The Modern Sports and Hobbies Encyclopedia http://www.hobbystop.net http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Uncovering_The_History_Of_Surfing.html We've been able to trace the origins of most modern sports. However, surfing continues to elude us. Despite research and archaeological studies from around the globe, it's still impossible to determine when surfing began. Most enthusiasts believe surfing originated thousands of years ago, steeped in cultures that used the sport as a connection to religion, position in the tribe and even challenges to authority. Evidence uncovered by researchers implies that surfing was enjoyed by ancient Polynesian societies. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Uncovering_The_History_Of_Surfing.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Understanding_The_Culture_Of_Surfing.html People are introduced to surfing in different ways. Some stumble into it nearly by accident, falling in love with the sport after their first experience. Others pursue it as a way of living, eschewing the typical stresses of life in favor of a more spiritual existence. Still others are attracted to the aggressiveness of competing with others. No matter how surfers find the sport, it becomes an almost-addictive hobby into which they immerse themselves. Below, we'll discuss the culture of surfing. We'll explore the ways in which surfing has transcended being a weekend activity into a way of life. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Understanding_The_Culture_Of_Surfing.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/The_Elements_Of_Surfing_Style.html Surfers adapt to change quickly. They're forced to. Pursuing the perfect wave means being dependent upon the whims of nature. In many ways, this flexibility has become a part of their lifestyle. It's reflected in their clothing. It shows in the types of vehicles they drive. It manifests in their attitude toward life. You can even identify it in the language they use to communicate with their peers. A surfer's style goes beyond clothing. It filters into every part of their life. In this article, you'll learn about the clothing, cars, attitude and language that exude modern surfing style. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/The_Elements_Of_Surfing_Style.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/5_Pieces_Of_Essential_Surfing_Equipment.html Most of the equipment that you'll need to get started surfing should be intuitive. You've likely observed enough surfers (either at the beach or on television) to have a good idea of the types of equipment they use. That being said, it's easy to forget to bring certain items unless you have a checklist. In this article, we'll give you a quick overview of the equipment you'll need to bring to enjoy surfing. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/5_Pieces_Of_Essential_Surfing_Equipment.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Surfing_Competitions_For_Glory,_Pride_And_Money.html Surfing competitions are not new. In fact, research suggests that surfing contests were held in Western Polynesian cultures thousands of years ago. Back then, men competed with each other to show their prowess on the waves. Tribal leaders were expected to be the most adept surfers. Meanwhile, commoners could acquire privileged positions within the tribe by performing well in surfing competitions. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Surfing_Competitions_For_Glory,_Pride_And_Money.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Simple_Surfing_Rules_And_Etiquette.html Even though observing a group of surfers who are enjoying the waves can make it seem as if there aren't any rules, the opposite is true. Most surfers abide by a widely-accepted set of rules that provide organization while preventing injury. These rules go beyond the boundaries of conventional etiquette. For example, most surfers instinctively know that they shouldn't be out on the water after drinking alcohol. They should be fit enough to handle the rigors of the waves. They should be alert of other surfers. These simple things are intuitive and play a role in showing proper etiquette. Below, you'll learn a few other guidelines that surfers learn to follow. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Simple_Surfing_Rules_And_Etiquette.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/The_Dangers_And_Hazards_Of_Surfing.html Surfing can be even more dangerous than it looks. Often, spectators will wonder how someone can muster the courage to ride 20-foot waves. In reality, the size of the waves is only one element of danger facing surfers. There are several others. Surfing can be one of the most dangerous sports anywhere. The unpredictability of the water, sea life and locals can collectively pose a serious hazard to the unwary surfer. Below, we'll explore a few of the dangers that can threaten the safety of a surfer. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/The_Dangers_And_Hazards_Of_Surfing.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Appreciating_The_Hydrodynamics_Of_Surfing.html Experienced surfers know that the quality of their waves depends upon more than the weather. There are many factors that come together to produce mild or aggressive waves. With time and experience, you'll begin to notice the shifts in wave quality for different surfing locations around the globe. Some areas experience wild changes in the size and intensity of the waves. Other areas have waves that change very little throughout the year. Many avid surfers spend a lot of time (and money) searching the world for the best waves at any given point during the year. In this article, we'll give you an overview of the things that impact wave size, intensity and behavior. These are the hydrodynamics of surfing. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Appreciating_The_Hydrodynamics_Of_Surfing.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Understanding_Wave_Intensity_Classifications.html Most beginning surfers have no idea about wave intensity classifications. Instead, they arrive on the beach, observe the swells and run out to enjoy them without understanding what impacts the intensity of those swells. Longtime surfing fanatics, on the other hand, typically have an appreciation for the dynamics that affect the severity of the waves. They may not be able to explain the physics behind the waves' behaviors, but their experience has helped them develop an intuition about the swells. Below, you'll learn about wave intensity, how they're classified and some of the dynamics that affect them. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Understanding_Wave_Intensity_Classifications.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/The_Creation_Of_Artificial_Reefs_For_Surfing.html Surfing fanatics are always looking for the best waves. If they live near the coast in places such as California, Australia or Hawaii, they're fortunate. These locations provide high-quality surfing conditions throughout much of the year. However, most surfers aren't that lucky. They live in places that offer sporadic surfing conditions. In some cases, they wait all year for the perfect waves that never arrive. That's one of the reasons why artificial reefs are created (there are other reasons which we'll describe below). They provide a quality surf. In this article, you'll discover how artificial reefs can yield good surfing conditions. You'll also learn about a few other benefits that come from these man-made reefs. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/The_Creation_Of_Artificial_Reefs_For_Surfing.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Learning_To_Perform_Popular_Surfing_Maneuvers.html Surfing is a tough sport to master. While the professionals often make it look easy, catching a wave and maintaining balance is difficult. Experienced surfers are typically judged by their ability to perform various maneuvers. But, as with any discipline, mastering the advanced moves requires learning the basics. In this article, we'll describe how to master catching waves along with a few intermediate maneuvers. Once you learn the basics well enough to perform them effortlessly, you can start building your surfing repertoire. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Learning_To_Perform_Popular_Surfing_Maneuvers.html http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Overview_Of_The_Origin_Of_Surfing.html When you think of someone surfing, you may have the image of a brave soul riding the waves, always with the potential of a wipeout moments away. While surfing has become synonymous with a daring bravery, spirituality and easygoing culture, the sport has a long history that transcends generations. In truth, surfing has long been considered a tradition among kings. Stories abound of early cultures that others witnessed performing feats on the waves along the coasts upon which they lived. Where did surfing originate? Which peoples first began to travel upon the waves on thin wooden boards? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the mysterious origins of surfing. http://www.hobbystop.net/Surfing/Overview_Of_The_Origin_Of_Surfing.html