While the waves are far from epic, it’s been rideable on the right board, as demonstrated by Rob and Walter in this edition of Sandbridge Sessions. That was yesterday, but today also delivered knee- to thigh-high peelers on the better sandbars. Sure beats the flat and cold combo which has plagued this new year around Virginia Beach.

Looks like some solid surf on tap for Sunday and into the first portion of next week. Hopefully you’ll have a chance to get on it and enjoy it while it lasts.

Until then, here’s a little piece of stoke to tide you over. Enjoy.

Crowds weren’t a factor, as this was a sub-par day in Puerto Rican standards with onshore winds, inconsistent sets and plenty of sections. Still though, 80-degree water with chest-high nuggets rolling over a reef that fans into a cove sure beats a 39-degree, knee-high sandbar.

The peak was pretty far away from the filming vantage point we had to use, and my camera’s zoom couldn’t get the tightest of shots, so we didn’t get very many usable clips. We should have that ironed out tomorrow.

Enjoy today’s vid! The good times continue to roll!

A couple months ago, Colin and I decided that PR would be the perfect “long weekend” to break the misery of the super-cold winter that’s plagued Virginia this year. So, when the air fares took a $50 jump overnight one day, we pulled the trigger and booked our trip.

The following video is a journal of the front end of our trip. We endured seemingly countless hours of waiting around airports and on flights — par for the course for the traveling surfer. But in the end, it’s all worth it when you know whats coming in the near future.

Enjoy the chronicle of our trip south to PR. We ended up snagging some awesome clips of a dude ripping right out front of our spot in Rincon. We also picked up a couple of stranded traveling surfers in San Juan and transported them to our common destination. So far, it’s been a great adventure. Stay glued for daily surf videos as Colin and I do work on La Isla del Encanto. Moy Bueno!

This week, we put the spotlight on Hooked Surfboards’ “Chunnel” model. This shorter, high-volume, low-entry shortboard is inspired by the “Dumpster Diver” design, which has been pro Dane Reynolds’ bread-and-butter for the past couple of years. The reduced length allows the board to fit into tight pockets on smaller/vertical waves, but the added width and thickness — particularly through the sweet spot and the tail — ensure it’ll power through those gutless flat sections. The design is also proven in larger surf, and the tri-quad option allows the surfer to match the fin setup to their preference and/or the day’s conditions.

Anyhow, enjoy the video!

The water has bottomed out to about as cold as it gets around here at 38 degrees, so let’s hope we warm up quickly this year. We’ve got you covered with rubber until then, so stop by and see us!

Enjoy!

It was just a matter of time before Tyler’s antics found the frame of some big-time photogs, and that time has come! Tyler is featured in the lastest web edition of SURFER MAGAZINE in the Eastern Exposure section, charging a massive squared-up barrel in Bay Head, N.J. Check out the feature by clicking here. (Tyler’s photo is No. 6, complete with a caption!)

This shot of Tyler made SurferMag.com!

Congrats to Tyler on snagging a shot in one of our sport’s most trusted journals!

Also, check out some of Tyler’s other action on Eddie Compo’s (Commonwealth Media/The Wild Lyfe) Vimeo channel (Sorry, Word Press does not support Vimeo embedding).

Tyler pulls into a thick'un up north.

http://www.vimeo.com/18447301: Wild VA

http://www.vimeo.com/18009335: Bay Head N.J. on Dec 13.

I caught up with Tyler today for a little Q&A on his recent exploits. Enjoy! — John

S&A: That’s huge that you had a photo featuring you charging that heavy right in New Jersey featured on Surfer Magazine’s website. That’s got to be a great feeling, tell me what it means to you.

Tyler: The wave is sick, so I’m pretty excited about the shot. Getting a little exposure helps validate what we’re doing and it makes me hungry for more!

Tyler: Raven talked to Lusk and texted me the morning the feature ran..he had a sick shot in it too and Matt Lusk put it all together.

Tyler: That was one of the bigger waves of the day.  I was really thinking about standing tall to get the shot, but i would have been able to doggy door out and made the wave with an extra pump haha.  That barrel was so big and dark inside it was mesmerizing.  As i tried to squeak out though, the lip caught my back shoulder and sent all the impact to my ankle.  It felt broken.  As i came up i was facing more set waves behind it, so I ripped off my leash and swam under them, then in to the beach. As I got to shore i had mixed feelings.  The wave was sick, but we were in the middle of chasing the swell and it felt like my trip was over.

Tyler: Working up to bigger waves is an important part of it, but also the tube is like a drug.  Getting barreled is so addictive, once you get a good one you can’t get enough.  The danger/fear aspect is important because it really gets the adrenalin pumping..that plus when we use the ski Raven is usually telling me don’t blow this one or GOOOOO!  Haha.

Tyler: There are a few places that we have been devoted to for a long time and have put so much time and energy trying to get it dialed in, but we learn more every trip.  It is really beautiful and every time we go somewhere remote it feels special to be somewhere so wild. It definitely makes me think about the what-ifs when you’re that far away from people, or help; but it is so worth it.  There are plenty of spots left out there that are wild and uncrowded that anyone can score with a little time, research, and motivation.

Sure, there wasn’t much in the way of surf, but the sun was out and the conditions were as clean as can be.

Enjoy the video! We hope this has been the happiest of holidays for you and yours, and wish you a happier New Year. Let’s pray for surf to ring in 2011.

– John

Roads were sheets of ice and the area was paralyzed — so obviously surfing was a top priority.

The waves left much to be desired, but the film proves that a few fun ones were out there to be ridden for the hearty. Plus, there’s nothing better than paddling out when most people are content to stay in the warmth of their homes.

John and Josh decided to get a few frigid nuggets down by The Sanctuary. A few waist-plus peaks were sneaking through, so the short session was well worth it.

Again, tunes are provided by John and the other men of Thunderclap. Enjoy!

Fortunately; Josh, John and his camera were able to squeeze a quick midday session in between Christmas festivities for your viewing pleasure. The boys were treated to gifts of 2- to 3-foot, clean surf from Mother Nature.

Josh and his roommates — Thunderclap Trio — recorded “Deck the Halls,” which we used for the clip, and many other Christmas tunes just a few days ago. Awesome tunes for a Christmas session!

Sorry about the grainy footage, as we experienced some technical difficulties on the beach. Haha, at least it looks like we dabbled in 8mm videography.

Anyhow, enjoy the section and happy holidays from the S&A crew!

We’ll be adding more Sandbridge Sessions in the coming days, as a steady train of swell is headed our way!

Enjoy!