http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/learn-how-to-surf-in-texas.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/learn-how-to-surf-in-texas.html Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:02:41 -0500
One of the most fun things you can do this summer is learn to surf, and South Texas is the perfect place to do so. We have 8-12 foot waves in South Padre, as well as some "learning waves" in every beach town along the gulf coast. This makes it easy for new surfers to learn how to get on their feet and then progressively move to larger and more powerful waves.

Surfing will also get you in shape and help you lose unwanted fat. If you've ever wondered why surfers tend to have lean muscular bodies, it's because surfing is very physical but it's so fun that you forget about how hard you're working. On top of that, surfing is addictive, so once you find out that you really can do it and that you're totally in love with it, you'll just keep doing it. If it's difficult for you to paddle, you'll decide to get stronger. If you think you can surf better if you lose 5 pounds, you'll lose them. Surfing is a really good motivator and it teaches you a lot about life as you build a relationship with the water.

If you're interested in learning how to surf so you can ride waves during your summer vacation, here are two recommendations:

1. Start reading about where to surf in Texas and how to surf.

2. Get an Indo Board and start improving your balance.

Where to Surf in Texas

If you haven't been to a beach in South Texas lately, you probably need to find out where the surf is located. You can't find surf just anywhere. Certain water, land, and wind conditions are necessary to create rideable waves.

Learn How to Surf

Of course, you have to learn how to surf if you don't already know how. The good news is that the majority of the basics of learning how to surf can be learned just by reading. Of course, it takes a lot of time to put into action what you'll learn by reading, so be prepared to spend a bit of time being new to the sport. Surfing isn't something most people excel at on their first day in the water with a board, but it is something they have a blast doing the very first time. You're going to have fun from the moment you arrive at the beach, and getting "good" at surfing will come with practice.

Prepare

An Indo Board is a product that helps you improve your surfing and skating balance. The Indo Board comes with two things: A wooden board for you to stand on and a cylinder for you to lay the board across. You balance yourself on the board, in the air, as it rests on the rolling cylinder. It's quite a challenge but you can do it, and it's a lot of fun as well. Many Indo Boarders go on to perform advanced tricks.

Get Started

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Get started by finding out where to find Texas surf.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/everything-you-need-to-know-about-surfing.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/everything-you-need-to-know-about-surfing.html Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:18:57 -0500
Surfers will tell you that surfing is a way of life. Some people will tell you it's an industry, and some will tell you it's a sport. Some will tell you it's an art, or that surfing is simply who they are. The truth is that surfing is all of these things. The world's best surfers are constantly discussed in industry magazines like Surfer Magazine and Surfing Magazine, along with pictorials of their surfing style. These guys and girls make their living both by being sponsored by industry brands (Billabong, Quicksilver, Hurley, and many more) and by winning surfing competitions. Blogs can keep you up to date on all of this.

There are also a lot of words in the surfing world that you may not be familiar with. For example, surfers use what is commonly known as a "leash" to keep their boards close to them in the water, but many surfers around the world call this a "leg rope." Board shorts, the long swim suits worn by surfers to keep their knees out of their board's wax, are sometimes called baggies.

There are also lots of little questions you'll have as you learn to surf. Such as, where do I put my wax? In your board shorts. What if I drop my wax in the water? Wax floats. What's a rash guard? Shirts you wear in the water to keep from getting a rash on your chest and stomach, which can result from the wax on your surfboard. Can you tan through a rash guard? Yes. How bad does a white jelly fish sting hurt? Not much and it goes away in about 5 minutes. How long should my first board be? How can I practice surfing without getting into the water? How do I wax my board?

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All of these answers and many more can be found on a surf blog.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/become-a-surfer-in-texas.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/become-a-surfer-in-texas.html Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:07:42 -0600
Texas surf is found down south at the Gulf of Mexico, and it's accessible from beach towns such as Galveston, Surfside, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, and South Padre. There are even tons of little beach spots you where you can ride waves in between these towns; in fact, there are over 370 miles of beaches in Texas. That's more than most of the well known surfing states!

You can start out surfing in any of these places, but it's best to at least begin surfing at a well known beach in one of the towns just mentioned. This is because you're more likely to drown or be attacked by a shark at one of the lesser known areas, such as a small beach pocket where there isn't anyone else swimming or surfing. While you're first learning to surf, you definitely want to have other people around, especially in the water, just in case something goes wrong.

Every beach has little waves, and a few have large waves. If you're an experienced surfer, you'd probably be most interested in surfing at Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, where you can find 8-10 foot waves regularly. You can also surf here if you're not an experienced surfer, simply because you'll find plenty of smaller waves close to shore to play in.

Also if you're inexperienced, don't pay attention to anyone who says, "Oh you can't surf there," regardless of what beach or town they're talking about. Anyone who says you can't surf in Galveston has never even tried. Galveston has the smallest waves of the beach towns listed, but there are plenty of surfers who have a blast riding waves there all the time. There are even surf instructors in each of these beach towns - including Galveston - that can get you started with surfing right away. You'll be standing up and surfing in no time with their help.

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Get detailed maps of where to find Texas surf!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/tropical-texas-beaches-provide-wonderful-vacations.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/tropical-texas-beaches-provide-wonderful-vacations.html Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:16:12 -0600
If you've ever walked into Pacific waters while visiting California beaches, you know just how cold the water is. The water there does warm up some during the summer, but California vacationers never get to enjoy the 80 plus degree water temperatures that Gulf Coast vacationers enjoy. Imagine getting into the water and not shivering, but rather enjoying yourself, basking in the warm Texas sun.

Surfers are likely to comment on the size of waves they enjoy in the Pacific and Atlantic off the coast of Florida, but few know about the 8-12 foot epic waves in Texas that peel off the ocean surface with perfect form. For years surfers have claimed that "there's no surf in Texas," but the truth is those surfers had no idea where to surf. They probably surfed in Galveston which has fun longboard waves, but no 8-12 foot waves. Galveston is a great place to ride longboard and to learn how to surf, but surfers from other coasts will need larger, more powerful waves to keep their stoke. Those kinds of waves are found in South Padre, and sometimes in Corpus Christi.

Texas weather on the coast is purely tropical. While the rest of the country roughs it through days of below freezing temperatures, Texans on the the Gulf Coast are usually in shorts. People can be seen nearly every day of the year walking barefoot and jogging on Texas beaches, living up the tropical weather that most are oblivious to.

Privacy is another feature that Texas beaches provide for locals and vacationers. As you know, Texas is a very large state with miles of undeveloped land. It also boasts over 370 miles of undeveloped coastline, so there is plenty of space for people who want privacy, as well as for surfers wary of crowds in the water. In fact, one of the best things about vacationing and surfing on South Padre Island is that while enjoying epic waves and tropical weather, there are relatively few surfers in the lineup.

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If you haven't been on vacation to a Texas beach, you haven't been properly introduced to the finest beach spot in the country. Come find out what Texas beaches have to offer!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/surf-in-corpus-christi.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/surf-in-corpus-christi.html Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:10:18 -0600
And knowing where to go is a big part of the problem for many people who are visiting for the first time. The waves that are rideable aren't exact in Corpus Christi, but are just outside of it, in North Padre, the island just past Flour Bluff. Waves on "The Island" can get over head high and are usually waist to head high. They're a blast to ride as long as you have the right board and know where to go, and then if you know how to paddle out to them effectively.

Many local surfers enjoy riding the waves at the south side of Packery Channel and over at the Bob Hall Pier. Bob Hall is undoubtedly the most popular place because of the perfect waves that roll through and it's ease of access. Bob Hall is also the most popular place to simply hang out at the beach, so it follows that a lot of surfers are riding next to the pier. There are several other surf spots you should check out if you're in Corpus Christi this summer, especially since there may be waves at one spot on one morning, and not at another.

Taking the time to print out a map of surf spots for the area is worth several hours of driving around and asking for directions, and even more hours of paddling around and hoping for a wave where you're not likely to find one.

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Find out where to surf Corpus Christi by checking out this collection of local surf spots.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/improve-surfing-balance-with-an-indoor-board.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/improve-surfing-balance-with-an-indoor-board.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:42:52 -0600
Balance Boards Offer Tons of New Tricks

However, people who have an indoor balance board are discovering that while it does enhance their skating and surfing, it's also a fun sport all on its own. There are many videos online that show people of all ages doing all kinds of tricks on their indoor board. From hanging ten, walking from one end to the other, to ollying, or popping the board up in the air and then landing on it - still balanced on the cylinder - there are many tricks that can be learned.

Improve Skating and Surfing Balance

The indoor balance board is great for everyone who wants to have some fun on a board, whether you already skate or surf, or if you just want to find out if you have what it takes to get started in those sports. With this board, you can now learn to balance a skate board or surf board without getting scraped up on pavement and without even getting wet. The indoor board can be mastered right in your own living room, and it's a lot of fun to play with even on those days when the surf is flat or when it's too rainy to skate.

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Discover more about surfing and the Indo Board and how it can help your balance!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/surf-texas-and-have-a-great-time-doing-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/surf-texas-and-have-a-great-time-doing-it.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:41:24 -0600
Texans don't rely on a couple of annual hurricanes to provide their surf, either. There's actually surf available all year round. Some head high waves can be found in Corpus Christi and South Padre in summer, although the surf is mostly waist to chest high at those times of the year. In Galveston and Surfside, knee to waist high are the types of surf you'll find most often.

Winter is really the best surf season in Texas, with waves in Corpus Christi and South Padre going head high and above! Galveston and Surfside winter sessions are usually waist to head high, but they do get their share of waves that go higher than head high.

While groms (kids who surf) are usually on short boards 3-5 feet long that zip through the water and shoot through the air, more experienced surfers normally ride long boards in Texas, for some nice long and smooth rides.

If you're interested in surfing in Texas, there are several websites that can help you locate surf spots that are either hitting or producing some nice rolling waves, depending on what you're looking for. If you need help getting started with surfing, Texas is a great place to do it - especially in Galveston. Not only are there several people in Galveston that can help you learn how to surf during a single session, but the waves there are great for learning.

Special tip for finding great surf in Texas: Use the sand bars!

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Surf Texas by locating the best surfing spots in the state!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/balance-is-everything-in-surfing-and-skateboarding.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/balance-is-everything-in-surfing-and-skateboarding.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:39:06 -0600
What is It?

Indoor balance boards come with a cylinder that rolls back and forth and is simply laid down on the ground. This could be the ground outside in the dirt or pavement, or even on the tile or carpet inside your home. You can ride these balance boards in your bedroom or living room, which adds one more benefit: you can improve your skating and surfing even when there's no surf to ride and it's too stormy to go skating!

The other piece of the indoor board is simply a wooden board which you lay on top of the cylinder. This board will be sitting at bout a 45 degree angle while it's propped up against the cylinder, before you step on it. Two pieces are all the indoor board consists of: the magic is in what you do with it.

What You Do With It?

You basically want to end up standing on the board with it balanced in the air, straddled on the cylinder. You accomplish this by placing one foot on the board that's nearest to the ground, and then placing your other foot on the end of the board that's sticking up in the air. Then by shifting your weight toward the foot that's further up in the air, you control the board by moving it - and your body, totally balanced - over the cylinder. Once you have the board in the air, centered over the cylinder, you're ready to start sliding back and forth, ollying, hanging ten, and more!

How Does it Help Improve Balance?

The indoor balance board improves your balance by demanding that you balance the board. Being suspended in the air is no easy feat, and you'll have to practice to get the hang of it. You'll have to work at it just to feel comfortable on the board, just like you originally had to do on your skateboard and surfboard. By improving your balance on the indoor board you'll improve your balance everywhere else, too!

There are lots of tricks you can learn for the indoor board that will help you further improve your balance, and tons of free videos on the internet that show other people doing these tricks. You can even find some free instructional videos online that show you how to do the tricks so you can soon be showing off as well.

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Improve your balance for skating and surfing by getting an Indo Board today!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/stick-to-your-board-with-surfboard-wax.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/extreme/stick-to-your-board-with-surfboard-wax.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:35:51 -0600
Surf wax is a sticky substance that you rub onto your board in order to make your feet stick to the board. Normally you want to rub this stuff on in little circles, but as long as it gets on the board and makes the surface sticky, you're good to go. Sometimes you might decide to rub it up and down, to the left and right, or whatever seems best at the time. The bottom line is that you end up with a sticky board surface to plant your feet on so you don't fall off while you ride waves.

How often you add more wax to your surfboard depends on how many waves you catch, how messy the waves are, even how hot the sun is. Once you grab two or three waves and slip right off, usually ending up flying through the air without your board, you'll realize that your wax is no longer very sticky, and you need to apply more.

You don't have to get out of the water to add more wax to your board, though. Inmost swim suits and board shorts is at least one pocket. Keep a bar of wax in there, and you can rewax your board while you're still in the water. Just slide off of your board and hold onto it while you wax it up. You don't even have to worry about losing your wax in the water because it floats! Unless, of course, a strong current carries it away!

Surf wax is basically made with beeswax and coconut oil, although other chemicals and varying amounts of those chemicals are used by different surf wax companies. These companies hire scientists to find out how to make their wax the most sticky, and to "bump up." Making wax bump up adds traction to your board's surface, not just stickiness, which makes for an even better ride.

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Next time you go out for a surf, be sure to put some surfboard wax in your shorts and make your board sticky!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/internet/seo/using-seo-reports-to-improve-rank.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/seo/using-seo-reports-to-improve-rank.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
These reports are normally run for each client once per month, and they show the client's website's search engine rank. If you're on page one for your favorite search term, this report will show you your current standing. You could be on page one or page ten in each search engine at any time, and you want to make sure your website's rank is always improving, at least generally. This is why it is absolutely imperative that your SEO firm provide ranking reports that compare the current month ranks to the prior months' ranks. If your website moved up 20 places in Google, your report should show this very plainly. If your rank drops for a search term, it needs to be reflected in the report.

Quality SEO companies don't hide this information from their clients because it's useful for improvement. Moving a website to the top page for competitive results is not an exact science, especially since search engines change their algorithms frequently (Google changed theirs over 400 times last year - that's more than once every single day!). If your website drops in rank at any time, it's because the optimization for that particular keyword has fallen short of other websites' monthly SEO improvements. Website marketing firms can utilize these monthly reports to keep your website climbing to the top by spotting problem areas and monitoring your competitors. In internet marketing, it isn't uncommon to watch a website take one step backwards, followed immediately by 3 steps forward.

Monitor your monthly ranking report to ensure that your marketing firm is diligently improving your website's SE placement. If you haven't signed up for the service yet, be sure to talk to potential companies about their SEO reports and request a sample. Most will run a report for your website for free, with no questions asked, and simply email it to you. Your monthly SEO ranking report is the key to your website's rank improvement.

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Andre Zayas is a professionally syndicated author. Long Beach Search Engine Optimization

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>