1) Getting Started
All you need to surf in Second Life is a surfboard, some waves, and your enthusiasm. A long list of surf spots is available in this folder. All of these locations will have surfable waves and most of these locations will have surfboards available for purchase for 555L.
Want to try surfing for free? Surfboards are usually left on the beach at Quan Li for you to try. You can also rent longer boards here for 45L each session.
Check out the notecard on "Surfing Etiquette" ... please. Surfing in SL has grown exponentially and the line-up can get crowded at some beaches. Following the guidelines provided there helps keep everybody sane and enjoying their time in the water.
2) Need Lessons?
The surfboards come with instructions on how to use them, but sometimes you want some extra direction or tips... or you want to learn some tricks for your fabby new board. There are several excellent surf instructors in Second Life.
Send an IM to Namiko Team Riders, Malcolm Sydney or Caly Sleaford for private surf lessons.
Surf classes are held by Seano Osumi and Kimmy Leroux of the SL Surfing Association on Saturdays at 3 pm SLT and Tuesdays at 1 pm SLT. Please make a reservation by sending an IM to Dharma Austin. The class size is limited to 10 people and classes are held at the coldwater sim, Bundoran Reef.
3) Wanna compete in a surf contest?
The recently formed Second Life Surfing Association is currently running regular surf contests and tracking points for competitors. All the details are available on their website at http://www.surfslsa.com/main/
Take a look at the first ever SL surf contests run by Namiko Surf Co. here: http://blog.namikosurf.com/category/contests/
Contests are for anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate! Usually held on Saturdays every few weeks, these events are receive huge attendance and it's a wonderful way to meet the surf community and make some new surf-stoked friends.
4) Please sponsor me? Free clothes, please?
Namiko Surf Co. sponsors a team of passionate and enthusiastic SL surfers and we are always looking for more committed candidates. In exchange for your support and enthusiasm, Namiko supplies team riders with free clothes and accessories. All the details are here: http://www.namikosurf.com/team/index.php
Whether you surf for the Namiko Team Riders or Misfits, Devil Dolls or GR Boards, Reef Riders or SurfChix... we love and appreciate you all.
5) What's Quan Li?
Straight up, Quan Li is the best spot to get your feet wet and try out surfing in Second Life. Beautiful, crystal clear, glassy pipeline waves and frothy ocean water. The friendliest bunch of surfers and beach bums you'll find in SL. Waves by Heather Goodliffe, surfboards by Sebastian Saramago, and some of my surfboards too.
The island was originally developed by Sebastian Saramago, Heather Goodliffe and Pixie Gibb. In May 2007, Keala Mimistrobell and Namiko Surf Co. took over the ownership and management of Quan Li.
http://blog.namikosurf.com/2007/05/24/coming-home-to-quan-li/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/namikosurf/tags/quanli/
6) Surfing in SL
Surfing in Second Life, the way we know it, exists because of the development work of Heather Goodliffe and Sebastian Saramago. Through their company, Surf Systems Inc., they have created three different kinds of surfable waves: 1) fluffy, whitewater waves, 2) glassy pipeline waves, and 3) 60ft epic waves. They also designed, scripted and built the original surfboards that we use. We exist because they exist.
More than just surfboards, islands, waves and contests, surfing in Second Life is about community. We are surfers, teachers, competitors, business associates, and most importantly, friends. Keep it light, keep it fun. Respect and appreciate each other. Less drama, more surfing. ;)
See ya on a wave,
Keala Mimistrobell
Owner+Designer, Namiko Surf Co.
