Big Swell

A 20 foot swell is expected to hit Nova Scotia on April 17, tomorrow. Dust off your big wave board and get ready to take a beating.

Timmy Turner

Timmy Turner is a surfer/film maker who after the tsunami in Indonesia in 2004 returned to Indonesia to help in any he could in the recovery efforts. During his time in Indonesia helping the locals, he contracted a rare staph infection.

What Is a Staph Infection?
Staph is the shortened name for Staphylococcus (pronounced: staf-uh-low-kah-kus), a type of bacteria. These bacteria can live harmlessly on many skin surfaces, especially around the nose, mouth, genitals, and anus. But when the skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection.
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/infections/bacterial_viral/staph.html

His infection spread to his brain where it soon became life threatening. After several surgeries and a long road of recovery he has for the most part recovered and doing well.
For more you can go to http://www.timmyturner.org/

Tsunami Tour

Here is an example of surfers giving back to the area in which they surf and love. And even more than that, this is a good example more fortunate people helping less fortunate ones better their lives after the devastating Tsunami in Indonesia.
This is a story of helping others in Indonesia, but the story of the Timmy Turner is a story within itself. I'll post it in the next blog, but here is the link to the video clip.

http://www.surfline.com/video/video_player/video_player.cfm?id=8674

My Opinion on the Scotia Sea

The Scotia Sea is by far the most frustrating sea on which to write a paper! :(

Bad Weather in The Scotia Sea

Here is the rest of the footage from our presentation. You may need a bucket if you have a weak stomach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24nzJ0qe-uU&mode=related&search=

Save the Waves Close to Home

"The community of Seaforth in Nova Scotia, Canada, is threatened by the development of a shellfish processing plant, which could potentially pollute the water at numerous prime surfing locations. The plant will be built only meters away from the beach and untreated effluent will be discharged directly into the ocean where a surf spot known as “Seals” is found. Many concerns have been raised by local residents on the impact this might have on the environment and on the surfers as the effluent will be discharged directly into the lineup. Access to the beach is also in jeopardy."

For more in formation and ways you can help go to the following website.

http://www.savethewaves.org/seals.asp

New Smyrna Beach is the most dangerous beach in the world in terms of shark attacks according to George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File housed at UF's Florida Museum of Natural History.
read on: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006455508

Record Colossal Squid Caught near Antarctica

When you read the title you probably thought that this squid was a Giant Squid, Architeuthis, but then you, like me, would be wrong. This squid is said to be a different kind of squid called a Colossal Squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. These squids are capableof growing larger then Giant Squids, up to estimated lengths of 46 feet long.

This record breaking Colossal Squid was caught by New Zealand fisherman fishing for Patagonian toothfish. As they were bringing up a Toothfish the squid attacked the fish. This squid weighed in at anestimated 990 pounds!

To put this into perspective, "if calamari rings were made from the squid they would be the size of tractor tires."

For more http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Number=1159407

Cortes Bank

Cortes Bank is a chain of underwater mountains found about 170 km West of the coast of San Diego California. This chain of underwater mountains stretches for about 30 km while rising from depths of 1 km. At certain places along the chain the mountains are covered be only 6 meters of water. It is thanks to this geographic feature that one of the worlds best big wave surf spots is located along this stretch of underwater mountains. The spot is called "Cortes Bank" and the waves get so big that you can no longer paddle into them, but you have to get towed into them with jet skis.

Another Earthquake in Indonesia

Being situated on a very active plate boundary, Indonesians are no stranger to earthquakes. This was no more evident then with the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Dec. 2004 causing so many causalities. On Sunday an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 hit northeastern Indonesia. The earthquake shook buildings and houses for several minutes and the population also experienced several smaller aftershocks. Much to everyone’s relief no casualties or tsunami were reported.

Mako Shark

This mature female Mako shark what caught of the shores of Yarmouth Nova Scotia, in August of 2004, during a Shark durby. This shark was only 139 lbs away from being a world record. She weighed in at 1,082 lbs and 10 feet 10 inches.

Just something to think about next time you dangle you toe in the friendly Atlantic Ocean.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/mako/largemako2004.html

Polynesians knew how to have fun

Along with being adapt at open ocean travel and harnessing wind power, the Polynesians are also credited with being the first "Surfers". It started with fishermen who would ride the waves to shore in their boats after returning with their catch. (it was fasted to catch a wave to shore then it was to paddle in.) There is no official record of when stand up surfing became a sport. What is known is that during the 15th century surfing was enjoyed by the people of the Sandwich Isles. The "Surfers" ranged from Kings and Queens to the average population.
There is accounts from Captain James Cook who witnessed Polynesians riding waves.


for more: http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring04/Britton/history.htm