COLONY

A New Endeavour

2018-12-03T12:55:00.001-08:00

So, if you liked any of my bird drawings in the past, I started something new at Seabird and Co.
I should soon have Instagram and Etsy up and running soon too!

Right at The Surf Ranch

2018-11-21T09:23:00.001-08:00

As a follow-up to my last post - here is my best right from that day. I tried to get tubed about mid way, but failed. I kept hearing how fast the wave was, and how small the barrel was inside, so I was a bit scared to stall too hard. I feel blessed, and thankful (good timing due to tomorrow's Thanksgiving) to have been given the chance to ride the pool. I hope to get to do it again.

Follow Up to the Mr. Slater Where Do I Sign post - UPDATED

2018-11-01T13:21:00.001-07:00

11/21 - I went back and added my first left there. It is incredible how they capture your wave on video, then you can find your wave, download it and keep it. Further proof of how thoroughly thought out the Surf Ranch is. Well done, Kelly and team!

Hello again.

So, I work for a surf apparel company and was fortunate enough to get to surf the Lemoore Surf Pool. 45 minutes with 3 others. 2 priority waves, and I could snag waves if my fellow surfers fell. Unfortunately, I've never wanted someone to eat it on their wave so much.... Fortunately, for me, they did and I got some of my best waves that way! I got 5 total in my 45 minutes.

As I had limited chances, I was conservative and careful on my waves. I did not go for big turns or deep tubes, but rather tried to just ride the wave the length of the pool and stay in front of it, as it's rather fast.

First, it's a good wave. But, it's a cross between surfing, snowboarding, and a water park ride. Second, it's very well done overall. It's an easy take off. The tough part is knowing when the wave will bowl, other than someone on a jet ski yelling at you. Twice I was caught unawares and was pitched, or pearled trying to make it work. Third, the overall facility is top notch!

I'd love to surf it again, but have more time to surf it with a bit more abandon and risk. It would be the only way to really get a handle on it.

I'll have to wait and see if I can go again, for free.....

Remember Blogs?

2017-11-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

So, if you are reading this, you probably still open magazines (the glossy paged thing that comes out monthly), or read books (those paper blocks you put things on, like a hot cup of coffee so it doesn't put a ring on your table), or even VHS tapes (nevermind....).

Everyone is so happy about Instagram, Snapchat, and other unmentionables, but here I toil away on a blog. I haven't posted in almost a year. 1. No one really cares what I post, and they shouldn't. 2. I can't find the time. 3. Everyone goes straight to their phone apps. But, having said all that I hope to turn some money from my blog, so I will post.

WSL - I know Pipe is JJF's playground, but Jordy, Gabriel, and even Julian have a solid chance and can give Mr. Florence a run. I secretly hope they all lose early and Julian takes the whole thing.

WSL 2 - New format. I understand the reasoning behind the Indonesian surf off, but I'm not as keen on it. The WSL is a grind, and it should be who can string together a solid showing throughout the year to take the cup. Some will say, "You have to string together results to get to the Indonesian superheats at the end to cinch it." Yes, but you could have the flu, or an off day, or your girlfriend just posted a picture of herself on Snapchat with an old flame just before you paddle out in a heat that decides the Champ. I'll still watch, but all the crazy scenarios now going on of 13ths, 25ths, equal 3rds etc. will go away. What will satiations do with their time?

Happy Friday!

Like Being There

2017-03-09T11:22:00.001-08:00

If you've never been tubed, this is about as close as you get to reality. Thank you, Alex Gray. Now, can you tell me how to get to this spot?

Mr. Slater - Where do I sign?

2017-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, please, sign me up for this -

The Snake

2017-02-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

Seriously?

My legs burned just watching this.

Yes, Blogging still occurs - from time to time.

2017-01-11T12:49:00.003-08:00

This one just isn't very interesting - just showing the blog is not dead - nor am I.

Committed, On-Rail Surfing Defined

2016-12-06T12:25:00.001-08:00

If you need to know what on-rail surfing looks like, power surfing, or committed surfing looks like - watch this video!

Scary River Wave

2016-09-19T15:27:00.001-07:00

It's not just the water quality that is scary....

Sardinia - my first surf trip destination....

2016-09-19T14:53:00.002-07:00

I already knew I wanted to go on a surf trip to Sardinia - I have for about 16 years now. This video just confirmed it even more so. There was a loud rubber stamp of approval on the idea once I watched this. Any photographers want to go there with me?

Jordy Looked So Solid!

2016-09-19T12:10:00.003-07:00

Glad to see Jordy win - he looked strong throughout the entire contest. All his turns lead tot he next - smooth, powerful, great. I like that he is headed toward title contention - he deserves it!

Australia - I'm Ready

2016-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

I spent my youth watching Blazing Boards, Beyond Blazing Boards, and all the Billabong movies. It instilled in me a love of Australia, Australians, and the surf potential in the country of endless pointbreaks and good surf. This video from Beau Young brought all that back. I think it is high time I spend some quality time on a plane, get there, and perhaps lose my return ticket....

Julian 10 at Tahiti

2016-08-24T12:39:00.001-07:00

I think everyone wrote him off, but he made it. GREAT barrel by Julian!

Kelly - Tahiti - Unbelievable

2016-08-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

He looked so strong, smooth, and radical out there. So nice to see the guy that dominated the event from the beginning actually take the whole thing!

Light Saber Surfing!

2016-08-24T12:34:00.002-07:00

Falling in Love with San Onofre All Over Again

2016-08-03T11:06:00.002-07:00

Bethany Hamilton at Fiji - Good for the Soul

2016-06-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

Holy smokes! The lady absolutely tears it! What an inspiration! Bethany Hamilton is one of my favorite surfers of all time. The first turn is pure rail power.

A Slight Change for Colony – The Budget Guide to Great Roots Rock Guitar Tones

2016-05-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

I had a life event that caused me to not surf much in the last few months. When I had some free time, watching surfing just made me want to surf, so I started checking YouTube for guitar tones. Turns out a lot of people love to post demos of their rigs – amps, pedals, guitars, etc. You can narrow down your likes and dislikes without ever stepping into a Guitar Center and asking to demo a product yourself! Avoiding that embarrassment for me is fantastic.

So – what I hope to do is give some great examples from YouTube of the great examples of gear I have found that sound fantastic, without breaking the budget barriers. For example, you can’t spring thousands on a vintage Fender amp, or new Victoria amp – I have some solutions:

Ampeg Jet J-12
Fender Vaporizer
Fender Excelsior
Peavey Delta Blues
Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue

Not only might this help you, but it creates my own shopping list I can consistently refer back to when necessary.

Looking for a great distortion pedal but don’t want to spend $300 (the cost on some of the amps above) for a vintage Ibanez Tube Screamer? Here are some options:

Electro-Harmonix Crayon
Electro- Harmonix Soul Food
Fulltone GT-500
Ibanez TS5 Soundtank

Want the tone of a Princeton Reverb Vibrato/Tremolo but your amp doesn’t have it? Pick up one one of these pedals below for less than $50!

Behringer Vibrato
Danelectro Tuna Melt
Boss Tremolo

I should mention that your YouTube quests for tone should be accompanied by Reverb.com searches. Reverb.com is so helpful it is ridiculous! Great tutorials, price guides, easy to use lists and searches, etc. Download the app and you will find yourself spending far too much time on it, but learning price points and forgotten gems.

So – look in the coming weeks for some surf posts, but some info on the above, and some great examples of tutorial/demo/review videos!

Get Some Back Issues Of Surfer's Journal - CHEAP

2016-05-18T13:10:00.001-07:00

On my eBay right now!

Rub your eyes - then watch again - it's real

2016-05-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Remember those kids in the Apple ad pulling tarps as they skateboarded through them to create a faux tube? Well, this is similar, more lifelike, and definitely more challenging/rewarding. Kelly Slater Wave Co has created a playground for surfers. I just hope I am allowed to get on the structure someday.

Skeleton Bay isn't exactly my kind of wave, then I see this and think it could be

2016-05-03T12:48:00.001-07:00

Could I do this backside? I'd sure like to try. Heck, I'd like to try body surfing it.
The sunlight hitting the water could not be better. Kudos, Mr. Beni Brand!

Support Good People and Great Product - Support Lotfield

2016-04-29T14:53:00.003-07:00

A friend of mine is starting a company. It's called Lotfield. He is raising money through Kickstarter.
He's a good guy, with a unique concept. Please pass the word, donate, and let's get his dreams off the ground!

Here's the link to their KICKSTARTER Campaign.

Here's a little about the brand directly from their mouth -

About Us

We are a Christian-based company, which means that “we”, the founders, are followers of Christ. Our goal to make minimally branded products that reflect the individual creativity of our customers is rooted in our amazement of God’s creative nature and how he has made every human being to reflect him in this way.

As we conduct our business we aim to do good to our partners, customers and community for his glory and because of all that he has done for us in Jesus Christ.

I am crying that I missed this.

2016-04-26T12:41:00.002-07:00

One day after my birthday too....

SLATER DESIGNS

2016-04-19T12:51:00.001-07:00

Daniel Thomson tests the OMNI by Slater Designs from Slater Designs on Vimeo.

After Surfline dropped this video of Kelly in Fiji this week (further proving that Kelly could still win anything he wants...just check how committed each turn is!), I went looking for further Slater Designs videos. This video proves that Daniel Thomson is probably the best surfing shaper on the planet. The board always looks in control, fast, and stable. I want to try one. The waves look darn fun too!