Surfer Jodie Nelson has partnered with Emergen-C Pink, The Keep A Breast Foundation, and Boarding For Breast Cancer to become the first woman to paddle the 39.8 miles from Avalon on the island of Catalina to Dana Point, California as a participant in Ocean Ohana’s Catalina Challenge. Jodie will be the first female to attempt this solo paddle, something only three men have ever accomplished. Jodie’s fundraising goal is $50,000 and funds raised will benefit The Keep A Breast Foundation and Boarding For Breast Cancer.

Petroleum has leaked its way into every aspect of surfing. We’ve all driven countless hours looking for surf only to put on our neoprene wetsuit, wax up our board with petroleum-based wax, slather on our chemical-laden sunblock, and paddle out on our polystyrene surfboard. And think about how far all of those products had to travel just to get to you. With the state of the world today, it is more important than ever to reduce surfing’s dependence on oil. More and more companies are developing products that work toward this goal and it is up to us to make responsible choices, vote with our dollars, and slowly swap out our petroleum-based surf products with natural, biodegradable, chemical-free ones. Not only is it better for Mama Earth…it’s better for you.

Surf wax is generally made up of paraffin and other hard waxes, as well as petroleum jelly, but now there is a wide range of biodegradable surf wax for you to choose from, available in local surf shops or online. …here’s a sample.

Korduroy.tv is launched and live and full of new content.

Here’s a video for your viewing pleasure.

Over the last decade, the Mentawai Islands have become a premier surfing destination. The tiny island chain now hosts almost 60 surf charter boat operations and 3 land-based resorts. As the number of surfers seeking out these world-class waves grows, so do the impacts on the marine ecology. In order to reach each surf spot, surfers must travel by boats which anchor on live coral. This can cause incredible damage to the coral reefs, which not only create perfect waves but also make up important marine habitat and sustain the Mentawaian people.

We caught up with surfer Holly Beck to find out what she does to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep her body in shape.

There is life for your old surfboard beyond the garage. Your used board could become asphalt or roof tiles, a lifelong passion for a kid in Central America, or money in your pocket. But what your board shouldn’t become is landfill waste. There are more options than ever for getting rid of used, vintage, or broken surfboards. And as the surfboard industry begins to make the transition to more sustainable materials, make sure your PU or EPS foam board fully lives out the rest of its life.

Welcome to Swell Life! We aim to bring together surfers who make responsible choices and live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle; to highlight the people making a difference in the surf industry and community; and to showcase the natural products, recipes, remedies, and exercises that will keep your body, mind, and soul strong.