A 4 block section of the new boardwalk opened this weekend in Long Beach, NY. The new Brazilian hardwood looks amazing and everyone was enjoying it all weekend. The full 2.2 mile boardwalk is expected to be finished by the end of summer. It will take a while for things to fully recover, but the iconic boardwalk is a huge step to bringing visitors and fun back to Long Beach.
 
For the past decade the aerial drones have had a negative connotation, usually associated with warfare. However, we forget sometimes the use of new technology can lead to something beautiful. It can show life from new angles that were never possible before.


Take a look at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz from an aerial perspective of a hovering drone, and imagine what it would be like to be a seagull, with a front row seat to one of the most iconic surf spots in the world. Full video can be found here.
 
There has been some great surfing going on at the US Open. It is hard to imagine that 6'2" Jordy Smith is able to rip apart some of these smaller waves. Check out Day 5 highlights here, and watch Jordy's surfing starting around the 1 minute mark.
 
The Vans US Open of Surfing is in full swing, click here for Day 3 video highlights. Day 4 just finished up with the first 2 rounds for the men. It's still anyone's game!
 
In case you didn't see enough of him this weekend at the US Open of Surfing, Kelly Slater will be on HBO's Real Sports this Tuesday, July 23rd at 10pm. Check out the preview above. It will probably be geared for people who don't surf, but who cares, maybe we'll get some more insight on how to surf more like him and what drives him to the be the best.
 
Its official! Austin will host the 2014 Summer XGames from May 15-18, 2014 at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack. They're even doing a contest to give away tickets along with the normal presale, check out the page here.

This is going to be an amazing venue for all the motorsport events. I'm going to be so bold as to say with a world class race track, there may even be a non-dirt event such as drifting or superbike competition.
 
Picture
O'neill shorts then...and now.
What happens when the surf industry needs some new ideas? They recycle old ideas and turn the clock back 30 years. Clearly the current generation doesn't remember how awful (or awesome) neon was in the 1980's. There's enough neon on the beach these days to make the Electric Daisy Carnival jealous. Joel Parkinson just won the Oakley Pro in a neon pair of Billabongs, and even Rip Curl has brought back a classic design from the 80's, the Tom Curren Collection

The resurgence of neon proves that those who don't remember the past, are destined to repeat it. While I'm all for peacocking on the beach, I don't need to draw any attention to myself when I'm sitting on a nice peak all by myself with no crowds. So if my DeLorean time machine is correct, in a few years this too shall pass, and grunge will make a comeback shortly thereafter. Then we'll be surfing in dark colored plaids and listening to bands that actually play instruments instead of computers. Now that sounds awesome.
Picture
Billabong from 1980's and 2013. I think they just added 2" in length to the new version.
 
Here's a totally badass video for the holiday weekend. I think Monster will sell a few more cans this weekend if you think it can make you drive/ride like this.
 
Picture
Photo: Cole Ferguson
After 14 years, Transworld Surf magazine will no longer be published after September. Almost 1 month after Grind Media acquired Transworld, they are shutting down the print edition of Transworld Surf, and it will be online only. Grind Media also owns Surfer and Surfing magazines, and they couldn't sustain 3 surfing magazines. In other words, it cut Transworld Surf so it wouldn't cannibalize its own sales of Surfer and Surfing. This is another sad example of big corporations acquiring smaller companies, and reducing choices for the end customer. 

While I have been a loyal Surfer subscriber for over 2 decades, I enjoy having the option of buying other magazines on the news stand when I see an interesting issue. Now there will only be Surfer and Surfing. I guess its time to get a subscription to Eastern Surf Magazine
 
That's right. A new study here, says living close to the ocean relieves stress and pain, and makes you feel better. According to the study, "It's possible that the people living closest to the coast are simply wealthier and have better access to health care. But the study found that the health benefits of ocean proximity were greatest for socioeconomically deprived communities."

My own scientific studies have proven this theory correct. Whenever I call in sick to work and go to the beach, I always feel much better. Amazing how that works sometimes.