Tag Archives: xcel

WHAT’S IN YOUR PACK-SURFING

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Winter not only graces us with snow on the mountain, but with big waves on the beach. I remember surfing with my friend Arsenio at Shortys in late November. Both of us had lips that had turned blue and we were shivering. We kept looking over at each other saying, “One more wave”. Then a nice overhead wave came towards me. I turned, paddle, paddle, paddle. I felt a sudden rush of speed, the wave picked me up, I popped up and turned left, my hand dragging on the wave. It was awesome. Actually, I “pearled” and ate it hard. Pearling is a surf term where the nose of the board goes under the water when you are trying to catch a wave. it sucks. When I got back outside to Arse in the lineup he looked at me smiling and asked, “One more wave”.

If you plan on hitting some big surf this winter these are some things you might consider. First you need a pack. The Creatures Of Leisure Dry Lite Voyager 2.0 Pack is a good one. It’s got a compartment to keep your wetsuit from getting everything else in you pack wet. The Dakine Cinch Mat Bag is another good idea. You can change on it, keeping sand out of your wetsuit and booties, and if you don’t have a pack with a waterproof compartment the Cinch Mat Bag doubles as one. The average temperature of the ocean off the Oregon coast in winter is 45 degrees fahrenheit so you will definitely need some booties and gloves.

Of course you need a good beanie for when you get out of the water. A warm noggin is alway a great comfort. Always have extra fin keys on you. You need them for your fins of course, but you will find it’s a nice little tool to have with you in a pinch. An extra leash is a must. If you snap one, it does happen, then your day of fun is over. Wax is very important. Traction on your board is imperative. Michael, one of our surfers, likes Sticky Bumps. I grew up on Mr. Zogs Sex Wax. My favorite is strawberry then the grape. I just love the way they smell. Willy, one of our surfers, taught me a great trick. He puts a bar of his favorite wax under his seat in the summer. It melts and his truck smells great all year. And last, but definitely not least, you need a good water bottle. You get mighty thirsty after tasting the sea all day long. Sol, another one of our surfers, told me he likes to drink ice cold chocolate milk after a surf session. A great idea. I’ll have to try it.

U.S. Outdoor Presents: Fast Times At White Owl High

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Time flies when you’re having fun, so why slow down? Catch the tasty waves and a cool buzz because the summer has just begun. It is time to celebrate for no other reason than to be in the sun with friends, drinking beer and playing games as surf videos and surf music fill the air with good vibrations.

On July, 23rd, The U.S. Outdoor Summer Surf Party will wash ashore on the beaches of the White Owl Social Club. Your favorite brands such as: Vans, Volcom, RVCA, Brixton, Lib Tech, Billabong, Xcel, VONZIPPER and more will be in attendance. Prizes will be awarded, like a custom Murdey Surfboard and a whole lot more. Sound waves will be provided by the returning Don & The Quixotes and DJ Danny Corn, so don’t miss out. This is sure to be a good time.

Click here for more details

U.S. Outdoor Presents FastTimes at White Owl High

Top 8 Wetsuits for 2014

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The best waves aren’t always in the warmest water. Frigid temps should never keep you from hunting down premium swells, so take your pick of these top 8 wetsuits for 2014 so you can stay warm while paddling out.

O'Neill Psycho 5/4mm Hooded WetsuitThe O’Neill Psycho 5/4 Hooded Wetsuit is one of the most advanced pieces you could ever zip into. Crafted from TechnoButter Neoprene, which is the most innovative material out there, you get all kinds of warmth at a lighter weight that refuses to restrict your movements. The Air Firewall Insulation keeps your body toasty and functional anywhere you rip short of the waves created when a hunk of glacier breaks off and splashes down in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica).

Setting the standard for quality and affordability, the Billabong 504 Foil Chest Zip Steamer Billabong 504 Foil Hooded WetsuitHooded Wetsuit refuses to let you down. AX2 Airlite Superflex neoprene is not only super lightweight and perfectly stretchy, but it also features an incredible smoothskin comfort that will keep you feeling divine during the longest, most intense outings. This premium piece from Billabong has many fans and it promises to make you one as well.

Xcel Drylock 5/4 Hooded WetsuitIf the kind of surfing you do involves dodging icebergs, then the Xcel Drylock 5/4 Hooded Wetsuit is for you. Spun from technologically superior materials, this surf suit refuses to let cold water in while also using minimal seams to keep you lavished in ultimate comfort. The hydrophobic outer lining enables the Drylock to dry quickly, and the inner lining is composed of bamboo and recycled materials for an eco friendly approach to phenomenal performance.

When the ocean is flexing its freezing fury that stabs like 1,000 icicle daggers, pull on the Quiksilver 5/4/3 WetsuitQuiksilver Cypher 5/4/3 Hooded Wetsuit and ride into battle with full protection. Biofleece neoprene thwarts the advances of chilly waters, Ecto-flex kneepads rock some intense durability, and the use of earth-friendly materials actually enhance the flexibility of the Cypher so your body can revel in natural range of motion.

Xcel Infiniti XZip 5/4 Hooded WetsuitDesigned around the concept of ultimate flexibility, the Xcel Infiniti XZip 5/4 Hooded Wetsuit offers unlimited range of motion. Hop in the big pond and seek out those picturesque swells while never fearing those nearly frozen moisture molecules. A Thermocarbon lining can be relied up to keep you perfectly toasty and watertight seals deny cold water from flushing out the warmth.

Fancy a suit with a detachable hood that actually rocks proper functionality? That’s where O'Neill Mutant 5/4mm Hooded Wetsuitthe O’Neill Mutant 5/4 Hooded Wetsuit claims the most beastly merits. When the hood is engaged, it legitimately seals right into the suit thanks to a modular collar. Warm enough to ride without it? Cool beans. Just switch in the standard collar and you’re good to go.

Billabong Synergy 5/4 Hooded WetsuitThe Billabong Women’s Synergy 5/4 Chest Zip Wetsuit was crafted to withstand chilly ocean conditions so you can focus on the good times outside of the tropics. This piece has been triple glued for warmth and blind-stitched for maximized comfort. With loads of flexibility, the Synergy works with your body in the elements to deliver a superior surfing experience.

Become a legit feminine force in the water with the Roxy Women’s Cypher 5/4/3 Hooded Roxy Cypher 5/4/3 Hooded WetsuitWetsuit. There is nothing cute or precious about this piece as it rocks a ferocious slew of features that all combine to kick some serious cold water booty. Ecto-flex kneepads deliver protection while a Vapor stretch mesh hood offers bonus insulation to eliminate brain freezes every time you duck a wave.
Just say no to freezing your fins off during your next cold water surf session by suiting up with one of the top 8 wetsuits for 2014.

5 Surf Booties to Keep You Warm all Year Long

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When you choose to ignore that plummeting mercury and paddle out anyway, you better be sure that you gear up with nothing by the best. Not just any surf booties will do when it comes to doing battle with frigid waters. You need a pair of booties that will not only ensure the warmth of your feet so they can constantly perform at their peak, but a set that will also provide you with an intimate connection between you and your surf board. Check out our top five favorite surfing booties for 2013 that will undoubtedly enhance your entire surf season.

Whenever you need to crank the thermal dial, slip your toes into the O’Neill Heat 5mm RT O'neill Heat 5mm Round Toe BootSurfing Booties. This pair is crafted from high quality neoprene Fluid Foam for a fit that feels phenomenal every time you paddle out. The whole package is sealed up with blindstitched seams and ultra durable glue that is in it for long haul. A rugged textured rubber outsole delivers plenty of grip and protection while the forefoot is outfitted with torsion control so that you can establish a flawless connection with your surf stick. The Anti-Flush shin strap pulls the whole deal together and lets you pick exactly how tight you fasten these bad boys. If the O’Neill Heat 5mm RT Booties seem like the total package, that’s because they are.

Quiksilver Cypher 5mm Split Toe Boot Cold water has got nothing on the Quiksilver Cypher 5mm Split Toe Surf Booties. A dual seal treatment covers this pair and teams up with a highly effective ankle strap to keep frigid fluids from frazzling your feet. Perhaps the best part about the Cypher is the biofleece material they are constructed from. This fabric is highly flexible so that your feet can behave naturally, and microscopic air cells capture and hold warmth better while remaining impressively lightweight. Finally, a soft textured sole gives you all the traction you need to seize complete command even in the roughest seas. The undeniably sensational combination of high quality materials and fantastically functional features ensures that the Quiksilver Cypher 5mm Split Toe Boots have to be on this list.

 

The attention to detail and superior craftsmanship that went into the Xcel Drylock 5mm Xcel Drylock 5mm Round Toe BootRound Toe make it a must have in any top five. This pair of high performance booties undergoes quadruple gluing and features blindstiched seams to achieve a pressure bonded state that never fails to put your feet in the perfect position to rip extra hard. Xcel engineered the Drylock to withstand all kinds of abuse while never failing to fit you just right. Given the dual level ThermoBamboo lining that repels water and the added support in the heel and toe, it is no wonder that so many experienced surfers are choosing this unstoppable set of foot huggers.

 

Xcel Infiniti 5mm Split Toe BootWhen the waters are extra chilly and few are bold enough to paddle out, the Xcel Infiniti 5mm Split Toe Surf Booties answers the call by delivering an impressive blend of board feel and warmth. The Infiniti features a ThermoCarbon lining, Ultrastretch ankle panels made from neoprene and 100% blind stitching so that water is less likely to seep in and hassle your feet. While the split toe design enables you to enjoy a more natural connection with your board, a solid sole has been installed underneath to prevent your leash or any stray seaweed from getting hung up. For those of you keeping score at home, yes, that is two pairs of Xcel surf booties on this list of the best, so obviously Xcel is doing something right. We love Xcel wetsuits and surf booties and you will too!

 

Ladies, this one is for you. The Roxy Syncro 5mm Round Surf Booties are a robust solution to Roxy Syncro 5mm Round Toe Bootsyour needs for cold water footwear. Premium insulating materials ensure that your toes stay nice and toasty all session long. Wraparound rubber soles add bonus protection and reinforced stress points enhance durability so that you can keep going strong the entire season. Easy to get off and on, but never one to flinch during use, the Roxy Syncro 5mm Round Surf Booties straight up dominate the most treacherous conditions.

 

There you have it. Get some booties. Put ’em on. Paddle out.

By Jennifer Frost