Vitor Oliveira

Have you ever wished to replicate your first surfboard? Do you think about remaking an old classic template? Are you looking to re-shape a favorite beaten, waterlogged board? Here's how to do it. When we talk about surfboard shaping, there is often a heated debate on using technology to assist craftsmanship. Should all surfboards be shaped by hand, one by one? Is it a sin to introduce machines in the board-building process? The answers will never be unanimous. The truth is that machines, or even robots if you prefer, are increasingly taking over the surfboard production process. With the advent of computer numerical control (CNC) machines , shapers multiplied the production of any template several times. In a few years, even some of the most conservative board builders surrendered to the time-saving and precision of CNC and focused their time and effort on designing high-performance templates that meet their customer base. At some point, if you own a business, it's a ch...

Wavegarden announced the creation of the company's first experimentation center. The Wavegarden Lab is the first private wave pool solely dedicated to continuous research and development (R&D) and high-performance surfing. The Basque Country firm led by Josema Odriozola and Karin Frisch upgraded the original demo center at their headquarters near Zarautz, Spain, and one hour from Hossegor and Mundaka . The facility's water surface area of 90 meters by 45 meters can generate waves up to 2.2 meters high and rides of up to 14 seconds. Barrel time is now set at 7 seconds. To transform the structure into a research and development center, the company redesigned the wave generator system with improved take-off and end sections. The left and right sides of the lagoon can also operate independently without increasing energy consumption. Solitary waves can now be programmed every 15-30 seconds instead of sets with 7-8 second intervals. The new bathymetry allows a close-out ...

The rapid expansion of the world's wave pool web and the diversification of synthetic wave-generating technologies are creating investment opportunities for professional surfers. They're popping like mushrooms in places where water is scarce, thousands of miles away from the coastline, or in high-density surf zones. Wave pools are the only truly dynamic sector within the surf industry, with the surfwear and the board and equipment segment struggling to stay afloat. Artificial waves are already gathering billions of dollars in private funds channeled toward the construction of new inland surfing parks yearly. The number of projects announced for anywhere in the world is also increasing each quarter. With more, there are more and more side businesses attached to them: restaurants, surf shops, cafeterias, surf rentals, surf lessons, AI video capture, beach clubs, bungalows, sports medicine, hotels, water and theme parks, event areas, conference centers, golf courses, etc. U...

It's arguably the world's richest and most culturally relevant surfing museum. The California Surf Museum is a living entity that preserves the past to understand the present and project the future of surfing. The road to excellence is more often Z-shaped than linear, and, many times, it's the hardships and challenges that truly make the finish line sweeter. The life of the California Surf Museum (CSM) is a virtuous circle of increments of ambition and greatness where all sorts of contributions are welcome. And its humble start takes place by the beach with a simple goal: to preserve and celebrate surfing's rich history. Since opening its doors, the California Surf Museum has welcomed over 650,000 visitors from all 50 states and 68 countries. In 2023, it was named the number two "Best Attraction for Sports Fans" in the USA Today Readers' Choice Awards. A Humble Beginning in Encinitas In February 1986, a group of enthusiasts gathered at George'...

Hong Kong is a city known for its mix of tradition and modernity. However, China's special administrative region has taken a surprisingly rigid stance on surfing by enforcing a full-on ban across all 42 public beaches managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Twelve of the territory's beaches are situated on Hong Kong Island, while the other 30 are spread across the New Territories, including the Outlying Islands. The policy has existed for decades but has recently been under the spotlight due to intensified enforcement and growing frustration among surfers. The Origin of the Ban The surfing ban in Hong Kong is not new. It dates back to when the LCSD implemented regulations to ensure safety at public beaches. Officially, the law prohibits any person from bringing or using surfboards in areas designated for swimming. The government argues that surfboards pose a safety risk to swimmers and first responders, especially during dangerous weather conditi...

Ready for something completely different? "Juju The Surf Musical" is a punch in the stomach of traditional surf movies. Can surfing be the key to redemption and salvation ? Isn't surfing a profoundly female dance with the ocean waves ? We dare to believe so. Imagined by Jaleesa Vincent and Luka Raubenheimer, this under-30-minute unexpectedly entertaining surprise blends surfing, music, and fantasy into a unique storytelling experience. With a lineup of professional surfers turned actors and actresses - including Jaleesa herself, Creed McTaggart, Josie Prendergast, and the legendary Mark Occhilupo - the film is a cauldron of creative freedom and unconventional viewpoints. However, pop surrealism is one of the first concepts that better describe what you're about to watch. But there's also room for fantasy, dreams, and the ever-conflicting world of good versus evil, devil versus god, work versus fun. More Than Just Surfing At its heart, "Juju The Surf...

Belgian surf journalist Veerle Helsen released "Surf & Art," a celebration of the growing genre of surf art. And it's quite a mesmerizing book. Known for her "Surf & Stay" guides, which sold over 20,000 copies worldwide, Veerle's new project explored the creative world of artists who translate the magic of surfing into illustrations, paintings, and digital designs. The idea for the book began in 2018 during a camper trip for Veerle's first book. "I came across an illustration by Portuguese artist Lizzy," Veerle shares. "It showed a woman gracefully dancing on the water with pink waves that shimmered as though the sun had sprinkled them with a magic pencil." The image resonated deeply, and she began collecting surf-themed art. The process eventually became the foundation of 'Surf & Art.' The book features 23 contemporary surf artists from around the globe, from celebrated and cult names like Jean Jullien and ...

How far are you willing to drive your car on a Saturday morning to find secluded surf? Up to 50 miles (80 kilometers)? Or not that much? It's probably politically incorrect to say that there are too many people surfing nowadays. But sometimes, it's impossible to ignore the lack of opportunities when the conditions are pristine. The truth is that the world's excellent, very good, and good surf breaks are often ultra-crowded on any sunny weekend, even if it's freezing cold. And we're not even talking about a two handful of spots across the world. We can surely count thousands of lineups where it's hard to take off on a sound set wave without feeling the pressure and the shoulders of a few fellow wave riders next to you. And if that ain't enough to remove the relaxing factor from your surf session, you'll have the occasional longboarder, stand-up paddler, or irresponsible foiling enthusiast waiting for the best moment to steal your long-awaited wave....

She is a multiple-time world surfing champion who has never seen the sea. Meet Marta Paço, the Portuguese blind-from-birth surfer with no ocean obstacles. If you're reading this article in its original format, which uses the Latin script alphabet, you have probably never experienced any time of profound visual impairment. In modern times, the life of a blind person is not easy - just try some of your daily activities with your eyes closed. Now, imagine daring to put on a wetsuit, paddling out on a surfboard, and catching and riding waves you can't see. Congenital blindness makes it even harder because you've never quite got the opportunity to see the shape and behavior of your surroundings, not even once. How does a wave travel across the sea, and what are the mechanics of its breaking process? The best a blind person can do to perceive these phenomena is, for instance, by touching the ripples formed in a water container as if simulating a wave pool or a 3D recreatio...

As happens in modern times, surf clubs evolve from a group of surfers who travel and surf together and eventually form close bonds with each other. Younger surfers needed rides, and older surfers had cars. In the early days, there was also an interest in encouraging beginners and trying to get new surfers into the sport. Friendships were easy to form and, once formed, became strong influences in a surfer's life. We didn't have wetsuits in the early days, so all we had were fires to keep us warm; plus, some surfers wore sweatshirts or other shirts when they surfed. After spending time in cold water, you headed to a fire on the beach, if possible, so you could get warm. It was during this time that surfers got the chance to know those they surfed with. Also, because there weren't large numbers of surfers anywhere back then, it didn't take long to figure out who was a local at any particular beach you visited. Surf clubs grew from local groups who surfed together ...

Low-pressure systems, also known as depressions or cyclones, are atmospheric phenomena that dramatically impact the Earth's weather and ocean conditions, including the creation of waves that surfers ride. The more we understand how these systems form and evolve, the better we will decode the science behind severe weather and the process through which energy transfers from the atmosphere to the ocean. So, what is a low-pressure system, and how does it form? A low-pressure area is essentially a cell of air with a central pressure lower than the surrounding atmosphere. This pressure difference is what drives the system's characteristic swirling winds, caused by the Coriolis effect - an apparent force arising from the Earth's rotation that deflects moving air. As air flows toward the low-pressure center, the Coriolis effect bends its path, creating a counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere and a clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere. This rotation is...

For many, surfing is a religion in itself. Interestingly, St Christopher is known as the patron saint of travelers - at least for Christian surfers. His story, though partly legendary, goes back to early Christian traditions. Christopher was a big, strong man who wanted to serve the greatest power in the world. At first, he served a local king but switched his loyalty when he realized the king feared the devil. Then he tried serving the devil, only to find that even the devil feared Christ. So, Christopher decided to dedicate his life to serving Christ. According to tradition, he became a ferryman, helping people cross a dangerous river. One night, a small child asked for his services. Despite the child seeming light, the ride was unusually hard - the infant grew so heavy that Christopher struggled. When they reached the other side, the youngster revealed himself to be Christ, explaining that Christopher had just carried the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. This i...

There are many types of support groups, but quite none like this. The Bite Club is a network and safe space created for people who have survived shark attacks. Founded by David Pearson, a shark attack survivor, the club has grown from an informal group of survivors to an international community where people connect over their shared trauma, aid each other in healing, and learn to rebuild their lives. Although it was originally focused on shark attacks, it has now expanded to become a hub for people who were victims of all sorts of life-threatening animal attacks. Pearson's journey began in 2011 after he was attacked by a three-meter bull shark while surfing in Crowdy Head, Australia. The shark's bite nearly severed his arm, and the physical recovery was only part of the ordeal. The psychological effects that followed - feelings of isolation, recurring flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - were just as hard to cope with. Pearson found that people who had...