Competition time!

It's time for another competition folks!

I am asking readers to send in their best original photos, that they've taken themselves. 'The best photo' is the one that will be judged to most effectively portray the fun, natural and soulful sides of surfing.

The winner will receive a brand new, crisp, FCS VS Knubster still in the pack - just like this one.

Photo: Willy

The winner of this blog's second ever competition will receive the fun-inducing FCS VS Knubster.

The following link takes you directly to FCS to scope it out:

FCS VS Knubster link

This fin may be small, but it's said to have a profound impact on a board's performance.

Photo: Willy

Even though the FCS VS Knubster was originally designed to be the fifth fin in a quad set up, I've been told that for a bit of fun, I can try it in my thruster.

It looks a bit funny in my board, but we'll see how it goes (I am yet to try it, but I'm expecting some fun looseness)...

Yes, this does look unconventional, but what the heck?!

Photo: Willy

The rules of the competition are as follows:
- Entries from around the globe are welcome (and encouraged!)
- This competition is searching for the photo that best embodies the fun, natural and soulful aspects of surfing
- All photos must be taken by the entrant and must not have been published anywhere else previously
- There are unlimited entries per person
- All entries must be submitted by email only to: l.gorajek@gmail.com
- I have permission to publish all entries in 'Cuttie in you face' (only the first name of the entrant will be published alongside)
- Entries close at midday on Thursday 1 August 2013, Los Angeles, USA time
- To be eligible, all entries must contain the name and complete postage details of the entrant (just in case you win the grand prize)
- I will judge the best entry and my decision will be final.

This may be a competition, but we still need a photo of a wave in here somewhere (an FCS VS Knubster may or may not be being used in this guy's board)

Source: www.surfcampseurope.com/articles/surfing-south-west-france

Walking on water

Mal riding can be so chilled.

I couldn't look past this photo - it just caught my eye. The clear water, the fat face, the lack of any foam, not a single cloud in the sky...

Just beautiful I think.

Source: www.rvca.com/c/travels/caravan-tour

Tropical and juicy

I think the start of this YouTube clip is the part that's most worth watching: Big, heavy, hollow, open ocean style waves that look spectacular.

I've very little experience in this kind of surf myself (let's face it, I have none), but just looking at these waves, I get the feeling the first spot on this clip would be much harder to surf than it looks. I think the easyish style paddle in is deceptively difficult...

Source: YouTube

My favourite colours

Green and orange - a great combo me thinks.

Source: www.facebook.com/swellnet

More candy for your eyes

Following yesterday's posting of dreamy waves, I thought I'd fish around on line a bit more today to find you some more goodness.

Source: www.facebook.com/swellnet?hc_location=stream

I don't know where any of these places are (although I can disappointingly tell you they aren't my locals) but, for today's purposes, I don't think that matters...

Source: www.facebook.com/surfcareers

Sexy

Smokin' photos have been popping up on line lately - photos well worth sharing.

Source: www.facebook.com/Surfline

I guess I hope that, over these three photos, I've found at least one thing that tickles your surfing fancy. Be it a barrel, a workable wall, some nice scenery, whatever...

Source: www.facebook.com/swellnet


Now on that note, snap out of it and get back to work!

Source: www.facebook.com/SurfingLifeMagazine

A different perspective

It could be argued that footage of Tasmania, Australia's Shipsterns Bluff is starting to get a bit repetitive.

Tasmania satellite photo

I myself find it hard to disagree with such a statement.

That being the case, I've often been reluctant to put Shipsterns images or footage on this blog. Today's clip is an exception. I found this clip to combine enough unique angles, images, editing and music, to warrant a showing. While it doesn't give the break a renaissance for mind, it does show it in enough of a new light to make the clip easy and fun to watch.

If you disagree, I'd love to hear your perspective...

Different Shippies

Famously beautiful...

... And infamously crowded. Except for today!

California's Trestles is a well-known wave.

California satellite photo

Trestles satellite photo

It is however, rare to find it looking this good with nobody out!

I guess when this photo gets out, this already normally crowded spot is likely to become even more crowded.

Source: www.facebook.com/surfrider

Nice bird

I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't even notice the lonely gull.

Source: plus.google.com/u/0/+surfermag/posts

The closest many of us will ever get

Fiji's Teahupo'o is out of reach for most of us. If it's not the challenging nature of the wave, it's the sheer remoteness of Tahiti.

Tahiti satellite photo

Teahupo'o satellite photo

So, this being the case, I've gone and found a clip on Vimeo that shows what it's like to tow into some of the beasts that roll over its reef.

Note the overwhelming spray, also known as 'spit', that engulfs the surfer mid way along the ride....

Inside Teahupo'o

It's not a wedge... it's a pipe

Typically, Pipeline can be easily picked out from amongst a group of snap-shots.

This photo of Pipeline caught my eye however, because it's not the usual Pipe shot. It seems as though it's of a wave that's broken out the back on second reef and rolled through into the inside section to suddenly find the shallow reef below.

Would love to see the next photo in this sequence...

Source: www.facebook.com/pages/Stab-Magazine/366105545407

Happy lonely

In life, there are many times we like to be surrounded by many people we know and like.

Surfing perfect waves in perfect conditions, I would venture to say, is not one of those moments. I'm not the best sharer at the best of times, and when the surf is pumping, my generosity goes further south.

I am happy to concede, that moments like the one captured in today's photo, are made better by sharing them with a couple of close surfing friends. But no more than a couple! I remember surfing an incredible spot in Peru all to myself in late 2008, wishing the whole time my bro and a couple of other close surfing friends were there to share and enjoy the moment with me.

As a friend of mine says: 'It's all about balance.'

Source: welcometocornwall.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/a-guide-to-top-surfing-spots-and.html

Californian score

My girlfriend Pam's been doing a great job checking out the local spots in California, USA for when I arrive there in a few months. I'm proud to report she's getting her hands dirty (or should I say 'wet') checking them out.

A left somewhere (satellite photo)

Most of what I know of this part of California - the greater LA area - is that there are predominately right handers on offer. This spot, while containing a short right, is one of the few lefts. The only concrete information I remember about this spot is that it's on the way to Malibu from Santa Monica.

Sorry, I forget what it's called. Otherwise I'd tell you...

Photo: Pamela

High five if you're happy

Who wouldn't carry on like a pork chop if they found themselves in this position?!

Beautiful scenery, beautiful weather, and a beautiful wave...

Source: plus.google.com/u/0/111631245734319873008/posts

Behind the gloss

There are fantastic surfers out there.

Kelly Slater is without question one of them.

I'm posting this clip in an attempt to make the rest of us a little bit more comfortable about our own surfing abilities. This clip gives a little bit of insight into a session Kelly had with two other guys.

Yes, the waves were challenging! But I think this clip goes to show, that behind every carefully edited clip and every selected perfect session, is a time when even the best look a touch uncomfortable.

Not always to plan

Don't get me wrong: the man is a legend and he still surfs very capably in this clip. All I'm saying is, that like the rest of us, he's not perfect...

Small barrel...

... but a very thick lip ready to be floated.

(Can you see the two guys in the water?)

Source: http://xgames.espn.go.com/surfing/article/3800727/sifting-thru-new-year-headlines

Working week catch

A few weeks back, my friend Sarah took a few weekdays off to stay down the Victorian (Australia) coast with Hubby and Baby.

Victoria, Australia satellite photo

These photos were taken at a spot on a famous stretch of coast called the Great Ocean Road.

Great Ocean Road satellite photo

Photo: Sarah

As you can see by the sign, this surf spot is called Cathedral Rock. Cathedral Rock, while very manageable today, can hold good size and, on its day, is one of the premier spots along this stretch of road.

Photo: Sarah

Sarah herself is a pretty nifty surfer. We used to go surfing quite regularly together in the summer months before she moved away. Now that she's back home, her opportunities to surf are still rare - thanks to a new addition to the family.

Either way, Sarah hasn't lost her touch spotting nice little peelers...

Photo: Sarah

Adventures in Indonesia's Lombok

I love it when I get photos from readers to post!

Photo: Russell

Chris and Bree recently returned from a surf trip to Indonesia.

Indonesia satellite photo

While in Indonesia, they had a look around with surfboards in tow. Places they surfed included a number of spots on the islands of Bali and Lombok.

Bali satellite photo

Lombok satellite photo

Photo: Russell

All of today's photos are of Chris and Bree enjoying one of Lombok's many waves.

Photo: Russell

As you'll see, Chris seems to be quite proficient at powerful cutties.

Photo: Russell

Bree had a good go too. Reports back are that she enjoyed what was for her, a totally new surfing experience.

Photo: Russell

Photo: Russell

Thanks for sending me these photos to post Chris.

If anybody out there has any good surfing content they want to share with me (and my readers), please feel welcome. All correspondence can be emailed to me at l.gorajek@gmail.com.

Sequence: Russell

Sunshine for the Sunshine Coast

Australia has a swag of fantastic surf spots. Couple that with a reasonably small population, and we are somewhat of the lucky country when it comes to surfing.

Australia satellite photo

One of Australia's states is Queensland, home to a number of great surfing regions - including the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland satellite photo

Sunshine Coast satellite photo

Today's post is a photo from that very coast.

When I think of Queensland, I think of long hollow rights. This photo is a refreshing change - a juicy left. Despite that detail, this wave is however, quintessential Queensland - a sandy-bottomed wave.

Source: magicseaweed.com/news/queensland-sessions/4386/

Disagreeing with the cliche

Size does not matter!

I feel way too many surfers focus too much on bragging about how big the waves they ride are. I feel, after the swell reaches a rideable height, there are so many other more critical factors that contribute to a great wave and session.

The shape of the wave would have to be up there for one.

Today's photo is an example of a fantastic wave that is, vertically at least, nothing to brag about. But put size aside, and this surfer's got plenty to rave about!

Source: www.visitsthelenstasmania.com.au/

Lonely waves

Surfing the net, as I do to find content for you, I found this little clip at the trusty source that is Surfline.

When you're used to surfing in crowds, any clip that shows only a small handful of people out grabs my attention. And when that clip includes fun kegs, my attention is grabbed even further.

The conditions aren't epic, but the waves are. Enjoy:

Morning glory indeed

Sand-bottom bliss

I often really enjoy Surfline's 60 second clips of truly epic barrels. Today's is yet another that has tickled my fancy.

Speed pit

Blue

I found this photo on line when I was searching for photos of waves in Hawaii.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is the one and only Teahupoo? A long way away from Hawaii...

Either way, I think this is a stunning shot with all of the different shades of blue in it.

Source: wallpapers.free-review.net

I'm not alone - air-reverses have been boring for a long time!

Regular readers of Cuttie in Your Face will know that I've long been sick of seeing magazines and videos saturated with air-reverse after air-reverse.

Yes, I've always said it is a skillful manoeuvre. In fact, I've never even attempted to try one myself because of how difficult they seem. I just happen to also feel there is so much more to surfing than just air-reverses. Nice barrels, gouging turns, smooth lines, and even other types of airs all round out the sport.

Yawn.

Source: surf.transworld.net

I feel it's about time the surfing community recognised this.

And there may even be light at the end of the tunnel - as the below clip proves. It's of a bunch of professional, semi-professional and high level amateur surfers saying their piece and agreeing with me in some way at least.

The truth about air-reverses

Have a look. I'd be really interested in what you think too.

Large waves for almost any standard

Nazare in Portugal is a recognised big waves spot following the world-record making big wave ridden there last year.

Portugal satellite photo

Nazare, Portugal satellite photo

Big waves are usually associated with very challenging conditions for only the very best and most experienced surfers. But I would suggest that Nazare, while it can no doubt get very big, isn't the most challenging wave out there.

I found the below clip on Vimeo. It is Nazare very big but also very, very fat. In fact, it is so fat, that the surfers surfing it ride most of the waves dead straight as the waves hardly break. And if they do break, there's no face on them.

Yes, I would love a go at surfing there, but I suspect I wouldn't exactly consider it thaaat much of a big wave riding accomplishment.

Plappy Portugal

Caught out by a rogue

How often do you get that sinking feeling in your gut when, during a surf when waves are hard to come by, a rogue beauty catches everybody off guard and reels through empty?

Source: www.surfingcostarica.com/

About as fun and relaxing as it could be

Surfing the net one lunchtime, I found this clip in the happy hunting ground that is YouTube.

It's of a spot, somewhere in the US I presume, that must only rarely produce waves (I'm guessing anywhere with regular swell wouldn't have such defined sand bars with waves breaking close to shore? The beach formation just doesn't look like one that is constantly battered)

For me, this is ultimate play time. A small hollow wave breaking over sand. Sections all along it and not much duck-diving. And few real consequences for wiping out.

Footage: YouTube

More than a postcard

This photo's no postcard, but that doesn't make it a less desirable place for me to want to be.

Three key Ss are here: Sun, swell and shape.

I feel that with all of the technology out there, photographers and film-makers can plan for swells, then snap and edit them with impressive technology. I feel this is starting to raise surfers' standards and expectations to unrealistic levels as to what good conditions are believed to be. This is leading to days that aren't 'magazine quality' starting to be labelled as average by some.

Today's photo is an example of a place that I expect would not make it into any magazine, but is still worthy of child-like excitement.

Source: spartantraveler.com

Happy snaps

It's been a while since Cuttie in your face last did a bit of a photo dump.

Here are three snaps I found on line that I thought were worth sharing.

The late AI

Source: plus.google.com/u/0/117120685449505474743/posts

A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Source: plus.google.com/u/0/+surfermag/posts

Rooster tails of fun

Source: plus.google.com/u/0/+surfermag/posts

Twilight turns

Today's post goes out to my girlfriend Pam.

Pam's a sucker for nice waves, a backhand attack, and full moons... and her top-turns aren't far off looking like this either.

Source: www.facebook.com/SurfingLifeMagazine