Vibes team captain Buffy Munro speaks about surfing - SL Surfing Part 3

Nadja Revnik: Wellcome Miss Munro! Finally a female surfer! For how long do you surf in SL?
Buffy Munro: Since 2007! A long time now. Haha.
Nadja Revnik: Wow, yei!
Nadja Revnik: Is it your birthyear?
Buffy Munro: Yes.
Nadja Revnik: Did you start right away?
Buffy Munro: But I joined SL in Feb and I didn't find surfing until about October.
Nadja Revnik: Ah, ok ,-) How did you come to surfing back then?
Buffy Munro: I was in a club one night and got talking to this guy. I'd only been in and out of SL a bit. I'd not done much at all in SL and he asked if I had been to any beaches and I had not, so he tp'd me to a fantastic beach...Majini Island ;-)
Nadja Revnik: It seems everyone started there; me as well ;-)
Buffy Munro: Hehe, was a fantastic place. I got on my first SL surf board that night.
Nadja Revnik: Still got it?
Buffy Munro: No, VW was on the beach and he lent me one. Couldn't believe you could do that in SL! Haha.
Nadja Revnik: Ah, heh, same here...as well got a board rezzed by VW, when I surfed the first time. But I can't remember which year I started.
Buffy Munro: LOL.
Nadja Revnik: But didn't made it to become team captain ;-)
Buffy Munro: Hehe.
Nadja Revnik: Prolly too lazy.
Buffy Munro: LOL!
Buffy Munro: I very rarely left Majini after that.
Nadja Revnik: Vibes was already founded that days?
/comment Vibes is the team where my interview partner is team captain at. 

Buffy at new Vibes club house at Vibes beach.

Buffy Munro: Yes, just.
Nadja Revnik:  And what makes SL surfing special for you?
Buffy Munro: It was always the people really....I have enjoyed competing in the past but I get dead nervous! Just the people I have met have made it so special.
Nadja Revnik: :-)
Buffy Munro: A lot of people come and go, but certain ones remain ....I was just thinking last night that this is going to be the 4th Christmas that I have known certain people here.
Nadja Revnik: That's nice!
Buffy Munro: Maybe been here to long. ROFL
Nadja Revnik: Lol. Does your clicker surf as well?
Buffy Munro: My what?
Nadja Revnik: Lol. The RL person behind your avatar.
Buffy Munro: Oh real me. ROFL. Bit slow...haha.
/comment Miss Munro seems to like to laugh a lot ;-)
Nadja Revnik: ;-)
Buffy Munro: Well, I used to live in Newquay, England, which is a well known surf town. I can't say I've ever been the best surfer in RL but always enjoyed trying LOL. I'm better on a body board...haha...surfers nightmare. LOL
Nadja Revnik: Well, fun is most important, eh?
Buffy Munro: I am more balanced in SL.Lmao.
Nadja Revnik: Heh. What is the job of a team captain?
Buffy Munro: I recruit, be there for them all, pick scoring surfers in the comps, as only 5 can count for team points, attempt to have meetings that usually turn in to a party!
Nadja Revnik: Last part seems to be fun! ;-)
Buffy Munro: Haha. Always happens. They are a great bunch of people.
Nadja Revnik: Should surf more and get on a team to party more. ;-P
Buffy Munro: Vibers really is about the fun. I would never ask them to do anything, if they don't want to compete, it doesn't mean they are not on the team anymore...my little family.
Nadja Revnik: ;-)

SLSA award ceremony 2010

Buffy Munro: We are a small team and we won this season! Wooohoo!!! Hahaaa. I've waited ages for that moment.
Nadja Revnik: The whole season? Great!
Buffy Munro: It feels great! ;-)
Nadja Revnik: Grats on this!
Buffy Munro: thx :)
Nadja Revnik: And saturday you will be honored?
Buffy Munro: Yes! I have to accept the trophy, hehe.
Nadja Revnik: Heh, hope you ate enough.
Buffy Munro: Been looking for something to wear. ROFL
Nadja Revnik: Oh yei, for the press pics ;-)
Buffy Munro: Haha.
Nadja Revnik: And I have a last question as well: why do you think people engage in sports in SL in general?
Buffy Munro: Personally, as I said before I did it because I got hooked on the people...I can't speak for others....freedom maybe? They are able to do something they couldn't necessarily do in RL.
Nadja Revnik: Thanks for the fun interview Miss Munro!

Surf Safari Part II - Surfing with Rayzza Rubble

Nadja Revnik: Mr. Rubble, thank you for taking over the surf beach tour...do you think you can keep Mr. Haldermans standards?
Rayzza Rubble: Noo, he's a bit more techy than me.
First stop is Tai
Nadja Revnik: Well, do your best for my readers then and maybe you are more competent on the sexy fem surfers in the Chai team?
Rayzza Rubble: Am good with them...one owner is an aussie, then there's Desi , she's german...both nice :)
Nadja Revnik: Ah, another german girl (like me). Tell my male readers, is one of them single? And as well sexy?
Rayzza Rubble: Yes, one of SL's top surfers, too.
Nadja Revnik: Well, in case those are not into girls ;-)
Rayzza Rubble: Umm, they bat for the rong team for us blokes.
Nadja Revnik: ???  In normal English please?
Rayzza Rubble: Leso's.
Nadja Revnik: Both?
Rayzza Rubble: Yes, they are partners.
Nadja Revnik: Oh and taken as well..sigh.
Nadja Revnik: So it's a Cortes and Fluffys here? Talking about waves again...can't gossip all day long ;-)

Rayzza Rubble: Yes! This cortez was the first one in SL. We had the first ever cortez surf comp here.

Nadja Revnik: What's special about surfing fluffies?
Rayzza Rubble: They are hard to ride. Easy to fall of the wave. I enjoy them.
/comment Meanwhile I learned my lessons about fluffies trying to surf those...well known surfer VW gave me a lecture when they were on at Vibes Beach and it took me a while to get those. So, really a challenge!
Nadja Revnik: So is this the beach of any team?
Rayzza Rubble: Not that I know off.
Nadja Revnik: Ok. A public then.
Rayzza Rubble: I've not been a fan of teams, but joined Reef Riders to get Jordan back in the water only this last season.
/comment Reef Riders home can be found at Bundoran Reef.

Rayzza Rubble: Ok, on to Chi.

Rayzza Rubble: The SLSA has a comp here or next door each season.
Nadja Revnik: So, tell me about the waves.
Rayzza Rubble: Here we have pipes and fluffies. I find the pipes hardest of the lot, but that's personal.
Nadja Revnik: And is this a team beach?
Rayzza Rubble: Maybe for team Chi, I'm not sure. I don't keep up with teams.
Nadja Revnik: Those clouds are funny...its a sphere off sim. Haven't seen those before.

Rayzza Rubble: Yes, its a huge skybox.
Nadja Revnik: Reminds me of The Trueman Show ;-)
Rayzza Rubble: Ok, let me show you what's up in the sky.

Nadja Revnik: Funny.
Rayzza Rubble: Every SSI board ever made on display is here.

Nadja Revnik: SSI?
Rayzza Rubble: It's the only brand board that is allowed in the SLSA surf comps.
Nadja Revnik: What means SSI in long?
Rayzza Rubble: Surf Systems Inc.
Nadja Revnik: Ok.

Nadja Revnik: So, where to now, Mr. Rubble? Is there something the world waits to see..a hidden paradise? Dream of any girls...free massages after surfing?
Rayzza Rubble: You got warm toes??
Nadja Revnik: Not really, want to tp to Monkey Beach? ;-P
/comment Our landlord is the best in world, but for my taste he enjoys winter too much and invited snow to the main beach in the Xmas season. ;-) Brrrrrrr....
Rayzza Rubble: No! Gonna take you to a winter surf spot.
Nadja Revnik: Uhoh...
Rayzza Rubble: See if it's still there, sure it is.

Playa Sol Mananero - Winter SOLstice

Nadja Revnik: Omy, its freezing. Can i be afk for 2 to get a tea?
Nadja Revnik: Polar lights even!
Rayzza Rubble: As well whales and seals!
Nadja Revnik: It sure is special, even if very cold!
Rayzza Rubble: It is very nice here!
Nadja Revnik: Who's is it?
Rayzza Rubble: It belongs to Jac and Sunhine.
Nadja Revnik: Is it winter here all the time?
Rayzza Rubble: I've only found this recently and was being transformed last time I was here. the water is too cold for me.
Nadja Revnik: Heh, I bet. Chicken! ;-P I hate snow but this sim is beautiful. They did a really great job.
Rayzza Rubble: Yes, is amazing.

Rayzza Rubble: There are more surf sims these are just a few. But def the best.
Nadja Revnik: Mr. Rubble you might have something in your pockets the seals freak out..listen to their noises.Rayzza Rubble: Beats chest!!!
Nadja Revnik: Heeeelp...
Rayzza Rubble: Oohh ohh ahh ahh!!
Rayzza Rubble: Got any spare nanas??
Nadja Revnik: Time to go home to the Monkeys? ;-P
Rayzza Rubble: Hhehehee.
Nadja Revnik: Prolly frozen bananas at the beach.
Rayzza Rubble: Yeah, snow does that.
Nadja Revnik: Well, Mr. Rubble thanks for the second tour part you joined in. I will go on another day when I recovered from being tpsick.

Meeting well known Aussie Rayzza Rubble - Surf Safari & Interview Part 2

Nadja Revnik: Welcome Mr. Rubble! How long do you surf already in Second Life?
Rayzza Rubble: Since day 3, I met an aussie girl at (now sunken) Pondi Beach, Siouxe, she showed me you could ride waves in SL.
Nadja Revnik: Day three of your existence?
Rayzza Rubble: By day 3 I'd found Monkey Cove and never left.
Nadja Revnik: Let me check how old are you!? 1034 days, wow! About my age then...
Rayzza Rubble: Good vintage..lol.
Nadja Revnik: So it was 1031 days ago?
Rayzza Rubble: Yes, it was!Nadja Revnik: What kept you surfing for such a long time?
Rayzza Rubble: I surf in RL and like the laid back atmosphere here at the cove.
/comment with cove he refers to Monkey Cove!
Nadja Revnik: Yei, I understand that very well.Rayzza Rubble: It is nice and quiet here most of the time.
Nadja Revnik: And what makes surfing as a sport in SL special? Is there something that fascinates you in particular?Rayzza Rubble: I just do it for fun. A lot of the surfers that compete are really serious about it, but not me. Surf comps to me are about getting together with your friends for a day at the beach, having fun and laugh. I dont care, if I win or loose. It's about comaraderie:
Nadja Revnik: So it's mostly a community thing why you surf?
Rayzza Rubble: Yes!
Nadja Revnik: ;-)
Rayzza Rubble: Not to many weirdos surf...
Nadja Revnik: I heard someone say, taking a wave in SL feels similar to taking a wave in RL..he feels the thrill surfing here...is it something that you feel as well?
Rayzza Rubble: Not really, my arms don't ache from paddeling in SL, and it can be snowing and I don't need to pee in my wetsuit to stay warm...lol.
Nadja Revnik: Lol...You do that in RL?
Rayzza Rubble: If u got to go, you got to go!
Nadja Revnik: ;-) I never thought about that aspect ;-P
Rayzza Rubble: 99% of surfers have peed in their wetsuits...FACT!!!
Nadja Revnik: Ack...
/Comment /note never borrow a wetsuit if start surfing in rl
Rayzza Rubble: I rinse my wetsuits after every surf in fresh water.
Nadja Revnik: Ok, but I will always think about that now :-P.Rayzza Rubble: Lol.
Nadja Revnik: Well, you already answered one of my questions...you surf in RL as well!?
Rayzza Rubble: Yes, I do! I ride longboards in RL, nothing under 9 ft long.
Nadja Revnik: Why do you think people engage in sports in SL in general?
Rayzza Rubble: It's a good way to meet peeps and you find friends for life, good friends.
Nadja Revnik: I like the surf culture, but to be honest, I'm far too lazy to surf much nowadays in SL. I did a few textures for boards. Doing more of that would be more interesting then surfing itself, but I for sure like the people on surf sims.
Rayzza Rubble: Yeah, they are pretty easy maintence surfers, just give em a wave and they are happy. I enjoy designing boards as well.
Nadja Revnik: Lol. But there's a difference between Tuli/Mori and Monkey, I found out already. It's even more friendly here. What would you say makes Monkey special and outstanding before other surf sims?
Rayzza Rubble: It is! It's a nice place! Well, we got the best landlord in SL I think here at the cove. Syx is the BEST!
Nadja Revnik: Are you engaged in any organisations surf related?
Rayzza Rubble: I am the director of the Australian Surf Association (ASA).
Rayzza Rubble: I also just opened up Pray 4 Surf, a surf company. Making surfwear and some really cool boards for comp surfers.

Pray 4 Surf @ Monkey Paw

Nadja Revnik: What's a directors job?
Rayzza Rubble: Head honcho...lol...organise comps parties ect...delegate...lol.
Nadja Revnik: Parties, eh ? ;-PRayzza Rubble: Yeah, the ASA was formed for us aussies, so we can have comps in our time zone. Not having to get up at 4 am to surf a SLSA comp is heaven for us ausies.
Nadja Revnik: Is the ASA a competition to the SLSA?
Rayzza Rubble: No, it's like it's lil bro. They help us alot, the SLSA, although we don't have all the red tape and rules and regulations. It's more a fun thing for us.Nadja Revnik: Nice!
Rayzza Rubble: I have noticed it's a whole different vibe, the aussie comps. Mainly cause we just want to have fun and carry on like lil kids at the beach.

Little kids playing at the beach ;-)

Don't miss the next blog report, where Rayzza Rubble will tell us about three famous surf spots of his choice.

Surf Safari Part 1 - Abel Haldermans Top Three

After I interviewed Mr. Halderman I dressed up properly surf style, fixed hair and make up and we went together on a short surf safari.

Nadja Revnik: Today Mr. Haldermann joins us on a trip around the world to different surf spots. Welcome Mr. Haldermann!
Abel Halderman: Thank you Ms. Revnik.
Abel Halderman: We are at the Archipealgo beach.

/comment Even if Mr. Halderman does not know how to spell my name he is an expert on surfing in SL - so lets see what he gets outa his pockets tonight ;-)

Abel Halderman: This beach belongs to the SL Surfing Association. We first rented it around October 2009. Since then it has been a home beach to the SLSA. We held 2 surf competitions here.
Nadja Revnik: That's over a year..indeed already a long time for SL.
Abel Halderman: In SL yes. But thanks to our surfers the beach is doing financially very well right now.
Nadja Revnik: No one drowned here since now?
Abel Halderman: There were some missing people here. But we figure they just crashed.
Nadja Revnik: Heh.
Nadja Revnik: Let's donate a dime then.
Abel Halderman: Hehe. Thank you!
Nadja Revnik: Are here life guards around?
Abel Halderman: No, sorry! But this is a wild beach in many ways.

Nadja Revnik: The waves look pretty wild.
Abel Halderman: Well...
Nadja Revnik: Haven't seen such anywhere else by now.
Abel Halderman: This wave is very unique. Perhaps you have seen it on the login screen in your SL viewer. It was created by leogarto Burt. A brazilian association owner.
Nadja Revnik: Is he sexy?...that might be a question female readers are interested in ;)
Abel Halderman: It is one of the first sculpted waves in SL. I think the first actually. Is he sexy...Hmm...one sec
Abel Halderman: [11:22]  Abel Halderman: Is leogarto Burt sexy?
Abel Halderman: [11:22]  Jane Doe: I dont think so!
Nadja Revnik: lol
Nadja Revnik: Is it difficult to surf - as it is not one single sculpt?
Abel Halderman: The wave is very old and most probably not perfect. Yet, it is a piece of history.
Nadja Revnik: Is the problem in surfing that wave the different parts it has?
Abel Halderman: It is more about the pushed wave that is the invisible part. It is what pushes the board. So yes it may be a problem for some.
Nadja Revnik: Ah...that's always invisible behind each waves?
Abel Halderman: Yes, almost always. There is an exception though.
Nadja Revnik: Let's have a look in the hall of fame Mr. Halderman as we're already here.

Abel Halderman: Sure, follow me please. The SLSA Hall of Fame is a place where people that have done the most for the surf community have their plaques. There are the SLSA founders here, best surfers and people who the surfing community chose to be inducted. Season winners, SLSA founders and creators of SL surfing, the two on the top..Seb and Heather...created the first SL boards and waves. Here are mostly people inducted by the surfers or nominated by the surfers and voted by the HoF members and directors.
Nadja Revnik: Oh and you are there as well ;-)
Abel Halderman: Almost all most deserving it. Perhaps except for me.
/comment Understatement of a gentleman...
Abel Halderman: This place is a symbol of excelency in surfing and working for the surf community.
Two tops surfers each season are inducted automatically. The other two surfers are nominated by the members and voted by the HoF (Hall of Fame) members and SLSA directors. The building itself..was created by Syx Toshi, who won the SLSA contest for the new SLSA HoF building design.
Nadja Revnik: Some names i know well, others I never heared.

Abel Halderman: Well, some of the people are long gone. This is where we keep the memory of them.
Nadja Revnik: The waves took them? They drowned here?
Abel Halderman: One of them died in RL.
Nadja Revnik: Uh :-(  By surf?
Abel Halderman: Thos Bishop. No, not when surfing. He was sick in RL. He is remembered by many surfers in the SLSA. He is a legend. He died in 2008.

Nadja Revnik: Well for now we have some beaches to go to ;-)
Abel Halderman: Yes! Next one is the Vibes team beach.
Nadja Revnik: One I know! But lets go with expertise today ;-)
Abel Halderman: I'll tell you a story about the Vibes beach. Ok first generally...In 2007 when I joined the SLSA VW Sands and Lissa Pinion..todays Hall of Fame members..had a beach. It was Majini. It is also a legendary spot.
Nadja Revnik: My first surf spot.
Abel Halderman: And it was the first surf spot for many surfers. It was a real surf central if you know what I mean.
Nadja Revnik: Yep!
Abel Halderman: Everybody loved it because of its atmosphere and the people there. Many miss it - event till now!
Nadja Revnik: Yes, i liked it there as well! VW was the first surfer I knew.
Abel Halderman: Then Maji had to go. We all cried about it, but soon after it was gone...VW and Lissa got a new beach and that was because the SL surfers donated enough money to buy two brand new full sims. This deck...has the surfers names on it. But times were hard and also Tuli and Mori had to go.
Nadja Revnik: Tell me about it. I lost my home.
Abel Halderman: I did, too! This is the only live piece of Majini we have here. It belongs to the Vibrations Surf Team and they are proud of it and the rest of the surfers happy for them too. As you see the deck is still here and it is a symbol of the group effort.
Nadja Revnik: The wave here..it seems to be hip nowadays.
Abel Halderman: The wave is the Cortes made by Sebastian Saramago...we "met" him in the HoF building. Some love the wave, some not so much, but you gotta admitt... it is the best looking wave around.
Nadja Revnik: Is that waves - which I btw still only see in grey - so great to surf the rezzing effort is worth?
Abel Halderman: I love it!
Nadja Revnik: When it's rezzed after an hour or so it might look nice ;-P
Abel Halderman:  Well, of course having waves at homestead sims causes issues sometimes but most of the surf sims we have right now are HS. So this was the Vibes Surf Team beach.
Nadja Revnik: Picking next destination?
Abel Halderman: You know Tsunami Beach?
Nadja Revnik: Yes, lets go there!
Abel Halderman: Ok.
Nadja Revnik: Mr. Halderman now I get afraid...do we have to think about drowning in a Tsunami here?
Abel Halderman: Hehe, no. It's all safe ;-)
Tsunami Beach was created back in 2008. Since then it has however changed its location. This sim has a double Cortes wave and one LSD wave. Also a few shops on the neighbor sim. It is a home of the Tsunami Surf Team.

Nadja Revnik: LSD is the single one there?
Abel Halderman: LSD has the single one here, yes.
Nadja Revnik: What does LSD stand for? The drug? You get high from surfing on it? ;-)
Abel Halderman: Luscious Starship Designs
Nadja Revnik: Uhoh...is he an addict? ;-P
Abel Halderman: It's a she! And I don't think she is. ;-)
Nadja Revnik: Well, we hope the best for her. ;-)
Abel Halderman: Hehe.
Nadja Revnik: Our male readers might wanna know..is she sexy?
Abel Halderman: Just my opinion but I think she is. ;-)
/comment I hope just married Mrs. Halderman is not freaking out by that ;-)
Nadja Revnik: Don't tell you dated her? ;-)
Abel Halderman: No, I never have!
Nadja Revnik: Well, shall we set up this interview for getting you a date? ;-P
Abel Halderman: Haha, nooo - no dating in SL!
/comment see above....so much about no dating in SL....
Abel Halderman: Would you like to see the clubhouse?
Nadja Revnik: The LSD wave did not rezz yet, but clubhouse is on the same sim?
Abel Halderman: Yes, it is.

Abel Halderman: Tsunami is one of the oldest teams right now along with Reef Riders and Vibrations, and probably another one or two.
Nadja Revnik: You told you are in it, eh?
Abel Halderman: Yes, I am. It was founded back in 2008. These show cases belong to the Tsunami surfers. Some of them keep their trophies in there, some rezz picures of other things they are emotionally attached to.

Nadja Revnik: Oh, Syx Toshi is Tsunami surfer as well?
/comment Syx Toshi: Lead Monkey and owner of the famous Monkey Surf Paradise.
Abel Halderman: Yes he is. He has not competed yet tho.
Nadja Revnik: There is no team Monkey?
Abel Halderman: As for now I don't think there is. Syx is a supporter to the team and generally to surfing. Love the guy. He has organized some of the best competitions ever.
Nadja Revnik: Hot chicks on the wall as well!
Abel Halderman: Oh! What can I say: we like beauty I guess...lol.
Nadja Revnik: Well, well...
Abel Halderman: Some of the surf legends are here too: Pova Rustamova for example. 2008 Season 1 champion. Then Wilfrid DeCuir 2008 Season 2 Champion.
Nadja Revnik: Well thanks for tour to your three favorite surf locations....