Messages

1711

SUP General / Re: Easy way SURFERS (& anyone) can help Haiti, says ESPN surf crew

« on: January 15, 2010, 06:47:45 PM »

Not to detract from the original post - because helping anyone in need is a good thing, but . . . it always amazes me how when there is a natural disaster of some sort "the world" comes to the rescue.   Not that this is a bad thing - because it is not and the people in Haiti need our help.
What puzzles me is how people will will donate money, items, time to something like the earthquake in Haiti - but would never think to donate to their LOCAL food bank or homeless shelter.   
Just an observation.

Easy Rider I couldn't agree with you more on this and have always been amazed at how quickly we rescue the rest of the world despite widespread hunger and suffering in our own country. 

That being said, I also grew up in the Caribbean and work there and feel an obligation to help the Haitian community any way I can.  Just trying to spread the message   there are alot of good people in this forum and I know many will help if they can.

Haiti has a dubious history with numerous failed governments, widespread corruption and other problems, and I can understand people's doubts and concerns about the donations being spent in the proper manner.

 

1712

SUP General / Re: Easy way SURFERS (& anyone) can help Haiti, says ESPN surf crew

« on: January 15, 2010, 04:38:59 AM »

thanks for posting Aqua  I had posted something under "Random" with little response.

I totally agree with Jake Howard's assessment that if this tragedy had happened on an Indonesian surf destination surfers would be lining up to contribute, but being that it is Haiti ,a third world afterthought, I fear it will not get the same attention.

I do business in the Caribbean and that includes Haiti and I can tell you first hand that this country was desperate and in need of the world's help even before this earthquake hit.   I cannot imagine what the country is going through now.  They were still trying to recover from numerous hurricanes, and now this.

Americans are generous caring people, and we have been quick to donate to causes in distant countries due to tsunamis, drought, earthquakes, typhoons etc,  now that we have a Caribbean neighbor basically in our backyard, we can all help by donating (texting) just a little.

Haiti isn't a surf destination although Hispanola is a wave rich island. Who knows, maybe with the world's help Haiti will rebound/reccover and maybe years from now our kids or grand kids will be surfing and supping in Haiti.  Regardless , this is a country who desperately needs everyone's help, no matter how small.

1713

Random / Haiti earthquake

« on: January 13, 2010, 06:07:52 PM »

As you all know by now there has been a devastating earthquake in Haiti.  I do business in Port au Prince and I can tell you this country was in Dire Staits BEFORE
the earthquake, and now more than ever they need our help.  First a succession of hurricanes and now this....Many have little to begin with and these poor people don't deserve this

If you see an opportunity, do what you can donate what you can and help your Caribbean neighbors in this difficult time

thanks

1714

Technique / Re: Dropping In while paddling BACK OUT?

« on: January 13, 2010, 06:01:32 PM »

There was a photo in Stand Up Journal a few issues ago  Chuck Patterson was on a sizable wave and trail of his wake looked like he did exactly what you are describing

1715

Sessions / Re: Go Pro Cam In Maine

« on: January 13, 2010, 05:57:33 PM »

well done Mark   cool video,  punn intended.  Loved the snow on the deck of your board.  Have fun in T&C  and score some waves...I will let you know if anything exciting at Surf Expo

1716

Random / Re: Favorite Surf Flick

« on: January 11, 2010, 07:22:24 PM »

My favorite hands down  "5 Summer Stories"    came out in the 70s but still great surf movie today.  If you want to watch gerry Lopez in his prime this is the film...available on DVD now   awesome soundtrack too by the band Honk   

1717

Random / Re: Snowboarding tips?

« on: January 11, 2010, 04:41:48 PM »

hey Shawn  just got back from 2nd time out...another lesson and I was riding down from the highest peak..I know it's only Gunstock but still pretty fun.  The steeper longer hills really wore me out but it was so much fun
Danette is loving it too and getting the hang of it

maybe I won't take you up on the winter paddle invitation, but a snowboarding one might work

Don

1718

SUP General / Re: Don't Even Know Where To Begin With This One...

« on: January 11, 2010, 04:37:23 PM »

maybe that's Neptune returning to the sea

1719

SUP General / Re: How do you support your SUP lifestyle? (what's you're other job?)

« on: January 11, 2010, 04:29:55 PM »

maybe it should be SUPERDAVE and not SUPer Dave   
 
I cannot even fathom what that experience must have been like...

1720

SUP General / Re: How do you support your SUP lifestyle? (what's you're other job?)

« on: January 09, 2010, 06:52:25 AM »

I have a sales agency (Windward Sales Group) with home offices in Delray Beach, FL and Bequia, St.Vincent  and my wife and I represent different brands in Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America.   I have surfboards on 5 different islands so when I am making sales calls I can always catch some surf, now I need to get some SUPs scattered around my sales territory.

I have meetings with two SUP companies at Surf Expo and I hope to be representing them in the Caribbean soon.

1721

Gear Talk / Re: sunglasses for SUPing

« on: January 08, 2010, 06:15:26 AM »

Costa del Mar also makes great sunglasses. The line is 100% polarized and  they offer numerous lens options and are less expensive than MJ

My friend reps Maui Jim in the Caribbean and gives me free samples, but when I buy glasses I go for Costa del Mar

in either case I am not comfortable wearing in the surf, maybe for flat water I would wear them  I lost numerous pairs windsurfing

1722

Random / Re: Snowboarding tips?

« on: January 07, 2010, 11:59:07 AM »

Thanks ER  really was  fun
being new to this I don't know if the northeast ever gets powder but that would be nice.

1723

SUP General / Re: Pics of this new swell

« on: January 07, 2010, 11:57:25 AM »

Those look like the same waves I used to draw on my school notebook....perfect

thanks for sharing

1724

Random / Re: Snowboarding tips?

« on: January 06, 2010, 07:19:30 PM »

Everybody..  I just had an incredible day of snowboarding.  The weather couldn't have been better  very sunny, clear, fresh snow (albeit 14 degrees with the windchill  but I layered well and was fine)  No crowds either as all the kids are back in school

First time and I am TOTALLY stoked...took a 2 hr lesson in the morning and by lunch I was taking the chair lift to the somewhat advanced runs.  SaltH20 you were EXACTLY right, it is much easier on a bigger steeper hill than the bunny slopes.  The faster I went the more I was able to figure out how to ride the board and dig in an edge..it felt so much like surfing with the long drawn out carves I couldn't believe it.
I was expecting the board to slide out like a surfboard losing a fin but the board always held it's edge...as you said I had to totally commit

I wore a helmet and only fell a handful of times.   I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do this not being a skier, but it was more like surfing and not as hard as I expetced.

My wife loved it too so we are heading back in a day or two.  If anyone out there is thinkiing of trying this sport DO IT  I haven't had so much fun since I caught my first real wave on a SUP
thanks again everyone, your tips really helped...

1725

Gear Talk / Re: sunglasses for SUPing

« on: January 06, 2010, 07:04:41 PM »

sunglasses although cutting down on the glare can be more trouble than they are worth once you get a few sea spray spots on them, then's it's hard as hell to see anything