Silver Surfer Longboard Yoga

Aloha Tribe,

I've been thinking of hanging on my longboard a lot lately. And, balance training. And, yoga. As some of you know, as they sort of inspirationally relate to the Silver Surfer.

At any rate, I've found that I truly love doing yoga on my board. More so, simply moving on my board. It's the act of moving, the flowing muscular contractions and extentensions themselves that I'm finding not only so enjoyable, but more so, truly fascinating for personal exploration.

Naturally, of course, this all ties in with my lifetimes experience in Chi Gung and how the body's energy moves on, within, and around our bodies.You see, the more sensitive you are to Chi, the more you can embrace movement fully, both internally and externally, which, paradoxically, is really what surfing is about for all of us, though, naturaly, few if any call it Chi, many simply have no name for it, and, some, call it Stoke.

It's energy. That feeling of flowing movement that calls us, sings to us, guides us, embraces us, and, allows us to be truly receptive to how it flows and touches us.

As such,  I've found that Longboard Yoga is allowing me to sense this energy in a playful way as I explore stretching my muscles while balanced on my surfboard.

And, the more I'm doing it, the more I've finding that it draws me, with a fascination unexplainable, and a yearning, truly magical. Enough so that here, in the middle of the night, I've been called to such movement flowing for the last several hours.Sleep, that can wait. My longboard sings to me and I can't resist her siren song.

I like to think, that in the Marvel Universe of comic books, that the Silver Surfer feels the same way, or would, of course, if he were not merely a comic book Superhero but instead, literally living flesh and blood and yearnings.

For you see, in such physical expression on our boards, we find, not only ourselves, but, art. And that, at least for me, makes me smile. For what is more beautiful than playing with art? You know, that pure in-the-moment sensation we all embrace on our boards as we ride, or, in my case, even stretch with yoga and Chi Gung.

Sure, using something like a comic book Superhero as inspiration is, in a sense, seemingly childish and immature, on the other hand, perhaps it's not so upon second thought, for, what but myth if not story? And, within myth, lies legends of heroes.

So maybe imagination and fun are merely playful, leading to art, and thus, leading to finding out more about ourselves.

I'm finding that with my surfboard, I'm learning, my body, I'm learning how I move and dance receptively to the sea, I am, in a word, learning, me.

I eagerly await the coming morning, though I must say, the full moon tonight sings to my wild primal soul so strongly. Tonight would be a great night for a Night Ride, surfing the sea in moonlite magic.

Bodaciously Stoked,

Lily of the Valley

Silver Surfer Training Camp!!!

Aloha Tribe,

Hey, so, I had a way totally fun idea. Okay, sure, silly, but, fun too. I'm going to create a Silver Surfer Training Camp for improving my surfing.

My inspiration, of course, comes from complete collection of  the Marvel  Superhero The Silver Surfer comic books. I even have "baseball" type cards of him, statues and figurines, t-shirts, and, sure, this is nurdy, but I have a Silver Surfer pillow case on my pillow too. Hobbies, goodness.

At any  rate, my thought for my training camp was that the Silver Surfer is more or less always on his surf board or, at the very least, he has it with him or very close.

So, I figured, with someone like him, pretending of course he truly existed, he must be the greatest of all surfers since he's always surfing. And that's when the lightbulb went on.

I'd set up a Silver Surfer Training camp where, to begin with, I'd stay on my surfboard for 24 hours straight. If that works, I'd extend it into a full weekend, Friday evening through Sunday evening.

I have a NOHO Surf Trainer which when hooked onto my longboard allows it to wobble side to side as well as toward the nose or tail. You all should get a NOHO if you don't have one, by the way.

Well, hooking the NOHO onto my board, I can then get on my board and simulate surfing movements on a moving board. As such, I figured I'd spend the first 24 hours more or less living on the board. I'd do my yoga on it. Read my Silver Surfer comic book collection on it, for inspiration of course. Eat and drink on the board. And, sleep on my longboard too. Even taking care of bathroom needs really isn't a problem since I have one of those camping Lugable Loo portable toilet buckets that I can also set right up on my board for when I needed it.

Basically, I'd have all the stuff I'd need like food, water, the Lugable Loo, my comic books, and so on within arms reach of my board. Then, I simply grab what I need, while remaining on the surfboard. And, when it comes time to sleep, I simply, lay down on my board.

It'll be interesting to see what comes of this after the 24 hours. And more so, if I can indeed do it for a full weekend too. It should be truly fascinating training, more so, rather fun and silly, and, what better way to relax and loosen up than to giggle at oneself's silliness, so, why not?

Oh, the other cool idea I had involving this is to bring my longboard and NOHO Surf Trainer outside and set it up on various angled hills I have in my yard where the board can point downhill, uphill, and even sideways on hills, all at various degrees of angle. Thus, while staying on the board in such situations, simulating, of course, The Silver Surfer as he flies through the universe to different galaxies with various levels of gravity and angles and such, I'll be actually practicing a form of extremely advanced Chi Gung training called Zhan Zhong or Stake Standing, only modified, of course, to fit my Silver Surfer idea, which, paradoxically, will help develop my body for ridiing various angled and sized waves, not unlike the concepts behind Drunken Style Kung Fu, actually, namely, that the body  grows or adapts to the changes put upon on it, thereby learning to adjust to seemingly unbalanced positions.

This should be fun. The only thing that would make it more fun would be to have a bunch of people to share the camp with. It'd be a lot of fun as a group sort of thing. Nerdy, sure, but fun!!!

Silver Surfer Graphic Novel Home Coming (October 1991) Wow, what a cover and what a cool surfing pose!!!

Bodaciously Stoked,

Lily of the Valley

Balance Training, Yin Yoga, and Mushashi Meditation

Aloha Tribe,

For the next three days, I'll be heavy concentrating on surfing, swimming, Rocket Rescue Fin swimming, monofin swimming, developing swimmer's muscles using a training program taught to me by the head lifeguard on Kauai, balance training, practicing Yin Yoga, slacklining, and meditating and studying on the writings of the 17th Century Japanese Swordsmand Mushashi.

I'm looking forward to a really intense workout and study. I'll also continue my study my three languages of Hawaiian Language, Surfing Language, and Hawaiian Pidgin Language.

I'll also be training Bone/Marrow Chi Gung and Tendon/Brain Washing Chi Gung styles.

For the most part,  I'll be training with intense focus from dawn to dusk, then, into the night with studies. My diet will mostly consist simply of fruit (mangoes, papayas, pineapple), and water.

My goal, by the time I finish Thursday morning, will be a renewed sense of Physical Balance, a more honed swimmer's body, and increased health and Aloha happiness.

Bodaciously Stoked,

Lily of the Valley

One Foot Waves Lead to Personal Exploration of Style

Aloha Tribe,

Tomorrow, the waves are supposed to be one foot. Now, hmm, some of you might be saying. But not me. You see, I was told that if I could learn to surf one foot waves, if I could truly master them, then, I could ride almost anything. For, in such basics, lie the secrets to potential and surfing dreams.

So, as you can see, I'm rather totally stoked about tomorrow's sets. It will be fun to paddle into them, and, they offer such a wealth of personal experimentation. Why, it's actually merely limited by one's own imagination and creativity.

I'll try Take-offs, naturally. And, variations such as No Paddle Take-Offs and also Paddle Out Rentrys. both of which, are favorites of mine. Interestingly enough too, both were learned, by, accident. I suppose it's that way with most surfing moves, like my Submarine, for example. The name for that was created for me by some surfers on Kauai after hearing about the move. And, while it's a bit of a go to do, it'll be fun to try it tomorrow too.

Naturally, I'll practice my Pop Ups, Angles, and Drop Ins. And, if possible, some fun Pull Outs. I've always preferred Pull Outs to Kick Outs, and, while many if not most surfers don't really differntiate between the two, to me, they are light years apart, Yin and Yang, actually, for one uses softness, smoothness, grace, beauty, feminine flowing movement, and style, and, the other, well, it's rather staccato, angular, quick, abrupt, and jerky. Clearly, the first is more feminine and girly, and the second, much more macho, guy like, and aggressive, as moves go.

I'd love to practice Prone Outs, for I love them so, and, Knee Riding, but, my Surfing Mentor has forbidden me from doing either. At least White Water exploration is still doable and okay according to the "rules," that I follow in my training. As long as I don't do too much of it, of course.

I'm really stoked about some little one foot waves, for what more challenge, yes? Just think, mastery of such a tiny wave, wow, now that would be a wildly fun dream, at least to me.

I truly hope that it works out and that I can take a Surfari tomorrow. It'll be wild.

Bodaciously Stoked,

Lily of the Valley

Siltarp2 for Surfers: A Great Surfer's Shelter

Aloha Tribe,

I love camping, and, since surfing, especially Vagabond Feral Soul Surfing involves traveling around quite a bit to exotic breaks, it's great to travel ultralight.

I've found a perfect shelter that works great for me as a wandering surfing. It's the Integral Designs Siltarp2. Basically, it's an ultralight ripstop nylon tarp, weighing mere ounces (about 14 oz.), yet, it repels rain and snow (it is a waterproof nylon), wind and blowing sand, and, for times when you want shade, it offers protection from the sun. It has loops on each corner, as well as every 2 feet, and, an additional loop in the center, so, it is easy to set up in any configuration you'd want or need. There is a center seam down the length of it, but it comes with a sealant called Silnet Seam Sealant so you don't have to worry about getting wet.

Mine is the 8' x 10' Siltarp2, in gray. I also have another one that is olive.

I love hammock camping, and, this tarp is perfect for stretching out above my hammock, giving me ample room to stand next to my hammock or sit, yet, at the same time remain beneath shelter. I also love the Siltarp2 simply as a shelter all by itself. You simply stake it out (I use titanium stakes, they're light weight), and, if you need to, lay a bedroll and sleeping bag beneath the tarp and you have a super shelter.

I know that not too many of The Tribe use shelters, but, why not? A simple, versatile shelter like this can go anywhere, takes almost no room or weight to carry, and yet, it offers so much. You can even change behind it if you're so inclined to privacy.

The tarp also comes in woodland camo, tan, and even yellow. My next one will definitely be the 8 x 10 woodland camo. I love that one. Had I known about it before, I'd have bought it first!!!

Bodaciously Stoked,

Lily of the Valley