Sand From Chicama Peru South America

Some of you that travel allot will not believe me when I say this, but please trust that what I have to say about this country is nothing short of 100% true in my experience and traveling for 3 weeks to Peru. This is without question......Of all my travels the one and only place that I WOULD NOT go back to unless it was a missions trip from my church and GOD directly ordered me to go. Sorry if this upsets anyone who was dreaming of going to the land of perfect lefts...blah blah blah. The country was a challenge on all different levels without going into further detail. The people were nice people and very hospitable but they seemed to be very depressed about their situation or place they found themselves in.....It is 3rd world but I've seen happier people in the poorest of places and this was not the case here. The surf was a huge disappointment based on what we had heard & read. While we did however score some sizable waves, we never saw anything with form or hollowness at any of the 20+ breaks I ran up and down the coast checking(driving 25hours). It is the sickest I have ever been abroad after eating an Un-Sol hambergesa and the other 2 individuals I was with had a worse case of the craps than I. I never really thought that I would ever be on vacation and wish I were home but this is the only place that did me in so to speak. I know this is harsh but the rest of my travels, I can assure you......WILL NOT be outlined like I have described here. I just have to let you know the truth of what I experienced in late October 2005. No offense Peruvians....I'm sure Obama is working on giving away more $ in a town near you soon. He seems to like debt & Spending on other countries. Peru is the only country that I would not be upset with getting a little help from the good ole U.S.A. Good Luck and GOD speed to all who are in Peru and to those who have dreams of going. I'll keep my travels in Central America for now.....

Sand From Cape Hatteras North Carolina

Well, I guess I could write all day about this place since I've been there at least 50 times growing up as a kid loving to travel and surf when I lived in Wilmington, N.C. Every year for the past 8 years, myself and the surf team has made our way up so that they can compete for an east coast title in their division that they surf in with the Eastern Surfing Association. The contest is always held at the Lighthouse in Buxton. If you live in Hatteras, you either fish or surf and there is not a whole lot going on more than these two things that I have always loved. Cape Hatteras has the best most consistent surf on the east coast for the simple facts: It is the furthest point east on the coast towards the continental shelf and is a barrier island that can pick up all the swells from any direction while the opposite side of the island produces off shore winds more than likely. It's kind of a lonely place with some very strange locals that like their space. Make friends or at least try to. Once the locals are mad, they stay mad. Try Frisco Pier, the lighthouse & S-turns for some of the best surf. Bring your four wheel drive if you want to fish or surf the point. I recommend the ferry when traveling there just because it's a more relaxed ride if well planned out. You can your travel time down by an hour if you decide to drive around (a very boring drive).....have fun in the PIT's on the cape, I always do. the best time is the fall or some hurricane swell in the summer. Stay away in the winter unless you like cold lonely places.

Sand From Cape Cod Massachusetts

I said 31 different countries of sand but after looking at the sand collection a little closer, I had 9 bottles of sand that were from the USA...some Hawaii, CA, Grand Canyon and yes this one featured today: Cape Cod MA. Not much to say about Cape Cod except that it was ok to visit in the summer but I'm sure it would be somewhat miserable in the winter months. The beaches were really clean and well kept.....maybe from the lack of traffic year round but I found the entire coast and Northeastern part of the USA very unexplored and well kept. The people who live in this area have been there pretty much all their lives and there is something to say for that hometown feel you get when visiting or dinning out at the local restaurants etc. Cape cod was a very nice beach and we have all seen the pictures in any ESM magazine of how good the surf gets there.......the guys are just wearing 5/4 mil wetsuits with booties and gloves. Something tells me, it's just not the same surf experience but an experience to say the least. They can have those waves, I'll stay where its warm and firing. That's all I gotz to say about that (Forest Gump would say....)

Sand From Barbados

Never really got to surf Barbados but the diving is incredible as well as the beaches and people. The white soft sand on the best of beach landscapes is why you hear the island Barbados mentioned in all the Caribbean music and songs no doubt. Bridgetown is where most cruise ships dock. All the main surf breaks in Barbados are located on the opposite side of the island. Soup Bowls is the most famous and well known surf break it seems but The surf is infrequent and unpredictable. On the West Coast, you'll have surf from December to March (needs a North Swell though). If you like to sail then most definately stop your boat in the Marina on Barbados Island and have lunch......You might see somebody famous but you will for sure see the very extremely wealthy from all over the world hiding out wondering why you rolled in on their little secret place.

Australia, Bondi Beach

As I said last week, we will start our blog about where to surf or rome around the world and what it takes to make this happen. We will also discuss each place and some of the things it has to offer. As well as people I have met that you should try and find as well as places to stay etc.....I have 31 different countries in my sand collection that I have acquired abroad in my travels. Each day in this blog, a picture of each one will be displayed as we go through our informative but very short narrative of each country and my experience traveling there.

Starting with Australia: The land of beer drinking English speaking nice people that has incredible surf everywhere you go. I would highly recommend eating a "Aussie Kabob" or two while in your travels here. I really enjoyed the bus pass for the entire month, it was the easiest, safest way to travel the entire east coast of Australia from Sydney to Cairns. You most definitely want to check out the Great Barrier Reef and the Wit Sunday Islands off the northern coast. The surf was incredible in New Castle beach as well as Bondi, Coffs Harbour & Surfers Paradise.

SKATE PHOTO JAM Session and free deck giveaway today!!

FREE TO ANYONE WHO SKATES!!

Come out today for the 2 hour photo shoot at the NEW skate park on Anastasia Island near the lighthouse. We will be having a 30 minute ALL-OUT jam session with a free deck giveaway so if YOU need a new deck and got the skill come out and play...

At the least......everyone will have their photo taken with a professional grade camera.

You Should Have Been There Yesterday.....

To se more on the surf yesterday here in St. Augustine Click: YESTERDAYSSURF
Who knows, YOU might even have a shot or two in the album of yourself if you where surfing anywhere near the Pier, A Street or 10th Street. This Little Guy caught a few memories.....

Surf is Still Good!

The waves have been pretty fun that last few days and it looks like we will see that continue through the weekend here on St. Agustine Beach. Check the surf cams on the surf report section of the website to see what is doing live. Pretty rare in Florida to see this consistent of surf in the middle of summer. Good surf means its a good time to get a new surfboard so you can take it out right away. Stop in the PIT and check out all of our new JS Surfboards and DHD Surfboards as well as a ton of used boards with great deals!

Surf Camp for next week is filling up quickly so make sure you get signed up! And don't forget about the Challenge of 88 - try your knowledge and see if you can win a FREE Surfboard!

Surfing St. Augustine

Looks like we have a good week of Surf ahead of in St. Augustine. We have a great group of Surf Campers this week and they are out there charging already today. We should be having some consistent surf all the way through the weekend, to go along with the excellent weather. Hopefully you have some time to get to the beach!

Speaking of this weekend, we will be having a best trick skate contest and photo shoot at the Anastasia Island Skate Park across the street from the Alligator Farm, this Saturday. Come check it out or enter for a chance to win a FREE PIT Surf Shop Skate Deck.

Also if you are stuck inside and don't get a chance to surf, you can always surf around PITsurfshop.com and try your luck at the Second challenge of 88! Remember that all the answers can be found with a little surfing around the website.

The Surf Around The World....will be the next topic. Have you been there?

Next week we will take an in depth look at all the available countries that have incredible surf and what it takes to make it happen. Almost all of the info that will be shared in this blog will be from personal experience and I will be making recommendations on where to go, who to meet & what to do when traveling abroad. I've been searching and walking this globe since I was a very young man. My parents loved to travel and I decided a long time ago to make it a goal of mine to go everywhere I possibly could before moving on to that special place my father has for me in heaven. If you would like to get a jump on things, please visit our "Travel Album" in the photo gallery by clicking: Travel4Surf

Go Surf!

The surf should be fun and there's some good size over the next week.... Check the forecast at:
PITSurfReport

A Day at the Beach in St. Augustine, Florida

It's Middle of July we have surf and everyone's at the beach....including this little guy "Ezra". To see more of Saint Augustine and maybe yourself on a few waves go to: TheGallery

Mr. Adriano De Souza....(Stinger of others no doubt)

We picked Adriano for the Pacific Nettle Jellyfish just for the sole reason of how many fall victim to his sting in a heat during competition. Especially this year...but it's almost like they don't even see this guy coming until it's over. If you've ever been stung by a jellyfish while just trying to enjoy a day at the beach or surfing then you know how it all goes downhill quickly. Some facts about Adriano De Souza: Currently ranked 3rd in the world and has two second place finishes in this year alone. This guy will surprise you time and time again!

The Pacific Sea Nettle Jelly

The Pacific Sea Nettle Jelly has lacey oral arms in the center that are used for feeding and can extend out ten feet in length. The oral arms are surrounded by 24 tentacles equipped with thousands of microscopic projectile barbs that sting and paralyze prey. They feed off of small fish, plankton and other Jellies.

As for the surf in Saint Augustine...It's really small but on the right tide with a set wave, it could be ridden with the right attitude. For a live image of the beach and surf in Saint Augustine Click: Beachcams&Report

A Good Read: Romans 8: 38-39

Kai Otton AKA: Ottz or Otto

JOEL PARKINSON JUST WON HIS 3rd PRO EVENT THIS YEAR at Jeffrey's Bay in South Africa.....Yea PARKO!!

Kai Otton: Not too many people know who this guy is but he is in his 3rd year on the world tour and seems to fit the profile of the firefly with his aerial assault and outgoing personality. Otton ended 8X ASP World Champion Kelly Slater's hopes for his title No. 9 when he turned it up a notch and beat Kelly at the Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil that year. This guy likes the shore break and is considered a threat in any heat on the tour. Speaking of the Asp World Tour: The Jeffrey's Bay Billabong event is live and on right now..... at: JeffreysBayP

A good Read: Proverbs 28: vs. 1

The Firefly Squid

Known for its' incredible light display down in the deep blue, the firefly squid has an amazing ability to scare off predators and communicate with other squid. Their lifespan unfortunately is only about a year.

On another note: the surf today is pretty small out front but may get a slight increase to knee high towards the end of this week. If you would like to see 2 live beach cams and all the tides and surf forecast for St. Augustine then click: SurfCams

A Good Read James 1: 5-6

John 5: 3 .....H2o

John 5:3

In these lay a great multitude of lame folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

Water has to move to get surf, right? Are all surfers in this mode or just like me lately, waiting...surfs been up, check the live cam at: SURFCAMLIVE

"Government Toys" ....confiscated!

WOW...That's all I can say...WOW!

This is what the drug lords use to smuggle all the drugs over. And we wonder why there is a problem with our kids growing up and around drugs....

Chris Ward...The "Don't really know"

Chris Ward seems to be consistently doing his thing on the WCT whatever that may be. "Don't really know" if this guy has what it takes but kind of fun to see him go after the other sharks every once in a while. Weird looking guy...that can be trouble for others in a heat. I wonder if he's LOST? Maybe he will find his way one day...

Don't really know.....

We picked this "deep Sea Creature" because we don't really know what it's capable of and it looks like it's on a mission for sure. I wonder who that could be on the WCT? Maybe this thing is a grouper with all the injuries of the sea and it got in a fight with some really bad Jelly fish? seems to be mad and focused now...The fish in today's blog is called a fanfin seadevil, caulophryne jordani.The females are much larger then the males (males reach a length of about1.6cm) , but still only 20cm long...and when a male finds a female hebites her and his skin actually fuses to her body...he becomes herparasite. All black, live in deep deep sea (Indian, Atlantic, andPacific).

On Another Note: The 2nd PIT 88 Chalenge is underway thanks to Clint's wife Danielle and her choice of questions for all to answer. Win a new surfboard up to $600 or $500 store credit or $400 cash. Up to $4800 in total giveaways. ANYONE, ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME IN THE W.W.W. CAN PLAY AND WIN! Click here for more: PIT88Challenge

Layne Beachley....The Killer Whale

Layne Beachley: 7 Women's World Titles...enough said. But lets keep going: the most confident big wave surfer out of all the girls, always fearless and a "Killer" in a heat/comp. She is from down under and I'm sure she taught a few of the boys proper etiquette in the water.....No doubt and without question, the best female surfer in competition to this date.

On Another Note: The 2nd PIT 88 Chalenge is underway thanks to Clint's wife Danielle and her choice of questions for all to answer. Win a new surfboard up to $600 or $500 store credit or $400 cash. Up to $4800 in total giveaways. ANYONE, ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME IN THE W.W.W. CAN PLAY AND WIN! Click here for more: PIT88Challenge

A good read: James 4:3

The Killer Whale

The Killer Whale: The Largest Dolphin in the sea. Right now, there is little to know about the off-shore species of Killer Whales because they are rarely seen in protected coastal waters. They are BLACK & WHITE in color and that speaks for their personality as well. There is also very little knowledge known about the diet of the killer whale. They live in groups of 3-50 & their traveling range remains extremely unpredictable. The activities of the killer whale groups will always fall into four categories: foraging, traveling, resting, and socializing.

A Good Read: Matthew 6:22

Mick Fanning....."Fastest Surfer in the World"

2007 World Champ Mick Fanning deserves to be comparable to the Mako Shark as he himself is considered: The Fastest Surfer in the World. If you have not seen Micks video, MICK MYSELF & EUGENE make sure to check it out, as it delves deep and gives the viewer a good look at one of the most talented surfers on tour. He has one world title under his grasp, how many more will Mick or EUGENE take? Sharks win in the WCT so we figured the Mako Shark for Mick since he's undoubtedly the fastest.

A GOOD DAY FOR CHURCH!!

Happy birthday America! For anyone who did not get their fill of fireworks last night, come join us in celebrating at Turning Point at Calvary church. SR 16 just north of the Outlet Malls.

The Mako Shark

Makos can cause grief to those fishing offshore, by terrorizing the boat crews with aerial acrobatics they jump into cockpits and injure the boatmen. Sometimes after being gaffed they go berserk and break loose at boat side-and just decide after being hooked to attack the boat. Makos are notorious for their speed and their ability to leap out of the water. It seems the teeth in a very large mako shark are somewhat similar in shape to those of a white shark.

A good Read: Matthew 8:27 (He will always be that big!)

Dane Reynolds.....sticking to the board

We are going with Mr. Reynolds here because of his ability to stay on that board while doing the most impressive aerial displays in surfing right now. He must have suction cups on his feet much like the octopus. Although it's hard to say how well the octopus interacts with a shark...

The Octopus....."Ocho", 8

We will make this one simple: Another pic for description:

Mr. Bede Durbidge

The guy even looks like a Lion Fish.....wreaking havoc on the World tour since he arrived, no doubt Bede is the kind of surfer we hope to see in the future. Here is a guy who made it to the WCT with no main Sponsor just raw aggressive talent and a will to win. This Lion Fish of the WCT really has no predator but he most definitely is preying on others and they can't really figure out what type of fish he his at this point in the game. Good luck Bede! You deserve it.....