Learning to Surf with Surfer Joe

If you like your videos brimming with non-stop action , high-flying lipsmackin' acrobatics, and a screaming soundtrack, then Learning to surf with Surfer Joe is not the DVD for you.

On the other hand, for folks who are looking to pick up the "sport of kings" or new surfers hoping to sharpen their skills and knowledge-base, Surfer Joe is your man.

In my opinion, Learning to Surf is a little cold in its delivery, sometimes coming off more like a high school video tutorial than a bona fide surf flick. But that may also be its strength in that the video doesn't assume the viewers know the basic. that's point, isn't it?Surfer Joe starts at the very beginning of the surf process and marches progressively higher to the skills needed for your everyday sessions.

Learning to Surf is dropping knowledge from the opening frames with Sean Collins, the foreman of forecasting, expostulating on the meat and potatoes of wave creation and behavior. Albeit monotone and read verbatim from a text, Collins' information is interesting and comprehensive.

From oceanography to fitness, we meet Sam George, one of my favorite surf journalists, who shamelessly peddles the Vasatrainer while simultaneously demonstrating different exercises and emphasizing the role of fitness and training in a surfer's performance. In addition, Hunter Joslin throws out some fancy footwork on his Indo Board. I have to say it looks quite fun and useful.

Although interesting in theory, Scott Daly's section in which he supposedly explains the basics of wetsuit design left a bit to be desired. It comes off more like a wetsuit rep's surf shop spiel, lacking emotion or interest.

However, in what I think is some of the most dead on explanations of surfboard performance, John Leininger of Becker Surfboards gives his clear, precise, and useful lecture on board design. I honestly have never heard anyone whittle such a complex subject down to such understandable chunks. years of inhaling fumes and dust have had no effect of him.

Finally, Learning to Surf with Surfer Joe ventures into the realm of surf instruction in Part 2. Here, viewers are greeted with specific information with visuals and tutorials that would be helpful to any new surfer.

This 2nd section of the video series models efficient paddling strokes and illustrates how to maneuver your board and get through the surf, with Hunter Joslin. Viewers learn the pop-up, proper surfing stance, and positions to control the board's speed and direction (again with the incomparable John Leininger). Finally, Sufer Joe runs us through riding white water waves, catching unbroken waves, taking off at an angle, and tips to predicting surf and surfing etiquette.

To sum it up, Learning to Surf with Surfer Joe is a valuable tool that utilizes some well-known surfers and shapers and a grassroots attitude to achieve its educational goals.

There is no doubt that a new surfer would benefit from watching this film. I think it could be used effectively in conjunction with surf school lessons (as homework)to give a new surfer added knowledge and confidence.