Water Activities
ArchiveDon't make the mistake of clicking off this video when you see a wetsuited man skipping through the mudflats while awkwardly carrying windsurfing gear. It gets better, and not just because the windsurfers will reach speeds of roughly 50 knots, or about 55…
Highlights of the 11-time ASP champ capturing his 49th tour victory at Cloudbreak.
Kelly Slater wins the Volcom Fiji Pro. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Kelly Slater, 40, beat Gabriel Medina, 19, in the finals of the Volcom Pro to win the 49th tour event of his…
Earlier this week, 35-year-old German freediver Tom Sietas reportedly broke the world record for breathholding when he stayed underwater for 22 minutes and 22 seconds. That's just a bit longer—and probably a bit more exciting to watch—than the average television sitcom without…
James Caird in surf. Photo: Frank Hurley In 1916, after losing his boat The Endurance on an expedition to Antarctica, Ernest Shackleton and five crew members hopped in a row…
Big air, bigger views kick off this weekend in Vail. Photo: Teva Mountain Games With long days and warm nights, summer is festival season. But if you want more from your weekend than sitting on your butt on a blanket, swilling beer, and listening to live…
The second episode in Forge Motion Picture’s series of Souls and Water features paddler Melody Shapird paddling beautiful canyons in the southwest.
To capture kayaker Evan Garcia dropping 70 feet off Outlet Falls, filmmaker Andy Maser and two friends set up four cameras for a day of shooting near White Salmon, Washington. The crew used a RED Scarlet, two Canon 7Ds,…
Screenshot from Surfer. Surfer magazine has turned its how-to series from Kelly Slater into an interactive online feature. The 11-time ASP champ offers advice on everything from…
As this video of a two-year-old catching his first wave illustrates, surfing isn't always about competition. Still, it would be nice for high school surfers to be able to compete in front of crowds in the same way basketball, football,…
Manta ray. Photo Shutterstock Most people are familiar with Aldo Leopold's thoughts on cascading environmental damage from Thinking Like a Mountain. When wolves were hunted out of forests in the American Southwest,…
Ignore what you've been told: Summer is the time to try something new
John John Florence wins 2012 Billabong Pro Rio. Photo: ASP/SCHOLTZ The last six months have been pretty good for 19-year-old surfer John John Florence. The Hawaiian took the 2011 Van Triple Crown Championship in December, won the Volcom Pipe…
The Potomac River Photo: MV Jantzen/American Rivers River conservancy American Rivers just released its 27th annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report, naming the Potomac the most threatened river. This waterway earned the top spot not so much…
While filming a feature on surfer Josh Kerr for RUSTY, filmmaker Matt Kleiner decided to rummage through some of his scraps and put together a little clip. The resulting video, Light:…
The judging panel at last week's Global Big Wave Awards determined that Garrett McNamara's much-discussed wave in Portugal this past November was 78 feet, or one foot taller than Mike Parsons' record-holding monster. But the measurements of both waves are so crude as to mean absolutely nothing.
Dare to live a moral life—and encourage your kids to do the same—but remember that moral decisions aren't always clear-cut
Surf shorts don’t offer a lot of support when you’re going from paddling out to riding a tube. Or they haven't—until now. Oakley’s new Blade II Board Shorts have two parts. On the outside, they're all board—everything you would expect: quick-dry and stretchy with welded seams and a…
Whitewater guide Andrew Matthews takes to this part of the Zambezi River once a year when the flow is just right, and the surfable barrel above results. Scott LeDuc of River Surf Sessions…
Glines dam site, pre-dam; the dam intact; the dam coming down. Photos: Clallam Co. Historical Society; Olympic NP The Olympic Peninsula's Elwha River is running free. Pretty much. The Elwha dam is down and the Glines dam is being chipped away (see the image…
“I killed a lot of fish in my youth. But later I went with Cousteau, and with a team of scientists, and through them I understood what was happening to the world. It was then that I completely changed my tune. I threw away my harpoon to take up a…
The first of NRS and Forge Motion Pictures five-part series, on Souls and Water, features whitewater paddler and wanderer Erik Boomer…
ext_script = "//player.ooyala.com/player.js?height=360&embedCode=4xcXBrNDpNIkaGQiXX-AR9PVy6fEb1ks&width=640&video_pcode=1jZG06vQqWlGOe2jr1WK6VaYFHtK&deepLinkEmbedCode=4xcXBrNDpNIkaGQiXX-AR9PVy6fEb1ks" The opening scene for the documentary Code Red sets the tone. While sitting on a porch in the rain, a surfer checks surfline.com and finds out that the swells headed for Tahiti are huge. “Listen to this: thursday,…
Bird's Nest, by Mandy Barker Photographer Mandy Barker couldn’t stop collecting, cataloguing, and photographing trash. The 48-year-old from Leeds, England, picked ocean debris as the central theme of a school photography project. She often went…
A little more than a week ago, 28-year-old Florida Tech student Justin Ellingham won the college division of the National Scholastic Surfing Association's East Coast Regional Championship. Less than a week later, he was bitten…
Ikal Angelei on the shores of Lake Turkana. Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize Running Ethiopia's Omo River can be a serious adventure, as we described here in 2008, but more importantly, the river is a lifeline for those who rely on the water and…
It’s ironic that surfing requires being in synch with nature and its rhythms but surfing equipment is so environmentally toxic. Almost all the gear, from the trunks to the wetsuits to the boards themselves, are made from non-recyclable petroleum-based resins, foam, plastics, and neoprene. Is it possible to enjoy surfing…
Peter Douglas Photo: Courtesy of California Coastal Commission The next time you find yourself on a stretch of pristine California coastline, you can thank Peter Douglas for what you don't see, such as high-rises or offshore oil-drilling platforms. The 69-year-old, who died April 1, fought hard against…
The trailer for a new mini series from NRS and Forge Motion pictures about paddlers and their love of water.
> [Video: Groudswell (Trailer) from the Patagonia Video Gallery] Keystone XL isn't the only pipeline in the works that will send oil from Alberta oil sands to far-off lands. Canadian pipeline builder Enbridge wants to build a new pipe to connect Edmonton with the port of…
A great new kayaking flick from the French filmmakers at Original Production.
ϳԹ awaits @ Manuel Antonio; photo: Tulemar Costa Rica is Central America’s answer to New Zealand: small place, huge adrenaline rush. With surfing beaches, cloud forests, rainforests, eco lodges, and active volcanos crammed into a country the size of West Virginia, it’s no wonder…
In June, the world’s best paddlers will coverge on Idaho’s notorious North Fork of the Payette for a two day race down Class V whitewater. Get more info here. The teaser is from Forge Motion Pictures.
I want to ride the best rapids in the Caribbean. Where should I start?
Researchers wield the collection trawl Photo: Stiv Wilson Despite what you might have heard, there are no huge, visually striking debris fields of plastic shopping bags and PET bottles swirling around the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. But if that's the good news, the bad news is much worse:…
I recently discovered the website, Kids Who Rip. Not sure how I missed this one, but it’s rad little video library of kids killing it on bikes, skis, kiteboards, surfboards, skateboards, balance beams, and pretty much every other conveyance and game known to childhood. You can submit…
By Guest Blogger Elizabeth Sullivan Need to thaw out? Leave the winter behind? We did. Our wants were simple: Our destination had to be warm and had to have salt water. What we didn’t want was simple, too: no passports required and no connecting flights. With four boys…
Michael Roberts boards a Swedish catamaran to report Cat Power, his latest story on the new boats used in the famed sailing race the America’s Cup.
Shred ready Camp life is good At play in the Purcells Western Spirit Cycling, www.westernspirit.com; O.A.R.S., www.oars.com; Canadian Mountain Holidays, www.canadianmountainholidays.com —Katie Arnold@raisingrippers …
A rainless winter means little water at the new wetlands park. Photo: Seth Strongin/TheCity Project In South Los Angeles, a former bus and rail transit station has been replaced by a nine-acre park that includes native trees and plant gardens, walking trails and…
This surf video from Cody Caldwell makes us want to ditch the office and go outside and play. For more on surfing, check out the Top Beginner Surf Spots in North America.
By Guest blogger Emily Brendler Shoff@ebshoff Exploring tidepools on Puako Beach (Emily Brendler Shoff) Traveling to Hawaii with children can seem daunting. The flights are long and can get expensive. Oceanfront lodging can cost you a bundle,…
Duct Tape Then Beer sea kayaks between thousands of islands of Georgia’s coast. Here’s how you can repeat the trip.
Pat Keller, Issac Levinson, and Chris Gratsman paddle over Alabama’s 90-foot Noccalula Falls. Read True Tales Behind the Web’s Best (Worst) Moments for the behind-the-scenes story.
It’s that time of the year again—time to start fantasizing about summer river trips. Many of the best stretches of family-friendly whitewater are regulated to prevent overcrowding, and if you want to lead your own multiday trip, rather than go with a commercial outfitter, you need to…
The first of three quick vignettes shot by Taj Burrow of surfers riding waves in Fji.
The second of three quick vignettes shot by Taj Burrow of surfers riding waves in Fji.
Taj Burrow‘s final short vignette of surfers riding waves in Fji.
The freediving world championships occur at the outer limits of competitive risk. During the 2011 event, held off the coast of Greece, more than 130 athletes assembled to swim hundreds of feet straight down on a single breath—without (they hoped) passing out, freaking out, or drowning. Meet the amazingly fit, unquestionably brave, and possibly crazy people who line up for the ultimate plunge.
Read Almost Famous, Kyle Dickman’s profile of Visser and his attempt to become TV’s next big action hero. …
On December 20, actor Gerard Butler was held down by a set of 10-12 foot waves at Maverick's. He was out surfing the break with Greg Long, Peter Mel, and Zach Wormhoudt…
Watch Chris Bryan‘s incredible video of surfers riding Fiji’s infamous break Teahupoo. Many are calling it the biggest the wave has ever been surfed. Read more about it here.
Whitewater paddler Aniol Serrasolses chases big waterfalls in Mexico. Read this story and learn how much higher waterfall-plunging kayakers can go. …
Struggling to find a gift for the guy who has everything? Or perhaps you've been an exceptionally good boy this year, and you'd like to reward yourself. Either way, we rounded up a few of our favorite things, price be damned. A word of caution: while the list starts out…
Wondering what to get the favorite women in your life for the holidays? We’ve honed in on the best holiday gifts for your better half, whether she's a shredder, cyclist, or simply likes to stay warm. Nobis Farrah hat: If you're going to get her a warm hat, get her…
Stand Up Paddleboarding—SUPing—started as a way for surfers to train when there weren't any waves. SUP paddling kept surfer's arms strong, their balance intact, and their 12-pack abs well defined. That was then. Now, much to our continued…
Last week we flew to northern California for Thanksgiving. We go to Sonoma periodically to visit family, and every few trips or so we make a point of driving out to the coast to eat oysters. We haven’t made the pilgrimage in a few years, since our three-year-old daughter…
The best gear for fly-fishing fanatics, from quick-drying water shoes to a handmade paddle.
A newbie-friendly board, a watch that knows the tides, and other essential gear for the paddler on your list.
Is working closely with killer whales in a marine park dangerous for trainers?
Kelly Slater, Photo by Steve Sherman/Quiksilver *This title has been changed after a press release from the ASP. Due to a calculation error, the ASP prematurely awarded Kelly Slater his 11th title. They have since apologized and offered the following explanation: OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Friday,…
I need help finding a watch for my boyfriend. He's into white-water rafting, camping, and fly-fishing, among other sports. My budget is around $350, and I want to stay away from features he won't use like tide times or diving depths. Ideas?
Warning: We can not be responsible for your reaction to the song lyrics in the video above. Your wait is finally over—almost. Jetlev says they are now taking orders for Phase III of their jetpack rollout, with products to…
Courtesy of CBS Sunday Morning CBS Sunday Morning profiled Kelly Slater earlier today and in between the requisite stills of a young Slater surfing and video of him tearing up ASP events they nabbed a preview of…
Ok, maybe that's a bit overblown. But if you love your Chacos as much as we do, we're pretty sure you're going to think this is pretty cool. Today, Chaco announced a new initiative, MyChacos. It's a custom order service that lets you pick your Chaco sandal style, choose your…
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Oakley Holbrook sunglasses.
For those of you adverse to getting into a sleeping bag with with mud caked on your legs, dirty and tired from a day in the woods, here’s a piece of gear will prevent that pre-sleep complaining. New Hampshire based Nemo plans to release its new Helio…
photo: Blair Beakley By the time you read this, I’ll be 5,000 feet down in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River from Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch. My husband and I have been dying to do this trip for years, but it was…
What's SUP San Juan? It always takes a little while to get into the flow of a river trip, but I know I’m there when, on a recent Saturday night in early September, I find myself sitting on a sandbar, margarita in hand,…
Torres Strait (Courtesy of Google Earth) Who knew that diplomatic relations over an international shipping law could play out like a Mexican wrestling match? Turns out the latest set of confidential government documents released by WikiLeaks shows that the…
A passionate look at bodysurfing in Woodshed Film‘s lastest, Come Hell or High Water. Read more in Madison Kahn’s interview with filmmaker Keith Malloy.
Tonight, Patagonia and eBay announced a new partnership, the Common Threads Initiative. Together, they asked owners of fleece and Gore-Tex everywhere to pledge to reduce consumption, reuse old gear, recycle, repair what's broken, and reimagine a world where people don't stress the earth with…
Australian Mark Visser’s on a quest to surf the world’s biggest waves–even those big enough to flip freighters in the middle of the Pacific. Read Kyle Dickman’s profile of Visser here.
Visser parachuting into the open ocean, Photo by Dallas Olsen Surfer Mark Visser is upping the ante again. After tricking out a board and wetsuit with LEDs to surf Jaws at night, he's now parachuting into the…
If you tell people that you’ve taken teensy, just-born babies out on the water—be it in a raft, a sailboat, or a 15-horsepower runabout—invariably, the first question you’ll get is, “They make lifejackets that small?” Yes, in fact, they do. But not all infant PFDs are created equal. When our…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=TLHiOQyzqIw%C2%A0 Polar explorer Jock Wishart and a crew of five are closing in on their attempt to row 450 miles to the north magnetic pole. It's probably worth getting this out of the way up front. The journey is to the…