ESM has always been a great magazine - they’ve had their up’s and down’s like any other publication. Maybe there are some things in the more current issues that you may not be entirely fond of (Fight Club, ESM Girl) but all in all it speaks to East Coast surfing better than any 14 page hurricane article in Transworld or some audio commentary on Surfline.com

Now ESM has a truly great website. If you’re like me you might have checked their old one every once in a while purely out of curiosity to see if they’d finally gotten rid of it. Well start checking more often because if you don’t keep up, some good content is going to pass you by. The site has been up for little under a month and the ticker on the front page has been replaced with content probably 4 times already. Transworld is still running some thing on Easter Island  that’s been over for weeks, everybody’s reposting the Hobgoods videos. We’re in dire times.

These guys at ESM are animals when it comes to posting new content - that might be something they decide to cut back on as deadlines approach or they tire of updating their facebook statuses every other day but the quality of the content shows no sign of slowing down. Nick McGregor has always written insane music reviews - they’re enlightened and not all preachy like a lot of jackasses who write about music just to prove they know more than you. So Nick’s really good at finding and writing about music. I don’t mean to say that he excels at sniffing around the HypeMachine to find the next hot and bloggable band either, he’s got a seriously good and eclectic taste in music and now we get to read his interviews with bands online. Take his third music update so far with Hank the 3rd - he’s asking this dude about how his granddad’s drug problems affected his childhood and how often he sees his old man while Surfing Magazine is talking to Cursive about how “civics and home life” inspire their music. Really?

And finally, The Shreditor, not sure if this one comes out monthly with the mag or as often as Pruett has a pile of photos and witty comments to post alongside them but it’s pure gold. Hopefully we see plenty of these because they are ridiculous and sure to get you weak and probably some of you a little pissed off as well.

So Easternsurf.com has the best website in all of internetland and the mag aint going nowhere, so we get the best free magazine on both coasts and now a kick ass website to go along with it. Head over there now, create an account with a made up name and start talking shit and giving your feedback because you know those guys are listening.

Not quite, you can’t give cold beer away on the internet but Surfcaribe.com is giving away cold hard cash which some may argue is even better. If you haven’t checked out the site, its a really cool Puerto Rican based surf page for the Caribbean. Photographer Steve Fitzpatrick runs it and does an excellent job of updating solid content several times a week.

Back to the cold beer - Medalla is sponsoring their new video editing contest where you can edit a 60 second video related to surfing/sponging/snorkeling and enter to win some sort of cash prize. The details are vague but they are all here so have a read and upload something!


Evan Thompson gets coached up by Billabong Hawaii's Rainos Hayes before the Open Mens final.

Evan Thompson gets coached up by Billabong Hawaii's Rainos Hayes before the Open Mens final.

Still not what we can really consider a great showing as compared to Hawaii and California, but I feel like some key East Coasters held it down at NSSA Nationals this year.

It normally starts and ends with Evan Geiselman when you think of the East Coast doing well at Lowers. This year he had his worst results ever, but was argueably the best surfer in the event. He surfed the best heat of the contest dropping a perfect 10, a 9.75, and an 8.5. It was mind boggling that a kid his age could produce such a performance. Unfortunately he peaked early and the inconsistency of the swell on the final day spelled the end for Evan. His first year ever not making a Nationals final.

The Golden Child still our biggest hope.

The Golden Child: still our biggest hope.

The real East Coast hero came in the form of a different Evan. That being the Thompson version. Evan T. ripped his way to two nationals finals, placing 2nd in the prestigious Open Mens division, and 4th in Explorer Mens. He bulldogged his way through heats doing whatever it took to make it. This kid has an abnormal focus when it comes to surfing contests. He takes it so serious that he even wears a heinous looking spring suit because he likes the flexibility it gives him over a slicker looking short-arm full, or the colder option of wearing boardshorts only. Evan was so close to winning the whole thing, but just came up short to an on fire Kolohe Andino. Still, an honorable performance and you have to be proud of the Jacksonville Beach native.

The other Evan carving his way to 2nd in Open Mens

The other Evan carving his way to 2nd in Open Mens

Other EC standouts in the event were Fisher Heverly, Balaram Stack, and Luke Marks, who all made finals.

Fisher made two finals and surfed solid, just not flashy enough to threaten for an actual title. He’ll need to speed things up if he wants to continue his career outside of the NSSA. Still he finished 5th in Explorer Mens and 3rd in Explorer Juniors. A solid, consistent showing.

Fishing for a mediocre score.

Fishing for a mediocre score.

Balaram made the final of the Airshow and landed an impressive lien grab that put him in 4th. Doesn’t matter that he didn’t make finals in the other divisions. He was ripping his heats. Bal has what it takes to be a star in the surfing world. His repertoire of maneuvers is great and there isn’t a weakness in his game. Add in his mellow, down-to-earth attitude and you have the biggest thing to ever come out of New York in the world of surfing.

He doesn't do double grabs, broken wrist or not. Big boost for NY.

He doesn't do double grabs, broken wrist or not. Big boost for NY.

Luke went out in the Open Mini Groms and laid down the biggest hack of the heat but didn’t have anything to back it up. He landed in 4th. Hopefully he continues to improve and can hold the flag for the East Coast in the future.

Luke Marks aka the Melbourne Hammer

Luke Marks aka the Melbourne Hammer

Biggest disappointment goes to Oliver Kurtz who is surfing better than ever and easily could have done damage, but failed to get his entry in on time, blaming the US Postal Service for the mishap. That was unfortunate. Also unfortunate was our lack of power in the women’s divisions. Wasn’t long ago that we had the strongest female group of anyone. Now we apparently don’t even have anything close to competitive in those divisions. Someone needs to step it up there.

All in all, the East Coast showed up this year at Nationals and made some impressions. Big congrats to Evan Thompson! Mad props to Balaram, Fisher, and Luke. Sorry Evan but we still know you’re the Golden Child. Your monthy paycheck and groupie percentage should act as a reminder to that.

ben knows how to surf from zander morton on Vimeo.

Oh yeah, Benny B’s a wizard, both in and out of the water. He’s been a water wizard since a young age but just recently worked his way to wizardom (made that word up) on the beer drinking circuit on the panama trip where these very clips were filmed. If you don’t know about wizard staff status, google it. It rules.

Speaking of clips, watch this technique, it’s quite literally picture (and in this case, video) perfect. These are just a couple waves picked off the cutting room floor. Nonetheless, they’re still worth watching.

Surfing Magazine, August 09 Issue

Surfing Magazine, August 09 Issue

It’s probably the best magazine in the world. And our boy Ben Bourgeois just claimed his third appearance on the lusted after front page with an iconic surf image, shot in the Caribbean by Rob Gilley.

“Where the hell is that?” -Almost a lock for the first thing to come to your mind after you pick up the August Issue of Surfing Magazine.

Unfortunately for us, we don’t know. Only Ben, Jesse Hines, and Rob Gilley know where it is. Those bastards have their lips sealed too. We know it’s in the Caribbean, but that doesn’t narrow it down too much, does it? Looks like the funnest wave I’ve ever seen.

Anyways… congratulations Benny! Sorry you don’t get photo incentive, but hopefully it helps you continue your ballin’ lifestyle well into the future. Just make sure you take me there next time you go. I won’t tell anyone where it is! I swear!

To watch a quick bit of footage of Ben at that wave click here

Starred on Baywatch? Dated Gisele? 9 World Titles? It’s about time Kelly Slater was memorialized in the second-best surfing rap song of all time!

“Surfin like I’m R Kelly Slater” - when you thought rap couldn’t reach a new level

With an inflatable dinghy, a 15hp yamaha, and a boatload of alcohol who cares if there aint no damn waves! Edited by Cabe Nolan

Gittner from zander morton on Vimeo.

If you didn’t already know, International Surfing Day was last Saturday (June 20th). Eerily close to International Go Skateboarding Day (June 21st). Considering I work for Surfing Magazine, which is the inventor of this pop holiday, I forced myself to at least try to do something “surfy” for ISD.

Damien Hobgood was nice enough to come pick me up at the crib after he dropped his daughter off at gymnastics that morning. We cruised around the Cardiff/Encinitas area and found nothing but misery for waves. That didn’t bum us out too much because we were lucky enough to see some hilarious other things including: a fully wetsuited dude taking surf photos, a 3 pack of funboarders aggressively waxing their boards while laying on a hill of rocks, frothing Japanese people who no doubt were out specifically for ISD, a board swap party loaded with “eternal surf doggies”, and a noticeable rise in cars with surfboards strapped to their roofs.

In fact Damo came to the conclusion that people just throw boards on their roof for the sole purpose of showing the world they are a surfer. He’s right. I just went on a run (Sunday evening) and the car in the photo above with the soft-top board on the roof was still in the same spot, it’s decoration still strapped on.

Cardiff is a funny place folks. You gotta see it to believe it. Not like anything you’d ever see back east.

Gorking sheds some light on all things southern, green, and good with Charlie Smith from Stab. Knew it was gonna be a good interview after the opening line and the Stab guys didn’t disappoint. Read it here for more nugs of wisdom like this:

Like the Japanese Motors? Haahaha. These guys nowadays are too much. Be a surfer who enjoys playin’ music or a musician that surfs. Don’t try to be something you’re not. These guys all want to be someone who has already been, like Dora, Phil Edwards etc.

Plucked from the Goods site, featuring Damo

poor mans indo from Tim Marshall on Vimeo.

Thursdays probably wont be coming back for another couple weeks until more work gets done on this video - hang tight!

You must love me exactly as I love you, I'm Old Gregg!!

You must love me exactly as I love you, I'm Old Gregg!!

First, the Hobgoods, then Ben Bourgeois, Fred Pattachia, Gabe Kling and the Gudangs. Now it’s Alek Parkers turn. Not talking about qualifying for the ‘CT or winning an NSSA championship, it’s just another drop in the bucket of blog-world. Alek Parker is a lover of technology  so it’s a surprise that it’s taken him so long to get with the prosurfersname.com/blog program. Hell - he’s had a twitter and a vimeo for a while now, it was just a matter of time.

So here it is, Alek Parker’s blog, bookmark it, make it your home page, email it to all your friends. Alek’s got a little more skills than the Goods when it comes to editing (storytelling, not humoring cause those guys are hilarious) and while he might not have a filmer as competent as Dion’s following him around all the time getting footage to edit, he makes up for it by filming himself. Alot. Right now, I’m digging his post about TAP airlines being so shredder friendly - you should definitely check it out (LikeBitchin). All in all, Alek is a funny dude who knows how to press record and for the amount of traveling and adventuring this guy does it’s sure to not disappoint.

As if we needed another reason - after the unending hospitality, women, booze, waves, that Panama offered us during our two week stint down there filming the Spectacular Adventures movie, I didn’t think it could get any better.

But, we’re proud to say it has. This movie is getting kicked up a notch with the help of our friends Guillermo Barcenas and Tomas Medina (pictured below) at Voltage Productions putting in overtime to help with the movie’s graphics. They do amazing work and we’re so lucky to have them helping out lending a side of professionalism to an otherwise very unprofessional production. Thanks boys!

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Team blackout, in several instances of the word

Team blackout, in several instances of the word

ESM magazine finally pulled the trigger and revamped their entire website. Seems like most of the mag is posted digitally now, although we can’t find the blah blah’s section yet…

This little nug was buried but it’s a damn good read/listen…

The Goods’ Youtube soundtracks - amazing!!!

Untitled from zander morton on Vimeo.

Couple throwaway shots TWS posted from our Panama trip for the final section of the Spectacular Adventures! DVD

 

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Mark Yonkers on Surfline.com for this weeks Matix Mondays

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http://www.surfline.com/video/trailers/spectacular-adventures_27338

Be sure to give this a crap rating on Surfline when you click it

Pretty amazing trip last week to the outer islands of Panama with the best crew you could ever ask for. A couple key guys were missing but we charged on in their absence and hope they make it for next years reunion. A little peak at some of the madness below, enjoy!

onarailcover

The Surf Network.com is a relatively new venture that is starting to pick up speed with help from a couple of the  surf mags’ websites. It’s a pretty great setup where you can buy DVD’s online, free of digital rights and at a slightly cheaper price, to play on your computer, iPod, or TV. The most recent addition to the site is Timmy Ryan’s Europe surf doc On A Rail

We’d recommend you go ahead and set yourself up with an account now so you can download some of their free videos when you feel the need. We’ll be adding some videos of our own to The Surf Network here shortly and throughout the hurricane season. Its the future!

For more about Timmy’s project click after the jump to read about the most expensive surf trip he’s ever been on

Throwaway Thursdays - Ceej

Cj is a pretty hip dude and these days it seems like the hip stuff is cosmic effects and synthy tunes, so we did our best to combine the two in hopes of making this throwaway footage a little more watchable.
Music Aha -Take One Me (remix by The Twelves)

I stumbled across this yesterday and it was just too funny not to post. Many probably didn’t notice the caption because when looking through Surfline’s website you try to get in and get out, as quickly as possible. But just take a moment for this Surfline special…
“Mendia, sending off a golden shower”
Do they not know [...]

Pura Vida Photo Feature

How good is this guy’s soundbite about Asher… “just another tourist running out to the beach..”

We were recently in  Costa Rica, further up north, and some guys commented on the monster waves and hinted to us that we were probably blowing it… “Hermosa’s better” he told us… 
 

Mad Clips Tahiti Picks

This one is worth watching all the way through for the man embrace at the end… funny stuff

Weekend at Benny’s

Although Benny just barely didn’t come through with the win at the Nike 6.0 Lowers WQS, you wouldn’t know it from the way we all acted that Saturday night. Ben’s house, Boognutz, was on fire effective immediately after the comp ended. Paul Fisher and Leigh Sedley brought over their DJ system and had the whole [...]

Benny B Gets 2nd at Lowers Comp, Mayhem Ensues…

Mr. Boogy

Congratulations to Benny B, he was runner up this weekend in defending his 08 win at Lowers. And he probably hurt some feelings along the way taking ‘QS points away from guys that actually care about ‘em…
 

Ripple Effect Teaser

Looks to have some Gorkin and Tothy clips in it…

The third annual Cinco De Mayo Classic went down here in Saint Augustine, FL yesterday (yeah I know, it was the 2nd not the 5th but we opted to run on the weekend this year).
This event hosts a 16 man field of invitees and holds a long list of alternates. Winning and losing is based [...]