Leo Kottke - Tiny Island (Live 1977)

Such is a life surrounded by the sea.

Trash boards brought back to LIFE

Several years ago, I found two thrusters in the trash. The glass was cracked and foam was waterlogged. I decided to wrap one of them in photos cut out of LIFE magazine. The other was covered in pages from a Conan the Barbarian comic book. The edges were taped with white and black electrical tape. I gave these boards to someone as a gift but I cannot remember who. But hopefully, they are still alive in the rafters of some Floridian garage.

Soul on ice... The iceman surfeth...

There are at least two puns about winter surfing in New England. But there is only one film that resembles the frigid air and stinging water - Ishmael. Combining Melvillian inspiration and ice, Scarborough Maine's Ben Keller, put together a snapshot of life that is hard to imagine - unless you have paddled out in subzero temps. Huzzah Ben, huzzah. Get your copy here>

Greg Loehr - Sebastian Inlet

Greg Loehr. Sebastian Inlet. Photo: Pope. Circa ????

Gary Propper, Sebastian Inlet, Florida, 1970

Espejismos

LA BALLENA

HBD - Dental Ding Doc

There are not many who regularly check the world's answering machine. But for those who do... Hazzooo!

Consider the sea

Some time ago, nevermind how long, my wife presented me with a first-edition of Melville's White Whale, as illustrated by Rockwell Kent. Proof that sometimes good deeds do go unpunished.

New Jersey Catboat: Myth

Several years ago I stumbled upon this beauty at the Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia. I was impressed by her shallow draft and wide beam. I was also intrigued by the mini pilot house. She is supposedly decedent from New Yorkian oyster craft. I regret not getting a full picture of her lines.

The Sea Bright Skiff

This morning found me in the mood for a classic Jersey Shore Boat and an old book. Nothing fills the bill as well as Dr. Guthorn's "The Sea Bright Skiff". A more compelling history of a classic craft and its evolution cannot be found. I have found this book to be a portal to warm sand and a crisp breeze.

Here is a positive review of the writing and craft via TraditionalSmallCraft.com
An essential companion to the book is a true film on the subject, "The Sea Bright Skiff: Working on the Jersey Shore".

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Currach building near Dingle, Ireland

The builder in this film is Brandon Creek Harbor Master, Michael o'Shea. Born in 1878 and passing on in the early 1960's, Mr. o’Shea is involved in the building of a traditional Naomhóg; a type of coracle, or currach, used throughout the Dingle Peninsula and especially associated with the Blasket Islands. This 16mm, reverse process, film was shot in the early 1950's near Brandon Creek, Ireland.
I appreciate his eye for lines. No lofting, no plans, just steam, wood, and vision. Building a boat in the elements of nature – Huzzah Mr. o’Shea.

Dugout Canoes: The Lost Craft of Crusoe Island, North Caorlina

I am not so sure that this lost craft should not have just remained lost. A dugout is basically a stone age craft. Given the technology humans have developed since then, the amount of wood wasted and effort expended to deconstruct a dugout canoe seems a little absurd. I am trying to find an equivalent and fishing with dynamite is the only thing that comes to mind. No Huzzah for you, the Crusoe Island dugout canoe.

Dugout Building in Finland, 1936

Moby Dick; or, The white whale. 1961 Signet Classic

There is an endless tide of imprints devoted to Melville's classic work and each carries a different cover. This happens to be my favorite.

Whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul

Tom Blake Biography (2012)

Tom Blake Biography: Presented by the Tom Blake Board Across the Bay - Race & Festival.Compiled by Tom's family and friends in Washburn, Wisconsin.

Tom Blake's 1940's Hollow Surfboard

Nice talk about Tom Blake and his boards. These guys are "legends"... too bad they don't understand what the plug is for; equalizing pressure. If you don't equalize the pressure, the board will blow a seam going from warm air to cool water and vice versa.

Centro Bell

Proposed use of Human Bell as soundtrack for Centro Travels.

During the early 1970's a small group of surfers dropped out of the mainstream and dropped into the Central American line up.

Song: Capriecio Hieroglyphique, from the Human Bell S/T EP available on Thrill Jockey.

*Note: Exact synch not intended to reflect a final cut.

Functional Redundancy

Sometimes looking forward requires acknowledging those who have championed the past. Dental Ding Doc, consider yourself acknowledged. I think your dream helmet escaped this plane somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. I won't go looking for it but I heard it is floating in the Straits of Juan DeFuca.

How Its Made: Osagian Aluminium Canoes