Rider Profile – Alex Martins

NCS: Lets start with your stats.
AM: Alex Martins, 39 yrs old, born in Recife, Brasil

NCS:How long have you been surfing?
AM: I have been surfing for 28 years

NCS: What made you want to start surfing in the first place?
AM: Just followed my friends Read more

Shaper Profile – Rickland Surfboards

RICH LANDERER “RICKLAND” A Peru native, Rich grew up in Florida and moved to California in 1997 which sparked his shaping interest. Rich has developed into one of California’s premier shapers with a unique personal touch that is felt in each of his shapes. Rich has worked under some of the most prominent shapers in the industry. Rich does all the artwork for Rickland. He is recognized for his personal style and creative mind that is unleashed in the paint pen and stencil designs on his shapes. Customizing your own ideas onto your surfboard, either art or shape designs, Rickland is proud of his personal approach to each surfer. The following Master shapers truly influenced his practice and here is what he says about them:

Check out more of Rickland's shaper profile..

Rider Profile – Omar Etcheverry

Omar Etcheverry is no stranger to the surf industry.  After being on the WQS for 10 yrs he had a change in interests and is now pursuing other endeavors but that does not stop him from surfing and being part of the industry!  Get a cup of coffee, relax, and read up on Mr. Etcheverry.
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Shop Profile – Aqua Surf Shop

NCS:  How did Aqua Surf Shop start?
AQUA: My friend Tony Canadas opened up Aquaholics, which became the present day Aqua. I (Aleks Petrovitch) have worked in surf shops off & on my whole working life, so often I came in to help Tony run the shop when he would take off on adventures. Eventually Tony wanted to work on other projects, and grew a little tired of retail (it is not the most exciting thing in the world). I have a knack for it and love surfboards, so Tony asked me if I wanted to take over the shop. It took a little while but along with the help of my friend Devin Dargell, we did.

What's the cure for Aquaholics...

Ladera Skateboards

In 2000, Ladera Skateboards began as an experiment in a high school wood shop class. With nothing more than a rusty jigsaw, a sheet of plywood and a passion for skating, they developed a skateboard that was vastly different from the cookie-cutter decks available at the local skate shops. Adorned with hand-painted art and a shape that merged style with function, the first Ladera skateboard captured an element of individuality and expressiveness that would eventually define the company in its entirety.

Ladera Skateboards is much more than a brand. It’s a tight-knit crew of local skaters from Santa Cruz, California who’ve formed an alliance based on countless skate sessions and endless good times. Over the years, the Ladera Skateboard crew’s grassroots efforts, guerrilla marketing tactics and unique image have helped to build name and increase brand awareness.
Get the low down on Ladera Longboards

Go Green with Smart Girls Who Surf

9 Questions with Jennifer Taylor, President of “Smart Girls Who Surf”

Being in the sun isn’t just about having fun — it’s about being safe, smart and protected. As beneficial as Vitamin D is for our skin, it’s even more important to keep our skin well hydrated while blocking the most harmful UVA and UVB rays. Smart Girls Who Surf and Surf-Vival know exactly how important this is to men, women, children, and families, so they created a premium line of earth-friendly sunscreens and products that protect the environment without using toxic chemicals or synthetic preservatives. Staying safe while playing in the sun has never been so fun — and easy!
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Filmer Profile – Steve Cleveland

NCS: How did you get into filming?

SC: I got into filming back in 1973 when I was taking photography at the University of Hawaii.

NCS: What was your first video camera?

SC: My first video camera was a Canon GL-1. Before the Canon, I was using film cameras.

NCS: What was your first surf flick?

SC: My first surf flick was called “On Safari to Stay”. We shot it in Super 8 film with a Beilu
Check out more of Steve Cleveland's Profile

Shop Profile – Prooflab

Prooflab, located in Mill Valley, CA, started in 2004 by Northern California ripper Nathan McCarthy. Prooflab provides a wide array of surf and skate products such as Cole, Stretch, Simon, Estrada, Channel Islands, JS, Chilli, Lost, Noe, Mark Richards, Firewire and Xanadu.  It is a unique shop because they carry surfboards from around the world but if you would like a local shaper, Pat Judah will shape a board for you in their shaping room in the back of the shop.
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Shaper Profile – Stretch Surfboards

William “Stretch” Riedel has been creating distinctive and innovative custom hand built boards for surfing, sailing, kiting, and tow surfing.  Born in Malibu, CA, he was taught to build boards by his father Mike Riedel, a shaper for Velzy Jacobs Surfboards in the 1960′s.  His multitude of craftsmanship and wave riding skills eventually landed him in Santa Cruz where a life changing windsurfing accident in 1988 left him with partial paralysis.  His enthusiasm for progressive wave riding continues daily with technological advancement, team feedback and a passion for building the best boards possible.

Go grab yourself a refreshment of your choice and enjoy the interview and photo gallery from Stretch Surboards factory!
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Filmer Profile – Ryan Moss

If your out surfing and you see someone floating around with a camera and a redbull there is a good chance that it’s Ryan Moss filming upcoming talent such as Nat Young, Matt Myers, Austin Smith-Ford, Kyle Buthman and many other already known surfers.  Norcalsurfers got a chance to take him out of the water and sit down long enough to answer a few questions about how he started filming, his current equipment, and experiences out in the water.  Check it out…

Behind the lens with Ryan Moss

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