(Ben Wilkinson, Published in Kelp Magazine: Issue 1, Volume 1)

(Grant Washburn)

Article By Bob Driver

The storm gods of the Western Pacific have finally conspired to create a swell large enough to contest Mavs… they have propelled their will across 3000 miles of ocean with enough divine power to cause this cathedral of Northern California big wave surfing to come alive!

Yes, the Mavericks Innovational is happening this Sunday!

Earlier this week Mavs contest director, Jeff Clark, informed the world’s heaviest congregation of big wave surfers to pack their gear and head towards Pillar Point; setting in motion a flurry of activity and excitement not seen in the competitive big wave world since Mavs last went down in February 2010.

For us here at Isurus, this swell brings on an incredible amount of stoke as we prepare to support two of the heaviest waterman in the event, Grant Washburn and Ben Wilkinson.

Last month Big Ben put everyone on notice with his epic stall in the pit on a monstrous wave at Cortez Banks; his picture on Surfline in an I-Elite 333 wetsuit went absolutely viral! Currently ranked #2 on the Big Wave World Tour, Wilko is frothing to advance out of Heat #4 on Sunday and possibly garner himself a BWWT #1 ranking by making the finals.

When it comes to experience at Mavs, few have logged as much water time as Washburn. Known as the Gentle Giant, Grant is always counted among the favorites to win Mavs. If this swell gets as fierce as predicted, watch as many in the line-up will shadow his moves in hopes of gaining from his local knowledge.

So set your alarm for Sunday morning at 7:30am to tune into the webcast… and look for our brave friends competing in Isurus Wetsuits.

Listen Up! Do You Have Exostosis?
by Bob Driver

Ok… As Indian Summer is kicking in let’s talk about a cold issue lurking around Winter’s corner.

“Say what? Speak up… I didn’t hear.” Unfortunately buddy, you just made my point and probably diagnosed yourself with a possible acute case of Surfer’s Ear.

The truth is as many of us surfers accumulate more water time in cold and windy conditions we also accumulate more cartilage growths on top of the small bones inside our ear canals… or as medical science calls it – Exostosis.

This condition usually strikes one ear more than the other (normally the ear on the side of prevailing winds in the area surfed) and can be the origin for temporary or ongoing hearing loss, an increase in ear infections or an uncomfortable ear plugged sensation, due to difficulty evacuating debris or water from the canal after a surf session (or shower).

A Few Urban Myths Surrounding Surfer’s Ear

First, many young shredders/ 20-Something Short Boarders believe that Surfer’s Ear is an Old Man’s/Logger issue. Well, this just isn’t true. Mild exostosis is present in most devoted surfers. The condition is progressive, making it important to take preventative measures early on.

Second, only crusty surfers from the cold waters of North are susceptible to Surfer’s Ear. Wrong again… Even warm water surfers are at risk for exostosis; this is due to the evaporative cooling caused by wind when there is water present in the ear canal.

Preventative Measures To Combat Surfer’s Ear

1. Stay out of the water… (Ok, let’s move on to #2)
2. Wear Ear Plugs – Every reputable surf shop has a selection of ear plugs. Or visit your personal physician or Otolaryngologist to get personally fitted ear plugs.
3. Wear a wetsuit hood – This cuts down the effects of chilly winds while keeping your ear canals toasty warm.
4. Wear a beanie post surf – This stylish fashion statement helps prevent the residual water left inside the ear canal from being chilled by cold wind.

Using remedies like Isopropyl Alcohol with Vinegar or Swimmer’s Ear products don’t treat Exostosis, however they can alleviate the pain that is common with ear infections that accompany Surfer’s Ear.

What To Do In A Severe Exostosis Situation

Visit your doctor and if the diagnosis is severe enough brace yourself for possible surgery. This scenario is not to be taken lightly and it is highly recommended to get a second opinion. Surgery consists of drilling or chiseling to remove the excessive bone growths inside the ear canal. In some situations an incision has to be made behind the ear to facilitate access… basically they peal your ear off, increasing your out-of- the-water healing time.

If it comes down to surgery, do your homework and explore all your options.

The Downside of Surfer’s Ear

Dealing with the real world effects of Surfer’s Ear can be rough as Jason Woolcott of TransWorld Surf recounted awhile back, “I slide my way through the crowded bar spotting an old time friend. Usually I would be excited to have an opportunity to catch up with my buddy. Instead I grab my jacket and head out into the quite night. Am I rude? Or do I just not feel like reading lips and making an ass of myself when I don’t catch what he is saying. After spending the last 20 years surfing in the less than temperate waters of California, I have an extreme case of exostosis…”

Have you or any of your crew dealt with Surfer’s Ear? How do you feel about wearing ear plugs in the surf? And for those of you Isurus Wetsuit wearers, how cozy are your ears inside an Isurus Hoodie?

Surfer’s Ear via TransWorld Surf

Isurus Wetsuits Recommends Checking Out SHF’s Dewey Weber Exhibit

By Bob Driver

San Clemente’s Surfing Heritage Foundation is currently exhibiting the “Little Man On Wheels”… a collection of surfboards, photographs, illustrations and other objects that bring to life the iconic surfer, Dewey Weber (1938-1993).

Weber’s hotdogging style revolutionized surfing; where the old guard had stood and rode waves statuesquely, Weber chose to dance… twisting and turning his body while on the most critical sections of the wave. His approach to wave riding was extremely radically for the time. For those who did witness his surfing, it was plain to see that the wave was his stage and his gyrations the intentional performance art done to position himself perfectly inside the curl.

So radical was his hotdogging style, that if effected the length of his boards. By this time foam had been introduced and surfboards had become lighter, but it was Weber and his crew of South Bay hotdoggers that introduced shorter boards. Boards that allowed them to turn more aggressively across the face of the wave while maintaining speed and control. Today’s modern shortboard can draw direct lineage to Weber’s approach to wave riding as well as his efforts in the shaping bay.

Within the surf industry Weber distinguish himself by creating one of surfing’s first million dollar empires. He expanded his brand by collecting a talented team of international surfers that included Nat Young, David Nuuhiwa, Rell Sunn, Randy Rarick, Donald Tayakam, Peter “Pope” Kahapea, Jackie Baxter and many others. While the most enduring element of his surf dynasty is the Dewey Weber Performer, the single most produced longboard model in history.

Unfortunately, during many of his most productive years, Weber was also deeply addicted to alcohol and it was his alcoholism that the ended Weber’s dance inside the curl.

Make the drive down to San Clemente’s Surfing Heritage Foundation and when you get there; make sure to tell the SHF crew you’re there because Isurus Wetsuits recommended it.

There is much to be learned from Weber’s life, approach to wave riding and innovative board shapes. The SHF exhibit is up until December 22, 2012, we look forward to hearing your thoughts about the collection.

Isurus Rider Grant Washburn waits for the Mavericks Invitational to GO!

by Bob Driver

The window has been opened… that is the contest window for one of big wave surfing’s most premier events, the Mavericks Invitational.

It’s been two years since the last running of Mavs, but as this year’s collection of watermen assembled on the beach near Half Moon Bay, many of them confidently shared the belief that this year’s forecast is primed to produce the cold water swells needed to make this event a GO!

Contest director Jeff Clark is the man responsible for pushing the button that brings competitors from around the world to Nor Cal. But before Mr. Clark ignites that 24 hour fuse, he’ll consult many forecasters, legends and competitors; including Isurus Team Rider Grant Washburn.

Washburn has been battling Mavs for 20 years and is one of the few hell-men to have been invited every year to compete; dating back to the event’s inception in 1998. With all of his years of local knowledge, it is no surprise that when the waves begin to get heavy, most of the lineup turns to Grant to take their cues. “This is a place that is very challenging,”  Grant relayed at the opening ceremony to the San Mateo Daily Journal, “So we all know that; and guys are not silly and crazy daredevils, but very calculated. It’s easy to get excited, cause you’re having fun out there, and let your guard down. But we have to always keep in mind that even on a small day, this place could kill you.”

One of the reasons Washburn chooses to ride for Isurus is the company’s advanced use of Yamamoto neoprene. This closed cell material is 98% hydrophobic and Grant will tell you, that makes a huge difference during the massive wipeouts Mavs is known for; his Isurus i-Soldier 454 SCS Hooded Fullsuit repels most of the water, allowing him to slip through the water easier… rather than skipping down the side of a three storey wave.

At the opening ceremony the riders received tea leaves, in accordance with Hawaiian tradition. Then they all paddled out to form a circle and collectively prayed for surf. Once their prayers are answered, all we know for sure is how the surfers will initially be shuffled:

All of these men have met the challenge of Mavs before, yet only one of them will rise above their broad shoulders for the next epic Nor Cal swell… and that surfer will solely be picked by Mavericks.

Since I started working with the material and design years ago I have found this product to offer the best re-conditioning elements to the wetsuits.  Highly recommend washing your suit after 7-10 uses in a luke- warm water with a capful or more of Monet Wetsuit Shampoo.  Wash the suit from the inside out and DO NOT RINSE.  Let the suit drip dry with the soap suds (inside and out).  This helps coat the outer jersey and inner layer of neoprene for maximum longevity.

Don’t throw the wetsuit into the back of your trunk after surfing.  Thoroughly dry the suit out of the sun.

My colleagues and I have been able to get 1 ½ to 2 years out of suits by following this.  This is coming from people who surf 3-5 x a week.

For some more insight into maximizing the life of your wetsuit.  Please review here: http://www.surfisurus.com/clean_suits/

For the last 21 years NorCal Surf Shop has been the go to shop in Pacifica. From beginners to underground, thick blooded legends who surf some of the heaviest waves in Northern California, NorCal caterers to them all.

NorCal is located just a stone throw from one of the most consistent surf zones on the west coast, with waves for all surfers at all levels. For the beginners who hope to someday tackle the heavy surf of Northern California, they offer surf lessons. Their instructors have taught over a 1000 people and log some serious water time with over 2000 hours in the chilly waters of Northern California.

So if your in the area check out NorCal Surf shop to get all your surf related needs and if your looking for the best way to battle the cold water of Northern California pick up and Isurus Wetsuit at NorCal!!!

Pacifica Shop Address

5460 Coast Hwy

Pacifica

CA 94044

Pacifica Board Shop Address

5440 Coast Hwy

Pacifica

CA 94044

http://www.norcalsurfshop.com

*Follow all of Isurus wetsuits happenings @ facebook.com/surfisurus

ET surfboards has been carrying our suits for a year now and we couldn’t be more stoked on our partnership with them! They have been around since 1972, providing the LA surf community with everything they could ever need for surfing. They have a huge selection of boards and accessories and they carry the best wetsuits in the world, Isurus Wetsuits! Get into ET surfboards check out their shop try on a suit and tell them what you think.

904 Aviation Blvd
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

www.etsurf.com

For the last 8 months we have had Daniel Shea on the Isurus surf team. He is a little bit underground, a little bit mysto but at the same time if you have lived in Southern California or Santa Cruz you have definitely heard his name around town.

He grew up surfing wedgy peaks in Newport Beach but soon got sick of waiting for that next big south swell that never comes. He packed his bags and migrated north to Santa Cruz. He spent the next four years of his life working hard on his bachelors degree at the University of Santa Cruz, but more importantly he was surfing cold water right hand point breaks and finding mysterious little wedges to keep his aerial surfing progressing.

Recently he won the Volcom World Qualifying Series Airshow, beating out Chippa Wilson, Mitch Coleborn and fellow Isurus team rider Torrey Meister. Before that, Daniel was in the North Atlantic surfing some (very) cold water slabs and putting his Isurus wetsuit to the test! Here is a little teaser of the trip, more footage coming soon…

Daniel Shea in the North Atlantic from Isurus on Vimeo.

*Follow all of Isurus wetsuits happenings @ facebook.com/surfisurus

Let’s be honest most of us don’t take care of our wetsuits as much as we should. We dry them in the sun, don’t rinse them out, we pee in them, etc. We know none of it’s good but we do it anyways.

I know many of you may know all this but we want you to get as many seasons as you can out of your suit!

The good thing is if your in an Isurus the closed cell neoprene that we use doesn’t soak in water like other suits. Which means it will dry in a fraction of the time and in the shade!!! Also the closed cell neoprene doesn’t soak up your pee, so it won’t stink as much either! Enough of the shameless plugs with our suits here are a few tips to keep your suit fresh!

• Rinse your suits in cool water! Hot water will ruin the suits flexibility.

• Keep your suits in the shade!!! The sun and neoprene are worst enemies and the sun will always win that battle.

• Dry your suits inside out. This will help with keeping the flexibility of the suits. Also wouldn’t you rather get into the dry part of your suit?

• Hang your suit on a hanger at the waist. Handing your suits through the neck will stretch it out and make your suit more susceptible to flushing! If you feel the need to hang it in the neck use a nice broad shoulder (wooden) hanger.

• Use a wetsuit shampoo. You don’t need to shampoo your suit after every use but by doing it every now and then it will help prevent salt damage. It feel like new and smell good. Here is a link to a good wetsuit shampoo company. McNETT Wetsuit shampoo

Shampoo isn't just for your hair!

*Follow all of Isurus wetsuits happenings @ facebook.com/surfisurus

Infinty surfboards has a rich history, their first Infinity surfboard was shaped in 1970, since then they have shapped 40,000 + boards. They are located in Dana Point right in the heart of Orange County’s surf community. Their boards can found in just about every lineup around the OC area and beyond. They offer a wide range of boards for all kinds of surfers. Shortboards, Longboards, SUP’s, Retro, Tandem,  Waveskis they make everything!

We are thrilled that they have decided to take on Isurus Wetsuits! It’s really great to be apart of such a prestigious surf shop and surfboard manufacture. If your in between sessions at nearby Salt Creek or cruising up Pacific Coast Hwy stop on by and check out their store, you will be stoked you did!

Infinity Surf Shop

24382 Del Prado

Dana Point, California 92629

United States of America

http://www.infinitysurf.com/

*Follow all of Isurus wetsuits happenings @ facebook.com/surfisurus