s Longest Zip Wire also at AQ.

Highest Height (excluding regular flights): 4,000 feet parachute jump

Deepest Depth: Around 5m caving

Longest Distance: Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award The Peak District (76ish miles in 3 days hiking)…beautiful rain for 2.5 days!

Favourite Extreme Sport: It would be a toss up between three, Paintball, Snowboarding (no waiting for waves) and surfing (when you catch a good one – it feels awesome)

Wackiest Sport You’ve Ever Heard of: Cheese Rolling (for at least the past 200 years) – Agree with Bex, looks fun but very painful

Why you are involved in SFDO: I have always wanted to have my own business (then being a workaholic has real benefits) and have always loved helping people and doing fun things. This idea had many attractions within it and after positive conversations with some activity providers and two hard working colleagues (now partners), I thought ‘Lets do it!’ So I am involved, in order to provide a helping hand to anyone wanting to find out where an SFDO is and how to contact them (as well as joining a community of others who are also interested). Whilst, helping the businesses to get really cheap national advertising as small businesses don’t have the budgets of national businesses to market themselves on that scale.

Sum up your ideal day: ‘Love Life… Live It’: Sunrise –Hot air balloon ride to watch the sunrise then skydive down to a snow capped mountain peak (with snowboard attached ready to release at the top), board all the way down. Then grab the paraglide waiting to take me from the end of the snow down the rest of the way to the coast (shooting some pals with a paintball gun – acting as an airborne target myself). Land on the beach and grab the handle at the seas edge to enjoy a little wakeboarding for a bit. Midday – press a button on my snowboard and it transforms into a surfboard (spend rest of day with friends on the beach and surfing. Having a BBQ watching Sunset and then sit around the fire playing games and chatting with drinks followed by a good nights sleep (under the stars would be best but a big bed could be very tempting).

That sounds awesome!!!

How I like to challenge myself: I constantly try to challenge myself because they are the times in life that I am most alive and love life the most.

Extreme Sports Film: Either Point Break or Drop Zone

P.S. Never ever watch Frostbite!!!! – If you do let me know how far in you got before switching off – I managed it all as a dare but I will never get that 90 minutes back!!!

Adrenalin sports I have tried include: Skydiving, ZipWire, Archery, Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Assault Course, Camping, Horse Riding, Surfing, Hiking, Cycling, Skiing, Motor Racing, Sea-Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Coasteering, Jet-Ski, Waterskiing, Windsurfing, Sailing, Body Boarding, Water fun parks, Theme Parks, Snorkeling, Air-Rifle, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Off-Roading, Tractor Driving (from Cornwall), Paintballing, Laser Quest, Quad Biking, Golf, Camel Riding, White Water Rafting, Snowboarding and Mountain Biking.

NOTE: awaiting photo.

Why Super Fun Days Out?

The Name

Super Fun Days Out was the company name that made us smile the most!

Adrenalin Sports Galore!

The Purpose

The vision was that all the companies trying to put a smile on your face would be on one site, not selling for them, not taking a commission, but directing the demand straight to the provider, who need it most for the sustainability of their provision.

I thought this was something people would appreciate both for seeing ‘what is available’ in your area or in an area you may visit on a break or holiday in the UK.

The Story

The reason behind the company was first generated when a friend of mine invited me onto his stag weekend to Cornwall (where I was born and raised). I said ‘yes!’ immediately, knowing it would be a cheap weekend and liked the idea of going deep-sea fishing and surfing.

This idea was destroyed when he said the flights, accommodation for two nights, fishing and surfing, with entry to one club would be £260 (I quite literally almost fell off my chair). Being from Cornwall and knowing the area well I did my own research, rang three phone numbers and booked the holiday provisionally for £100 per head (without flights) with full day surfing within 30 minutes!

I decided to do some more research into the industry as locating the activities was a little repetitive and I thought ‘the information for all these activities must be advertised somewhere on the web’. Through my research and conversations with my brother-in-law (Will Sneyd– owner of Adrenaline Quarry – amazing!) I realized that agents and websites that sell deals all take a cut or commission of the booking.

This website aims to change that by directing the bookings and all the money directly to the provider of the activity. It also wants to provide national advertising opportunities to these companies… hence the creation of Super Fun Days Out.

Have a terrific fun-packed day out! Love life, live it!

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