Customer Reviews

Stoked! A History of Surf Culture

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of all the surf books I've reviewed, this is, by far, the best to date. Kampion does it right with just the right amount of detail, written words and appropriate photos. He has encapsulated the history of the sport in a beautiful coffee-table sized book and it is the one book that outstokes all the rest. The title says it all with each page bringing out the "stoke" of the moment reported. Kampion knows how to capture the feeling without even getting wet!

Few would argue with the statement that Drew Kampion is the world's best surf journalist. John Severson created the industry, and Kampion has perfected it over the last 30 years. Documenting the history of this ever-shifting subculture is a extremely difficult task, especially since surfers consider themselves "counter-culture."

In Stoked, Kampion touches on every element of surfing culture throughout surf history, and he does so in easy-to-swallow, bite-sized pieces. The Duke, Tom Blake, Malibu, Dora, Lopez, Tom, and Kelly are all here. And the photos are phenomenal. Every classic shot is here: Da Bull at Pipe, the first Day at Waimea, the first issue of The Surfer, and some soon to be classics, like some beautiful tow-in stuff.

To call yourself a real surfer, you must pay homage to those before you who made it possible. You gotta know your history. Drew Kampion brings you the soul of the sport through time, and he makes it lively and fun. Get it! .

Now in a new and expanded edition, Stoked! A History Of Surf Culture by writer, photographer, and surfing expert Drew Kampion (who was also a former editor of "Surfer," "Surfing," "Wind Surf" and "Wind Tracks" magazines) is an informative, adventurous, visually oriented historical survey of a wildly popular sport -- and the people who embraced and developed it. Gorgeous full-color photographs stir visions of wind and wave, while the accessible text traces the love, lore, and sometimes tragedy of this exciting pastime down through the years. Stoked! is enthusiastically recommended -- especially for surfing enthusiasts!

i consider myself as much of an expert on the history of surfing as one could be without actually having lived through the early days, and while reading through this book I was not only entertained from cover to cover, but actually learned a few new things! The facts are presented along with interesting points colorfully explained. The photos are worth the price of the book alone, but the text adds so much more. This it the best history of surfing i've ever read!

This book is fantastic. If you are into the history of surfing this is definitely one for the personal library. I am very pleased with this book.

Drew Kampion has been chronicling the surfing subculture since the start of the modern era. With "Stoked!" he's produced THE defintive history of this "thing of ours." (As a surf-writer myself, Kampion's stylistic influence has been indelible.) There is no one else in his class.

This guy is a national surf treasure. If you surf, read him. (If you don't surf, please don't start.)

Kampion is the best at describing and explaining surfing and surf culture. I was transported through the years and distances of my own life, flashing on classic images and the well thought out perspective that the book offers. If you ever wondered where your watery roots originated and why it is the way it is, check out Stoked.

This was a great book full of imformation as well as history and the evolution of the surfboard formt he changes in materials as well as the changes in length and styles. It is also a great tribute to the Surfers and shapers that revolutionized the sport. I highly recommned this book to anyone interested in Surfing.

Ok, so I am a surf-child of the 60's, nuff said. That could be why I love this book. It holds a treasure of memories and reminders of why I can't separate surfing from life. For that unique time and my specific generation this book is both a definition of "stoked" and a reminder of the best parts of that crazy time when surfing was fresh and new. But wait, it is that way for every generation - new and fresh like the first wave you paddle through when you are learning or that first bottom turn or nose ride. Although now it might be the first air or overhead wave or trip to an exotic destination just to catch a wave. No, every generation of groms should enjoy this book for what it is - another great interpretation of the "stoke" of wave riding.

Thanks Drew for the great memories and amazing photos.

Bought this for my surfer brother-in-law. He was stoked. Loved the book and is still trying to find himself in one of the photos. All surfers will enjoy this book. Makes a great gift.